Elas kord... Darkness on the Edge of Town (2011–2018) Online

Taking place where episode 12 left off, Emma, Regina, and Henry plan to find the author and give Regina her own happy ending. While that's going on, Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin recruits Cruella De Vil and Ursula to come with him to Storybrooke and plot against the Savoir and the reformed Queen of Darkness. To make matters worse, they send a demon the Chernabog after them as an attempt to let the three in. Will Emma and Regina make their choice? Or Storybrooke will soon be destroyed? The questions will be answered by watching this episode.

Let me remind you that this is the very first episode I've seen on TV considering how I've seen the entire first three seasons and the first half of Season 4 online (I got the first three seasons on DVD for Christmas in 2014). I know it was a bit tempting, but I haven't watched anything on TV for the past few months back then.

Anyway, on to the review. This episode is a really good setup to the subplot of the three Disney Villains, Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Ursula and promises what would happen in the next episode. The dialog is much fresher, the story is pretty good, the characters are still great and it's awesome to see Emma and Regina working together to get the reformed queen her own happy ending. The CGI is really cool especially the Chernabog which looked a bit like the one from the Disney cartoon Fantasia. The acting is still great, the best coming from Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent, Merrin Dungey as Ursula, and Victoria Smurfit as Cruella de Vil. Both of those three did a fantastic capturing their personalities of the three Disney villains from the cartoons.

My only quibble is that the script could've used a lot more work, but that's about it. Everything else is done perfectly. So, overall, this is a really good setup to the Three Queens of Darkness subplot and hopefully, the next episode will be even better.

When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.

"Darkness on the Edge of Town" for me is another great episode and a fine start to the second half of Season 4. My only quibble with the episode is that for my tastes Chernabog's appearance/role could have been bigger, though he is awesomely intimidating and he looks great.

It is notable for continuing the arc with the three arch villains Maleficent, Ursula and Cruella De Vil. The last two still have a lot more room to grow but they do provide a good deal of intrigue and makes one want to know more about them. Their scenes together do have tension, though it's not with these villains where "Darkness on the Edge of Town" shines most.

Where it shines most is in the character writing of the existing characters. Emma is written with a lot of heart and has come on a long way since 'Once Upon a Time' first started. Her chemistry with Regina is a pleasure and is refreshingly much more interesting than the standard good versus evil conflict. Belle's character has not gone backwards, if not progressing as much as the others, which is a relief.

Love that 'Once Upon a Time' has returned to its roots, while showing how far it has come on since it began while showing too what the show is all about.

Credit is due for the character and plot progression, Gold/Rumplestiltskin and Regina/Evil Queen have wonderful moments and development, the former's interaction with Maleficent, Ursula and Cruella really shines, and the three arch villains have even more to give and are already showing huge potential.

All the acting is strong. Lana Parrilla and even more so Robert Carlyle are splendid and Jennifer Morrison has grown so much. Kristin Bauer van Straten, Merrin Dungrey and Victoria Smurfit continue to make positive impressions, Smurfit has proven to be a big surprise as Cruella though van Straten is the most imperious of the three and Dungrey is advantaged by having the most interesting development.

Furthermore, "Darkness on the Edge of Town" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable theme tune.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.

Overall, another great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox