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.
'Once Upon a Time' is on great form in one of the best episodes of the first half of Season 3, which up to this point has been to me decent ("Lost Girl") to wonderful ("In the Heart of the Truest Believer"). "Good Form", referring to one of the most famous lines in JM Barrie's 'Peter Pan', is a perfect title and way to sum this episode up.
Its most notable asset is the development of Hook. Always found Hook one of the better characters introduced in Season 2, but "Good Form" is one of the first episodes to see any proper development, other than the conflicted character he was shown to be before, and where he has a back-story explaining how he came to be and what he was before. Told in flashback, that aspect was done beautifully where one relates to Hook and sees how he came to be the way he is now.
Love the chemistry he has with the other characters. The one with Emma is both hot and sensual. The one with Charming, which is heavily focused on in the Neverland scenes, was interesting and refreshing, showing more complexity, wit, tension and emotional impact, where one is not sure whether to trust Hook or not, than the standard hero versus villain one that one kind of expects.
Particularly good though is his chemistry with Peter. It helps that the darker, more twisted and manipulative interpretation of Peter, very different from the mischievous yet likeable protagonist of Barrie's story, has been so enjoyable and has worked so well. Just as well done is his very unnerving mental mind games, that are progressing the Neverland story, his motivations and character very believably.
Again, characters and plot lines don't feel repetitive and feel like they're advancing, like the Devin subplot. A lot happens, which makes the episode very eventful and full of energy and urgency and gives the rest of the characters plenty to do without contradicting what has been said about them in previous episodes.
Uniformly good is the acting, particularly from Colin O'Donoghue, Robbie Kay and Josh Dallas.
Furthermore, "Good Form" 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.
"Good Form" is not quite faultless, though it nearly was. Could have done without the slow-motion for the tossing objects in the water, that was not necessary and just looked cheap and cheesy.
To conclude, good form indeed, great even. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Once Upon a Time' is on great form in one of the best episodes of the first half of Season 3, which up to this point has been to me decent ("Lost Girl") to wonderful ("In the Heart of the Truest Believer"). "Good Form", referring to one of the most famous lines in JM Barrie's 'Peter Pan', is a perfect title and way to sum this episode up.
Its most notable asset is the development of Hook. Always found Hook one of the better characters introduced in Season 2, but "Good Form" is one of the first episodes to see any proper development, other than the conflicted character he was shown to be before, and where he has a back-story explaining how he came to be and what he was before. Told in flashback, that aspect was done beautifully where one relates to Hook and sees how he came to be the way he is now.
Love the chemistry he has with the other characters. The one with Emma is both hot and sensual. The one with Charming, which is heavily focused on in the Neverland scenes, was interesting and refreshing, showing more complexity, wit, tension and emotional impact, where one is not sure whether to trust Hook or not, than the standard hero versus villain one that one kind of expects.
Particularly good though is his chemistry with Peter. It helps that the darker, more twisted and manipulative interpretation of Peter, very different from the mischievous yet likeable protagonist of Barrie's story, has been so enjoyable and has worked so well. Just as well done is his very unnerving mental mind games, that are progressing the Neverland story, his motivations and character very believably.
Again, characters and plot lines don't feel repetitive and feel like they're advancing, like the Devin subplot. A lot happens, which makes the episode very eventful and full of energy and urgency and gives the rest of the characters plenty to do without contradicting what has been said about them in previous episodes.
Uniformly good is the acting, particularly from Colin O'Donoghue, Robbie Kay and Josh Dallas.
Furthermore, "Good Form" 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.
"Good Form" is not quite faultless, though it nearly was. Could have done without the slow-motion for the tossing objects in the water, that was not necessary and just looked cheap and cheesy.
To conclude, good form indeed, great even. 9/10 Bethany Cox
