Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio… these are all titles that take us back to bedtime fairy tales. Stories from folk tradition that, with a few variations, have crossed the centuries to reach us. It would be easy to underestimate “Once Upon a Time” by associating its characters with children’s fairy tales. But that would be a mistake.

A Clever Narrative Device

The writers put real effort into transporting all those familiar characters into the present day through a clever narrative device. “Clever” may not even be the right word — when you play the magic card, everything becomes simple… but the result is absolutely worth appreciating.

Don’t think of this as a fantasy re-imagining of the characters from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, but rather as a contemporary transplant of the characters you’ve known all your life. The small town of Storybrooke, Maine, is where these characters live, unaware of their true nature, trapped by a curse that has stolen their memories.

Narrative Crossovers Not to Be Missed

The series can feel a little slow at times and occasionally lacks the verve needed to keep you truly glued to the screen… yet it’s absolutely fascinating. The effect of characters displaced from their own context is unsettling in the best way, as is the reworking of the fairy tales, in which you’ll find more than one nod to more recent literature.

One episode in particular — being careful not to spoil anything — turns Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf into a gothic horror retelling that’s very, very different from the original. But I can’t say more.

Some purists will cry sacrilege against classic literature… but I love these narrative crossovers. They’re a sign that stories keep living and still have something to say.

Is It Worth Watching?

The series is absolutely worth your time. Give it a few episodes to find its footing — the characters need time to develop. Then you’ll certainly appreciate it.

Welcome to Storybrooke… a small town in Maine where anything is possible.