30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 30

What got you into Once Upon a Time?

A trailer on the TV.

Click here to view that (or don’t, it’s up to you…)

This was the trailer that got me intrugued with the tale as a whole. It seemed like an exciting and imaginative new show that I hadn’t seen in a long time. There isn’t anything that seemed to capture the not-so-family-friendly side of the fairy tales before – it’s that vibe that makes me like Grimm, too. The show took a new side to fairytales and that really interested me.

There’s also the graphics in this trailer. The purple used in the Channel 5 logo is like the purple of the smoke of the curse, which I’m sure wasn’t accidental. The whole aesthetic of the show appealed to me and ensnared me.

I’m glad I tuned in that first day in 2012 (that’s when it aired here in the UK – I assume it was earlier in the US. It usually is). Without that initial viewing I wouldn’t be as in love with it as I am now. I probably wouldn’t love fairytales as much as I do. Something inside me would have caved to peer pressure and dismissed them as nonsense of children – with the obvious exception of the Disney tellings. That goes without saying.

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So comes the end of the 30 Day challenge. If I do another one of these. I think I’ll try to have a bit more vairety. I think this certainly more than the 30 Day Book challenge, but was still a little repetitive. Ah well. I hope you enjoyed it, and I managed to entertain some of you. Perhaps I even inspired someone to go watch the show.

See you soon! x

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 29

a) What is your favourite fairytale? b) Do you like the OUAT version?

a) Beauty and the Beast

I love Beauty and the Beast for many reasons. The story itself is amazing with such a lovely message – it’s what’s on the inside that counts. There is a lot in our world based on superficial characteristics like what we look like and how we keep ourselves. There is so much more to life than that, and this story has always helped me see that. It also helps that it is ana amazing Disney film which I practically know off by heart.

Belle is also one of my favourite female protagonists from a fairytale. I’ve already written how I love her in Once Upon a Time, but I really, really do. I find in a lot of fairy tales all the women just sit around and wait to be rescued. Without being offensive, their simpering idiots who have no backbone and no idea how the real world works. That’s one fo the reasons I love Once Upon a Time so much – their women aren’t like that. Belle wasn’t like that in the first place: she volunteered to stay in place of her father and doen’t think of the repercussions for her once. It’s great to see a bookworm with a backbone.

As for adaptations to the story, the Disney one is by far my favourite. I cannot watch it without crying every single time. I can’t help but sing along to the memorable tunes or laugh at the same old jokes that I’ve heard countless times. I love it so much that when we visited the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Walt Disney World, Florida, I openly admit I cried a little. It was just so beautiful and looks exactly like the ballroom where Belle and the Beast! Lord knows how I’m going to cope in the summer when we go there for a meal…

b) Yes

I think this is such a clever reimagining of the classic tale.

It added another layer to the complex character of Rumple and provided a foundation for the audience warming to him. It also adds a vulnerability to his character that wan’t there previously – as this is prior to us knowing about Milah or Bealfire, he just seemed like the ruthless Dark One before now. We’re also introduced to Belle, a character who didn’t need much adapting to this diverse Enchanted Forest, who quickly grew on me to become my favourite female character.There are also elements of the original tale there, which was interesting. The chipped cup has been a vital plot device in their relationship and for the Rumpbelle shippers out there.

Their whole story arc is just adorable. We see Rumple’s defences crumple under his affection – and love – for Belle, and Belle sees the man he always wanted to be. Their romance is one I’ve always rooted for in the show. It also seems to be the truest, even more so than Charming and Snow. They’ve always remained loyal to each other and fought the hardest to be together out of everyone on the damn show.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 28

Sotrybrooke or the Enchanted Forest?

Storybrooke

But post-Emma’s arrival, obviously.

Who wouldn’t want to live in a town where every fairytale character you’ve ever heard of lives and interacts, whilst keeping all the 21st century comforts you’ve come to love? You can still experience the magic and adventures of the Enchanted Forest without forsaking electricity or central heating. I can only imagine how cold it gets during the castles in the winter.

Plus, have you seen how pretty Storybrooke is? It’s a quaint little village that is picturesque in beauty and versatile in environments. It’s surrounded by forestry with a massive lake to sail on and a lovely little park that we’ve seen in Season 3. And the library! It’s massive! I could just get lost in that place – I get why Belle spends all her time there.

While the Enchanted Forest is nice, I don’t think I could permanently leave this world, my world. Like how the characters from the Enchanted Forest just want to get home, I can’t help thinking I’d be like that there, even with the amazing company and breathtaking landscapes. I just couldn’t leave home like that. That’s why Storybrooke is the best of both words. I would be able to experience the shenanigans and majesty of the Enchanted Forest in my own world in an environment I fully understood.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 27

Favourite location/set

Wonderland

I love the variety of this place. It’s so diverse and rich in many different things that it is simply stunning. Whilst in Once Upon a Time we only really see the Queen of Heart’s maze, in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland we so much more of this amazing realm. Here are a few pictures of my favourite places:

1. The Queen’s Maze

2. The Red Queen’s Castle

3. The Caterpillar’s Home (entrance to Underland)

4. The Boro Grove

5. The Boiling Lake

6. The Tulgy Woods

While it all looks very green and meadow-y, there is far more to this place than meets the eye. It must be a fantastic land to visit, although as with all these places they are never what they seems. Wonderland is more fickle and unpredictable than Neverland ever knew how to be, and I love it for it.

Wonderland also has this wonderful vibe of being on drugs, as is heavily implied in the original story. As such, the whole place is a bit whacky, but intriguing and enticing. I can’t help but want to explore everything I can as often as I can and take in every little detail of this fantastic place.

It’s a shame that it was only explored in the mini series and very briefly in the main show, but hopefully there will be more flashbacks/adventures in Wonderland for us to enjoy.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 26

A character(s) you would like to see more off

1. Jefferson and Grace

I’ve mentioned this before, and I love these characters. I would love to see their relationship grow and blossom, and perhaps a back story as to Jefferson’s wife. It is obvious that Jefferson loves his daughter very much and I would like to see their relationship after their time apart due to Regina.

I also think that Jefferson himself is a wonderful character. We’ve seen little bits of his former life when he used to work with Rumple and get things for him, but there’s isn’t much of him. He’s also quite sassy and a joy to watch. I almost want a little mini-series where they just follow him around. It would be so cool. Where’s the FanFiction, people? He wasn’t even in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. That was such a cop out from the writers, making it clear that he wasn’t there from the very first episode. I suppose it makes sense since we see the Knave in Storybrooke, but still. It’s was a bit disappointing.

2. Archie/Jimeny Cricket

He is such a sweet character, who seems to have disappeared recently. There was that little thing half way through season 2 where he ‘died’ but was never actually dead, but after that his sort of disappeared. Many minor characters seemed to have done that. Suspicious… But Archie is a character that could really offer some moral righteousness at the minute when we really need some. He was Regina’s therapist, for Christ’s sake. Doesn’t Hook need one too? Someone to talk to?

3. Peter Pan

Now, I know this is never going to happen since he’s dead, but they missed such an opportunity! There are so many possibilities with Pan that were overlooked or missed out on because there was only half a series in Neverland. It is such a shame! This is something else I keep banging on about, but Pan is such a versatile character, especially in the Once Upon a Time reincarnation we saw briefly. Robie Kay is such a talented actor. Why was he not utilised more? Grr…

Take a deep breath and let it go

I’m okay now. Promise.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 25

Favourite character entrance

Zelina/Wicked Witch of the West

I have been in love with Oz anew ever since I saw Wicked a few years ago. So, when I heard that the Wicked Witch of the West herself was coming to Once Upon a Time, I couldn’t wait. I was so excited, I struggle to put into words. That musical probably started me on the whole ‘maybe the villain isn’t as bad as everyone first though’ phase that I’m still in. I was intrigued to see what the creators of the show were going to do with her.

I love this entrance because, not only is it so cool, I was expecting it and was anticipating it. It was something that wasn’t a surprise as so many are and actually let me get a chance to feel the anxious buzz that comes before a big reveal. And I was not disappointed.

As the camera settled on the back of her form and she said, with an arrogant air of confidence that screams evil villain;

“Wicked always wins”

Well, I was in love. For once, she isn’t a villain that I think ‘poor baby’ about. She’s a cold hearted bitch and I respect her for that. This is the third reincarnation of the Wicked Witch that I’ve seen and I think it’s my favourite. It is more in-keeping with the traditional evil witch image that I love and admire. It takes guts to be so evil, and while I don’t approve of her actions – seriously, what is she going to do with Snow’s baby? – I do admire her confidence and ambition. Go big or go home, as they say.

From that very first moment, you knew that she wasn’t to be messed with, the villains always get the best wardrobes, and Zelena is no exception. That deadly black dress that clings to her form is amazing. All the female villains have a touch of sexiness to them, and her greenness doen’t detract from that. She’s one amazing lady, if a little insane. Oh well, we all have our little flaws, I guess.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 24

If you could be anyone from Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest, who would it be and why?

Red Riding Hood/Ruby

I love Ruby so much. She is such a cool character, and who wouldn’t wNt to be a werewolf? Since she’s learnt to control what she is, she has heightened speed, strength and senses and gets some amazing outfits. Being a werewolf has its downsides, of course – the angry mobs can put a downer on things – but despite that it hasn’t really changed who she is and what she stands for.

In the Enchanted Forest Red began as someone quite meek but with a rebellious streak, and once she’s come to terms with who she was she really came into her own. She is a loyal and trusted friend of Snow, helping her navigate the forest and evade the Evil Queen. If it weren’t for Red Snow wouldn’t know how to hunt, or track, or countless of other skills that have come in handy over the course of the show.

In Storybrooke, she is the sassy, loveable Ruby that I fell in love with as soon as I saw onscreen. She is quick witted and rebellious yet never really stretches the rules too far. She’s confident with herself and knows herself well, which is something I think a lot of people envy about a person. I love Ruby and it’s shame we haven’t been seeing much of her as of late. Hopefully that will be rectified soon enough.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 23

A prop you would like to take from set

Henry’s book of fairy tales

This prompt took longer than it really should have done to think of. At first, I thought of Emma’s car – that is such a cute little thing and so iconic. I would love to drive it one day. However, I think Henry’s book is more appropriate, and far more special.

Mary Margaret gives him the book to inspire him, to give him hope when he doesn’t feel like there is any. It is that book that gave him the strength to carry on. In truth, it was the kick-starter for Operation Cobra. Without that book there wouldn’t really be a show. It told Henry of everyone’s life in the Enchanted Forest: of their loves, the magic and the curse. It holds a very important place in the show, and it’s a shame that it seems to be lost under the new curse.

It has always intrigued me as a prop. We know, thanks to season 3, that Mary Margaret gave Henry the book, but where did she get it from? Since Regina cast the curse, how did the book survive that? It is a perfect record of everything that Regina doesn’t want the citizens of Storybrooke to find out: the truth about themselves. I think that book has a very interesting backstory that we might never know. What if it’s like the book from Never-ending Story and it’s constantly changing and re-writing itself. Ooh, that would be interesting.

On a personal level, I would take the book because it’s a boo, pure and simple. I love books. I did a 30 day book challenge, for goodness sake. My room is full of books and I have work experience sorted over the summer for a library. It makes me sound quite sad but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Books open portals to world that we could never have imagined. They introduce us to characters that become friends and antagonists so real we think they are the plague of our lives, too. This book did so much fro Henry and I think it could do a lot to anyone who read it.

Plus, being able to have any-time access to the backstories of every character in the show is hardly a bad thing. It would make the show a hell of a lot easier to explain to people.

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 22

Something you want to see/find out that hasn’t been revealed yet

Well, there are a few things, so here is a list.

1. How Felix got to Neverland

Felix is a really interesting character, but also very rare: he’s one of the only characters that doesn’t have a long and complex backstory. He was just given to us with no explanation and yet had a vital role in the show. His loyalty to Pan must have stemmed from somewhere, and I would love to see his backstory. Was he the first person that chose to stay in Neverland with Pan? What was his life before? Why does he feel such strong affection and unwavering loyalty to someone who is quote obviously and little insane? All of these things really intrigue me, and I can just see the potential FanFictions waiting to happen. His story is a mystery, and seeing as what happened at e end of Season 3A, it always will be. I feel the Neverland chapter of OUAT has firmly shut and. I will never know. If I ever had the chance to meet the writers this would be the first thing that I would ask them.

2. What did Hook do when he worked for Pan in Neverland?

When Peter and Hook were talking in Good Form, it was obvious that during Hook’s first visit to the island he had a very different relationship with Pan – not in a shipping way, though. Pan mentions that Hook used to work for him, and I wondered what he used to do. If no one can leave the island it can’t have been too horrific, but everything that Pan touches becomes a little darker than it was before. Just what happened between those two? There’s actually a lot about Killian we don’t know, even though he’s a main character. He’s hiding more than what happened during the year that no one can remember. As I said before, the Neverland chapter has shut, so we may never find out about that, but it my still be possible for us to find out what happened in the past year that is shrouded in darkness. Hook and Zelina seem to be the only ones that know, and I don’t really know how I feel about that yet.

3. What realms are on offer next?

So far we’ve seen our world, the Enchanted Forest, Neverland, Wonderland and, briefly, Oz and the world where Dr Frankinstine comes from. I may not be able to think of any more worlds than that, but there must be some somewhere for the cast to go to next. I also think there could be a lot more exploration of certain realms. Of course, the world that Dr Frankistien comes from is probably off limits as he is the only one from there, and Wonderland did have its own miniseries, but taking all of the characters and putting them in a realm where no one knows the rules makes for the most interesting viewing. Whilst our world is slowly becoming more magical as more skilled sorcerers are present in it, everyone still pretty much knows their way around. That’s why I really enjoyed Season 3A – Neverland was new and exciting and, even though Hook had been there before, it’s a land without rules, where no one except Pan knows what’s going on. I hope the cast end up in Oz or something; it might be Zelina’s home land, but reducing all the characters to base level means we see them as they really are. Oz would be so cool to see, and look at all the potential!

4. Will Zelina achieve her plan?

I guess that’s the main thing that everyone is wondering. What will happen with her? Will she be able to achieve her plan and travel back in time to kill Snow’s mother and change the world as we know it? Only time will tell!

30 Day OUAT Challenge – Day 21

Favourite backstory

Jefferson/Mad Hatter

God, these things must be becoming awfully repetitive. Oh well.

His backstory is the main reason that Hat Trick is my favourite episode of season one. I love that when we first meet Jefferson there is nothing odd about him. He’s just in the woods playing with his young daughter, looking after her and caring for her like a father should. It’s not until Regina shows up – a general theme in the Enchanted Forest, I feel – that things start getting weird.

It’s obvious that, whilst Jefferson tries his very best, he’s not making anywhere near the same amount of money he was while he was trading with the Hat. So when the Evil Queen shows up and offers to make sure his daughter will never want for anything ever again, he jumped at the chance. He had no idea that he would wind up trapped in wonderland after having his head cut off with no way to get back to his Grace. It was intriguing but utterly heartbreaking to find out he went mad because he was trying to make a new hat and get back to his daughter.

There are also times in Season 2 where he see Jefferson earlier on in his life, before his wife, who interestingly we never meet, and daughter. Here he seems a very different man. He’s not poor or dishevelled. He’s lively, mischievous and loving life. He’s a man who loves what he does and does it well. I found it curious that he knew Rumple in his life before, as well. One thing I love about the show is how everything always ends up coming around and all the links the creators come up with.

It’s a shame that due to Sebastian Stan’s wonderful nine-movie Marvel contract we probably won’t see Jefferson again in OUAT. I would have loved to find out just how he got the Hat in the first place, or how me met his wife – her death did get him to hang up his Hat, after all. I would also love to see his life after, in Storybrooke or even in the Enchanted Forest after Pan’s curse is broken and everyone is returned. He was back with his daughter, and I’m sure he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. Stan is such an amazing actor, who seems to be drawn to the more unhinged and damaged characters, so I wait anxiously for his return to the show, if that is going to happen at all.