‘Once Upon a Time’ Season 3 DVD Review: A Wicked Good Time

As we prepare to be Frozen in the upcoming new season of Once Upon a Time, let’s first take a look back at the last season as we review the now available season 3 DVD. The series is set in the fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine and follows the lives of many beloved fairytale and fantasy characters who’ve been displaced from their respective worlds by a curse placed by the Evil Queen.

During the third season of Once, we were introduced to a new villain named Zelena, whom most would recognize as the Wicked Witch of the West. Fans were taken on a journey of envy and discovery with Zelena, as it was heavily hinted that she was related to one of the Storybrooke residents. The season took a look at her past and how she came to be the wickedly infamous sorceress and it was interesting to discover that the source of her green skin came from deep-seated jealousy issues.

Taking a look at family issues seemed to be the theme last season, as Snow and Charming expecting a new baby brought up abandonment issues for Emma, who now gets to watch her new baby brother enjoy the life with their parents that she wasn’t able to live. Luckily for fans, the season does give a glimpse into what Emma’s life would have been like had she received the royal upbringing she was sent away from (and we get to see Hook and Emma in royal ball wear, which is never a bad thing).

The season 3 DVD has a wide array of additional features to keep you busy while you wait for the season 4 premiere including:

• Inside the Writers’ Room- a feature that allows fans to enter the writers’ workspace and see how the Once magic is made.

• Wicked Villains- an exploration of the villains of Once with cast and crew chiming in on what it takes to be a good bad guy.

• The Tale of Ariel- which follows Ariel’s development from Joanna Garcia’s casting through how she was captured onscreen.

Also included on the DVD are your always-fun-to-watch blooper reels, deleted scenes and audio commentary.

I’ve been a fan of the series since the pilot and what keeps me coming back are the new and interesting twists they give the characters that I knew and loved growing up. From Rumplestiltskin being the Beast to Mulan being a lesbian, the show knows how to entwine reality with fantasy in a way that tackles real-life issues as well. It also does a great job of emphasizing that there’s light and darkness in everyone, despite what side of the spectrum you may think you fall on, but life is about how you choose to use that light or darkness.

Once Upon a Time returns to ABS Sunday September 28th at 8|7c, but you can buy the season 3 DVD now!

Grade:B

Photo Credit: ABC Networks