Once Upon a Time Selfless, Brave and True (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.

"Selfless, Brave and True" is a very well done episode on the whole with a lot done right. On the other hand, after 'Once Upon a Time' was taking major strides in the right direction, with "The Queen is Dead", "The Miller's Daughter" (especially good) and "Welcome to Storybrooke" after the disappointing "In the Name of the Brother" and "Tiny", it also feels somewhat of a let-down.

By all means, "Selfless, Brave and True" does continue the show's growth in character development and plot progression. It is let down though by a few overly convenient plot points and especially the distractingly terrible look of the wooden Pinocchio (some may consider this a nit-pick, for me though it was far too amateurishly distracting to ignore).

The characters are still very interesting with ever clearer motivations, and the episode does a great allowing one to empathise with August. While other episodes are more successful at advancing its story elements and having a more seamless structure, things are balanced well, make sense and there is emotional impact (Mary Margaret's guilt is especially well done).

All the acting is good to great, Eion Bailey and Ginnifer Goodwin are standouts.

Furthermore, "Selfless, Brave and True" 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. Only wooden Pinocchio's look disappoints. It is photographed beautifully too. The music is haunting, ethereal and cleverly used with a memorable main theme.

Writing has the right balance of humour, pathos, mystery and intrigue.

Concluding, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox