Once Upon A Time Spotlight: Merida

Spoiler alert:  This article contains information from the episode “The Bear and the Bow” which may not have aired yet in some regions.

Once Upon a Time is a show that focuses on the classic struggle of good vs evil.  What is interesting is that although the majority of the characters of Storybrooke are from a time long, long ago when women’s lib wasn’t a high priority, the heroes on the show are in fact, women.

You have Emma, who until recently was the Savior, Snow, Regina (The Evil Queen, turned semi-Savior), Belle and now Merida.

In the episode titled “The Bear and the Bow”, although the main storyline concerned pulling Excalibur from the stone in attempt to save Emma from being The Dark One, Merida got to show what a brave lass she was as she sought to rescue her kidnapped brothers, who were slated for execution, from rival clansmen pent on overthrowing her family.

It’s great to see that the women on Once Upon a Time don’t sit around waiting for their Prince Charming (Sorry David) to save them.  More often, it is the men that require rescuing by the women.  So, when Merida has to save her three brothers from certain death, she enlists another woman, Belle, to help her accomplish this.

The scenes involving the magical potion turning Merida into a bear were hooky but the special effects were stellar.  Merida is a likeable character, more than capable of taking care of herself and her family.  And she is a crack shot with a bow and arrow!  Though sadly, I wouldn’t bet on her going up against Emma as The Dark One or Regina’s Evil Queen and winning.

Once Upon a Time airs Sundays at 8/7c on ABC.