Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-25926288-20160514103955/@comment-28087533-20160514123700

I do believe that Season 5 has sparked the abomination that is Captain Swan, and has put that rapist Hook at the centre of the show. Unfortunately, Emma is a completely different person than she was in Season 1, which I would be inclined to say, is the greatest season of all in Once.

Season 4 was traumatizing, however. From the poorly composed Frozen plots to the unspeakably hilarious costumes, not to mention the postively disastrous visuals, it was just a complete cash-cow for Disney. Personally, I believe 4B was better than 4A, and I do believe 5B is better than 5A.

4A was simply a Frozen cosplay event IMO, but I will say that Ingrid was a great and multi-layered character to come out of the arc. But let us never speak of 5A. It was absolutely abysmal. 4B was interesting and I did love seeing Cruella, who in my opinion, was the first pure evil villain the show has ever seen.

5B is decent, I didn't like Hades or the UW that much, we should have remained in SB. Zelena's redemption arc is probably the stand-out of the entire arc, considering nothing else vastly monumental occured (with the exception of Robin's death, which was ridiculous and unfortunate, but simultaneously a requirement as the character lacked development and attention by the Adam and Eddy).

Below is a summary of the positive and negative aspects of what I personally believe constituted Season 4 and 5.

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SEASON 4 - Overall, a medicore season, overshadowed by some major flaws in characters and plot. Improved by the introduction of Cruella and return of Zelena.

4A

Pros

- The introduction of Anna and Elsa into the show; provided a near-decent plot.

-  The character of Ingrid and her motivations; her death was rather upsetting, so she was a major part in Season 4A's popularity and success IMO.

- The return of Sidney, and his unexpected betrayal towards Regina.

- The introduction of the Apprentice.

Cons

- Marian's return, which before knowing she was Zelena, temporarily broke apart Robin and Regina.

- The OQ break-up.

- The visual effects; an abomination.

- The constumes; something you'd expect to see at a Comic-Con event, not in a highly successful ABC show funded by the world's most successful motion picture conglomerate.

- Rumple's downward spiral to a power-hungry fool, yet again.

- Hook's slowly surfacing prominence in the show, his relationship with Emma, too.

- The uninteresting Frozen storyline which had me lost in boredom.

- Slightly poor world-building, we didn't see that much of Arendelle which was a disappointment.

4B

Pros

- The introduction of Cruella, Urusla and the resurface of Maleficent.

- Cruella's backstory, she was a pure villain with no motivation other than to needlessly kill, one of the greatest villains in Once IMO. Victoria Smurfit is amazing as Cruella.

- Maleficent and Ursula's backstory and character development, Maleficent's motives were justified.

- OQ and Robin and Regina's reunion after being apart.

- The return of Zelena, and that unexpected Marian twist, she is one of the greatest villains in the show IMO (Zelena).

- The introduction of the Author, provided interesting backstory to how authors came to be.

- August's return into the fold, it was lovely to see him again after he was tasered by that mega-bitch, Tamara.

- Belle finally seeing Rumple's true colours and expeling him from SB.

- The alternate world, Snow as the EQ was fabulous. Zelena's wedding outburst was hilarious.

- Henry becoming the author was great for his character too.

- Flashbacks of the EQ in the EF.

- Just Cruella in general, she was fabulous. "Blasted birds, I'll show you what angry really looks like."

Cons

- The terrible visual effects. Consistently abhorrent throughout all previous seasons of Once.

- Awful cosplay-like costumes, especially for the QOD. Ursula's costume we shall never speak of EVER AGAIN.

- Emma's surfacing darkness (can we even call it that?). It was weak and tedious at most times IMO.

- Issac's poor motivations as a self-proclaimed villain, what plausible reasons did he actually  possess to give villains their happy endings? None really, IMO.

- Snow White and Charming's constant whining, their presence was at most times rather unnecessary.

Overall Season 4 rating:   5.5/10

SEASON 5 - A decent season, introduction of many characters provided great entertainment, the UW was great for world-building, and Zelena's redemption was great, too. Ruined by Captain Swan.

5A

Pros

- Introduction of Merlin, was a great character while he lasted in the show.

- The world-building of Camelot was interesting and fascinating to see, too.

- The introduction of Arthur, Guinevere and Nimue, decent characters with slightly questionable backstories.

- The introduction of Merida and the Dunbroch kingdom, her friendship with Mulan and Ruby.

- I suppose, Dark Swan, even though we could hardly call her evil.

- Rumple's supposed redemption. Was great until that ridiculous reveal.

- More backstory and history about the Dark One mythology, the sword of Excalibur.

- Hook's death. Was wonderful and I was hoping he wouldn't come back.

Cons

- Merlin's short-lived appearance, his death was unneccessary.

- Captain Swan in general, detest their relationship throughout the show.

- Emma being totally unrecognisable now, her character shifting in an unfortunate, whipped-up, direction.

- Hook. Just... Hook.

- Rumple reverting to evil again. Belle going back to him, too. Done with Rumbelle.

5B

Pros

- The introduction of the Underworld, was great to see and explore it, a nice and twisted atmosphere, regardless of that annoying red filter. XD

- The return of Cruella, the Blind Witch, Peter Pan, Cora and Arthur.

- The introduction of Hercules and Meg, wish they had returned, but oh well.

- The introduction of Hades, important for the rest of the entire season and how it unfolded.

- Zelena's long anticipated redemption, was great to see her side with the heroes now.

- Zelena's sisterly relationship with Regina and reunion with Cora, fantastic, emotional scenes with them.

- Cora's redemption and her scenes were fanatastic too.

- Reappareance of Henry (Valet), his goodbye to Regina was so emotional and heart-breaking, acting was stellar there.

- The improvement and development of visual effects in the show (FINALLY).

- The LGBT relationship with Dorothy and Ruby, was very quick and rushed however.

- The upcoming return of the Evil Queen (which shall be phenomenal and life-giving. XD).

Cons

-  The rushed LGBT relationship, could have been explored more and developed.

- The short-lived return of Mulan and Merida.

- Robin's sad death, was overshadowed by the fact that his character was so un-developed. He was sent to oblivion for Christ's sake.

- Something about Hades, I can't put my finger on it...

- The unbelievable focus on Hook and Captain Swan, sad and unfortunate.

- Regina having her happy ending stripped off of her YET AGAIN.

- Emma being a completely different character now, no longer badass like in Season 1. Unrecognisable.

Overall Season 5 rating:   6.9/10

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Season 4 vs Season 5

WINNER: Season 5

4A VS 5A

WINNER: 4A

4B VS 5B

WINNER: Tied, but slightly leaning towards 5B.

OVERALL WINNER: Season 5