With the Charmings et al on a mission to save Henry, Neal stuck in the Enchanted Forest, and Belle in charge of Storybrooke, Season 3 is already raising the stakes. In a Once Upon a Time panel at the 2013 ATX Television Festival in Austin, co-creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz dished on what Oncers can expect in Season 3. Plus, they gave Wetpaint Entertainment and other OUAT fans the inside scoop on how the hit ABC series came to be.
Season 3 picks up right where we left off.
Adam revealed the third season "won't skip ahead 10 years.” Oncers, you can expect Season 3 to start right where we left off, with the Jolly Roger sailing to Neverland to save Henry. However, Eddy said the “core dysfunctional family” won’t be separated forever.
Meanwhile, back in Storybrooke...
Don’t worry Oncers, the folks left in Storybrooke, including Belle, will not be forgotten. In fact, Adam said the show will delve deeper into each of the characters back in Storybrooke and will examine how they’ll react to situations. Sounds interesting! The characters in Storybrooke have always been so dependent on the Charmings, so it will be interesting to see how the Storybrooke residents reacts to not having their fearless leaders to look up to. Perhaps this means someone new will step up to become the town’s protector?
Season 3 will have two distinct acts.
Eddy and Adam also revealed how Season 3 is going to be thematically different from the two previous seasons in that there will be two separate, 11-episode acts — one in the fall and one in the spring. Therefore, they’re approaching Season 3 like two seasons, both containing a beginning, middle, end, and journey for these characters.
However, in order to make this happen, that means OUAT will most likely go off the air for 11 weeks after the fall season. Eddy and Adam gave a bit more intel about the hiatus. It looks like the first part of Season 3 will air September through December, and then it will come back in the spring for act two — 11 straight episodes. We have to admit we were wary of this in the beginning, but the thought of airing both parts of the season uninterrupted by breaks has us excited for what’s to come!
Will Rumple still be out for Henry?
When the seer told Rumple that he needed to destroy Henry, we were immeditately worried for Henry’s safety! However, Eddy said, “He went [to Neverland] with a very focused attitude of saving Henry.”
“At first he just wants to do the easy thing and the dark thing, and then once again he realizes he did the wrong thing and lost his son,” Adam added. When he was told Neal died in the Season 2 finale, he realized “it was time to do the right thing.” According to Eddy and Adam, he knows he has to go and honor his son by getting his grandson back.
However, that also meant he had to leave his True Love Belle behind. “It’s going to be another challenge to [Rumbelle’s] relationship now that they’re separated,” said Eddy. “He left her behind to protect her.”
Source: Full Article @ Wetpaint
Season 3 picks up right where we left off.
Adam revealed the third season "won't skip ahead 10 years.” Oncers, you can expect Season 3 to start right where we left off, with the Jolly Roger sailing to Neverland to save Henry. However, Eddy said the “core dysfunctional family” won’t be separated forever.
Meanwhile, back in Storybrooke...
Don’t worry Oncers, the folks left in Storybrooke, including Belle, will not be forgotten. In fact, Adam said the show will delve deeper into each of the characters back in Storybrooke and will examine how they’ll react to situations. Sounds interesting! The characters in Storybrooke have always been so dependent on the Charmings, so it will be interesting to see how the Storybrooke residents reacts to not having their fearless leaders to look up to. Perhaps this means someone new will step up to become the town’s protector?
Season 3 will have two distinct acts.
Eddy and Adam also revealed how Season 3 is going to be thematically different from the two previous seasons in that there will be two separate, 11-episode acts — one in the fall and one in the spring. Therefore, they’re approaching Season 3 like two seasons, both containing a beginning, middle, end, and journey for these characters.
However, in order to make this happen, that means OUAT will most likely go off the air for 11 weeks after the fall season. Eddy and Adam gave a bit more intel about the hiatus. It looks like the first part of Season 3 will air September through December, and then it will come back in the spring for act two — 11 straight episodes. We have to admit we were wary of this in the beginning, but the thought of airing both parts of the season uninterrupted by breaks has us excited for what’s to come!
Will Rumple still be out for Henry?
When the seer told Rumple that he needed to destroy Henry, we were immeditately worried for Henry’s safety! However, Eddy said, “He went [to Neverland] with a very focused attitude of saving Henry.”
“At first he just wants to do the easy thing and the dark thing, and then once again he realizes he did the wrong thing and lost his son,” Adam added. When he was told Neal died in the Season 2 finale, he realized “it was time to do the right thing.” According to Eddy and Adam, he knows he has to go and honor his son by getting his grandson back.
However, that also meant he had to leave his True Love Belle behind. “It’s going to be another challenge to [Rumbelle’s] relationship now that they’re separated,” said Eddy. “He left her behind to protect her.”
Source: Full Article @ Wetpaint
"Adam said the show will delve deeper into each of the characters back in Storybrooke and will examine how they’ll react to situations. Sounds interesting!"
ReplyDeleteI love it: "we will actually see most of the cast and stuff will happen to them." It's a shame we don't just take that for granted.
Nothing juicy?
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of having 2 seasons in 1.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'm just curious for result of that idea.
ReplyDeleteI really do hope we get to see a bunch of characters from the first two seasons we haven't seen for a while in Storybrooke, fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI like the 2 arcs thing. In season 2 it annoyed me to no end, that they kept promoting the series with "every week a new episode", but in reality we had at the most 2-3 episodes a month (felt like it). Like this we know whats coming, so I like that.
ReplyDeleteThis is GREAT NEWS all around.
ReplyDeleteThis allows the characters to shine that would usually not and this allows them to focus on all those storybrooke characters to have their own stories and character development as when you look at it, essentially, those with MOST PLOT, were shipped off to neverland
I have an inking suspicion that the one who becomes the new protector of Storybrooke will end up being Belle, as she is essentially the most fitting for the role.
I like the idea of 2 season in 1 and not having an erratic schedule. I'm really hoping that having less episodes will mean a tighter plotting and storylines. The show needs a clear focus and to allow its characters to grow. Hopefully, with the 2 season thing they will actually develop the story lines and the characters, keep on track the general direction and NO MORE FILLER.
ReplyDeleteS2 had absolutely no "filler", just overall quite a mediocre pacing.
ReplyDeleteCompletely disagree, we had a lot filler. What was the point of the Red or Tiny episode? It really didn't add much to the overall storyline.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will do what they should and we will finally get the character development the show needs. Here's for hoping.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I'm thrilled about the two-part season. If they're treating it as two distinct storylines, it will be as if we're actually getting two shorter seasons - and I've been saying for a long time that shorter seasons is exactly what Once needs. This could be the key to avoiding all the mistakes they made in Season 2. Maybe this time we won't have any more meandering character arcs and misguided plot twists (August turning into a kid, anyone?).
ReplyDeleteI know the wait will be hard, and I kind of wish they'd stuck to their original plan to air "Wonderland" during the break, but I believe it will all pay off in the end. I'm also happy to hear that Belle and those left behind in Storybrooke are going to get more screen time. Maybe we'll even get to find out more about who else was brought to Storybrooke by the curse - a plot thread that was hinted at in Season 2 but never seriously pursued. Plus, putting Belle into a leadership position like that was a brilliant move, in my opinion. That may just be the Lost fanboy part of me talking, though. :)
Yeah; ugh, that was frustrating.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds almost like they're responding to many of the criticisms the fans had about last season. It's great to hear, and indicates that the creators aren't too proud to listen to feedback from their fans. That kind of arrogance has run shows into the ground before (for example, Stargate Universe).
ReplyDeleteYep. IMO, as long as they realize they made mistakes in S2 and absolutely *have* to fix them for S3, it will be enough.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree!!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I think from what we had gathered from Belle, we've seen somebody wanting to rise to the occasion! -The Mulan flashback were she saves Philip seems like the perfect lead into this idea. And I think there's a lot of weaker characters that also have a chance to shine, so it's ultimately good for everyone, I think.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely.
ReplyDeleteRed's episode paralleled and foreshadowed Cora and Regina and brideges Rumple and Whale (as she is also 'a beast', embraced Whale, and it is a "red" cloak that was colored when Rumple first visit's Whale/Frankenstein in the Land without color---most likely there is also an extension to Dorothy and Oz, as well - "ruby slippers" were also spoke of in flash back)
ReplyDeleteSo cool that it seems like Regina will be training Emma in using magic.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I still think it didn't add anything to story in any way.
ReplyDeleteBecause story is just a front to character progression and reasoning. Its just another tool of narrative. And the things mentioned above bring a lot to character reasons and overall bring meaning to their action - which in itself is the whole point of even creating a narrative.
ReplyDeleteI understand that, but it simply doesn't come across that way. It just seems like a way to introduce characters with the purpose to avoid telling meaningful stories with the main characters of the show. A case of expanding yet pulling attention from what's actually important in the show.
ReplyDeleteMe too, and I hope they do the same thing with Revenge.
ReplyDeletewell,wonders never cease...I don't have much faith in them,well see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI would agree her own progression was put on the back burner, and it appears they changed their mind about how they wanted to use her after that, which is a shame, but they also I think they had to work around not having Peter Pan rights sooner as well.
ReplyDeleteBut she still links some things together.
That sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteWhy not get Rumple to train her? He's much better at it (he trained both Cora and Regina) and he hasn't tried to kill Snow and her family over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI hate that they are pushing the Regina/Emma connection (because of the Snow Queen shippers?) Emma would have to be incredibly stupid to trust Regina in anything after what Regina has done.
I thought season 2 was also in 2 arcs: the first being Snow and Emma in Wonderland, and the second Regina/Cora/Hook in Storybrooke and the re-emergence of Neal.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I feel about the spoiler. The big problem for me in season 2 was that there was very little of personal exploration, just bam! bam! bam! new plots with new characters. But given their remarks that no one wants to see Snow and Emma doing dishes and talking (I do! more than yet another villain coming on) I don't feel hopeful they see the problem even yet.
I don't care about the people left in Storyville, and I don't care about Aurora, Philip, Mulan or Neal. I am interested in those about Hook's ship except for Regina because I'm on Regina overload after last season. I'd like to see Emma explore her magic but with Rumple, not Regina. But it looks like Adam and Eddy are determined to shoehorn Regina into every plot on the show.
"Adam said the show will delve deeper into each of the characters back in Storybrooke and will examine how they’ll react to situations" hope this is true in season the develop a lot of plots like the one when grumpy fall for a fairie and the fairie is in storybrooke i wanna see more of that!
ReplyDeleteThe idea of having one season giving like there are 2 season is really good! we can see more of the story moving forward, and the same will happen to revenge rigth?¿
The Regina and Emma dynamic has been a super important part of the show since the very first episode. They're not forcing anything in my opinion. It's been there from the start and I'm glad because I've always liked it very much.
ReplyDeleteYes, some fans ship it (the ship name is Swan Queen, not Snow Queen though - Snow Queen would be Snow White and Regina), but many of us enjoy it simply because the actresses have amazing chemistry and the characters work so well together.
And I'm glad Rumple won't teach Emma precisely because he trained Cora and Regina and well know how well that turned out.
The first arc is FTL, but it's really a mini-arc that's a third of the season--which nicely connects it's closer with Neal going to FTL in the end. The second arc is the Cora-Hook Revenge plots which is the middle of the series followed by the hunt for Neal, which then is followed by the beginnings of Storybrook invasion, which bridges all the Peter Pan/Neverland stuff, as Hook's plot is thing that continues on through...
ReplyDeleteIMO Rumple and Regina were both equally highlighted and rightfully so, as they are the two with the biggest over all redemption arcs, so it makes sense they would be characters to take more decadents with the series at large.
I would love more Emma and Charming and a darker Snow...
Obviously, not everyone likes every character, but other characters are important to the narrative in order to solidify Once's over all themes dealing with fate and connectivity, as they all uniquely share certain traits and situations with certain others.
Emma has been written in a way to absorb and reflect a lot of the other characters, but I think Regina is one she is written most closest in contrast to and it would be nice to see them come together for the sake of the one thing they both actually do care about, making them both better people, but I think there's a silver lining in that line of thought too with Rumple too and who knows maybe Emma has an opportunity to work/learnmagic with everyone, depending on what really happens.
"When he [Rumple] was told Neal died in the Season 2 finale, he realized 'it was time to do the right thing.' According to Eddy and Adam, he knows he has to go and honor his son by getting his grandson back."
ReplyDeleteToo bad that motivation did not seem plausible and realistic.
Rumple's 'redemption arc' just felt too rushed, squeezed in a couple of scenes instead of an actual episode. Imo, 2x18 could have dealt more with Rumple/Gold and him actually reflecting on his past actions, showing remorse, or trying to make amends for his sins. He hasn't done anything 'good' and 'selfless' all season (quite the opposite) and we're supposed to consider him redeemed after some sort of epiphany we did not even get to see? Season 2 built him up as quite a cruel villain, he has a very long way to go before he gets in the vicinity of redemption.
Yeah, he just trained and corrupted Regina so that she would do it FOR him!
ReplyDeleteThey'd have to be stupid to trust Rumple, who, you know, bought Regina for the sole purpose of having her do all those things to the Charmings.
The 2 distinct seasons feel could be good for Once, a la seasons 2 and 3 of BSG (ignoring S4 where it was terrible) or it could be Veronica Mars S3, which is almost uniformly hated.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that they're going to have Regina teaching Emma magic because between the options of Regina and Rumple, Regina is the far better option. I'm about ready for the Charmings to pull their heads out of their asses and have it be revealed that they and Regina have been pawns of Rumple's since the beginning. And all the 'help' he gave them was only to further himself.
I wouldn't mind seeing more Granny, Archie and Red (though I know she's off the table) but I can't imagine anything more boring than plots focusing on Belle. I wish we could get more Abigail and others in Storybrooke but shoehorning Belle into the story didn't seem to work in S2 so I'm not sure how it'll work in S3.
Fingers crossed Ashley!Cinderella and Sean!Thomas come back in S3....
ReplyDelete