It All Started With A Big Bang

In the US of A, scripted sitcom The Big Bang Theory recently out-rated iconic reality program American Idol. The burning question is, why exactly are viewers so enamoured with these nerds?

After a lot of thought and constant TBBT viewing (hey, someone's gotta do it), I came up with the following hypothesis outlining ten intrinsic factors imperative to the show's success (look at me, I can speak science!)...

1. The Sheldon Factor.

The character of Sheldon rules his little roost with an iron hand. Watching this epic control freak attempt to manipulate his cohorts, whilst simultaneously lacking the ability to read nuances of human behaviour, provides endless entertainment.*

*Another reason the audience can laugh freely at Sheldon's antics is because he's a genius, so it's okay to crack up at his quirks. He's not stupid or anything, which means you're not ridiculing a moron. You don't feel mean laughing at his lack of social graces, because you know there's a killer IQ in the mix. Guilt-free humour.

2. Everyday People Find Ubersmart People Being Unsuccessful at Life Weirdly Reassuring.

The idea that the intellectual elite can have relatively crappy existences seems to cheer up the everyday American no end. Right or wrong, seeing a genius unable to drive himself to the dentist, or a rich Indian intellectual completely incapable of holding a conversation with a women, is somehow highly comforting.

3. Nerds Make Bad Jokes.

This is a great little subliminal excuse for atrocious script moments. The audience is a lot more forgiving of any flashes of subpar comedy writing in this show, because they attribute a lack of cleverness to the social ineptness of the nerd characters. It's like a Get Out Of Jail Free card for the scriptwriting team.

4. Wish Fulfillment.

When Leonard started dating the hot blonde across the hall, men of America sat back and sighed happily. Women (mostly) also liked this coupling, for myriad reasons. The romance is helped along by the fact most of the nerds are actually kind of good looking. (Except for Howard. Don't get me started on Howard, he CREEEEPS me out!).

5. Up To Date Cultural References Run Rife.

I always thought part of Seinfeld's success was the way they incorporated crazes and social trends popular in New York at that time. A number of old school style sitcoms are sadly out of date with happenings in the outside world, but not The Big Bang Theory. A recent episode focusing on the character Raj's attachment to Apple's Siri is a prime example:

6. Is Bizarrely Full of Sterotypes.

You'd think viewers would frown on this, but instead, they seem to revel in the non-PC characters. The parents really cop it here. Sheldon's Texan mother is a devout Christian who enjoys clay shooting and regularly makes racist comments. Raj's parents are rich Indians who want him to marry a good Indian girl. Leonard's mother is an emotionally detached intellectual (psychologist and neuroscientist). Howard's mother (offscreen) plays out more Jewish stereotypes than I could list in one blog...

7. They Never Stop Eating.

Seriously, these kids live in Chow Down Town. I only noticed when I suddenly started wanting to eat my meals while this show was on. We often see them eating dinner in the apartment. They also spend a lot of screen time having lunch in the cafeteria, not to mention eating out at at Penny and Bernadette's work, The Cheesecake Factory. The question is, how many viewer's have unconsciously started eating dinner in front of the telly when The Big Bang Theory is on? WHY ARE THEY ALWAYS EATING AND WHY ARE THEY NOT FAT?! (Sorry about the caps locks, could be the diet talking).

8. The Protagonists Are Not a Fat Husband and Skinny Wife in the Suburbs.

That sitcom format is so, so tired. Instead, The Big Bang Theory revisits The Odd Couple (in more ways than one). Nerds and the bimbo (neither societal label turns out to be completely true, mind you). Penny and Amy. Leonard and Sheldon. Penny and Sheldon. Actually, Sheldon and anyone...! The cast is also relatively young. Age-wise, the Big Bang Theory is more conducive to Friends than the FHSWS sub-category.

9. Star Trek Alumni Make Appearances.

Okay, okay, so this might just be a me thing, but there's no denying Star Trek's always been a huge part of both popular culture, and nerd culture. Star Trek references and appearances on The Big Bang Theory have been pretty epic. As an example, I offer the final scene of an episode in which Sheldon was ridiculed for inviting Levar Burton (Geordi La Forge on Star Trek The Next Generation) to his party via Twitter:

10. Blossom is Awesome.

Bringing girl nerds into the fold proved to be a stroke of genius. The character of Bernadette is hilarious, a perfect foil for Howard, while Malim Bayik's comedic timing as neuroscientist Amy is just superb. (And how trippy is it that the actress also happens to have a PhD in Neuroscience?). Kudos to the production team on this one.

In summary, a lot of factors are involved in making The Big Bang Theory hugely successful. But is it possible I've missed the most important one of all? That maybe, just maybe, we're all kind of nerdy on the inside? (Awwww)...

Fair Dinkum Television Memories

Since it's Australia Day, I thought I'd look back at some old time Aussie television. Remember The Flying Doctors? Kingswood Country? The Thorn Birds? Yep, a dozen ocker classics. So take a seat, eat some pavlova, and check out the down under tv flashback.*

(*Of course, this list kind of shows my age... but I think television you're exposed to when really young can make a more intense impact, sometimes).

A COUNTRY PRACTICE

What Was It About? Followed the trials and tribulations of Wandin Valley locals. As hinted in the title, a lot of the action revolved around/passed through the medical centre. Most disliked character was old busybody Esme, who constantly caused trouble with her gossiping.

What I Remember Most: The character Molly died of a terminal illness and the whole country had to have counselling.

Interesting Tidbit: The actors who played onscreen couple Molly and Brendan were also married in real life. Oh, and Nicole Kidman guest starred back in the day.

E STREET

What Was It About? The adventures of a group of Sydney inner city residents. A bit of a different premise for Aussie television at that point, since most family dramas and sitcoms of the time were set in the outback, or the suburbs.

What I Remember Most: Being a teenager (barely) when this show hit screens, and deciding that living in a city was the ULTIMATE in cool.

Interesting Tidbit: A young Simon Baker was one of the shows stars, but his screen name back then was Simon Baker-Denny.

KINGSWOOD COUNTRY

What Was It About? Sort of like an early Australian version of Married With Children (but less smutty). Ted liked to sit in his chair, watch the telly, read the paper, and loved his car more than anything. Some complain about his sexist and racist ways, but the truth is, the joke was always on Ted.

What I Remember Most: The poor harried wife, who had the most hilarious lines.

Interesting Tidbit: There was a later spin-off, focusing on Ted in an old people's home, but it didn't rate well.

THE SULLIVANS

What Was It About? The Sullivan family, of course. The show was set in 1939, the beginning of the second World War, so there was a definite sense of gravitas to the story.

What I Remember Most: How beloved the series was, across multiple generations. You would hear people at the shops gossiping about the Sullivans as if they were real neighbours.

Interesting Tidbit: I don't have any. I was only seven when it finished its run, so my memories of it aren't as clear as some of the other programs. (But I do feel it made a very big impact on the industry, as a whole).

PERFECT MATCH

What Was It About? A game show where one contestant would ask three contestants behind a screen a series of questions, before choosing one to date. If you think about it, it's kind of like early internet dating. Without the Internet.

What I Remember Most: When returning from their date (which sometimes lasted for days, if they'd been sent away on holiday), the show would interview the two contestants separately, then get them to sit on the same couch and watch what they had both said about each other... In a word, brutal.

Interesting Tidbit: A 'robot' called Dexter would come out and calculate the compatibility rating of the final couple (before they went off on their date). Naturally (by which I mean ridiculously) he became the most popular thing about the show.

SALE OF THE CENTURY

What Was It About? Contestants would start with a $20 score, then compete to answer questions first (with big buzzers!) receiving $5 for every correct answer. The winner was the person who finished with the highest score, which they could then 'spend' on the prizes. Of course, there were other factors, like the Who Am I questions (which we LOVED). If you guessed the identity of the person, you got to choose from a game board of celebrity faces, all of which offered assorted prizes when spun around.

What I Remember Most: How obsessed it made everyone with general knowledge. Since this was pre-web, encyclopaedia sales surely benefited.

Interesting Tidbit: For some reason, the format really appealed to Australians. The show ran for over two decades, as well as a later reboot that ran for a few more years.

SKIPPY

What Was It About? A kid's show from the sixties often repeated on Australian tv. Skippy was a kangaroo in a national park who made friends with a ranger's son. Cue adventures.

What I Remember Most: The theme song, because "Skippy the bush kangaroo" always sounded as if they were clarifying Skippy was not, in fact, an urban kangaroo(??).

Interesting Tidbit: The main thing I remember about this show is that it had a HELICOPTER. These flying machines were pretty rare back in the day, so every time a storyline included a helicopter appearance, excitement ensued. Yes, we were simple folk. (Or maybe the crime rate was just lower?).

THE FLYING DOCTORS

What Was It About? The title's kind of self-explanatory. Alongside more traditional hospital story lines (including doctor/nurse romances, of course), the challenges of outback medical care provided a lot of story fodder.

What I Remember Most: Learning about the existence of The Royal Flying Doctor Service. I'm guessing the exposure was invaluable for them.

Interesting Tidbit: Check out a young Rebecca Gibney in this clip.

THE THORN BIRDS

What Was It About? A mini-series based on the Colleen McCullough novel. Think family saga, outback setting, and a priest in love. There was also a stellar cast. (Christopher Plummer and Richard Chamberlain are among the illustrious talent in the mix). The sum of these elements equalled massive ratings explosions.

What I Remember Most: Oh, the scandal. A priest in love (and lust)? Shocked was not the word.

Interesting Tidbit: Rachel Ward and Brian Brown met on set and later married.

SONS AND DAUGHTERS

What Was It About? Straight up soapie stuff. Arguing families. Lots of drama.

What I Remember Most: The theme song. It was weirdly catchy, even though some of the lyrics were less than challenging (ie we will find out our sons and daughters are what, we too, were once about...).

Interesting Tidbit: Actress Judy Nunn went on to write many novels, including children's books. I loved them so much when I was little that I wrote her a letter. And she wrote one back!

BRIDES OF CHRIST

What Was It About? A mini-series, set in the sixties, that takes place in a Catholic school. Both the students and the nuns face difficult decisions, cause, you know, times, they are a'changin'...

What I Remember Most: I went to a Catholic school and I can honestly say, this show really humanised the nuns and priests in our eyes. Up till that point, we'd never really thought about their lives prior to joining the church.

Interesting Tidbit: The fantastic cast included a youthful Russell Crowe and Naomi Watts.

BLUE HEELERS

What Was It About? The lives and loves of police stationed in the fictional Australian country town of Mount Thomas. Epically popular in Oz... there's no denying thirteen years is a long time for a cop show to run.

What I Remember Most: My dad was a policeman and he used to say, "Christ, if I was posted to Mount Thomas, I'd be asking for a bloody transfer". This country town saw a WIDE array of HIGHLY unusual crimes. Even the station itself was bombed at one point.

Interesting Tidbit: I remember someone telling me they used to watch Blue Heelers when they were growing up in Ireland, oddly enough.

...So there's the list. Honourable Mentions also to The Henderson Kids, Hey Dad, Prisoner, GP, Police Rescue and Acropolis Now. I could go on, but all this talk of Aussie television has made me want a lamington...

A Lot Of Eyes For An Eye

With New Year's resolutions in full swing, now might be an apt time to talk about Revenge. (The tv show, I mean).

The saying hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, should really be changed to, hell hath no fury like a child betrayed, if this tale's anything to go by...

Some might say time and money are integral elements of a truly devastating, multi-tiered revenge. Luckily, the protagonist of this series has both in SPADES (I so want to work in some kind of Marie Antoinette "let them eat cake" joke, but my humour's not savvy enough):

Revenge is a strange concept (the feeling, I mean, not the show). We're taught at a young age that it leads to bitterness and ashes, but when truly wronged, the desire for payback can be a dominating emotion. Let's face it, there's almost something primal about the (occasionally) reflexive, thirst-for-revenge response to perceived injustice.

Likewise, Revenge (the show, not the feeling) is a strange little drama. Many dismiss it as a simple soap, but I think the overarching theme makes it a tad too complex for obvious labelling.

Sure, this saga has enough petty power plays, beautiful people, glamorous parties and luxurious locations to keep the average viewer happy. But for those who like a little more (intellectual) meat to chew on, scattered throughout each episode like little chicken nuggets for the brain (can you tell I'm hungry?) are quotes from ancient philosopher's and classic literature that ponder the nature of revenge and its myriad, inevitable repercussions.

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.

Confucius

Here's the basic story:

An uber-rich young woman called Emily Thorne rocks up at the Hampton's one summer to party the season away (elegantly, mind you). Quiet, confident, beautiful and sophisticated, she catches the eye of the local pretty boy bachelor... and it's game on.*

(*This is all just surface fodder. The backstory is WAY more relevant.)

Emily Thorne is actually Amanda Clarke, who lived in the Hamptons with her father until he was framed for a terrible crime. Daddy's since died in prison, and now Amanda (slash Emily) is back, ready to exact her meticulously planned revenge on his enemies, via a sequence of devastating strikes culminating in an end game we, the audience, can't quite imagine just yet...!

One by one, our (sort of) protagonist destroys every person involved in the framing of her father, and god DAMN is this chick thorough. She decimates her targets personally, professionally and financially, dismissing battered innocents along the way (ie husbands, wives and children) as little more than collateral damage.

Keep in mind, she has one woman in her sights at all times. Through Emily's carefully timed machinations, her father's married mistress Victoria is slowly and irrevocably alienated from her best friend, husband, trusted security liaison, therapist, and children.

As a viewer, you can never quite decide at what point Emily crosses the line. She's been so brutally wronged that you're kind of cheering her on at first... but at the same time, is it truly okay for the aggrieved party to transform from persecuted, to persecutor?

Just to clarify- she is UTTERLY focused on revenge. No matter what happens, the character steadfastly refuses to change her path, which makes you wonder sometimes what's going on behind her guarded gaze, and if she just might be one diamond short of a tennis bracelet? (Or something like that. Cut me some slack, I'm trying to speak Hampton-ese here!).

Let's not forget, while Emily's been dealing with the terrible repercussions of what was done to her family, the guilty rich have lived with tortured consciences eating away at their souls, and occasionally (it would seem), their sanity. Almost every character in the show is written in a way that makes the audience perceive them as intensely flawed, and often conflicted.

So, yeah, the baddies aren't always a hundred percent, well, bad. But don't get me wrong- they're still, you know... bad. (Yes, pretty soon we, the audience, are as conflicted as the characters!).

The show not only looks at the ripple effect these acts of revenge are having on community members closest to the guilty parties, but also at the impact carrying out ongoing, staggered revenge is having on our (pseudo) protagonist Emily. In a way, it's both her greatest strength, and her greatest weakness.

Hardcore, much?

The important casting is impeccable. The actress in the lead role, Emily VanCamp, plays the part superbly, an understated portrayal that is so much more powerful onscreen than raging hysterics could ever be. Her emotions are heavily internalised (which let's face it, is the opposite of standard soapie practice).

Madeleine Stowe kicks ass as Victoria, the evil matriarch and Emily's arch nemesis. She knows something's off when it comes to Emily (no shit, Sherlock!), but since she's losing allies left, right and centre, Hampton's Wicked Witch is not at the top of her game right now...

Gabriel Mann puts in a great performance as billionaire computer programmer Nolan, a character integral to the story because he knows Emily/Amanda's secret.

Nolan is the angel on her shoulder, albeit a flawed one. He alternates between a) dabbling in Emily's 'games' because he's bored, hyper intelligent and socially inept, and b) trying unsuccessfully to lure her away from the lesser-worn, prickly path of revenge.

I also like Nick Wechsler as Jack, Amanda's childhood sweetheart and constant (emotional) thorn in the side of her Emily persona. (Thanks to Nolan's machinations, Jack is regularly thrown in Emily/Amanda's path, as a possible deterrent).

Don't get me wrong. A lot of the storylines, especially the sub-plots, still unfold in dramatic, soapie-esque style... but the motivation behind the overall series is quite unique, which helps hold audience interest.

And while it doesn't appeal to me, maybe some Americans kind of like the idea that fellow citizens rich enough to holiday in the Hampton's achieved their wealth through nefarious means? Morals and ethics seem in short shrift among the richies on the show. Is it possible that watching the monied up getting their asses karmically kicked (metaphorically speaking) appeals to the middle class psyche somehow? Who knows.

By halfway through season one, Emily's schemes are already unravelling. Unforeseen variables (ie the arrival of unexpected characters she hadn't anticipated and can't quite control), threaten to ruin everything.

Man, the vagaries of human nature really can mess with the best laid plans... it's true, Murphy's Law is a bitch.

Just ask Emily. Or is it, Amanda?

Ho Ho Ho

You can't go past a Christmas movie this time of year.

I don't mean trendy Yuletide cinema, like Elf or Bad Santa. I'm not even talking old school classics like It's A Wonderful Life, or Miracle On 34th Street. I mean the made-for-tv efforts we all somehow end up watching at some point in December. Full of goodwill, seasonal cheer, emotive monologues and sparkling Christmas lights!

There's something charming about even the most atrocious made-for-tv Xmas movie. The script may be cringeworthy and the performances less than glowing, but there's nothing like a happy Yuletide ending. Somehow, these often clumsy efforts bring a touch of seasonal spirit to the small screen, a sense of magic that gets everyone a little teary-eyed.

The truth is, once you get a taste for questionable Christmas viewing, you can't go back. Sure, sometimes the material's way too sweet and saccharine, making you feel a tad sick (a la too many fruit mince pies), but that's part of the Xmas tv movie charm...

Here's half a dozen gems I've sat through with friends and family over the decades that might ring a bell (get it?):

A Smoky Mountain Christmas

You should Know: This movie has a lot of cliched moments... and that's just during the voiceover intro. Also, it's directed by The Fonz!

The Story: Seven orphan children are on the run after escaping from an orphanage. They end up in the same mountain cabin as a successful singer. (I'm gonna let you figure out the rest).

What I Remember Most: Obviously that would be Dolly. When I was little, I thought she was some kind of weird Barbie come to life. Albeit one that sang beautifully, but still, she was a tad mindboggling to the eyes of a child. Also, being Australian, I'd never really heard anyone talk with that particular twang before.

A Carol Christmas

You Should Know: The title is a bad pun. They're scroogin' on the words (couldn't resist).

The Story: Your basic Ebenezer tale, except this time the hard-hearted Dickens character is replaced with a cold young media type. A talk show host played by Tori Spelling, to be precise.

What I Remember Most: That William Shatner, aka Captain Kirk, appears as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Gotta love the Shat. Now I'll shock the world by saying I didn't mind Tori Spelling in this movie. There, I've said it. (Although Dickens is probably spinning in his grave at the loose 'adaptation').

Prancer

You Should Know: The ending calls for definite 'plausibility' magic, otherwise there'd be a lot of crying kids, on and off the screen.

The Story: A little girl finds a lost reindeer (well, as lost as it can be in the forest) and reaches the logical conclusion that it's Prancer.

What I Remember Most: Johnny Galecki, aka David from Roseanne and Leonard from The Big Bang Theory, is in the mix. I guess he went home for the holidays too. Also, the passing of time in this movie, ie night and day, seemed erratic. As in, defied the laws of the universe. (Whole new level of suspension of disbelief required).

A Mom For Christmas

You Should Know: This is a Disney tv movie.

The Story: A little girl makes a wish, a mom for the holidays. As a result, a mannequin in the store comes to life. (Proving that online shopping really can't compete with the retail experience).

What I Remember Most: Wondering why the mannequin had a name to start with... Thus movie made me realise that whenever I see Olivia Newton-John, all I wanna do is watch Xanadu. I can't help it. She's so typecast in my head that I kept waiting for her to rollerskate. (My bad).

Secret Santa

You Should Know: It's all about small town charm, and morals, and kindness. Very Christmassy.

The Story: A young journalist sets out unmask a Secret Santa, who does good deeds every year, in a small town determined to protect his identity. (Although she's not that great a reporter, since most viewers figure out who the good samaritan is about fifteen minutes in).

What I Remember Most: I watched this one year right after Tori Spelling's Xmas flick. I don't know what it is about the original 90210 alumni, but Christmas material seems to work for them. Jennie Garth really holds her own. (A lot of people reference this movie as a bit of a seasonal favourite).

Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

You Should Know: There was no way I could write a Christmas blog without this infamous letter getting a look in.

The Story: A journalist recently widowed has to answer a letter from a little girl who wants to know if Santa Claus is real. (This is the 1991 version btw).

What I Remember Most: This is based on a true story, so when a voiceover starts reading the original 1897 letter and reply, I always get goosebumps. Pretty much sums up the spirit of Christmas. Also, Charles Bronson, who usually plays bad asses onscreen, is surprisingly brilliant as a man crippled with grief.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! xxx

Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall...

...Once Upon A Time, a television show proved it could pull audience numbers without explicit sex and violence. Of course, it turned out to be a fairytale.

The initial marketing for ABC's new series Once Upon A Time, left me confused, more than anything else. Not bored, excited, or intrigued... just not quite sure exactly what reaction the network was trying to evoke?

Here's the basic premise. Fairytale characters have been dragged from their home (by an evil witch's curse, no less) and dumped in a small American town. (Didn't see that coming, did ya?) Also, the curse has induced a form of amnesia, a bit, a la Sleeping Beauty en masse, in a sense. Good times.

Early trailers left me slightly baffled. I couldn't wrap my head around the show's potential audience. The network kept pushing 'from the writers of Lost', but seriously, people who love that stupid island show don't seem like the types to get excited over Snow White. (Can you tell I'm not a fan of the plane crash crew? Me and about five others. Kind of like that chick in Unforgettable, except there may be more people with hyperthymesia than non-Lost watchers).

Another stumbling block was the slightly naff visual feel in the fairytale realm. I watched the first episode, cringing at the costuming and makeup in Ye Other Place. To be frank, it was a tad tacky. Fairytale costuming is a hit and miss field.

Kind of like traditional pretty-pink-and-crafts decor so popular at bed and breakfasts. Some innkeepers bring a hint of busy grandeur to the intensely layered style. At the other end of the spectrum is the frightening Cheshire Cat from Gilmore Girls. Overwhelming, clashing and a tad cringeworthy.

This is how I felt during the first episode of Once Upon A Time. Like everyone had gone to the same cheap dress up store (for a fancy dress party that would probably involve free keggers) and scored a bulk discount.

And YET. Despite a handful of eyesore moments, I was unexpectedly intrigued. So I kept watching. By the third episode, I was completely enthralled... enchanted, even! (Gotta work in a few fairytale puns, it's mandatory).

Once Upon A Time is one of the most fascinating television offerings of 2011.

What's brilliant is that we, the audience, have a preconceived idea of what the characters should be like. I mean, who doesn't know Cinderella's story? Or Snow White's? But, as it turns out, we've been reading neat press releases after the fact. Now we get to see what the character's lives were really like in the fairytale realm, courtesy of some very clever flashbacks interspersed throughout the present narrative.

The truth is, being a princess protagonist isn't quite what it's cracked up to be. (Who'd a'thought it?)

In a way, it's almost as if three incarnations of each character have to be reconciled. a) Our fairytale idea, b) what their old life was actually like, and c) their current existence. It's utterly riveting watching all these elements blend and weave together.

The story starts twenty eight years after our fairytale friends were banished. No one has aged because no time has passed, thanks to the curse. The clueless residents of Storybrooke are living one long, everlasting loop. (Yes, a cute exaggeration of small town syndrome).

In a city far (far) away, a child named Henry shows up on Emma Swan's doorstep (on her birthday no less. Love the symbolism). In the vein of The Emperor's New Clothes, Henry is the only character aware of what the evil queen has done. He wants Emma to come back to Storybrooke with him, so she can break the curse.*

*This kind of character resonates with young audiences. Yes, the insightful youth surrounded by clueless adults may seem slightly precocious (to older viewers), but it appeals strongly to sympathetic youngsters.

I know, I know, many a blogger has complained about the use of the archetypical evil stepmother. (Or in this case, the adopted mother). But it's a dominating fairytale persona. Here, the evil queen is such-a-bitch. Major sociopath. I'm literally scared of her every time she walks on screen (whatever the reality). You're just never sure what she's going to try and pull off next...

In this world, the evil queen is both Henry's adoptive mother, and Mayor of Storybrooke. When she crosses paths with Emma Swan, SPARKS FLY. She wants Emma out of her town. The irony is, Emma's more than willing to go. Henry makes her uncomfortable (since she doesn't seem to handle complex emotions too well), and the whole rediscovered son thing (an apparently delusional one, at that) is proving pretty overwhelming. Emma tries to head off, but it turns out fate has other ideas.

Basically, Emma is the ultimate reluctant hero. She's fantastic. Actress Jennifer Morrison does a brilliant job of managing to convey just how conflicted Emma feels. The character ends up staying in town primarily to make sure Henry's okay.

The pivotal scene where I knew I'd love this show? The evil queen/Mayor gives Emma a basket of red apples from her personal tree (and we all know how badly that can end). Henry implores Emma not to eat them. Later, when her nemesis continues upping the pressure, Emma doesn't crumble and leave town. Instead, she heads over to the Mayor's place and takes out her precious apple tree with a chainsaw.

Bet you don't remember THAT bit from the story books, huh?

Perhaps this is so affecting because even though Snow White and Cinderella display a lot of sass (via flashbacks), Emma Swan is something else altogether. She's the embodiment of a more modern attitude, something the archetypical queen hasn't come up against before, which promises for a lot of interesting scripting.

And of course, there's no overlooking Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays both Snow White and the school teacher Mary Margaret Blanchard. She absolutely shines in both roles.

To be honest, I love all the modern interpretations of fairytale characters. Part of the charm is figuring out exactly which fairytale character the town's residents were in the other realm. (A little like that game where people put a celebrity's name on their head?).

Red Riding Hood is no sweet little miss. Rumpelstiltskin, played by the ever talented Robert Carlyle, got the best of the deal, transforming into the modern incarnation of corporate greed. (Basically, he's the one percent in Storybrooke).

The princes in this series are not my type at all. They look weak and kind of goofy. At first I was a bit baffled. Surely the casting department could have opted for more seterotypical choices? Some tall, dark and handsome types, like Ian Somerhalder over on The Vampire Diaries? Then I realised- this show is about the women. They're the strength here, and the focus, which is an interesting slant.

(Also, after the pilot, the fairytale scenes get a whole lot slicker, visually, which is a relief).

It's really hard to encompass just how appealing this program is. The whole concept is strange and unexpected. The mysteries are so involved. The characters are constantly diverting- even if their real world lives have (technically) been both transient, and extended.

It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a show that doesn't have a patina of grittiness. Somehow, there's so much intensity here, even without the overt expressions. There's no in-your-face violence or sex, but it is implied. Best of all, there's a lot of focus on the kind of themes fairytales excel at... sacrifice, love, compassion, honour and integrity.

The truth is, storytelling, the kind you find in fairytales, is about good narrative. That's why they've endure through the centuries. Once Upon A Time takes this adage seriously, and pays homage to its original inspiration with clever, intricately woven tales each week that leave us waiting with baited breath for the next instalment of the story.

Frankly- I hope they all end up living Happily Ever After... in The End, I mean.

Many, many seasons from now.