CarterMatt’s Scare-O-Ween: Should ‘Once Upon a Time’ cast more Halloween magic?
Is “Once Upon a Time” the perfect Halloween show? We’re not sure we can say that for a number of reasons: It’s more whimsical than scary, it is not out to give you too many holiday episodes, and while there are supernatural beings, few of them are of the traditional Halloween variety.
Yet, are there some things that it could do become more tailor-made for this holiday? We’d like to argue yes for a number of different reasons.
More realism in Storybrooke – One of the the things that this show has really struggled with ever since the first season is being able to create any sort of feeling of authenticity at all in this town. It’s a place that we have come to know more for crises, and it doesn’t feel like a breathing community in the way it once did. Bringing in trick-or-treaters or seeing what fairy-tale characters could dress up as would be fun.
More fear – There are villains aplenty on this show, but the majority of them are not entirely terrifying since their motives stem from a place of heartache. Look at Zelena, the Snow Queen, or now the Dark Swan. Even Regina back in the first season was this way. We’d say that Pan was really the last villain who had zero interest in redemption, which may help explain why he is not around.
More seasons in general – We feel like one of the reasons why “Once Upon a Time” has steered clear of holiday episodes as of late is because of the split-season format, and because they don’t want to date the show. Yet, it could add a certain relatable presence to the proceedings.
Signature Halloween episode – If there is one installment that a diehard Halloween fan should go back and watch, easily at the top of the list should be “The Doctor.” This particular episode from the second season may not have been fully seasonal, but the story of Dr. Frankenstein may be the creepiest thing that the ABC series has put out there.
Want to get some other “Once Upon a Time” updates? If you head over to this link you can get some additional insight when it comes to the characters of Mulan, Merida, and Red! Also, sign up here to score some other TV updates and exclusive news via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)