I got the season two DVD of "Once Upon a Time" and have spent the last few weeks catching up on all the episodes so I am ready for season three. "Once" is one of those shows that you should watch more than once if you want to catch everything that is happening. Having now seen each episode a few times, I have changed some of my original opinions.
Rumple is awesome - and awesomely bad - The man truly is a villain. He has a few redeeming qualities, such as his intelligence and his ability to love his son and his girlfriend, but it is never enough to make him truly good. Robert Carlyle is the best actor on the show and he is probably the only one who could pull off this character. Upon rewatching, I realized how terrible he could be to the ones he supposedly loves. After foolishly letting Bae go back in season one and finally finding him in NYC this season, Rumple pretty much ignored his son and did his own thing. You created the curse to find him and can't be bothered to be around him? Weird. As for Belle, how many times did he try to get rid of her? "Oh, you are alive! Well, I am still a monster, so please leave." "Oh, you're dumping me because I am incapable of sharing my feelings with you? That's fine. I'll see you in five or six episodes." "Oh, you want to come with us to Neverland? Sorry Toots, I need to go alone and you'll probably never see me again. Deal with it." Yikes. And what about when Rumple was trying to fray the rope swing Henry was swinging on so that he would hit a rock and get hurt? Henry might be Rumple's undoing, but he is still his grandson. That was just mean. I think a lot of the problems with Rumple and how he deals with people is the writing. I truly think the writers just didn't know how to deal with Rumple reuniting with his son and him having a girlfriend.
Regina is inconsistent - She tried to be good for awhile, but it didn't last. Good Regina was boring, but what is even more boring is that the writers want us to feel sorry for her. I don't. Sure, Rumple and Cora taught Regina bad things, but she didn't have to follow their advice. I would prefer Regina to just stay evil. Regina's love of Henry also takes away from her evilness. That is why I prefer Henry to be with Emma. Lana Parilla is also a really good actor, but I think she can only do so much with a script.
The Charmings are annoying - I have always thought they were both annoying, but I have softened my opinion about Snow. She isn't as bad as I originally thought. The thing is, goody-goodies are annoying to watch. And I also hate Jack Sheppard-types who are the cocky unquestioned leaders, like Charming. I get it, he is a prince and is used to being in charge, but it is still annoying to watch. Mess up sometimes! Let someone else lead! Snow is the ultimate goody-goody, especially in Fairy Tale Land. How many chances did she give Regina and how many times did Regina let her down? Every single time! Snow killing Cora, however, was a step in the right direction. She grew a pair and did what she had to do. The guilt that followed for the next several episodes was dumb, but baby steps are good.
Belle needs better material - Belle is pretty and awesome and has the best boyfriend on the show. She is tough and brave and smart. She also has very little to do. When Belle is alone, she can accomplish great things, such as rescuing Archie, Prince Phillip, and Mulan and she easily makes friends with everyone around her. Belle's downfall is that she is also a goody-goody (like Snow). She doesn't believe in retaliation, which really would make her life so much easier. Regina deserves to be punished for locking her up, but Belle didn't want that. Hook deserved to be killed for attacking, punching, and shooting Belle, but Belle didn't want that. Why? Is is poor writing or does Belle like being a punching bag?
Hook isn't as awesome as everyone thinks - Ladies LOVE Hook. I don't get it. Pirates are pretty cool but this character only exists to be eye candy and to cause problems. He was horrible to Belle, flirts with Emma, and stole Rumple's wife. Heck, he might as well date Regina so they can be awful together. I do recognize that Hook adds conflict to the show, but he is not my favorite character.
Henry is annoying, but he is probably smarter than everyone else - Kid actors are often annoying, and Henry is no exception. Sure, he was raised by the Evil Queen, but the kid still runs wild. I will give the kid some credit, he is reason the curse was broken and that is a pretty good thing.
Bae/Neal might be dull, but I like him - Neal is definitely a straight-man. Sure, he was a thief when he met Emma, but he is remarkably well-adjusted for a 300 year old guy who was abandoned by his dad, lived in Neverland, and had his girlfriend shoot him. I think he will be a good father for Henry and I hope he and Emma can get back together at some point, provided Emma learns that he is still alive and can find him. I also hope he and Rumple can begin to heal their relationship.
Mulan, Aurora, and Phillip are good additions - At first, their story seemed pointless. Phillip left quickly and the girls were only there to help Snow and Emma get home. Now that I know how Belle saved Phillip and introduced him to Mulan, I want to know more. How did Phillip get his soul back? Are the three still in a love triangle or will we meet Shang? I am excited to see them again with Neal in Fairy Tale Land and I hope they will somehow make their way to Storybrooke.
Emma is awesome - She always has been, always will be. She is funny, tough, and brave. Don't change, girl. (Although a shorter haircut might be nice)
