Season 7 started off ropy with none of the first three episodes impressing me that much (while at the same time not hating them). "Hyperion Heights" especially disappointed. Things did get much better with one of the good exceptions to what is to me 'Once Upon a Time's' worst season, yes worse than the inconsistent sixth season, "Beauty". Which was beautifully done in most aspects, especially the heartfelt main subplot, one of the season's best.
While Season 7 doesn't quite go back to the same underwhelming quality of the first three episodes and is the second best of the five episodes of the season up to this point, its fifth episode "Greenbacks" is not near the same level as "Beauty" and nowhere near 'Once Upon a Time' on top form. There are good things here that can be seen in all the show's previous episodes, but in some aspects too "Greenbacks" does betray the season's shortcomings.
"Greenbacks" is without issues in the production values, have always liked 'Once Upon a Time's' look even in the weakest episodes. They are beautifully designed and atmospheric, nicely photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable.
Tiana's back-story is very promising and succeeds in making both Tiana and Facilier interesting. Ivy is by far the best character here, the most likeable and most advanced, and it was great to see a good deal of insight into her. The ending was not a predictable one and makes one interested in what is to come. The Roni and co subplot intrigues, likewise with what little is seen of Roger, and is the subplot that feels like it's advancing the most. Adelaide Kane and Merika Cox are especially good, they're great actually, of the cast and one cannot go wrong with Lana Parilla.
Regarding the writing though, that was a mixed bag. Intriguing with Tiana and Facilier and Roni and co, but very soap-operatic and veering into melodrama with Victoria and with Jacinda and Sabine.
Not all the performances are great. Coming off worst once again is Dania Ramirez who is beyond irritating as Jacinda, never cared for the character but her far too mean-spirited treatment of Sabine made me dislike her even more intensely. Gabrielle Anwar has been better too, subtlety completely goes out of the window here. Of the characters, only Tiana and Ivy advance properly.
Like most of Season 7, "Greenbacks" tries to cram in too much but makes the further mistake of not doing enough with some of it, the scenes with Victoria and with the barely existent chemistry between Jacinda and Sabine don't go very far. Ivy and Roni's scene is plot device-material. Am not sure what my thoughts on the pace are, whether the episode was rushed or dull because there seemed to be an erratic mix of both.
In conclusion, not terrible but only just above mixed bag here. 5.5/10
While Season 7 doesn't quite go back to the same underwhelming quality of the first three episodes and is the second best of the five episodes of the season up to this point, its fifth episode "Greenbacks" is not near the same level as "Beauty" and nowhere near 'Once Upon a Time' on top form. There are good things here that can be seen in all the show's previous episodes, but in some aspects too "Greenbacks" does betray the season's shortcomings.
"Greenbacks" is without issues in the production values, have always liked 'Once Upon a Time's' look even in the weakest episodes. They are beautifully designed and atmospheric, nicely photographed. The music doesn't ever sound cheap or out-of-kilter, fitting well with the mood and never found myself questioning its placement. The main theme is still memorable.
Tiana's back-story is very promising and succeeds in making both Tiana and Facilier interesting. Ivy is by far the best character here, the most likeable and most advanced, and it was great to see a good deal of insight into her. The ending was not a predictable one and makes one interested in what is to come. The Roni and co subplot intrigues, likewise with what little is seen of Roger, and is the subplot that feels like it's advancing the most. Adelaide Kane and Merika Cox are especially good, they're great actually, of the cast and one cannot go wrong with Lana Parilla.
Regarding the writing though, that was a mixed bag. Intriguing with Tiana and Facilier and Roni and co, but very soap-operatic and veering into melodrama with Victoria and with Jacinda and Sabine.
Not all the performances are great. Coming off worst once again is Dania Ramirez who is beyond irritating as Jacinda, never cared for the character but her far too mean-spirited treatment of Sabine made me dislike her even more intensely. Gabrielle Anwar has been better too, subtlety completely goes out of the window here. Of the characters, only Tiana and Ivy advance properly.
Like most of Season 7, "Greenbacks" tries to cram in too much but makes the further mistake of not doing enough with some of it, the scenes with Victoria and with the barely existent chemistry between Jacinda and Sabine don't go very far. Ivy and Roni's scene is plot device-material. Am not sure what my thoughts on the pace are, whether the episode was rushed or dull because there seemed to be an erratic mix of both.
In conclusion, not terrible but only just above mixed bag here. 5.5/10
