Once Upon a Time (TV Series) Nasty Habits (2013) User Reviews

The complete anti-thesis of nasty

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 March 2018]

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.

"Nasty Habits" is almost as brilliant as the season opener "In the Heart of the Truest Believer" and generally one of the better episodes of the season's first half. Even if it doesn't quite have as many interest points as "Quite a Common Fairy", despite being a better episode. Nasty "Nasty Habits" is not.

Did wish though that the writing for Emma wasn't as overwrought and that she wasn't made as somewhat passive, especially when the writing was starting to take leaps in making her a stronger in personality and more relatable character.

Elsewhere, there is nothing to quibble about really. One may argue that Peter's game and motivations don't progress, but in all fairness it's still too early yet seeing as the character is still new. Still love how the show is developing Peter and the different (darker, more manipulative yet also troubled), but very interesting characterisation.

Absolutely loved the development of Rumplestiltskin, he has always been one of my favourite characters on 'Once Upon a Time' and the complexity of him continues to shine. The heart of the episode and what drives it is the troubled relationship between him and Neal, very intense, very heartfelt and very easy to identify with.

That is not to say that the other relationships are not handled well. They are, can't get enough of Snow White and Charming (though Emma and Snow White/Mary Margaret's relationship has resonated more in other episodes) who are so irresistibly charming together. Just that they are not quite as interesting or as well written as the one between Rumplestiltskin and Neal and the development of Peter. Oh, and before it's forgotten, the Pied Piper of Hamelin story is weaved in beautifully and has real urgency.

One cannot criticise "Nasty Habits" from dull, from personal opinion that is. A lot happens and jam-packed with revelations that shock and amaze. It didn't to me feel like there was too much going on or that there were too many revelations, and it is always lovely to see character development and story turns advancing.

Can't fault the acting, with an exceptional Robert Carlyle coming out on top. Robbie Kay is every bit as good, Ginnifer Goodwin as ever charms and Michael Raymond James and Carlyle together are just magic.

Furthermore, "Nasty Habits" 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, faltering only with Emma.

Overall, excellent and the opposite of nasty. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The main focus is the relationship between fathers and sons, with Peter Pan manipulating both.

[Amari-Sali · 21 October 2013]

In this episode, there are many attempts at dramatic performances. Of them all, only Robert Carlyle gives a compelling performance while all others try, but don't really reach you. Perhaps though watching as Rumplestiltskin is ripped to shreds, mentally, by Peter Pan and then witnessing him losing his son twice is what gives him the edge. For, when you compare Jennifer Morrison, Emma, and Ginnifer Goodwin, Snow, trying to get your sympathies with Emma realizing she still loves Nick and Snow saddened that she can't comfort her child, it makes you wonder whether it is the acting or writing which makes Carlyle's work consistently compelling, as the rest of the show seems to rely heavily on the fairy tale of their characters.

Still though, while much praise is due to Carlyle, Robbie Key, who plays Peter Pan, probably deserves just as much. As I've surely said before, this show hasn't had a quality villain since Regina in the first season, and since then we had almost every villain since humanized and made into anti-heroes. But Pan has yet to falter and yet to not impress. Peter Pan may not have injured or hurt anyone yet, physically, but he has become far more fearsome than Cora and Regina ever were when they wield their magic. Perhaps it is because Pan doesn't try to physically hurt you, but mentally manipulate you. He does this to just about everyone, outside of Emma's rescue group, in this episode. We watch as he, while somehow in the Enchanted forest - in the past before Regina's big spell, tears down Rumplestiltskin to the point where he is once more a bit more diminished and not seen as the fearsome dark one, but simply a man who happens to have powers and tries to compensate for his mental weakness. Then, with Neil, he poisons him against his father and like how on Scandal we learned this week Eli Pope has long term control over people, Peter Pan reveals how long he has had control over Neil. For, part of this episode the big deal is Neil escaped, something only people Pan let go can do. However, Pan reveals that maybe he was let go for a reason, making Pan get build up better than any villain we thus far have seen. Heck, he even turns Henry who has been the beacon of this show even when Snow, Charming, Emma and everyone else were on the brink of despair. I mean this truly, he is what is saving this show and season.

Overall, as long as Pan is alive and stays as strong of a villain as he is, this show keeps my attention. Though it is interesting for the writers/ ABC/ and Disney to present a bi-sexual character in Mulan, we don't know yet if it will be something they'll develop with vigor or just use for ratings. Still, with the writing being on two extremes, it is hard to tell where Mulan may fall. Will she succumb to the mediocre writing which Emma, Snow, Charming and Hook are dealing with, or will she be given something meaty as Rumpelstiltskin is consistently given, and what Peter Pan seems to be given as well? Only time will tell, but hopefully whoever writes Emma's crew's story starts taking notes.