Once Upon a Time Pilot Review

by Becky Kirsch 4

Believe it or not, NBC's Grimm isn't the only upcoming TV show inspired by a fairy tale. Tonight, ABC will unveil Once Upon a Time, a new drama that explores the idea that fairy tale characters are real — they've just forgotten who they are.

What it's about: Jennifer Morrison stars as Emma Swan, a woman who gets an unexpected visit from a 10-year-old boy on her 28th birthday. When she takes him back to his hometown of Storybrooke, the lonely lad tries to convince her that the Wicked Queen in his fairy tale book cursed everyone in the Enchanted Forest (like Snow White, Prince Charming, Rumpelstiltskin, and so on) by taking away their happy endings. Now they're living regular lives (Snow White is a teacher) with no recollection of their magical past. Though Emma is skeptical, we learn that she is, in fact, the key to making everything right again in Storybrooke.

Where it works: The pilot has cheesy moments, but it also has enough edge and twists to keep me invested. I was happy to see both Ginnifer Goodwin (as Snow White) and Morrison back on the small screen, and they both fit their roles nicely (though Goodwin is a teeny bit bland). The juxtaposition of the characters in their magic lives and real world is also fun to see; the kid in me enjoyed each new character reveal (Pinocchio, Little Red Riding Hood, etc.), and there are plenty more that aren't even touched on in the first episode.

Where it doesn't: The special effects are a little cheesy, and none of the leading men was particularly compelling. I'm also skeptical of how far the show can go beyond one season since the premise hangs on whether or not Emma can send the fairy tale characters back home.

You might like this show if: You still love old-school Disney animated movies.

When it's on: Sundays at 8 p.m.

To see pictures and a preview of Once Upon a Time, just read more.

Photos copyright 2011 ABC, Inc.