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.
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
It is a shame that "Best Laid Plans" is as of now one of the season's most lowly rated, high still but it seems to indicate it being one of the worst episodes. Actually, to me "Best Laid Plans" is one of the best episodes of Season 4 and the best since "Smash the Mirror". This is coming from someone who's really liked to loved all the previous episodes of Season 4, with the exception of the decent but underwhelming "Family Business".
Maleficent has not been in the show for long but already she is a very interesting character and a villain that is not derivative of previous villains too soon, instead she's really quite different. There are revelations about her that makes one see how she came to be that way and it's remarkably identifiable. The role of the author revelation is also handled neatly and surprising without being pat.
"Best Laid Plans" is one of Season 4's most successful episodes in fitting the pieces from the past into place while connecting it with the present with no signs of disruption or jarring. Really did get a better understanding of Maleficent and appreciated that the episode didn't try too hard in softening her too much.
We also get a better understanding of Mary Margaret and David and their actions in the previous episodes start to make sense here. Regina still remains interesting and more complex than one would think.
'Once Upon a Time' once again returns to its roots, while also showing once again how far it's come.
Credit is due for the continuing character and plot progression, with some big answers and explanations to much needed questions and motivations revealed and a cliffhanger that keeps one on the edge of their seat.
All the acting is strong. Kristin Bauer von Straten is a revelation as Maleficent, and cannot fault the performances of Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas.
Furthermore, "Best Laid Plans" 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 theme tune.
Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
In conclusion, wonderful episode and one of the fourth season's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.
It is a shame that "Best Laid Plans" is as of now one of the season's most lowly rated, high still but it seems to indicate it being one of the worst episodes. Actually, to me "Best Laid Plans" is one of the best episodes of Season 4 and the best since "Smash the Mirror". This is coming from someone who's really liked to loved all the previous episodes of Season 4, with the exception of the decent but underwhelming "Family Business".
Maleficent has not been in the show for long but already she is a very interesting character and a villain that is not derivative of previous villains too soon, instead she's really quite different. There are revelations about her that makes one see how she came to be that way and it's remarkably identifiable. The role of the author revelation is also handled neatly and surprising without being pat.
"Best Laid Plans" is one of Season 4's most successful episodes in fitting the pieces from the past into place while connecting it with the present with no signs of disruption or jarring. Really did get a better understanding of Maleficent and appreciated that the episode didn't try too hard in softening her too much.
We also get a better understanding of Mary Margaret and David and their actions in the previous episodes start to make sense here. Regina still remains interesting and more complex than one would think.
'Once Upon a Time' once again returns to its roots, while also showing once again how far it's come.
Credit is due for the continuing character and plot progression, with some big answers and explanations to much needed questions and motivations revealed and a cliffhanger that keeps one on the edge of their seat.
All the acting is strong. Kristin Bauer von Straten is a revelation as Maleficent, and cannot fault the performances of Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas.
Furthermore, "Best Laid Plans" 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 theme tune.
Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.
In conclusion, wonderful episode and one of the fourth season's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox
