This was one of the best episode of this wonderful show. From the very beginning it was filled with twists and turns. It was definitely a good setup for the rest of the season. There were many secrets and many revelations. The special effects are worth mentioning. The flying monkeys were a treat to watch. This new curse seems interesting. The best twist was Whalsh's reality. Hook was fun and Emma was cool. Regina's pain for Henry was heart wrenching. The episode was first paced and every details were taken in to account. The episode was a good mix of drama, tragedy, comedy and romance. If you missed it, then you definitely missed a brilliant episode.
4 Reviews
Winningly wicked
TheLittleSongbird27 March 2018
When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.
It is very daunting having to follow on from such a special episode like Season 3's mid-season finale "Going Home". "New York City Serenade" follows on from it incredibly well and is very nearly just as wonderful. For a second-half-to-the-season start, "New York City Serenade" hugely impresses and is a fine episode on its own, among the stronger Season 3 episodes, though up to this point all the episodes of Season 3 ranged from pretty good to brilliant in my opinion (which is probably not a popular opinion seeing as a few of them got a mixed critical reception, with me on the positive side).
Didn't really buy the whole thing with Emma and the flying monkey, for my tastes it was a touch absurd. Then again that may be just me. Can't think of anything else to fault "New York City Serenade" however.
It doesn't feel like we are going round in circles or ground to a halt with "New York City Serenade". New ideas have been introduced with enormous potential and things are progressing, which for a second-half-to-the-season-start episode is exactly right.
Really enjoy Emma and Hook's chemistry, where Hook's dialogue is so cool and witty, while one finally sees something more to Regina and Snow White's relationship than the whole good vs. evil one. Regina's pain for Henry has heart and emotion. Emma's not passive here and her writing isn't overwrought, her chemistry with Hook stops either from happening.
There is a good deal of energy and enough twists and turns to keep one interested and keep things fresh, appropriate for an episode introducing new ideas and characters. The flying monkeys agreed are cool, the effects are variable on 'Once Upon a Time' but for me they were not a problem in this episode.
Have nothing to fault the acting on any front, particularly Lana Parrilla and Jennifer Morrison. Rebecca Mader casts a spell in her introductory appearance that promises great things.
Furthermore, "New York City Serenade" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme. Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, Regina's "I don't run from monsters" line is timeless.
Overall, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
It is very daunting having to follow on from such a special episode like Season 3's mid-season finale "Going Home". "New York City Serenade" follows on from it incredibly well and is very nearly just as wonderful. For a second-half-to-the-season start, "New York City Serenade" hugely impresses and is a fine episode on its own, among the stronger Season 3 episodes, though up to this point all the episodes of Season 3 ranged from pretty good to brilliant in my opinion (which is probably not a popular opinion seeing as a few of them got a mixed critical reception, with me on the positive side).
Didn't really buy the whole thing with Emma and the flying monkey, for my tastes it was a touch absurd. Then again that may be just me. Can't think of anything else to fault "New York City Serenade" however.
It doesn't feel like we are going round in circles or ground to a halt with "New York City Serenade". New ideas have been introduced with enormous potential and things are progressing, which for a second-half-to-the-season-start episode is exactly right.
Really enjoy Emma and Hook's chemistry, where Hook's dialogue is so cool and witty, while one finally sees something more to Regina and Snow White's relationship than the whole good vs. evil one. Regina's pain for Henry has heart and emotion. Emma's not passive here and her writing isn't overwrought, her chemistry with Hook stops either from happening.
There is a good deal of energy and enough twists and turns to keep one interested and keep things fresh, appropriate for an episode introducing new ideas and characters. The flying monkeys agreed are cool, the effects are variable on 'Once Upon a Time' but for me they were not a problem in this episode.
Have nothing to fault the acting on any front, particularly Lana Parrilla and Jennifer Morrison. Rebecca Mader casts a spell in her introductory appearance that promises great things.
Furthermore, "New York City Serenade" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme. Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, Regina's "I don't run from monsters" line is timeless.
Overall, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Welcome to Storybrooke 2.0
Amari-Sali6 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Though it is too early to tell, it seems the show is rebooting with a new central villain and that villain is the Wicked Witch of the West (Theodora). And while it seemed we were going to leave Storybrooke behind, unfortunately a new curse has been cast and so far we know Snow, Charming, and Snow's unborn child, are there. Making it seem between what happened over the year which has since passed, and the fight against Theodora, that maybe what we will have to look forward to in the 2nd half of the season.
Topic 1: A New Life Intruded by Old Friends (Emma and Henry/ The Fairytale Characters)
Seemingly Emma has everything her parents could have hoped for. She has a good job, a nice looking apartment, and a man who seems to love her very much named Walsh. Unfortunately though, Hook tries to shake up sleeping beauty from this little dream of hers and Emma doesn't seem fond of the idea of all she has being a façade. However, between what seems to be Neal's apartment, which should have likely been rented to someone else by now, and photos from a camera in that apartment, Emma finds herself convinced to return to Storybrooke, get back all her memories, and once again become the savior. One in which who seemingly isn't meant for a happily ever after for we find out Walsh is nothing more than a flying monkey sent to watch over Emma.
As for Snow, Charming, Regina and etc., their return to the Enchanted Forest is met with oooos and ahhhhs, but not much in the way of fanfare. Aurora and Phillip, though kind, end up snitching on them, and while Robin meets everyone within the forest, seemingly he treats their return as just another day. However, if you remember, Robin is supposed to be the one for Regina so there is that possible romance to look forward to. But, considering how Regina seems to be the source for Theodora's revenge, expect some twist of either the musical, book, or movie version of The Wizard of Oz to be used. Who knows, maybe Regina will be painted as Dorothy, or some other twist which seems terrible?
Overall
Yeah, pretty much the episode could be summarized in two paragraphs. It really is just an introduction to what to expect and nothing more. And sadly, despite seeing Robin Hood, we again don't see Mulan. But considering the Jamie Chung is due to be on Believe, maybe such is to be expected? But, look at it this way, with a year gone there will likely be many flashbacks in which we will see what happened in the Enchanted Forest, as well as what Regina did to Theodora to make her so mad to the point of redoing Regina's curse. Plus, it would be very interesting to see what it is that Theodora sacrificed for the curse to happen.
Topic 1: A New Life Intruded by Old Friends (Emma and Henry/ The Fairytale Characters)
Seemingly Emma has everything her parents could have hoped for. She has a good job, a nice looking apartment, and a man who seems to love her very much named Walsh. Unfortunately though, Hook tries to shake up sleeping beauty from this little dream of hers and Emma doesn't seem fond of the idea of all she has being a façade. However, between what seems to be Neal's apartment, which should have likely been rented to someone else by now, and photos from a camera in that apartment, Emma finds herself convinced to return to Storybrooke, get back all her memories, and once again become the savior. One in which who seemingly isn't meant for a happily ever after for we find out Walsh is nothing more than a flying monkey sent to watch over Emma.
As for Snow, Charming, Regina and etc., their return to the Enchanted Forest is met with oooos and ahhhhs, but not much in the way of fanfare. Aurora and Phillip, though kind, end up snitching on them, and while Robin meets everyone within the forest, seemingly he treats their return as just another day. However, if you remember, Robin is supposed to be the one for Regina so there is that possible romance to look forward to. But, considering how Regina seems to be the source for Theodora's revenge, expect some twist of either the musical, book, or movie version of The Wizard of Oz to be used. Who knows, maybe Regina will be painted as Dorothy, or some other twist which seems terrible?
Overall
Yeah, pretty much the episode could be summarized in two paragraphs. It really is just an introduction to what to expect and nothing more. And sadly, despite seeing Robin Hood, we again don't see Mulan. But considering the Jamie Chung is due to be on Believe, maybe such is to be expected? But, look at it this way, with a year gone there will likely be many flashbacks in which we will see what happened in the Enchanted Forest, as well as what Regina did to Theodora to make her so mad to the point of redoing Regina's curse. Plus, it would be very interesting to see what it is that Theodora sacrificed for the curse to happen.
I came back to save you
sini-20026 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
New York City Serenade is a great start after the mid season finale. Emma is back at New York with Henry, and everyone else is back at the Enchanted Forest. It's genious how they put the parallels from pilot (Emma going on a date, the red jacket) compared how different things are. Killian comes to save Emma, helping her remember as a new curse, surprise surprise, has befallen Storybrooke.
I think episode proves why Killian is redeeming himself. He does everything for her even if she does not want to admit her feelings- we already know he did a lot to find Emma, just to get her back to her family. I also felt like Welsh was unnecessary character, and of course he had to be working for someone and not really care for her. But why didn't no one else come for Emma? I guess I get Neal, but why not Charmings.. that's something I never really understood. They did everything for her and now just they were so ready to let her go and her be with fake memories. It would have made sense if they send Killian to save her.
I think episode proves why Killian is redeeming himself. He does everything for her even if she does not want to admit her feelings- we already know he did a lot to find Emma, just to get her back to her family. I also felt like Welsh was unnecessary character, and of course he had to be working for someone and not really care for her. But why didn't no one else come for Emma? I guess I get Neal, but why not Charmings.. that's something I never really understood. They did everything for her and now just they were so ready to let her go and her be with fake memories. It would have made sense if they send Killian to save her.
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