Disenchanted
Revamped fantasy series lacking in magic
New night, new curse, with a third of the cast. The seventh season of “Once Upon a Time” is so not filling. The fantasy series reboots itself after a shock wave of cast exits. Some actors left of their own volition. Others were fired.
“Once” had a chance to go out on a high note last season. The finale could have stood as a pleasing series ender, with the beloved characters living their happy endings.
The premiere tonight makes for a good introduction for new viewers and a depressing return for fans, as a grown Henry (now played by Andrew J. West) is approached by an adorable tyke named Lucy (Alison Fernandez), who says he is her father.
That's a flip of the pilot, when young Henry approached his long-lost mother, Emma.
Of course, Henry doesn't believe her. Why should he? He has memories of a family who perished in a fire.
“Curse memories,” Lucy tells him.
In fairyland flashbacks, Henry encounters Cinderella (Dania Ramirez, “Devious Maids”) in a meet-cute segment that teases the season's biggest innovation. Henry has learned there are multiple versions of every fairy tale character (this is not the Cinderella we knew previously), one for every magical realm, and there seem to be an infinite number. Before the night is over, you'll see a new take on “Alice in Wonderland.”
This also suggests we could see other Charmings, Evil Queens, Hooks and Rumpelstiltskins. That's one way to handle recasts.
What's Cinderella without her evil stepmother? She (Gabrielle Anwar, “Burn Notice”) is intimidating in the flashbacks, not so much in present-day Seattle as tycoon Victoria Belfry.
For motives unknown just yet, Victoria's curse has shifted fairy tale people to the real world and is pushing them further apart geographically.
In an ugly neighborhood of Seattle, Regina (Lana Parrilla), the Evil Queen, lives as Roni, the owner of a downtrodden bar that Victoria is looking to close on. Hook (Colin O'Donoghue) toils as a decent police officer on a force overrun with simpletons. Rumple (Robert Carlyle)? He's around — but I wouldn't want to spoil the minor surprise.
Cinderella lives as Jacinda, a single mom working in a fast food chicken place to support her daughter Lucy.
One problem with the new season is we have too few favorites left and not nearly enough time with them.
The creators of “Once Upon a Time” like to brag about how their show is a search for hope. This premiere reeks of one final cash grab.
I don't know if I can wait around all season for True Love's kiss to break this curse when the spell is already broken.
“Once Upon a Time's” magic is gone.