Both Yasmine Galenorn and I have series that delve into the world of the fae. It’s a rich area, perfect for fiction writers, and a place not as often explored as, say, vampire or werewolf lore.
My series draws mostly from Irish myth, but I definitely put my own slant on it. I didn’t use any of the actual fairy tale characters in my world, like Little Red Riding Hood or Snow White, although I’m really fascinated by the dark symbolism in those stories. So, I was pretty interested in two new TV shows that recently started, Once Upon a Time and Grimm.
I’m not much of a TV watcher at all. We don’t have cable or satellite and any show I follow I get from Netflix a season late. For these two shows, though, I’m making an effort to tune in.
Once Upon a Time is from the producers of Lost, which I really liked (even though the story arc was pretty shaky). The premise is basically this: Evil witch (Snow White’s stepmother) pulls fairy tale characters through to our world and strands them in a town called Storybrooke without memory of their enchanted otherlife. When an adopted boy tracks down his bio mom, he’s sure she’s the lost daughter of Prince Charming and Snow White and is the only person who can break the witch’s evil spell.
This show has a soap opera sort of feel, which can work as long as the characters are compelling and the plot is layered and interesting. Lost had that same sort of feel. The main characters are all female, which I love. But I’m not sure what to expect from Once Upon a Time. Selfishly, because it uses fairy tales, I’m hoping people will like it and it will stay on the air. I’ve only seen the first ep so far…and I don’t know. We’ll see.
Grimm also draws from fairy tales, but it’s a much different show. The main characters of this one are male and it’s visually darker and more action-packed. The premise of this show in a nutshell is: Descendants of the Brothers Grimm are able to see the monsters among us and must fight them. The first episode features a pretty creepy spin on the Big Bad Wolf.
I want to like Once Upon a Time more (female main characters!!), but, honestly, after the first ep I prefer Grimm.
Have any of you seen these shows? If so, what do you think of them?
I loved the first episode of Once Upon a Time..have the 2nd one on the DVR to watch..I also have Grimm on the DVR…I like the idea of them doing a more adult take on the fairytales though and hope they can pull it off
by Junegirl63 November 1st, 2011 at 4:27 pmI haven’t watched Grimm, but it’s on my list. But I loved Once Upon a Time. The whole concept is quite unique. Can’t wait to see how it plays out.
by Ashley L November 2nd, 2011 at 8:17 amI haven’t seen either show but my son tells me I would like Grimm. So I’ll give it a shot.
by Diane Sadler November 2nd, 2011 at 12:25 pmI read both you and Yasmine Galenorn, and love all of both of you guy’s books. I agree that Once Upon A Time is just as you said, though I haven’t watch Grimm as I don’t have more than extended cable. I am out of work and have to be able to still buy my books so watch what else I spend money on.
by Diana November 7th, 2011 at 12:31 pmI saw the first 2 episodes of Grimm the other day. Loved it. It’s a show for all of us who loved Buffy in the 90s. Some of the imagery is jaw dropping.
by Hunter November 10th, 2011 at 3:32 pmI love both of these shows. My 2 sons and I watch Grimm together on friday nights so I do seem to like that more. They are young but old enough not to get scared. Enjoy your holiday.–Rachel
by Rachel November 28th, 2011 at 7:46 am:roll:Have seen both and like them both. Am not always home for Once Upon A Time, so have to make time to see it from my DVR. Grimm I can see in live time, love it. The two leads are gorgeous. They can save me any day of the week.
by Marcia Lancaster January 16th, 2012 at 5:14 pmI watch them both and really like them both in their own right. One is slowly developing that would be Once Upon a Time, while Grimm really jumped right in and grabbed you. Either way they both have something to offer.
by Diana Harper January 17th, 2012 at 6:23 am