TV Review: Once Upon A Time - The Thing You Love Most (Ep. 2)

Show: Once Upon A Time
Episode: 02 - The Thing You Love Most
Season: One
Network: ABC

OK, I have to admit that I really had no intention of watching this show, but it's gotten so much hype and everyone is talking about it.  And yes, the Evil Queen's face has been staring at me from the side of public buses as I drive everywhere in the past week sooooooo... Yes, I caved and watched it... Video On Demand is a great thing!

I actually enjoyed the show!  First of all, I love fairytales and I think they're managing to incorporate in the show elements that make it a very unique telling of the more traditional story.  I think fairytales have been done so many times in so many ways, this show is giving us a version a bit darker and fresher.  Mainly it's a play on Snow White, but this is after she ends up with Prince Charming, except they don't really get their HEA.  They've now been frozen in time and "trapped" in a small town living out regular human lives until their daughter (yes, Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter) will come rescue them and break the curse.  Basically everyone living in this town is a character from the fairytale.

Now the Evil Queen is trying to gain more power to be able to defeat Snow White and in order to really do that she needs to take the heart of the one she loves most.  Will she?  Is revenge that important?  And what about everyone in town?  Emma Swan is supposed to be Henry's mother and now she has to figure out how she can believe the kid when he tells her she's supposed to be Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter.  I'm not sold on Emma yet, but I think she has potential.

I am intrigued to see what will happen next.  Will people slowly start realizing the truth?  And what is the truth?  Operation Cobra is underway!

The acting:  I think my favorite characters acting has got to be the Evil Queen (Regina) and Mr. Gold.  Figure that!  The villains!  I think they were both great!  I was also very excited to see Kristin Bauer playing Maleficent.  In case the name is not ringing a bell, you might know her as Pam from True Blood.  I think the one cast member that may need some work on acting a bit more normal was Sheriff Graham.  He came across a bit stiff and awkward to me.

Special effects:  they were ok for the most part.  Definitely not bad for TV except a few minor scenes, which came out a bit cheesy (mainly parts of the Evil Queen fighting Maleficent and then during the ritual for the curse the first time).  Make up was great though.

I'm excited to watch the new episode!