Once Upon a Time (Second Season)

It kept me going right through another 22 episodes The only thing that might be a problem is that you begin to see how incredibly complex the whole thing is, and maybe begin to despair that you’ll ever understand it all. But I have to assume that would be even worse if I hadn’t seen them all in a row over just a few days, instead of a season of half a year. I would dearly love to see the “Bible” for this series. That’s the book they put together so all the writers can keep track of each character, how he or she interacted with all the others, and most importantly, all the back story. There must be pages and pages and pages of back story, and much of it must have already been figured out so it all fits together like a puzzle. In almost every episode we learn something from a character’s past that shows us a little of what made him or her the way they are. The Evil Queen went through a lot of shit from her mother before choosing to be evil. Rumplestiltskin was a coward, was abused, learned the dark arts, but still loves the child he allowed to be swallowed up into a pit to Neverland rather than give up his magic.

And on and on and on, having much fun along the way. We see Dr. Frankenstein in this season, and learn why he wanted to return the dead to life. So many of these characters started out with good intentions, but were seduced along the way with one temptation or another. And in the end the pirate ship Jolly Roger is sailing off with an uneasy alliance of Captain Hook, Emma Swan, Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, and Rumplestiltskin, on their way to Neverland to rescue Henry. We get a glimpse of the Lost Boys, who look like thugs to me, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Peter Pan turns out to be something other than just a sweet little boy who never grew up. His shadow has already made an appearance, and he was a scary dude.