I have always been a fan of classic fairy tales. Watching
the Disney versions of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the beast, and
my favourite, Snow White is always an enjoyable way to pass the time. Being
more of an adult now, I do realise that the story lines presented in them are
not often beneficial to a young lady’s mind – a prince is never that charming.
When my sister told me about a new series, Once upon a
time, I expected it to be sweet and very romantic, but in line with what we
always saw in the versions I watched. Needless to say is it wasn't like anything
I was expecting.
On her 28th birthday, Emma Swan (Played by
Jennifer Morrison) is tracked down by the son she gave up for adoption, Henry
(Jared S. Gilmore). She decides to take him back to his home town Storybrooke,
in Maine, USA. Henry is convinced the town is under a powerful curse, which
brought its residents to our world. The residents are in fact storybook
characters, who have forgotten their true identities as a result of the curse.
His beliefs are centred on a storybook in his possession, which contains
pictures with uncanny references to the towns’ inhabitants. Henry believes his
adoptive mother, Regina Mills (Lana Parilla) is the evil queen, and behind the
terrible events. Worried for his mental health, Emma stays in Storybrooke,
where she is appointed as deputy of police.
During the season, each characters true past is shown to
the audience. The stories told are completely different from the classics, and
shows the bravery of each princess and prince. You get to see how Emma slowly
starts to suspect that Henry is telling the truth – as impossible as it seems. The
characters are intense, excellently portrayed, and heart-breaking to watch.
Perhaps the most heart-breaking tale is Snow White
(Ginnifer Goodwin) her losses through her life, and why the evil queen hates
her so much. I will not spoil it for you, but it is heart wrenching to see.
It is enjoyable to watch for numerous reasons. There is
the delightful twist on classic tales, the story of how a bad girl finds her
anchor in life through her son, and perhaps the best of all: strong female
characters who survive on their own. Their princes in real life are mostly weak
willed, afraid and very uncertain. The portrayals of these characters are
inspiring and more beneficial than any of the other females currently portrayed
on television.
