User Reviews

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.

Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.

"Unforgiven" for me is a very good episode if a slight disappointment compared to some of the previous episodes. Other episodes do a better job advancing the story telling, though it sets up what's to follow quite well. While development for the characters never goes backwards (well except for perhaps Belle), it's only with Regina and Gepetto where it progresses.

Despite being surprised in a good way about the revelation, the subplot in Storybrooke with David and Mary Margaret didn't feel cooked all the way through and their decision is out of character for them even though it seems to be setting something up.

On the other hand, everything with Regina (some lovely character writing here), Gepetto (likewise) and Pinocchio is beautifully handled, one is told a lot and there are plenty of edge of your seat and heartfelt moments. The Charming and Snow White-centric fairytale flashback may not provide answers as such, but it is very intriguing and grabs the attention, also giving us ample opportunity to continue loving what is being done with the villainous Queens, still played with relish.

Like "Darkness on the Edge of Town", 'Once Upon a Time' again goes back to its roots in "Unforgiven", with some neat references to events in the early seasons and even a reference to Season 3's "Witch Hunt". Love how much Emma has advanced as a character and her chemistry with Hook is great to watch. The ending suitably makes one unnerved.

All the acting is strong. Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas are charming and Jennifer Morrison's Emma is moving and not overwrought or passive. Lana Parrilla and Tony Amendola, with the meatiest material, give the best performances, the chemistry is sparkling, sometimes tense and sometimes tender.

Furthermore, "Unforgiven" 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 theme tune.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.

In summary, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox