Once Upon a Time season 7 premiere review: ‘Hyperion Heights’

Once Upon a Time is back with a brand new everything, and it’s surprisingly good. Here’s what we thought of “Hyperion Heights”.

I’ll admit: I almost didn’t want to watch the new season of Once Upon a Time. I’ve been a huge fan of the franchise since its debut in 2011 — I ended up falling in love with Prince Charming (Josh Dallas), and both Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) quickly became my favorite characters of the series. So when six of the series regulars — Dallas, Morrison, and Goodwin included — exited the series, you can understand why I wanted to stop watching. But much to my surprise, this new story is good. It’s actually good.

I love that the episode starts off with a flashback of young Henry (Jared Gilmore; hi, Jared!), as he leaves Regina (Lana Parrilla) and Storybrooke behind to find his own story. Never have I wanted to cry one minute into an episode. And then X amount of years later, we meet him an as adult (Andrew J. West), while riding his motorcycle in the Enchanted Forest. Cue Cinderella (Dania Ramirez), who Henry meets after colliding his motorcycle with her carriage. I was skeptical of Cinderella at first, but I warmed up to her as I learned more about her, especially after the reveal that she wanted to kill (!) the prince (Liam Hall) for destroying her family. Cinderella’s not a damsel in distress in this one — she kicks butt and I love it. (I mean, did you see that right hook?)

Cinderella’s cursed Hyperion Heights counterpart, Jacinda, is a single mother to daughter, Lucy (Alison Fernandez), and is on the verge of losing custody over Lucy against her stepmother Lady Tremaine (Gabrielle Anwar). (Sound familiar?) And speaking of our new villain, I’m not sure how I feel about her yet. I loved Regina straight away, but I didn’t feel the same about Lady Tremaine. I need to see more of her to make a final judgment.

So where does Regina fit in this new story? And Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) and Rumplestiltskin (Robert Carlyle)? Because I didn’t think they made sense being a part of the new story, going into the new season. Well, maybe just Regina, since she’s Henry’s adoptive mother and all. But in my opinion, they don’t. Even Regina.

Regina, or Roni (I guess I should get used to that name), is not an alternate version of herself (re: the new cast members), but just a cursed woman. Again. The same goes for both Hook and Rumple, who has taken on the roles of police detectives Rogers and Weaver, respectively. Although the new story is promising, the returning trio feel out of place to me. But maybe I should just watch another episode or two before declaring a verdict. I don’t want them to leave, too! They’re what make the show for me. Besides, their new alter egos are fun, and Rumple still irritates me. It feels like old times!

Anyway, is there a more perfect actor for the role of adult Henry than West? The answer is “no.” West has managed to portray a character both familiar and fresh, all the while taking on the mannerisms and persona Gilmore had developed over the six seasons to date. I’m looking forward to more adult Henry!

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I would have kicked myself if I didn’t watch the new season. I expected to dislike it, but I’m glad I was proven wrong. I’m glad the show is continuing — I’m excited to see where this storybook takes us.