Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parrilla, Jared Gilmore, Josh Dallas, Raphael Sbarge
Writer: Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis
Director: Greg Beeman
Network: ABC, Sunday nights, 8 p.m.
Original Telecast: October 30, 2011

Like the good disciples of LOST creator Damon Lindelof they are, writers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis are happily dropping little hints here and there about the fairy world and the supposed real world of Storybrook, Maine in the new ABC series ONCE UPON A TIME, but are raising just as many, if not more, questions.

In tonight’s episode “The Thing You Love Most”, as Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) and Regina (Lana Parilla) go head to head over Henry (Jared Gilmore), to whom Emma gave birth and Regina raised, we see the Evil Queen, or Regina’s fairy tale counterpart, unleash the curse that sent everyone to Storybrook, where they don’t know who they are. We also get hints that Snow White is responsible for taking something from the Queen, although we don’t know what, yet. Given Regina’s attachment to Henry, I think it may have something to do with Prince Charming, but I’m probably wrong.

In Storybrook, the clock tower has come unstuck and time is moving again. Which seems to alarm Regina, who is now more determined than ever to drive Emma out of town. Which makes Emma that much more determined to stay, and alas for Regina, Emma is not easily intimidated and she’s found a few friends in town, including Sheriff Graham (Jamie Dornan) and Sister Mary Margaret Blanchard (aka Snow White, who is Emma’s mother, played by Ginnifer Goodwin).

In the fairy tale world, we see the Evil Queen determined to acquire and unleash the evil curse that sent everyone to Storybrook. We get a mildly distracting and annoying Disney reference to Maleficent (Kristen Bauer), the evil witch in the animated movie of Sleeping Beauty, but whose name does not appear in any of the original fairy stories. But to get the curse going, the Queen must sacrifice that which she loves the most – a tip she gets from Rumpelstiltskin (Robert Carlyle), who also sets up Regina’s relationship with Rumpels’ modern counterpart, Mr. Gold – also a scary, strange character.

While events play out in fun and interesting ways, my only quibble is the scene where Emma confronts Henry in the office of Dr. Archie Hopper (aka Jiminy Cricket, played by Raphael Sbarge). Given that Archie already set Emma up once at Regina’s behest, why would she speak so freely in front of him again, especially since she and Henry are plotting against Regina. Unless Emma wants it all to get back to Regina. Hmmmmmm.

That’s the worst of a show like this – you can never tell if it’s just a goof on the part of the producers/writers or if it’s a for real clue to the action. But overall, it’s a fun episode and it’s going to be interesting to see how it all plays out.

AGREE? DISAGREE? LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD – COMMENT BELOW

Related Link: Exclusive Interview with ONCE UPON A TIME star Raphael Sbarge
Related Link: Exclusive Photos from the PaleyFest 2012 event for ONCE UPON A TIME

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Article: TV Review – ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “The Thing You Love Most”

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