7 Ways "Once Upon A Time" Does Fairytales Right

Once Upon A Time is basically like Disney had a party and you're invited. But with some rewrites that'll make you proud. Warning: spoilers ahead

1. Emma Swan is a badass saviour

Via images5.fanpop.com

Sure, she spends the first Season having the same conversation that the Loch Ness Monster must have every day: do I believe in myself?

But when she sees a problem she charges in (with a wardrobe of leather jackets that'd make Taylor Momsen jealous) and she is all about justice. She's the goddamn Sheriff of Storybrooke. Plus her mum, Snow White, was a rebellion-leading fugitive.

Not just brave when they have to be? Using power for good? Fairytale win.

2. But sometimes she needs a hug

Via cdn2-b.examiner.com

As a tough, detached Sheriff, Emma could totally turn into a lone ranger. But sometimes she needs a hug and if there's one thing the Charming family get right all of the time it's hugs.

Unlike a lot of heroes, she doesn't have to stay strong and aloof. Emma has a kid, a boyfriend (a reformed Captain Hook), a job and she seems to drop into Granny's cafe every day for grilled cheese. Every day is a ton of cheese.

3. Family is totally what you make it

Via tumblr.com

I think we all worried when Regina started a stare-down with Emma in the Pilot. I was thinking...wow, that is some seriously unprofessional town management, and is this going to end with the Evil Queen being an Evil Stepmother too? That's one hell of a puberty for Henry to go through, considering he seems to be the only kid in Storybrooke.

Instead, Henry has two great mums (one biological, one adoptive), grandparents that look the same age as his parents, and no dad in the picture. And it works for them. It's just...charming. (I regret nothing in that last sentence.)

4. The more than 50 shades of grey

Via tumblr.com

For all the talk of heroes and villains, it rarely turns out to be that clear-cut. The writers really put their time into the back stories and it pays off. You can feel sympathy for the Evil Queen and the Wicked Witch is basically jealousy gone wrong. (Ok, you probably wouldn't invite the latter for dinner, but who has time with all the magic going on anyway?)

5. Belle gives up on the bad guy

Via i.ytimg.com

Once Upon A Time recently did something that showmances have been working towards for eternity. It admitted that being in love with the "bad guy" is not something that women have to accept and that loving someone does not make you responsible to them.

In the classic story, it is because of Belle that the Beast changes. But it's really not up to her. Now she knows that, she's free to kick him out, move on and make the whole town frankly a lot safer.

6. Ok, so you have to suspend disbelief. A little more. A little more. Yep.

Via img2.tvtome.com

Firstly, the diversity of Storybrooke makes you wonder if they’re operating a one-in, one-out policy. I mean, Ursula just got interesting and then she has to leave? What is this fairytale nonsense?

Secondly, the speeches. I can only imagine that Prince Charming and Snow White ruled by virtue of talking the longest. There are nice messages in there but they could be tweet-length and say exactly the same thing.

Finally, the magic. Yes, there are clouds of magic. No, it’s not like the rhino from James and the Giant Peach. Well, except in that it’s surreal and unexplained. But that’s magic on a deadline, folks.

7. Write your own own damn story

Via static.tumblr.com

But rewriting much-loved fairytales was never going to be easy. This is a bit of a gamble, but I really hope the latest revelations about the Author aren't going back down the your-fate-is-good-or-evil path. Because you can write your own story.

Once Upon A Time kind of proves that, doesn’t it?