Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26033121-20160211071708/@comment-25926288-20160216185406

Hmcooper4 wrote: Going back to the original topic, I don't necessarily think the series should have ended at 3A. 3B was not bad, but just felt incomplete. Frozen was not totally terrible, but did sorta feel like a long filler that got in the way of moving the rest of the show along.

But I think for this show to really make the transition to a long running show, it needs to look at 2 important changes. The first is phasing out some of the current mains (Snowing, and possibly even Rumpbelle) and introducing (or reintroducing) new central characters. The second is to get out of Storybrooke. Open the borders to the LWM, add a few permanent portals (which Regina appears capable of doing now that she has full control of the apprentice's wand), bring Oz and Wonderland as options for some stories.

But most importantly, get some cohesive plots and spend time developing the characters. If they go back to Sleeping beauty, see about getting Philip and Aurora to be actually main characters for one or 2 seasons and really grow them. If they go to do the Frog Prince (or the princess and the Frog), bring in those characters as CENTRAL, not just recurring or guest. and let them grow a couple of seasons.

Just my thoughts. Oh boy, Pandora's box has been open, lol. (Epsecially with getting rid of Everyone minus CSOQ, lol)

I think they began the new generation of characters with Lily and I saw quite the potential with her, but alas they sort of dropped her. So, I think Mulan and Red are our best bets at new characters phasing in.

On the second issue, I rather they treat the LWM as an option, but not potentially exposing Storybrooke. One of the major issues is that the writers burn out lands quicker than Regina's fireballs. We've been to Oz, Neverland, Camelot, the EF, and now onto the Underworld. all in 4 seasons and Wonderland in the spinoff. Those are the heavy hitters, so I don't know what they could do to fix that.

I like your ideas of a moving band of regulars. I think they sort of thought of that in season 2, but it sort of dwindled as I don't think they want to let some of the characters go onto recurring or less. We go days withiut Robin doing anything, yet he is a regular. Love your idea and I think they tripped up when they could have added Lily (if they could).