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.
"Red-Handed" establishes Red Riding Hood's back-story very well, it's a very absorbing and sometimes creepy one and contrasts with the real world parallel cleverly. It's a very good episode in its own right, not quite a 'Once Upon a Time' high point but a big improvement over the still very watchable but disappointing previous episode "Dreamy".
It drags occasionally and it is agreed there is some sloppiness on facts regarding lemurs.
However, visually "Red-Handed" is a very handsomely mounted episode, settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. The effects are also above average, not exceptional but not bad. It is photographed beautifully and there is some make-up that suited the characters perfectly. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Regarding the writing, "Red-Handed" shows that it really has come on a long way. There is far less corn and instead the humour, emotional, romantic and scary elements and the balance between them are becoming stronger.
The acting likewise, Robert Carlyle, Ginnifer Goodwin and Meghan Ory particularly shine.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
"Red-Handed" establishes Red Riding Hood's back-story very well, it's a very absorbing and sometimes creepy one and contrasts with the real world parallel cleverly. It's a very good episode in its own right, not quite a 'Once Upon a Time' high point but a big improvement over the still very watchable but disappointing previous episode "Dreamy".
It drags occasionally and it is agreed there is some sloppiness on facts regarding lemurs.
However, visually "Red-Handed" is a very handsomely mounted episode, settings and costumes that are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie-cutter. The effects are also above average, not exceptional but not bad. It is photographed beautifully and there is some make-up that suited the characters perfectly. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.
Regarding the writing, "Red-Handed" shows that it really has come on a long way. There is far less corn and instead the humour, emotional, romantic and scary elements and the balance between them are becoming stronger.
The acting likewise, Robert Carlyle, Ginnifer Goodwin and Meghan Ory particularly shine.
In conclusion, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox