OUAT - tonight's episode : White Out
Oct. 5th, 2014 09:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat[Hee, just read a blurb hunting the name of tonight's episode, which stated that Josh Dallas (who portrays David/Charming on OUAT) is 100% okay with the fact that fans want him to romantically hook up with well Hook. Smart man.]
Part of my problem with Frozen - is I loved the original version of the fairy tale. While I'm not a purist, far from it, there are a few things or tropes that I prefer stick closer to the original. Not many, just a scant few. The Snow Queen is amongst them. So, Frozen, as a result, never quite sat right with me.
Enter Once Upon a Time who decided to use the Hans Christian Anderson tale as back story for Frozen. Turns out Elsa is not the only one with the power to freeze things ...there's another lady in town who can do it too, but unlike Elsa has control of her powers and is portrayed by Lost and Revolution alum, Elizabeth Mitchell. (I had a feeling, when I read Mitchell was being cast, that they may actually do their own take on the Snow Queen.) And yes, Mitchell is definitely the Snow Queen. (I saw the preview trailer, but the last five minutes of the series was evidence enough.) What I don't know is her relationship to Elsa. I'm guessing either Aunt or mother. Considering how much Elsa resembles her. Maybe Poppa had a bit of fun?
Anyhow quite pleased by this twist. Not to mention relieved. Clever writers - they want to do the Snow Queen, but know they have to reference Frozen or half the fandom will revolt. So let's combine them. That way we can stick to our story theme or thread - which is lost children, parenthood, and families. Romance is really secondary in this series to parent/child dynamics. (Which is why I remain bewildered by how they handled Baelfire, Hook and Emma. I'm guessing they realized that they had miscast Baelfire and written him into a bit of a corner, and as a result got stuck -so wrote him out? While Hook's casting was a stroke of genius - that actor has chemistry with just about everybody. He's similar to Robert Carlyle.)
Note - the key scenes in this episode focused on parent/child dynamics or sisters.
Emma/Henry, Emma/David, and Regina/Henry. Also there was a bit of bonding between Snow and baby Neal. Henry by the way is shooting up like a tree. He's almost as tall as Regina. And they've had more troubles using him - because the actor's limitations become increasingly obvious the older he gets. What we might forgive in a little kid is somewhat harder in a teen.
Other bits that I liked:
* Little Bo Peep is a crime boss, who exhorts slave labor and tithes from farmers. She brands them with her staff - so she can always locate her little lambs, which turn out to be humans. In storybrook, she runs the local chop shop and is not doing quite so well.
* The Snow Queen is operating an ice cream parlor. The writers do have a sense of humor.
* Emma/Hook exchange about dating.
Hook: I should have brought champagne.
Emma: Why?
Hook: Well we already have an ice bucket. And to celebrate our second date.
Emma: Date? Wait when was our first date?
Hook: Snow monster was the first date. (points at wall of snow). Power outtage by wall of ice - that's our second date.
* Hook/David's brief discussion regarding Hook's intentions towards Emma.
David: if this is just another conquest -
Hook: Look Mate, I'm not going to risk my life for just a conquest...
* Snow White figuring out to turn the power back on. Apparently she's been elected mayor in Regina's absence or while Regina mopes over the loss of Robin Hood and his impromptu family.
What grated:
* Does Elsa have to be portrayed as a magical idiot? Seriously, Emma has to work a wee bit too hard to convince Elsa that they can't find Anna unless she provides a bit more information. That unleashing magic on everyone isn't going to help. And to trust her. Elsa has no evidence Emma or anyone in the town is untrustworthy.
* Still don't know why Anna thought it was a smart idea to go venture into a foreign land to hunt her parents. And she's also being portrayed as a bit of an idiot - not providing David enough information to help her. Seriously, I get the fact that you don't feel you can trust anyone, but David's proven he's trustworthy. (Watch she'll pull a Belle - and trust Rumplestilskin of all people. You know Rumple's involved in this up to his neck, after all he had her necklace.)
I wanted to slap both these women. They reminded me a bit too much of Ariel and Belle in this episode. At least towards the end, they wisened up a bit. Elsa admitted she had no control over her magic and had a true bonding moment with Emma - over lack of control over magic. And how parents aren't always helpful in this regard. Emma is a lot like Elsa - she wants to hide in a cave, and is a bit afraid to "live". (I feel an Auntie Mame moment coming on.. "Patrick, most poor suckers are suffocating to death. LIVE! LIVE!") Hook attempts to heat her up - this being a family show they decide to go the realistic route and use space heaters, blankets, and Henry holding her hand. If this were on Showtime, AMC, F/X or HBO, Hook and Emma would be going at it in the all together. (There are days, I wish OUAT were on HBO or Showtime or F/X.)
* David's wig. How hard would it be to cast a younger actor as David in the flashbacks? Or get a better wig? I was distracted by his wig. Last time I was distracted this badly by a wig was during Angel. The flashbacks on Angel and Buffy did not have good wigs. Game of Thrones however has decent wigs, but admittedly has a lot of money behind it.
Although this is in keeping with the insane outfits. I love the crazy not to mention campy outfits - Little Bo Peeps was hilarious. It's almost as if the writers are raiding the Walt Disney World costume department. (It's not as easy as it looks to create a recreation of an animated costume.)
While watching, it drifted through my mind that this show would be fascinating if they animated all the scenes that took place in the Enchanted Forest. Expensive. But fascinating - sort of like Enchanted or Mary Poppins. Except about 85% of the audience would have issues with it. I like animation, a lot of people don't.
Part of my problem with Frozen - is I loved the original version of the fairy tale. While I'm not a purist, far from it, there are a few things or tropes that I prefer stick closer to the original. Not many, just a scant few. The Snow Queen is amongst them. So, Frozen, as a result, never quite sat right with me.
Enter Once Upon a Time who decided to use the Hans Christian Anderson tale as back story for Frozen. Turns out Elsa is not the only one with the power to freeze things ...there's another lady in town who can do it too, but unlike Elsa has control of her powers and is portrayed by Lost and Revolution alum, Elizabeth Mitchell. (I had a feeling, when I read Mitchell was being cast, that they may actually do their own take on the Snow Queen.) And yes, Mitchell is definitely the Snow Queen. (I saw the preview trailer, but the last five minutes of the series was evidence enough.) What I don't know is her relationship to Elsa. I'm guessing either Aunt or mother. Considering how much Elsa resembles her. Maybe Poppa had a bit of fun?
Anyhow quite pleased by this twist. Not to mention relieved. Clever writers - they want to do the Snow Queen, but know they have to reference Frozen or half the fandom will revolt. So let's combine them. That way we can stick to our story theme or thread - which is lost children, parenthood, and families. Romance is really secondary in this series to parent/child dynamics. (Which is why I remain bewildered by how they handled Baelfire, Hook and Emma. I'm guessing they realized that they had miscast Baelfire and written him into a bit of a corner, and as a result got stuck -so wrote him out? While Hook's casting was a stroke of genius - that actor has chemistry with just about everybody. He's similar to Robert Carlyle.)
Note - the key scenes in this episode focused on parent/child dynamics or sisters.
Emma/Henry, Emma/David, and Regina/Henry. Also there was a bit of bonding between Snow and baby Neal. Henry by the way is shooting up like a tree. He's almost as tall as Regina. And they've had more troubles using him - because the actor's limitations become increasingly obvious the older he gets. What we might forgive in a little kid is somewhat harder in a teen.
Other bits that I liked:
* Little Bo Peep is a crime boss, who exhorts slave labor and tithes from farmers. She brands them with her staff - so she can always locate her little lambs, which turn out to be humans. In storybrook, she runs the local chop shop and is not doing quite so well.
* The Snow Queen is operating an ice cream parlor. The writers do have a sense of humor.
* Emma/Hook exchange about dating.
Hook: I should have brought champagne.
Emma: Why?
Hook: Well we already have an ice bucket. And to celebrate our second date.
Emma: Date? Wait when was our first date?
Hook: Snow monster was the first date. (points at wall of snow). Power outtage by wall of ice - that's our second date.
* Hook/David's brief discussion regarding Hook's intentions towards Emma.
David: if this is just another conquest -
Hook: Look Mate, I'm not going to risk my life for just a conquest...
* Snow White figuring out to turn the power back on. Apparently she's been elected mayor in Regina's absence or while Regina mopes over the loss of Robin Hood and his impromptu family.
What grated:
* Does Elsa have to be portrayed as a magical idiot? Seriously, Emma has to work a wee bit too hard to convince Elsa that they can't find Anna unless she provides a bit more information. That unleashing magic on everyone isn't going to help. And to trust her. Elsa has no evidence Emma or anyone in the town is untrustworthy.
* Still don't know why Anna thought it was a smart idea to go venture into a foreign land to hunt her parents. And she's also being portrayed as a bit of an idiot - not providing David enough information to help her. Seriously, I get the fact that you don't feel you can trust anyone, but David's proven he's trustworthy. (Watch she'll pull a Belle - and trust Rumplestilskin of all people. You know Rumple's involved in this up to his neck, after all he had her necklace.)
I wanted to slap both these women. They reminded me a bit too much of Ariel and Belle in this episode. At least towards the end, they wisened up a bit. Elsa admitted she had no control over her magic and had a true bonding moment with Emma - over lack of control over magic. And how parents aren't always helpful in this regard. Emma is a lot like Elsa - she wants to hide in a cave, and is a bit afraid to "live". (I feel an Auntie Mame moment coming on.. "Patrick, most poor suckers are suffocating to death. LIVE! LIVE!") Hook attempts to heat her up - this being a family show they decide to go the realistic route and use space heaters, blankets, and Henry holding her hand. If this were on Showtime, AMC, F/X or HBO, Hook and Emma would be going at it in the all together. (There are days, I wish OUAT were on HBO or Showtime or F/X.)
* David's wig. How hard would it be to cast a younger actor as David in the flashbacks? Or get a better wig? I was distracted by his wig. Last time I was distracted this badly by a wig was during Angel. The flashbacks on Angel and Buffy did not have good wigs. Game of Thrones however has decent wigs, but admittedly has a lot of money behind it.
Although this is in keeping with the insane outfits. I love the crazy not to mention campy outfits - Little Bo Peeps was hilarious. It's almost as if the writers are raiding the Walt Disney World costume department. (It's not as easy as it looks to create a recreation of an animated costume.)
While watching, it drifted through my mind that this show would be fascinating if they animated all the scenes that took place in the Enchanted Forest. Expensive. But fascinating - sort of like Enchanted or Mary Poppins. Except about 85% of the audience would have issues with it. I like animation, a lot of people don't.
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no subject
Date: 2014-10-06 03:15 pm (UTC)I grew up with this cartoon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV1M1y595_U
and this is how Snow Queen is imprinted in my mind. :)
another fun bit. When Anna was talking how only battles you can't win are worth fighting, I heard the same words said by Spike. Then I checked the cast and crew - of course, the episode is written by Jane Espenson. ;)
no subject
Date: 2014-10-07 01:58 am (UTC)In 1959, the film was dubbed into English and released by Universal Pictures with the voices of Sandra Dee and Tommy Kirk as Gerda and Kay. This version is introduced by a six-minute live-action Christmas prologue featuring TV personality Art Linkletter, as well as a two-minute montage. In this prologue, Linkletter recited the following rhyme just before the film began: "One snowflake two/three snowflakes four/And now you'll see 'The Snow Queen'/if you add a million more." The American version also contained an entirely rewritten musical score and had three new songs in English, two of which replaced the Russian songs (the other one was in the montage).
(From WIKI)
I think Frozen is one of the movies that the"hype" destroyed for me. It was touted as the best thing ever, and I remember thinking, eh, Brave was so much better. But I'm also, admittedly the wrong demographic for it. Although it didn't blow away my 10 year old niece either - she thought it was okay, and preferred the version that I told in shortened form based on the 1959 cartoon that I'd seen over 30 years ago at her age, yet remembered by heart. (Actually they also did a version of The Little Mermaid, which I preferred to the Disney version in some respects. Disney liked happy endings, Hans Christian Anderson...didn't always go with the happy ending.)
no subject
Date: 2014-10-06 07:06 pm (UTC)Glad about the Snow Queen thing, though, 'cause so far, Elsa and Anna are "leaving me cold."
no subject
Date: 2014-10-07 01:41 am (UTC)She's already having fun with the role.
Agreed on Elsa/Anna...but I admittedly wasn't in love with Frozen. (Preferred Brave, actually. Frozen disappointed me.)
Eh, on Emma/Hook - it's the romance they are going with. But if you have issues with it, wouldn't worry too much - the show is decidedly not into the romances.