Enchanting Original Programming

By E.M. Foster

There is nothing better than a fresh idea. It doesn't matter if the idea is absurd, unrealistic, or just flat out ridiculous- a new idea is original. In a time of copies and variations on story lines and characters, having an original, genuine creation is something to talk about. That is why it is necessary to give notice to two new television shows, Once Upon a Time (ABC) and Grimm (NBC).

These new shows really do stand out in the humdrum world of prime time serial dramas. While each has their flaws, and are clearly still gaining their footing, their premises are innovative enough to have captured a recurring audience. Let’s look at Once Upon a Time. Private investigator, Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison, best known from House) is led to the small town of Storybrooke, Maine by her son Henry (Jared Gilmore, best known from Mad Men), who she had given up for adoption years ago. Once there, Henry reveals to her that the inhabitants of the town are, in fact, under the influence of the Evil Queen's curse. The townsfolk are actually classic fairy tale characters who have had their memories wiped, and have been banished to Storybrooke, where they will never have a happy ending

(it’s ok, my immature side giggled, too).The only person who can break the curse is Emma, who also happens to be Snow White’s and Prince Charming’s daughter.

Really, that is in a nutshell of what has been going on so far this half season. The story is told through current time and flashbacks of the characters’ fairy tale lives. The flashbacks add a depth to the fairy tale stories that has never been explored before on television. For example, Mary-Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin, best known for a slew of RomComs and as Margene on Big Love; she is also the best actress on Once by far) is actually Snow White, and let me tell you, who knew that princess was such a bad ass. Her back story portrays Snow as

independent, tough, and a little conniving.

The intricate story work of piecing together who the characters are, and how they have come to know each other, is truly fascinating. While at times the show can come across a little cartoonish, and a bit over-the-top, there is enough going on to maintain a viewer’s attention and intrigue them to return the next week.

The other, much darker fairy tale show that has come up is NBC’s Grimm. Taking a cue from the real Grimm brothers, the show revolves around their creepy worlds and stories- but in modern time. Officer Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, best known from Privileged) begins to see strange visions while working- seemingly ordinary people suddenly turn into hideous monsters. This frightening ordeal does not make sense until a visit from his aunt reveals that he is actually from a long line of Grimms. The stories of monstrous creatures his ancestors wrote are far from fiction, and only Grimms have the ability to see them. It becomes Nick's duty to hunt down these evil creatures to keep humankind safe.

This crime and fantasy drama is quite visually stunning, and has a great mix of edgy dialogue and humor to keep an audience entertained from start to finish. The only major flaw is the obvious use of CGI to instantly morph people into creatures, but with the creative story lines, it can easily be overlooked.

While Giuntoli has done well in his first leading television role, the clear breakout star is Silas Weir Mitchell (best known from Prison Break), as reformed “Big Bad Wolf” Monroe, who enjoys tea and Pilates. His performance is both comedic and dramatic, adding yet another layer and dimension to not only the character, but also Grimm fairy tales themselves.

What makes Grimm so spectacular is that it does not create creatures to fit the show’s purpose, but instead stays true to the source material. Even the names of creatures are accurate, going back to the German vernacular of the time. Many of the literary references made, and the connections between the characters’ and their personalities, show thoughtfulness in the script’s writing.

Once Upon a Time and Grimm are perfect examples of original television programming, and is something I wish would be embraced more. Both shows are brilliant twists on the classic fairy tales, and I look forward to see what directions each series will take. You can catch Once Upon a Time on Sundays at 8/7c, and Grimm Fridays at 9/8c.

Pictures from:

http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/12/11/fall-2011-television-music-roundup-part-5-abc/

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2011-10-20/once-upon-a-time-grimm/50846052/1

www.nbc.com/grimm