Posts Tagged ‘Fantasy’

OUAT – Tiny [s2e13]

Posted: February 13, 2013 in Once, Sci-Fi and Fantasy
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Tiny is, of course, a relative term.  16 feet may be pretty short when everyone else around you is topping 20 feet.  However, regardless of Anton’s size, there was nothing “tiny” about this last episode of Once Upon A Time.  In fact, this was for me one of the densest episodes of the season, so far.  It wasn’t an action episode.  Nothing climatic happened.  Instead, we got a great deal of exposition and well as a lot of positioning for the remainder of the season.  All good stories have these moments where the action slows.  Both the need for exposition and for pacing demand it.  Often these “slow” moments can be rather dull.  I was impressed at how much that was NOT the case in this instance.  We learned a great deal and I suspect we are set up for a rather explosive next few episode.

So, what have we learned?  And what does it all mean?  I’ll break it into major sections.  Forgive me though if my thoughts come out a bit scattered in the process. (more…)

Help! Where Is the Good SciFi?

Posted: February 10, 2013 in Sci-Fi and Fantasy
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I seem to find myself in a bit of a conundrum of late.  I got a wonderful Christmas present this year; a fairly substantial gift card for Books-A-Million.  Unfortunately, after spending nearly an hour perusing their Science Fiction section, I threw up my hands in frustration.  Is there anything worth reading being published today?

While this is admittedly something of a rant, I am asking this in true sincerity.

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OUAT – In the Name of the Brother (s2e12)

Posted: January 30, 2013 in Once
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I continue to be impressed by Once Upon A Time‘s willingness to take chances.  They certainly did that again in this episode in creating Dr. Whale/Frankenstein’s Land Without Color.  To take the idea of black and white films then extrapolate a whole land that exists in black and white was utter brilliance.  It also provides a perfect jumping off point for the third part of my discussion on magic; this time the nature of magic within the series. (more…)

OUAT – The Outsider (s2e11)

Posted: January 16, 2013 in Once
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After being steeped in Regina last week, this week we turn to Rumpelstiltskin and his story.  Yet, on the surface we did not.  In many ways, Rumpel was the secondary character next to Belle’s.  As a result,we got a significant piece of back-story on Belle.

I have to say at the outset, that I was both surprised and impressed at the pace they have moved the story along.  Most shows would have milked the Archie thread half a season before moving it anywhere.  Yet this show moves the story along in a real manner on the next episode?  That shows a great deal of confidence on their part.  It also confirms my suspicion as to how well the show is planned out, on at least a seasonal basis.  It also excites me to anticipate the remainder of this season. (more…)

OUAT – Cricket Games and Beyond (s2e10)

Posted: January 12, 2013 in Once
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For a season and a half, I have avoided writing commentary for Once Upon A Time.  Well, the show has reached a level of commitment and story progress that I just can’t keep silent any longer.  For those unfamiliar with my reviews of Fringe, you should know that I write commentary, not recap.  That means I’m assuming you’ve seen the episode and can remember what has happened.  That also means that anything in these pages will not be spoiler safe.  This is the first and only warning.

The first half of the season did an admirable job with Mary Margaret and Emma’s journey through the Enchanted Forest and subsequent return to Storybrooke.  Now they are back home and unbeknownst to them, Cora and Hook are there as well.  (more…)