i don’t know what to rate this season… there is so much that i love that happens here but also some points that i disagree with, specifically with the redemption arcs that happen in hell (you’re telling me cora made it to heaven???!!!) and of course, robins stupid death. the dark swan stuff is so much better than i remember and creates a very solid (even if stressful) season 5a which develops emma’s relationship with regina as well as hook and has some good b plots as well. there are definitely moments that could have been expanded on in emma’s psyche, but all of her decisions make sense to me and i enjoy seeing her role as the savior and a member of her always-finding-each-other family be something turned more desperate and dangerous. 

the hell stuff is interesting itself and has many good moments but is definitely a low point for character development since not much happens there. this is also where i think the show fumbles zelena, who could have been a solid anti-hero but instead they just redeem her and “solve” the deep seeded issues between her and regina far too quickly. this is also the beginning of the end for rumple and belle who up until this point and throughout this season are a beautiful and haunting depiction of an abusive relationship but are somehow put back together after this season…….. rumples character moves from being a kind of loveable freak antagonist when he’s on his own to someone i actually dislike seeing on screen. 

i also just think that the formula of the show gets difficult as time goes on, where they introduce so many things in later seasons that weren’t applicable prior, and just mess up the universe rules. i understand why they do it, but it definitely makes the season a bit worse! ultimately, the angst is great and i will probably keep watching …… but i also just want to go back and watch season 2 again. 

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3