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.
Although not a Season 2, or 'Once Upon a Time' overall, high point, "The Evil Queen" does improve on the interesting if uneven previous episode "Lacey". It does a better job at progressing characters, if not quite as successful on the plot developments as that while not back-tracking. Very little, if anything, feels needless here, nothing is wasted and quality feels more even. Not a perfect episode by all means, but when it comes to what side of the mixed critical reception my opinion is it's positive.
"The Evil Queen" has a couple of story developments that are a little far-fetched and convenient, with Rumplestiltskin's motivations (like with Regina) not being as clear and consistent as ought.
Regina's want for redemption and revenge and her issue with Snow White were also starting to get repetitive at this point.
However, there are some very neat and fascinating connections concerning fairy-tale and reality and past and present, either not being picked up on before or being just as much a reminder for the viewer as it is for the character (i.e. the one in the Neal and Henry guarding the door scene).
Character development is also done really well, with Neal and Henry being the most interesting they've been in goodness knows how long. The revelation though is with Regina, once again a very layered character with new things about her introduced and existing motivations and traits built upon. Other episodes are more successful in painting her in a sympathetic light but she is not flat out one-dimensional evil either. While all the acting is very good, it's Lana Parrilla who gets all the meat and she delivers it masterfully.
Furthermore, "The Evil Queen" 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 main theme. Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Although not a Season 2, or 'Once Upon a Time' overall, high point, "The Evil Queen" does improve on the interesting if uneven previous episode "Lacey". It does a better job at progressing characters, if not quite as successful on the plot developments as that while not back-tracking. Very little, if anything, feels needless here, nothing is wasted and quality feels more even. Not a perfect episode by all means, but when it comes to what side of the mixed critical reception my opinion is it's positive.
"The Evil Queen" has a couple of story developments that are a little far-fetched and convenient, with Rumplestiltskin's motivations (like with Regina) not being as clear and consistent as ought.
Regina's want for redemption and revenge and her issue with Snow White were also starting to get repetitive at this point.
However, there are some very neat and fascinating connections concerning fairy-tale and reality and past and present, either not being picked up on before or being just as much a reminder for the viewer as it is for the character (i.e. the one in the Neal and Henry guarding the door scene).
Character development is also done really well, with Neal and Henry being the most interesting they've been in goodness knows how long. The revelation though is with Regina, once again a very layered character with new things about her introduced and existing motivations and traits built upon. Other episodes are more successful in painting her in a sympathetic light but she is not flat out one-dimensional evil either. While all the acting is very good, it's Lana Parrilla who gets all the meat and she delivers it masterfully.
Furthermore, "The Evil Queen" 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 main theme. Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox
