Bidding Farewell To “Once Upon A Time”
Tonight, our Storybrooke storybook comes to its conclusion. Despite the happy endings we know (we hope!) we will get, the night will be bittersweet for the show’s millions of fans across the globe. For seven seasons – seven years – the people of Disney’s live-action retellings of its classic movies and iconic characters have come into our homes and made us laugh, cry, rejoice, and despair. But despite all odds, we’ve always gotten our happy endings.
When I first started watching Once Upon a Time in 2011, I really didn’t expect the show to last. It was too sweet, too light, too charming in an era of shoot ‘em up television shows. I was wrong, and gladly so! I remember hearing about that first renewal and cheering, sure there was still good in the world. It became on of the few shows I could escape into week after week. I loved the Disney characters shown in whole new perspectives – Snow White as an outlaw; Charming as a substitute prince, Peter Pan as Rumplestiltskin’s father. I loved all of the back story that was added; Regina’s, Emma’s, and Cinderella. In this season, season seven, I loved Rapunzel’s story arc, which was as twisted and bizarre as it got, but it was also so awesome!
I also enjoyed the various romances the series offered. My favorite pairing is Belle and Rumple, or “Rumbelle” as we shippers call it. “Snowing” was an epic love story. “I’ll always find you,” says Charming to Snow, but it took a long time to get there. “CaptainSwan” is also dear to my heart. Of course, it’s primarily because of actor Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, whose devastating handsomeness and panache captured my own heart. Of course, not all romances come easy, and none of these did. Not without some serious redemption arcs.
Ah, those redemption arcs! It was wonderful to see how kindness and love and patience – and just not giving up on someone – could turn a person around. Regina was changed by love and acceptance, and her own self-acceptance. Rumple, or Mr. Gold, had his heart stolen away by Belle. Hook set aside his pirate and deceptive ways for Emma. Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, was changed by true sisterhood. Emma found a family for the first time. We wished this could be what real life looked like, and I would imagine that many took the traits and characteristics they took away from the show out into the real world.
It was fun to see all the Disney characters come to life as flesh and blood. I loved all of the secondary characters who came to life with new stories – Ursula, Maleficent, Cruella De Ville, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, Alice and the Mad Hatter from Wonderland. We got to see Anna and Elsa, Mulan, Merida, Aurora, King Arthur, Lancelot and Merlin. When we went to the Land of Untold Stories, we got to meet Jekyll and Hyde. We saw Hades in action, watched Pinocchio become a real boy and take advice from Jiminy Cricket. There was Robin and Marian, although not quite the way we thought we knew them. It was just another thing to love about the show; the new twists on old favorites.
This season has been both a reboot and a full circle return. Henry has grown up and is living in Hawthorne Heights, outside of Seattle. We have a bunch of curses to contend with, losing and regaining magic, deceptions, betrayals, and now we are waiting for that final redemption, our final happy ending.
Since Robin and Alice have gone to Storybrooke, we have the promise of seeing old friends again one last time. I don’t expect a dry eye in my house. How about yours? It all started with a wish….I wish Once Upon A Time could carry on forever, but that is not to be. I am appreciative of these seven seasons, this show, and all of the actors and actresses who brought beloved characters to life. I’d like to say a big thank you to the cast, the writers, and the creators, Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis, for bringing us such a special series. I speak for more than just myself when I say that us “Oncers” will miss you. I also can’t wait to see what new adventures everyone will bring us. We’re fans for life, and will definitely be watching everyone in their next endeavors.
So thank you for seven seasons of awesomeness and magic. You definitely will be missed, and never forgotten.
Who is going to be joining us? Are you planning anything special for the evening? Share your special Once Upon A Time stories here with us at Talk Nerdy With Us!
Once Upon A Time airs this Friday at 8/7c.