Once Upon a Time (AMC) - 1x01 Pilot grading thread

[Temis the Vorta]

Hey, it's my very own grading thread! I've always wanted one of these, complete with cutsey poo themed poll options. If this show is reasonably non-sucky, I'll probably keep doing them.

More info at TV.com.

 

[Avalon]

Watched it at IMDb already (I know, I know, I cheated). I liked it enough to look forward to the next episode.

Shutting up until the others have had a chance to see it.

 

[RoJoHen]

I am intrigued by this show, but like most shows, I will probably realize tomorrow that I forgot to watch it.

 

[auntiehill]

Once Upon a Time is an ABC show, not an AMC show. I'd be a lot more hopeful is it WAS an AMC show.

I'm recording it now; I'm interested, but not going to get my hopes up.

 

[Kelthaz]

Once Upon a Time is an ABC show, not an AMC show. I'd be a lot more hopeful is it WAS an AMC show.

Well there goes my interest. One letter can make a world of difference.

 

[Neroon]

I'm enjoying it, actually. There is even a

Spoiler: tonight's episode

wardrobe made from a special tree, which has transported the heroine into a different place & time

 

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

It was fairly tight for a pilot. I can see it being a decent show, or going down hill very quickly. I wish the residents of the town were aware of their identities a la the book Weaveworld, instead of being mere pawns. If the towns residents continue to be unaware of who they are I would become very frustrated with this show.

 

[NCC1701MF]

Noticed a few Lost references: the mayor's address is 108, the clock was stuck on 8:15, one character's last name is Swan and there's sort of a smoke monster effect.

 

[JD]

I thought it was pretty good. Nothing amazing, but I will be sticking with it for the time being. I gave it a Prince Charming.

 

[Dream]

Once Upon a Time is an ABC show, not an AMC show.

Temis is way too obsessed with The Walking Dead these days....

 

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

Noticed a few Lost references: the mayor's address is 108, the clock was stuck on 8:15, one character's last name is Swan and there's sort of a smoke monster effect.

Lost was a major disappointment. I hope that any references are kept to a bare minimum.

 

[CaptainCanada]

I liked it. I has a bunch of similarities to Fables, but there are enough differences.

I never watched House much, but Jennifer Morrison was very good as the lead character (her reaction in the bathroom to the kid showing up was very affecting). Ginnifer Goodwin and Joshua Dallas were good as Snow White and Prince Charming (I like that they're largely playing the latter straight; it's pretty common to try and deconstruct him, as with Fables, and while that's fun, it can get dull too).

The production values were pretty good for TV.

The guy playing Rumpelstiltskin was creepy, but I kept thinking that he was too tall. I can see why they did that (they want a physical presence), but I thought he's always been represented as a little person.

 

[Dream]

Noticed a few Lost references: the mayor's address is 108, the clock was stuck on 8:15, one character's last name is Swan and there's sort of a smoke monster effect.

Not surprising. This show is being done by some of the writers from LOST.

 

[23skidoo]

It took a few minutes to get going, but it's kept my attention (first new fall show to do that). It got a "Prince Charming" vote from me. The first episode probably should have been 2 hours to better establish the "we're going to bounce back and forth and tell new versions of the fairy tales" premise that isn't really overly clear until the trailer for next week's episode. Up to that point I was thinking this was a show with a short shelf life, but when I saw the trailer and realized what they had in mind, it made more sense.

Alex

 

[JD]

I liked it. I has a bunch of similarities to Fables, but there are enough differences.

I never watched House much, but Jennifer Morrison was very good as the lead character (her reaction in the bathroom to the kid showing up was very affecting). Ginnifer Goodwin and Joshua Dallas were good as Snow White and Prince Charming (I like that they're largely playing the latter straight; it's pretty common to try and deconstruct him, as with Fables, and while that's fun, it can get dull too).

The production values were pretty good for TV.

The guy playing Rumpelstiltskin was creepy, but I kept thinking that he was too tall. I can see why they did that (they want a physical presence), but I thought he's always been represented as a little person.

Yeah, Robert Carlyle (who also played Nicholas Rush in Stargate: Universe) was great as Rumplestilskin. I think they usually go with little people for him is because he's kind of a goblin type character (at least that's how I've always seen him), but I though the way they did him here works pretty well to.
And in case anyone is wondering I found some stuff on wikipedia about what characters will be appearing in later episodes.

Spoiler: Characters in future episodes

• Anastasia Griffith as Annette, a spoiled girl with a very "royal" past.
• Jessy Schram as Cinderella, the main protagonist of the fairy tale of the same name.
• Kristin Bauer as Maleficent, the antagonist from Sleeping Beauty, and the Evil Queen's equally sinister rival.
• Alan Dale as Prince Charming's father, Emma's grandfather, Henry's great-grandfather, and Snow White's father-in-law
• Eion Bailey as "The Stranger", whose presence will add to Storybrooke's mystery
• Emma Caulfield as the Blind Witch/Ms. Ginger, the main antagonist from the Hansel and Gretel fairytale.
• James Bamford as the Black Knight

EDIT: I just remembered that I read an interview on Blastr the other day where the writers said that most of the episodes will be fairly self contained, so apparently we should expect any huge ongoing arcs.

 

[Top41]

I love this show! It grabbed me right away and had me tearing up (Emma and Henry talking at the castle) and smiling (the end with Henry and the clock). Love, love, love it and cannot wait for next week's episode.

 

[Nerd unRage]

I thought it was okay. Probably will watch the next episode before making a complete decision so I gave it a Grumpy. It just seemed a little slow and boring and that kid already irritates me. I have a hard time believing Emma is 28 since the actress looks like she should be my age, 31. I don't know, I just don't get a real sense of chemistry too much. The only people I kind of like is the Evil Queen. I guess I'm spoiled watching shows on cable and premium channels so I was underwhelmed by the lack of chances taken.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Once Upon a Time is an ABC show, not an AMC show. I'd be a lot more hopeful is it WAS an AMC show.

Well there goes my interest. One letter can make a world of difference.

Yeah, seeing that it was on AMC had me excited for a bit.

Anyway...

- They have a great cast with Robert Carlyle, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lana Parilla and Jennifer Morrison.

- I warmed up to the characters fairly quickly. Morrison is a great lead and I like Emma quite a bit. Lana Parilla's Evil Mayor is an intriguing character as well.

- I haven't seen the previews, so I don't know where they're going with this, but what I saw doesn't seem to have any long-term story potential.

Bottom line, it was more engaging than I expected it to be and I want to see what they have planned. I'll be back for more.

 

[Agent Richard07]

Oh yeah... I can't wait to see how many Stargate actors show up. We've had two so far.

 

[TheBrew]

I liked it. I has a bunch of similarities to Fables, but there are enough differences.

Now that you've said that, I am going to check this out.