'Once Upon a Time' started off very addictively for me. What really intrigued me into seeing it in the first place was its fascinating and creative premise of turning fairy tales and characters on their head and putting own interpretations on them. Good premises always do intrigue me and that or talented casts, or both, are usually my main reasons in my interest in watching something. Liked to loved a vast majority of Seasons 1-4 and found a lot to like about Season 5, despite reservations with the second half of it.
Season 6 was much more variable, leaning generally towards the disappointing. Personally thought that the first three episodes of the season were very good to great, especially "The Other Shoe". It was from "Strange Case" onward when the problems began, when there was an increasing lack of new ideas and magic, increasing too were the campiness and soap opera, the over-stuffing and less interesting characterisation. While not a Season 6 high-point, "Awake" for me, although not perfect with some writing flaws, was one of the better-faring episodes of the season. It is also interesting for being the first episode in a while to feature everybody which was definitely nice.
Did feel that there were parts that were too convenient, like with the pixie dust flowers. Some of the Snow White and Charming storyline was a touch silly and melodramatic in places (generally though it was heartfelt and well-intended) and Tiger Lily was a rather bland character for me, a shame because the exploration of her past showed a lot of promise.
The flashbacks do intrigue and are mostly well done, though playing around with some of the show's basic fundamentals to the extent it becomes contradictory will be a cause of frustration for fans (though it is nowhere near as bad as with the character assassination of Baelfire in "Ill-Boding Patterns").
However, it does feel like the story is progressing, loose ends don't feel like they were left loose, and the characterisation doesn't feel repetitive, out of character or going around in circles. Even if it is not what one calls deep or advanced, excepting a more conflicted than usual Snow White. Also really liked how things are acknowledged, such as Regina regarding life in Storybrooke. Some lovely touches like Hook and the shadows and can never get enough of the characters of Regina and Gold. The Black Fairy is suitably intimidating and the writers do well making her an interesting character, as they have done ever since she was first introduced. The character interaction was often a 'Once Upon a Time' strong point, it doesn't disappoint, with the right doses of emotion, tension and wit.
Cannot fault the acting, with Jaime Murray, Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle being particularly good. Though a shout out also goes to a very sincere and affecting Ginnifer Goodwin. Although a lot happens, it just about avoids being too crowded (though perhaps less could have gone on and more done with the elements still remaining). The dialogue is amusing, thought-provoking, heartfelt and intense, balanced very well. Less soap, corn and camp here. The production values have a lot of beauty and atmosphere, nothing drab or gaudy here, while being attractively photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable.
In conclusion, good. 7/10 Bethany Cox
