53 The first Once season that with a clear dip in quality. Oddly enough, the blatant marketing stunt that was the Frozen storyline is actually the undisputed best arc of the season! Tonally, it's super corny and out-of-place, but it cares about its characters and is very well-cast, and that's pretty much what this show is about (and it's unironically more rewarding as a "Frozen" sequel then the 2019 one). The only thing holding this initial half-season back is that the tender icy runabout must share screentime with the Fantasia/Dark One storyline, which is a pointless and insufferable character assassination. Sadly, this exact ordeal is inherited by most of the second half's central plot, with a poorly-made villain mashup and throwing Snow White and Charming into the character assassination mix. A lot of the soap opera energy tips more to nonsensical and eye-rolling drama rather than the kind and well-meaning side of the scale. The structure is interchangeable between boring or infuriating episodes — occasionally boring AND infuriating episodes — and culminates in a lackluster resolution to this "Author" character, who was given far more importance than he genuinely has. There is precisely ONE great episode in the second half, and it's all about the one good plot point they managed to squeeze out of this mess: Emma and Lily. Alas, this is the first season that often feels like a chore to complete, barely saved by some of the remaining charm. ~ EPISODE RANKING: https://srlzd.com/l/3fdf4 Highlights: 1. LILY (E20) Emma, Regina, a compelling new character, and major sapphic energy. It's a solid story supported by solid characters and performances. Close to this season's "MANHATTAN". 2. SHATTERED SIGHT (E11) 3. FALL (E10) The pseudo-two-parter that ends the Snow Queen and Frozen storyline is exciting, funny and heartfelt. E10 has a great emotional core and E11 is conceptually a blast. Best guys: -Maleficent ^^ Amazing cameo character turned amazing side player, best thing to come out of this season. She's honestly the only character that I feel os thoroughly fulfilled here, but there are honorable mentions: -Emma Swan -Lily -Regina -and the sisters (Elsa and Anna). Girl power season! Lowlights: 1. BEST LAID PLANS (E17) 2. UNFORGIVEN (E14) This storyline is one of the worst things they've done with the Charmings. Did irreparable damage to them. 3. FAMILY BUSINESS (E6) Frozen did have some stinkers, and this episode was certainly its lowest point. Awfully low-effort way to unite the two current stories a bit more. Worst guys: -Rumplestiltskin (going from undisputed best to undisputed worst character is insane) -David Fucking Nolan (just KILL this guy) -Snow White (another painful downgrade) -Will Scarlet