'Once Upon a Time' was very good to great with Seasons 1-5, but sadly in the last two it ran out of ideas and tried to do too much. Season 7 especially suffered from both problems, and the previous three episodes "Hyperion Heights", "A Pirate's Life" and "The Garden of Forking Paths" were three such, though there were worse in the season, examples (on top of bad casting for the supporting characters which led to uneven performances). Not saying that all three are terrible, just felt indifferent to them.
Despite the overall disappointing quality of the seventh and final season, there were exceptions. Meaning that there were episodes that were above decent level. "Beauty" is one of those exceptions. More than decent actually, found it very good on the whole with many great things but also a couple of things that prevent it from being exceptional. One of the season's best episodes though by quite some way and one of the better episodes of the last two seasons.
"Beauty" is at its weakest with the trick-or-treat story-line, that didn't strike me as particularly relevant and didn't either grab me or make me feel much.
Another weak link is once again Dania Ramirez as Jacinda, there is just no charm or any kind of appeal to her at all, actually find her rather irritating and that she has no chemistry with the rest of the characters.
The best thing about "Beauty" and what elevates it to a greater level, without it actually the episode could potentially have been another average at best episode, is the Rumpelstiltskin and Belle subplot. It is incredibly heartfelt, have tissues at the ready as you will need them, and Rumpelstiltskin and Belle's chemistry is pure magic. Robert Carlyle's Rumpelstiltskin is at his most poignant and this is Emilie De Ravin's Belle at her most emotive and easiest to get behind. Was not really the biggest of fans of Belle generally, but have always loved Rumpelstiltskin and consider him one of my favourite 'Once Upon a Time' characters.
Other characters and subplots are worth mentioning. Adelaide Kane's Ivy really shines here, particularly in her non-soap operatic not derivative chemistry with Andrew J. West (who has settled very well, easily one of the better new additions) as Henry. Characters that were underused before have more to do (i.e. Tilly), there are some big unexpected reveals and unanswered questions are answered. A lot goes on but it doesn't feel too much, there are big time jumps but they don't have too much of a disjoint. The writing is not perfect but there is less soap, camp and awkwardness than was heard in a fair bit of Seasons 6 and 7 (and some of the second half of Season 5).
Production values continue to impress, have never really had an issue with them though, the odd dodgy special effect aside. They are beautifully designed and atmospheric, nicely photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable.
Altogether, very good and nearly great apart from one subplot and one performance. See it though for Rumple and Belle. 8/10
Despite the overall disappointing quality of the seventh and final season, there were exceptions. Meaning that there were episodes that were above decent level. "Beauty" is one of those exceptions. More than decent actually, found it very good on the whole with many great things but also a couple of things that prevent it from being exceptional. One of the season's best episodes though by quite some way and one of the better episodes of the last two seasons.
"Beauty" is at its weakest with the trick-or-treat story-line, that didn't strike me as particularly relevant and didn't either grab me or make me feel much.
Another weak link is once again Dania Ramirez as Jacinda, there is just no charm or any kind of appeal to her at all, actually find her rather irritating and that she has no chemistry with the rest of the characters.
The best thing about "Beauty" and what elevates it to a greater level, without it actually the episode could potentially have been another average at best episode, is the Rumpelstiltskin and Belle subplot. It is incredibly heartfelt, have tissues at the ready as you will need them, and Rumpelstiltskin and Belle's chemistry is pure magic. Robert Carlyle's Rumpelstiltskin is at his most poignant and this is Emilie De Ravin's Belle at her most emotive and easiest to get behind. Was not really the biggest of fans of Belle generally, but have always loved Rumpelstiltskin and consider him one of my favourite 'Once Upon a Time' characters.
Other characters and subplots are worth mentioning. Adelaide Kane's Ivy really shines here, particularly in her non-soap operatic not derivative chemistry with Andrew J. West (who has settled very well, easily one of the better new additions) as Henry. Characters that were underused before have more to do (i.e. Tilly), there are some big unexpected reveals and unanswered questions are answered. A lot goes on but it doesn't feel too much, there are big time jumps but they don't have too much of a disjoint. The writing is not perfect but there is less soap, camp and awkwardness than was heard in a fair bit of Seasons 6 and 7 (and some of the second half of Season 5).
Production values continue to impress, have never really had an issue with them though, the odd dodgy special effect aside. They are beautifully designed and atmospheric, nicely photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable.
Altogether, very good and nearly great apart from one subplot and one performance. See it though for Rumple and Belle. 8/10
