On Once Upon a Time, Style is Central

Style is an integral part of any TV show. Studios want to evoke a certain image or feel with their products, and they also want to create a buzz and impress audiences. However, ABC has gone above and beyond this season with Once Upon a Time. On this new hour-long drama, they have utilized stylistic choices to not only enhance the look and feel of the show, but also accelerate plot devices, enhance character arcs, and even foreshadow upcoming events. Once Upon a Time’s writers have used style seamlessly in creating a fantastical universe within the confines of the small town in Maine its characters reside in. For instance, the bold and wintery décor of Regina’s (played by Lana Parrilla) house tells stories, alluding to her dark and nefarious past as the Evil Queen. Her no-nonsense but sleek haircut exudes confidence, and her clothes are similarly impressive. This is juxtaposed by the simple and bucolic surroundings of Mary Margaret (played by Ginnifer Goodwin), whose apartment evinces images of fairy tales, mirroring her storied past as Snow White. Her mousy haircut suggests a naiveté found in no one else on the show, and even her profession, a schoolteacher, suggests a kindheartedness that anyone would associate with Snow White, who was friends with animals and dwarves. There are still many characters to discover within Storybrooke, including Little Red Riding Hood, known colloquially as “Ruby” (played by Meghan Ory). If her stylistic decisions are as suggestive as those of the established characters, we can only assume her character will be a breath of fresh hair. Her brassy fashions stick out in this sleepy town, and I’m excited to see where her flashbacks take her!