Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11464223-20160522134756/@comment-25926288-20160522211935

I'll say rather comfortably that mine is:

1 > 2 >= 3a > 3b > 5b >  5a = 4a > 4b.

I grade on 4 criteria: Plot, Character Development, Conflict, and Setting (Worldbuilding/ Effort)

Seasons 1 & 2 were practically equal on character, setting, and having a sensible conflict. The plot though was a little scattered in 2 in compared to 1, but the plot of 2 will always be better than the mid-arcal shifts we get nowaday. 3a was solid character development, the conflict was quite real, the setting was decently put together, but some of the things like "Pan's change of plan" and hitting me over the head that "Dreamshade! DREAMSHADE will kill ya!" was getting annoying. 3b is next because it was actually original in concept as a Do Over curse which I liked, the threat was real, the characters were mostly developing in moments, but the use of setting wasn't anything great with Oz rather lackluster.

Now, after that season (3), the character development became more like character moments when, you know, someone would have a moment of nice acting in one episode that wouldn't really ever be referenced again or added to. Overall, season 5 stands strong in reverse order over season 4. Season 4 was also the campiest season of all time. Season 1 was ok, slightly bleak, but season 4 dropped all pretenses of that and our beloved characters became parodies of their former selves. Who can say that they loved "Puppy Dog Killy Willy" or "Woegina" or "Cartoon Villain Rumple" or whatever that blonde in the red jacket who looks like she has a cold (Yeah, Emma).

Prize character development of the last two seasons goes to Zelena. Best hands down.

Season 5 isn't without it's faults. 5b is solidly great before 515. Emma feels some parts Emma, other parts stranger. You watch Emma in season 1, then 2, then 3, you could tell who they are, but now, she doesn't learn anything because if she does, the universe gives her what she wants anyway. Must be compensating for those other 28 years XD. I'd say 5a was actually pretty good in some aspects, but it left a lot on the sidelines, but anything was better than 4b.

4b is just a fest of assassination and weird plot that you'll see is probably near the bottom of everyone's list.