Elas kord... Heroes and Villains (2011–2018) Online

When 'Once Upon a Time' first started it was highly addictive and made the most of a truly great and creative premise. Really loved the idea of turning familiar fairy tales on their heads and putting own interpretations on them and the show early on clearly had clearly had a ball. Watched it without fail every time it came on and it was often a highlight of the week. Which was why it was sad when it ran out of ideas and lost its magic in the later seasons.

Season 4 had a lot to live up after Season 3 being as impressive as it was. At this early stage of the season, one can see a lot of promise, some may argue that it is capitalising on 'Frozen's' success but there is much more to the season than that. This promise was apparent from the get go, with a great season opener in "A Tale of Two Sisters". As far as the previous Season 4 episodes go, they were all decent to brilliant with the only small dip being "Family Business" and the best being the "Smash the Mirror" two parter.

"Heroes and Villains" for me is among the best episodes of the first half of Season 4 and a fine mid-season finale. Even if Season 3's mid-season finale felt rather more conclusive.

It is notable for the return of Maleficent and for introducing Ursula and Cruella De Vil. The last two still have a lot more room to grow but they do provide a good deal of intrigue and makes one want to know more about them. Their scenes together do have tension, though it's not with these villains where "Heroes and Villains" shines most.

Where it shines most is in the character writing of the existing characters. Emma is written with a lot of heart and has come on a long way since 'Once Upon a Time' first started. Regina has some lovely development, but Rumplestiltskin is the most interesting here. Love his relationship with Belle, charming and heartfelt yet with also intensity and a twist that one does not expect. Belle's development goes forward and not backwards, great to see.

Really liked too how the 'Frozen' arc was handled and concluded, very compelling and emotionally investable and doesn't squander a generally very well done arc.

Credit is due for the character and plot progression (Belle showing the most development and balls she's had in a while), not feeling over-stuffed despite such a lot going on, providing tension, fun and emotion.

All the acting is strong. Lana Parrilla and Robert Carlyle are splendid and Emilie De Ravin gives one of her better performances of the show, Belle's character writing does help. Kristin Bauer van Straten, Merrin Dungrey and Victoria Smurfit similarly make positive impressions, van Straten and Dungrey are suitably imperious but Smurfit (usually not a fan of her) is the biggest surprise.

Furthermore, "Heroes and Villains" is a very handsomely mounted episode visually, the settings and costumes are both colourful and atmospheric, not too dark or garish and never cookie cutter. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable theme tune.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue, or corn or cheesiness here. This aspect has come on such a long way since when 'Once Upon a Time' first started, much more complexity and nuance.

Overall, another great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox