Once Upon a Time: The Complete Second Season continues to take viewers on a trek where fantasy and reality come together. In this season, new dangers unfold as new and old enemies are faced by the residents of Storybrook. Hard choices are made. Consequences are lived with. Enemies become allies, or do they? More classic fairytales come to life in season two of Once Upon a Time and the journey continues with a cliff hanger leaving viewers asking… what’s next!?
Picture and Sound:
The picture and sound for Once Upon a Time: The Complete Second Season is fairly well done. There are a couple of exceptions however. The main one is that it is really hard to have the CG quality we are used to seeing in movies on television. This is a television show that uses CG a lot and honestly, I find it to be a detraction from the show. I don’t think there is any easy fix for this other than more money so it probably won’t happen. Other than that, the show looks pretty good. The sound is also a step forward from season one. It IS a little bit front heavy though at times which would be my only critique. All in all, for a television show it is pretty well done. For the most part, the story always overrides any qualms I might have with the picture and sound quality.
Bonus Features:
There are several bonus features included with Once Upon a Time: The Complete Second Season. As with most shows that I enjoy, I want more. This is always a good complaint to have when reviewing bonus features. Here is what was offered:
- Six Audio Commentaries: This was the first case where I found myself really wanting more. There was a nice combination of people offering the commentaries throughout though. It may come as no surprise that I’d suggest watching these.
- A Fractured Family Tree: Here, Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) explains all of the twists and turns found in the family tree that is the center of most of the drama found in Once Upon a Time. This is a good bonus features for the newer fan or for the fan who is confused by all of the entanglements of this very complex family. As I write this I’m reminded of the song “I’m My Own Grandpa!”
- Deleted Scenes: Somewhat interesting, there are eight deleted scenes included: “Young Confidence,” “A New Day,” “A Chamber of Hearts,” “Hallucinations,” “Town Issues,” “Smooth Sailing,” “Storybooks” & “Aligned Interests.”
- Girl Power: A look at all the girl power found in Once Upon a Time.
- Sincerely, Hook: Captain Hook himself, Colin O’Donoghue is interviewed in this short segment.
- Good Morning Storybrooke: A fake Good Morning America type show for Storybrooke. This is kind of fun to watch.
- Fairest Bloopers of Them All: This is the one I would have cut. I’m not a fan of the blooper real. Thankfully, this one was mercifully short.
Final Thoughts:
Once Upon a Time: The Complete Second Season is an enjoyable show to watch. It’s definitely worth picking up and adding to your collection, especially if you are a fan. I will admit, I did find some of the episodes not as engaging as the first season. However, things picked up as the season progressed. I really do enjoy the concept of Once Upon a Time. I also like the execution. It is done in a way that is fitting for the Disney brand and I have no problem endorsing it and giving it a hat tip. Well done Disney and ABC!
