TV Review: ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”

By ANNE LOUISE BANNON / Contributing Writer

Posted: January 30th, 2012 / 10:14 AM

Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parrilla, Jared Gilmore, Josh Dallas, Raphael Sbarge
Writer: Ian Goldberg and Andrew Chambliss
Director: Bryan Spicer
Network: ABC, Sunday nights, 8 p.m.
Original Telecast: January 29, 2012

I get that with a character named “The Evil Queen” evil is kind of the point. Nonetheless, in this episode of ONCE UPON A TIME, “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree,” Regina (Lana Parilla) is getting more than simply scary.

It all starts in the modern world, when a storm breaks down young Henry’s (Jared Gilmore) wooden castle play yard by the ocean. Not only does Regina get all over Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) for indulging Henry, Regina accuses Emma of not caring about Henry’s safety. “You’re only interested in opposing me,” she says. So next thing we know, Sydney Glass (Giancarlo Esposito) is talking Emma in to going after Regina, telling her that he knows Regina took $50,000 from the town treasury.

In the meantime, Henry is more worried about his book of fairytales, that he had buried under the castle to protect them from Regina. As Regina has the broken castle torn down, Henry looks for the spot where the book is buried and there’s nothing but a big hole. He goes and tries to write everything down when The Stranger in Town (Eion Bailey) checks in.

Now, we know Sydney Glass is the man in the magic mirror in the fairy tale world. But when we see him in the fairy tale world, he’s actually in a magic lamp. Turns out he’s the Genii of Agrabah. Yes, I’m trying not to choke on the way obvious Disney reference. The person who has found the lamp and summoned him is King Leopold, Snow White’s father, played by Richard Schiff, who in an interesting turn is playing somebody who’s so happy with his life, he doesn’t want his three wishes.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as happy. Regina (yes, The Evil Queen has the same name as her modern counterpart) isn’t exactly thrilled that her husband is still in love with his dead first wife and dotes upon his daughter, Snow. And when the nice Genii comes along looking for True Love, she turns her eyes on him.

Back in the modern world, Sydney keeps pushing Emma to go after Regina and finally convinces her to use less than ethical tactics to do so. First Emma plants a bug and finds out that Regina is bringing somebody some money. Turns out it’s Mr. Gold (Robert Carlyle), everyone’s not-so-favorite wheeler-dealer. However, when Sydney and Emma accuse Regina in front of the whole town, Regina turns it right back on them.

In the same way, Regina convinces the Genii to kill King Leopold and turns it back on him, which lands him in the mirror.

I almost feel sorry for Parilla. She’s doing such a good job with this character that small children probably flee in terror when they see her coming. I’d cross to the other side of the street if she were coming my way, and I know there’s a big difference between actors and the characters they play.

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

Latest Buzz

TV Review: ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”

Mirror, Mirror, who's the meanest of them all?

Article Source: Assignment X
Article: TV Review – ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”

Related

Related Posts:

Leave a Comment

Assignment X Poll

Newsletter subscription status

Latest Buzz

TV Review: ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”

Mirror, Mirror, who's the meanest of them all?

Article Source: Assignment X Article: TV Review – ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”

Related

Related Posts:

Leave a Comment

Assignment X Poll

Article Source: Assignment X
Article: TV Review – ONCE UPON A TIME – Season 1 – “Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”