Once Upon a Time

[Jackie]

Sometimes I wish UK seasons were longer, but for the most part I've gotten used to it and I see the benefits of shorter seasons.

[Steve]

Well, I've come to a decision. I don't like it.

I watched the first season out of curiosity. I never really liked it, but it was always just on the cusp of being good. Having gotten through the season 2 premiere, I'm giving up.

Mulan was actually what pushed me over the edge. How they handled her pushed me to finally understanding what's been bothering me about the show. Namely, the fact that these people are fairy tale characters just doesn't matter. Mulan's role was "Chinese woman in armor." What did her being Mulan have to do with the main plot? What do ANY of them being the characters from fairy tales have to do with the story? The fact that they're all from another world, and were transferred over due to a curse is a perfectly legitimate premise, but why fairy tale characters? What about their portrayal of Snow White, for instance, requires that character to be the Snow What of legends? What qualities of the Snow White tale are intricately involved in the telling of this character's story and arc?

I've come to the conclusion that she's only named Snow White for marketing purposes, because it really doesn't effect the storytelling.

I think the problem I have with it is that the fairy tale thing is just a gimmick in its purest form. It's exacerbated by how the writers completely disregard the established versions of the tales.

So...I gave it the benefit of the doubt, but I'm done.

[Jackie]

I, for one, am bored with the standard established versions. Been there done that, no need to do it again. I'm always searching for alternate re-tellings of the fairy tales. And I like them. Which is probably why I like OUAT

From what you wrote, this is not the show for you, Steve. If you don't like it now, there's no point to keep watching because all the things you don't like aren't likely to change.
I'm in that mode right now, dropping shows left and right. Time is too short to waste on crap we're not enjoying.

[Steve]

Right. I guess the shorter explanation would be "I am completely not the target audience for this show."

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

Steve wrote: "Right. I guess the shorter explanation would be "I am completely not the target audience for this show.""

Ha! I've used that line in my book reviews. :)

[Jackie]

And that too, lol

Have you tried Arrow? I watched the premiere episode last night, I liked it...for now. I also watched Beauty and The Beast, I'm iffy on that one.

I'm definitely the target audience for these kinds of shows, even though I'm not in the target age demographic.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Jackie wrote: "I, for one, am bored with the standard established versions. Been there done that, no need to do it again. I'm always searching for alternate re-tellings of the fairy tales. And I like them. Which is probably why I like OUAT"

I think that's one reason I generally like it, too. I guess I totally am the target audience - I love some fractured fairytales and the whole "this is the true story" angle, mix in some romance and a smattering of derring-do, an awesome baddy (i.e. Rumple, not Regina), and BOOM.

I do think they get a bit too soap-operay at times, and drag some storylines out longer than they need - but this is a pretty common TV drama thing.

I've only seen the first episode of this season so far, though, and I'm not sure how it'll go... so I guess we'll see...

ETA: My husband, on the other hand, is apparently also not the target audience, as he doesn't like it much. He doesn't hate it, but it's more my show than his...


As for Beauty and the Beast - for whatever reason, I have zero interest in that. *shrugs*

[Jackie]

Just today I picked up Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, these things appeal to me.

[Christine]

Did you read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West? I have both books and they have been on my TBR list forever.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I've read both and enjoyed both. They're my favorite from that author, really - I didn't like some of his others nearly as much.

They're very different, though. Confessions is more of a straight story, but Wicked has a lot of satire and social and political commentary and stuff - which I loved, but which a lot of people didn't seem to be expecting.

[Jackie]

I have Wicked but haven't read it yet. I read Mirror Mirror.

[AM H]

Hmmm, I like OUAT because it departs from the traditional fairytales. Saw the first episode of Arrow & thought it was ok. Haven't seen Beauty & the Beast yet. Anyway, as Colleen wrote above this stuff is standard tv drama. Another show I've been watching is Grimm. A take on the fairytale stuff as well.

But I think with shows that take elements from the original stories you have to come to like the characters in the tv show as they are & not keep comparing them to the original.

[carol. , Senor Crabbypants]

I was surprised to see Mulan's appearance advertised. To me, that smacked more of Disney tie-in than integral story.