Pilot Review: Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time (ABC)
Premiered October 23 at 8pm

There are two fairy tale-oriented series premiering this week, both of which are set in the present day, in the real world as we know it, with a few supernatural modifications, of course. Without having seen the other, it’s hard to compare, so let’s save that for my “Grimm” pilot review in a week or so. “Once Upon a Time” is an adventurous, decently creative attempt to revisit folklore with a new and inventive approach. What’s not so smooth, however, is the blending of fantasy world and real world, as shown in the series’ first episode. The fantasy world, complete with familiar characters such as Snow White and Jiminy Cricket, is hopelessly corny, and there’s not much saving it. That makes the real world overly serious by contrast, and, while a clever idea, it feels very forced. The show starts with Jennifer Morrison’s bail bondsman introduced as a tough-as-nails gal pursuing a crook on her birthday. Only moments later, her son Henry, also the child of Don Draper, bursts into her life and changes the entire tone of the show, from a spunky sort of “Prime Suspect” to somewhat much sillier and les convincing. Her insistence on calling Henry “kid” every sentence is enormously frustrating and seems to be trying to make her out to be too tough and anti-establishment for her own good. I will say that Lana Parilla is certifiably devilish as the Evil Queen’s alter ego Regina, specifically in her treatment of Emma. I’m pleased to see Raphael Sbarge taking on a role that isn’t terribly creepy, playing the likeable Jiminy Cricket. Robert Carlyle should be plenty interesting as Rumplestilskin’s mean counterpart and town thug Mr. Gold. Overall, I think this show is going to be too theoretical and mystical, and I’m not sure it’s going to achieve its desired effect.

How will it work as a series? It’s unclear if any of the fantasy world happenings addressed in this episode will be revisited in flashbacks, and similarly uncertain about the timetable of the characters discovering their fantasy roots. It should be fun if nothing else, but I’m not sure if the pace will be anywhere near enticing enough to merit weekly viewing.
How long will it last? This show won't be disappearing anytime soon. Most reviews were more positive than mine, but the show had a staggering debut, even with the show being put online early, putting the rest of ABC's lineup to shame and ranking, reportedly, as the number one debut for a new show this season. I'm not sure if multiple seasons are in the cards just yet, but this seems like a bona fide hit.

Pilot grade: C+