 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Once Upon a Time
Common Sense Media says
Fresh take on fairy tales is moody fun for the family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this series is inspired by classic fairy tales like Snow White and Pinocchio, it's not age appropriate for younger kids. The content is often violent -- including murder, sword fights, and death threats -- and much of the story is clouded in a sense of peril for the characters who are under an evil spell. There's also a spattering of language ("hell," "ass," "suck," etc.). The upside? The show has a unique premise that takes the familiarity of characters like Rumplestiltskin and the Seven Dwarfs and puts it within a fantasy setting of opposing parallel worlds, one of which gives viewers a never-before-seen glimpse of the characters' back stories. This well crafted tale has multi-generational appeal, making it a fun choice to watch with your older tweens and teens.
What's the story?
Emma Sands (Jennifer Morrison) is a tough-as-nails bail bonds collector who's been on her own since she was found on the side of a road as an infant and bounced around through foster care as a little kid. The last thing she expects to turn up on her doorstep on her 28th birthday is a 10-year-old boy claiming to be her biological son. As Emma hustles Henry (Jared Gilmore) back to his adoptive home in Storybrooke, Maine, he fills her head with tales of a parallel world called the Enchanted Forest -- a place of boundless happiness until the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) cast a vindictive curse that hurled all of the residents into the Real World, where they forgot their true identities and succumbed to the misery and loveless existence of normal life. Emma has her doubts about Henry's theories, but the more time she spends in Storybrooke, the more she witnesses unlikely pieces fitting together and finds herself pulled into the fray, much to the delight of Henry, who believes that Emma holds the key to breaking the curse and setting things right.
Is it any good?
Think you're too old to enjoy a fairy tale or two? Think again. ONCE UPON A TIME is a sharply written modern spin on the classics that combines drama, romance, and suspense in a truly magical way. The story brings together favorite characters like Snow White, Prince Charming, Rumplestiltskin, and Jiminy Cricket, taking major liberties with the content of fairy tale classics to extrapolate new relationships and experiences among them. A dual-storyline format follows the characters' lives both before and after the queen's curse, so viewers can get to know the true personalities dormant beneath the characters' modern facades. Central to the story's development is the touching tale of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming's (Josh Dallas) sabotaged love story -- and unsuspecting Emma's role in it.
Be forewarned that this isn't your kids' fairy tale collection, however, nor is it a suitable bedtime story for the little ones. It's dark, intense, and much too violent for younger kids -- but it does promise a happily ever after for everyone from older tweens to grown-ups who are on a quest for something outside the repetitive realm of sitcoms, dramas, and reality shows. This is a cerebral and emotional journey that will have you rooting for unlikely heroes and for the possibility of true love that transcends time and space.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about this show's version of reality. Do the residents of Storybrooke lead lives that reflect your impression of reality? Do you think people turn to entertainment for a reflection of their own lives or an escape from it?
Tweens: Do you like this show's interpretation of fairy tales? Did the characters match your original impressions of them from the stories? If you could rewrite a classic tale, which would it be?
What do you think the series' intention is? Does it offer any positive lessons that you can relate to your own life? Does entertainment always have to have a point?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Sexual Content is increasing drastically. Turning off
I think this show is just okay for adults and fun for tweens and teens. The show was going great (the language could be toned down - why can't they just say darn instead of da*n?) But my main issue was on tonight's episode, the Queen tells Henry she is going to her Saturday Meeting. Later they show her zipping up her dress talking about their "meetings" to a man in the shower and then leaves the hotel room saying "don't forget your socks under the bed." You later find out the man is the sheriff when he is under the bed getting the socks. I don't think this is necessary. It puts this family show, even for tweens in an awkward position of showing that men or women use sex for games/things they want. It would go over the head of younger kids but my 5th grader seemed to have an idea what was going on. I will be watching the shows ahead of time now and if any this unnecessary sexual content is shown again, we will turn it off. It is a shame. They could easily show this in a family friendly way for ages 8/9 and up but choose to gear it towards adults with language and sexual content. Problem is, it is a little too lame for adults but a little too much for kids. They can't teeter or they won't have any viewers.
UPDATE: After watching one of the last shows, I have changed my stars from 4 to 2. The sheriff jumping out of the queen's window (instead of being at the humane society - nice, huh?) in the middle of the night. The blonde asking him why he is doing that with Henry there and his answer is "Well he is sleeping, he doesn't even know." Pathetic. Disgusting. My 10 year old said "I don't understand, what is going on, does he like the Queen?" Ugh. You can see this is going down a path of people using each other for sex. I completely understand why some shows have sexual content. We are not prudes. But again, this show could be an excellent family show and the sexual content is misguided and in no way makes the show any better. I hope many people write to ABC and the producers and ask them to clean it up and keep their tween/teen/family audience.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Would be better if they could clean up their mouths!
We were hoping this was going to be a show the whole family could enjoy together. The premise appealed to both ages and genders. I was disappointed at the language in a show airing at this time. We'll probably watch again but if it continues to be an issue will pull the plug.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
An entertaining drama for our whole famliy
It was enjoyable to have our whole family (mom, dad & kids ages 12, 12 & 13) sit down together and watch this show. We watch movies together, but rarely do we find a drama show that all of us can sit together and enjoy. My kids loved the fantasy aspect of it and being able to pick out in the 'reality' world who they played in the 'fantasy' world. We're looking forward to next week!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Started off well, now too much adult content/sex
I was excited for a show that I could watch with my tween daughter and thought the first few episodes were fine. However, recent episodes feature themes and materials that are more adult, i.e.: the mayor/evil queen having an affair with the sheriff, the concept of "selling" the baby of an unwed mother. And the bad language is unnecessary. It is obviously not an adult show, so why not make it truly family-friendly? Future episodes will be pre-screened. Very disappointed in ABC.
Edited to add: the adult content continues. This show is not appropriate for my 12-year-old daughter.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Wonderful Family Bedtime Story
Have you ever wondered how the characters of beloved Disney stories would fit into modern American society? Here's your answer. This show promises plenty of fresh entertainment that still contains elements from our classic stories. Kids may not comprehend the complexity of the characters, but it's great for kids 11 and up. Very magical (with great special effects as well).
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
November 6, 2011
AGE
Intriguing
Most intriguing TV show currently out there. It takes all the childhood stories and makes them enjoyable all over agian.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
so so
I watched the first episode and thought it was so so. The acting when we are in the 'real world' is great. But when we are transported to the land of fairy it seems to lose it completely. Why can't tv companies have actors act and not ham it up with melodrama and sap when it comes to fairy tales or go over the top 'ooo, I am the bad witch - fear me!' Most fairy tales are full of blood, gore etc, not the normal fare for young kids. So why go coy? Keep it real. Having said that I have an 11 year old and would not let him watch this because of the language. But you can do these things without bad language, in all the folk and fairy tales I have read (thousands, I am a storyteller), there is NO bad language. What's the point? Lowest common denominator?
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
So far, so good!
So far, so good. My 12-year-old daughter loved it. She enjoyed the twist on the fairy tales and character development in present time.There wasn't anything in the first episode that she hasn't already been exposed to in other shows or movies. We are typically very conservative with what we allow her to watch but she is reaching an age where she will be exposed to some things despite our efforts. She's quick to point out "that was inappropriate" or acknowledge that bad words didn't need to be used for the scene to have impact. She is creative and bright and this show appeals to her imagination. Funny thing is, she pretty much ignored any inappropriate words and only commented on what she felt didn't make sense in the plot! Overall, the "good vs. evil" message has the potential to yield good role models in the present-day fairy tale characters who don't even know who they are but still live by the same positive values.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Family Friendly Adventure!
My family and I enjoy watching this show on Sunday nights as a family. The content for the most part, is very family friendly; except for a few violent sequences. But any child that is not very sensitive will enjoy this great show!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
cannot wait until next Sunday,and the Sunday after that, and after that, until the end!!
My sister started watching it, I watched it, and I cannot wait for next week! There is some typical swearing, and some blood.
But the story line is creative(a twisted SnowWhite) and the acting is well done.(some of the camera shots were weird)
So I recommend it!(I might do a review on it on my blog.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Ginnifer Goodwin, Jared Gilmore, Jennifer Morrison |
| Genre: | Drama |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
