Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26715865-20151102073210/@comment-1916997-20151102160517

Eskaver wrote: CoolDudeAl wrote: Ironically though, we actually got many more stories covered when we didn't have the 11 episode arcs. The first season had like 15 different stories shown, whereas now a season has maybe 5 different stories shown. And yeah, you could argue that Hansel and Gretel don't need as much time as Arthurian Legend, which is true, but I still wish they could find a balance between a new story shown almost every episode (Seasons 1 and 2) and two stories shown per 11 episode arc (Seasons 3, 4, and 5). I don't think the problem is that. Well, it's true for at least some fans, but that's just them. (And I'm just me, but I think some share my opinion.)

They need even less stories that lead nowhere and more stories that focus on a major character. Example, Hansel and Gretel was about them, but also revenat and about Emma and her backstory. Same goes with Price of Gold. It was Ella's story, with Rumple flair, but it was more so relevant and about Emma's character.

Currently, we don't have that. We don't need more stories, but more stories that center around core character development. Recently we had a whole slew of episodes.

Seige Perilous: Was about David and aded a small amount be decent amount of character development.

Broken Kingdom: Was about Gwen, Lance, and crazy Arthur. Not very relevant to the main group. So, this was a poor choice to make. You don't need the character in the flashback, but a character needs to come to realizations about themself, or present those character thoughts that we don't see to the audience.This did noone justice.

Dreamcatcher: Gave a little on the Regina character, jumped on Emma and damaged it with an incoherent skip, gave more insight to Henry's character.

Bear and Bow: Gave a little retcon to Rumple's character and tons of Merida character growth that does not relate to anything. What did Merida learn? Don't use magic, be brave and use skill. What did Rumple do and succeded with? He used magic, no skill and all the hero points.

So, far the only relevant and decent character growth is going to Henry, Emma's is a little damaged, Rumple's is a little retconned and rushed (and David) and nothing for everyone else. I get this, but at the same time, you can only have the main characters that we've had since the Pilot do so much character development per season. So we need to fill in the plot and flashbacks with other characters. And I think people underestimate how much they actually enjoy the new characters. I mean would anybody still be watching this show if we just had Snow White story flashbacks? Oh, look, here is Snow and Charming deciding which side of the palace to plant the snowbell garden. Oh, look, here is the Evil Queen tourtureing a peasant who she thinks has info about Snow's whereabouts. No one actually wants that.