Zooey Deschanel to Exec Produce New Animated-Workplace-Comedy On Difficulties Of Running A Fairy Tale 'Queendom'...

The show is a modern fairytale about an evil queen who realizes that running a Queendom isn’t easy when you have no people skills and everyone hates you. But with a little help from her staff, she will try to change her ways.

So the quote seems to indicate someone watched a few episodes of Once Upon A Time, sympathized with Regina's character and her groaning at the rest of the characters (who run around declaring loyalty one week and changing their minds the next) - with a little magic mischief thrown in the mix, and thought: "Ya know? Being an 'Evil Queen' boss of fairy tale people would be so frustrating - it would make a perfect workplace comedy!" And someone at Fox said "Yeah - we need some sort of property to get a piece of that profitable fairy tale pie - let's do it!"

(Um.. ok then!)

The show will be half an hour long and the title is: Queen Of Everything.

No mention of a series, so it appears to be a single-show project for Fox. Not sure how they intend to slot it into Fox programming, especially as a one-off (I can see this better as a short series). Fox doesn't have any other real fairy tale properties right now, though the two dramedy/fantasies of Almost Human and Sleepy Hollow show the mix of magic and wry one-liners should work well for their viewers.

It could be good...

I'm being optimistic. Are you being optimistic? Because ya never know... and Regina is the most consistently interesting character in OUAT so... *shrugs*

No word on who's designing or animating yet, although Ali Waller (American Dad, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) will be writing, so there are lots of ways this could go. It's going to be a tough one to pull off well! Hopefully Ms. Deschanel will use her star-status well and get really skilled people on board who can make something surprising and fun out of this, because, honestly, the premise is a little cringe-worthy (and the writer isn't exactly known for having a subtle touch). I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

(Note to show: please prove my gut reaction wrong and make this awesome.)

Sources: HERE & HERE

Syfy's Swan Song "Face Off" Finale

It's not surprising that fairy tales, or some version of them, crop up on a special effects make-up show but last night's finale on Syfy's Face Off was extra special.

The remaining three contestants had to design and create two characters from Swan Lake for two principal dancers of the Los Angeles Ballet: one was the maiden as she's being transformed into a swan and the other the evil sorcerer who made it happen (aka Von Rothbart for all the ballet people).

Excuse me a minute while I whoop and cheer here. I come from a ballet background and so all the ballet fairy tales are near and dear to my heart - especially when they include transformation. The iconic fairy tale ballet is, of course, Swan Lake. Indeed it's iconic for all ballet and for good reason. The light vs dark aspects and transformation of one being or creature to another is reflected in so much of life and, as the movie Black Swan showed, works as an excellent metaphor for a career in dance (and any lifestyle requiring intense commitment) as well.

For the Face Off contestants though, they were given an extra twist. Each of the contestants had to pick a different time period to incorporate into the design of their characters as well.

This meant, not only did they have two days to create two complete make-ups - one female and one male, have them be obviously different characters while from the same - unique - world, but also that they had to be performance-worthy for a live, theatrical show (ie those feathers had to stay on!) AND camera ready.

Tate chose the Industrial era,

 

 

... Roy chose the Ming Dynasty...

 

 

... and Laura chose Italian Renaissance.

 
The results from everyone - as you can see - were stunning!

Here's a teaser preview:

(Note: though I've done the research, heard the critiques, seen some behind-the-scenes and know the spoilery result, I have yet to see more than a fleeting glimpse here and there of the performances because I'm using every ounce of patience to wait to share it with my family tonight!)

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ (click the "Read more" link below this line) ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ ✒ 

Reminder: Hallmarks' Indiana-Jones-Meets-Warehouse13-Meets-Fairy-Tale-Family-Movie "The Hunters" airs TONIGHT

Press Release:

‘THE HUNTERS’       Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere“Walmart and P&G Present Walden Family Theater”Friday, October 25 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)Starring: Victor Garber, Michelle Forbes, Alexa Vega, Robbie Amell, Keenan Tracey and Dan Payne 

Two brothers learn that they come from a long line of Hunters, a secret society sworn to protect powerful fairy tale objects from falling into the wrong hands. When their Hunter parents go missing in their quest to retrieve the magical Mirror, the very same mirror that played a prominent role in the story of Snow White, the brothers realize they have to assume their birthright and find their parents and the Mirror, before it’s too late.
In an adaptation of Joshua Williamson’s comic book Mirror Mirror, The Hunters is part of Hallmark Channel’s new Friday night franchise Walden Family Theater presented in collaboration with Walmart, Procter & Gamble, award-winning family entertainment producer Walden Media (The Chronicles Of Narnia, Bridge To Terabithia, Holes) and fast-growing independent studio ARC Entertainment. Walden Family Theater is designed to further fill the void on TV for quality family entertainment.

Note: I think this will be one of those "spot the fairy tale reference movies" though the lesser known ones are unlikely to make appearances. Mostly I'm curious as to how the well known ones are "differently referenced". Eg from this interview HERE on the Hallmark site, the actress makes note of Cinderella's glass slipper having one of the shards of the Mirror (from Snow White) hidden on the bottom and that they must use a tooth of The Big Bad Wolf (from LRRH) to open a tomb.

It could be fun but I've been so disappointed by adaptations, I'm afraid to get my hopes up. And I really would have called it something different... Gosh I hope this screenplay is written (and acted) well!

"Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" Set to Make Mini-Series Magic c/- the BBC

A seven-part series adaptation of the best selling fairy tale-ish novel is being developed for the BBC (squee!), the cast has just been announced and they're set to start filming in Yorkshire, Canada and Croatia next week!

 I love the way SFX UK added extra commentary in their announcement so I'll share that with you instead of the usual list:

Bertie Carvel

Eddie Marsan

 The BBC has confirmed recent rumours that Eddie Marsan (Snow White And The Huntsman, Hancock and loads of much better non-SF stuff) will play Mr Norrell, and Bertie Carvel (Sherlock, Les Misérables) will play Jonathan Strange in their upcoming adaptation of Susanna Clarke’s best-selling alternate history novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell.

Joining Marsan and Carvel in the seven-part adaptation are Alice Englert (the best thing inBeautiful Creatures), Marc Warren (Doctor Who’s “Love And Monsters”), Samuel West (Eternal Law, Van Helsing), Charlotte Riley (Wuthering Heights, Easy Virtue), Enzo Cilenti (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Kick-Ass 2) and Paul Kaye (Game of Thrones, Being Human).

And you have to love this tidbit from Bertie Carvel who will be playing Strange:

“I read the book some years ago and was totally enchanted. I’ve been casting spells for the part of Strange ever since. It is a considerable surprise to find that some of them worked!”

I'm going to choose lovely, magical coincidence over marketing genius with that line.

Susanna Clarke's award winning novel has had numerous people attempt to realize it in movie form since it hit the best seller list but it looks like this mini-series is definitely a "go" now and, let's be honest, if you're a fan of the book, you'd rather a miniseries than just a two hour long movie... wouldn't you? (Though movie paraphernalia tie-ins would be awesome..)

I'm just VERY curious to see how they manage the footnotes... (Oh please be clever about it!)

You'll be glad to know Toby Haynes - director of both Doctor Who AND Sherlock will be calling the shots. Should be a good 'un! (And I have hopes on the footnote front with him at the helm too.)

Hallmark's "The Hunters" Set To Air This Friday, Oct 25 (Wow, That Was Quick!)

Seriously. How long ago did I post an announcement on The Hunters? (Aka Warehouse 13 offspring go hunting fairy tale artifacts - and their parents?)

Answer: less than four months ago. From proposal to air date, that's REALLY quick! Whatever the case, Hallmark's production value is usually pretty good (though it's been a while since I've seen anything from them) and the writing is either very good or not really there at all. Here's hoping it's the former and that it was just a case of the project not being announced until a good script was squared away.

In case you missed the general premise (apart from the quick summary above) fairy tale people were real and they're "things" are "alive and well" - and powerful -  right here, right now. And there's a small group of people dedicated to keeping powerful fairy tale artifacts out of the hands of those who would use them for badness. Think "fairy tale Indiana Jones meets Warehouse 13. With kids." :)

Creating something with enough action and minimal violence to attract tweens, teens and adult audiences is a challenge within itself. The Hallmark Channel's original movie "The Hunters" meets that challenge and then some, providing a fun ride for both young and older viewers. 

"The Hunters," ...is more about growing up with the appreciation of family more than it is jet setting across the globe in search of fairy tale-based artifacts. 

Emmy award nominee and veteran actor Victor Graber plays the former artifact hunter and protector who is hell-bent on using the magical properties of the items to gain power to rule the world. 

The main characters are the Flynn brothers who team up with their parent's assistant to go after shards of the magic mirror of "Snow White" fame in order to find and rescue their parent who went missing after complications on a recent mission.

... Based on the comic book "Mirror, Mirror" by Joshua Williamson, "The Hunters" is a fun, family film that will entertain children and their parents with an open ending leaving room for sequels in the future.  (Source)

You can read the rest of the article from someone who got a preview of the show (and liked it very much) HERE.

Oh and there's a trailer too:

 

Not quite sure what I think of this. The fairy tale aspects aren't greatly apparent here (apart from the Mirror) and I don't see much evidence of new spins on old tales like the panels included in the blog post HERE, featuring Red Riding Hood tale motifs in a snowy cemetery, but that doesn't mean they're not included. Guess I'll just have to watch. (The things I have to do... *long suffering sigh* lol).

There's an official page with cast interviews, photos and more HERE as well. I haven't seen any acknowledgment from the original author of the comic but maybe the airing snuck up on him too!

"Red Brick Road" in Development (& Summary of all the Other Oz Projects Spinning Around Hollywood Right Now)

Dorothy as imagined by Rob Prior (official development image)

Did The Wizard of Oz books just become public domain or is 2013 just the year of the (TV) Wizard? Answer: all the better known books have been public domain for a while* so it appears the flying monkeys are just making the network rounds... (and possibly prepping for the big 75th anniversary of MGM's movie).

Here's the latest, this time from Lifetime, making it the FIFTH Oz-themed project announced as being in development in the last three months (!):

 Lifetime has put in development Red Brick Road,from the Wolper Organization, Vertigo Entertainment and Warner Horizon. Written by Tim Schlattman (Dexter) based on an concept by artist Rob Prior and executive produced by Roy Lee and Adrian Askarieh, Red Brick Road is described as an edgy, Game Of Thrones take on the world of Wizard Of Oz. an edgy, Game Of Thrones take on the world of Wizard Of Oz. In the classic 1939 feature, when Dorothy set off for the Emerald City, she followed the Yellow Brick Road. But among the yellow bricks at Dorothy’s feet, there was also a swirl of red bricks. They’ve been there the whole time in plain sight. Unnoticed. Unexplored. Which raises the question — just where do they go? Red Brick Road will answer that by following Dorothy down that fateful path, taking her to the oldest, darkest and most dangerous parts of Oz to find what became of her friends who all have gone missing. (Deadline)

I kind of like the sound of this one, though if you like the Oz books (and the movie) I'd suggest thinking of this as an entirely different story.

To summarize the projects for you:
NBC -      Emerald City (drama - dark re-imagining of the classic tale)
CBS -       Dorothy (medical soap)
Syfy -       Warriors of Oz (fantasy/action post apocalyptic mini-series re-imagining of the classic tale)
CW -        Dorothy Must Die (revisionist take, based on YA novel by Danielle Page)
Lifetime - Red Brick Road (edgy Game of Thrones take on The Wizard of Oz)

Oh and there's also Wicked: The Mini-Series being developed by ABC (based on Maguire's novel rather than the musical) but we haven't heard about that for a while now (a long while) so that's likely on the shelf. Maybe they'll dust it off once someone notices just how many Oz properties are being picked up. I think a mini-series might be the better way to explore the novel.

Wicked the Broadway musical as a movie makes sense too, and that's what I'm kind of waiting for more solid news on, next. Last we heard (at ComicCon July 2013) the Producer attached confirmed that, yes, there WILL BE a move of Wicked, that Billy Elliot director Stephen Daldry was "in talks" re Wicked and that a very vague date of sometime during 2014 was at one point announced (although whether that's for filming or release is a little unclear) but is likely to be changed with no cast or start date yet in place.

Have I forgotten anything? (Feel free to add anything else I missed in the comments below.)

* If you want to read up on the complicated copyright releases of the Oz books into public domain you can read a good summary HERE.

Syfy Is Reimagining "Oz". (Again.) As a Fantasy-Action Miniseries. (Again?)

So... wasn't it not that long ago that we had Zooey Deschanel stomp her steampunky, un-red boots across Oz on Syfy's Tin Man?

My mistake.

That was SciFi and it was a looooong time ago in 2007. (!)

But this is different...

...

How different exactly?

The scoop from Deadline:

Bekmambetov directing
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 

Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter director Timur Bekmambetov is venturing into television with Warriors Of Oz, a mini-series project which has landed at Syfy. Bekmambetov will create Warriors Of Oz based on his idea. 

It is a fantasy-action reimagining of the classic story in which a warrior from present day Earth is transported to a post-apocalyptic future Oz* where he must team up with three other warriors, Heartless, Brainless, and Coward, in order to defeat the evil Wizard who has enslaved the land. Bekmambetov is set to executive produce and possibly direct.  Search is under way for a writer to pen the mini, which will be produced by Universal Cable Prods. 

So it will be different.

In fact it could be quite different. It could be very funny. It will likely be very action-y. It might make critics just as happy as Tin Man did and it might... not.

You know what I'm most p-annoyed at? A little two letter word in there: "he". Dorothy is either in very heavy reverse-Tootsie disguise or one of the classic American girl heroines just got benched for a pec-man (assuming he'll be showing his muscles). :/

Whatever the case,  I can already envision a plethora of warrior designs for Heartless, Brainless and Coward.... (actually I think deviantArtists may have been secretly developing this idea themselves for years...)

Warriors by kerembeyit-d37ia4y

The Twisted World of Oz by ~ginoroberto

The Warriors of Oz by R-Tan

This is one of those things that will either be brilliant or... really won't (and then gets shoved under the Sharknado-ed carpet).

Oh, who am I kidding? IF THEY FIX the Dorothy thing, I will TOTALLY tune in to this! (At least for the first few minutes.)

*Post-apocalyptic future Oz. What the hay happened??! Did someone secrete away the remaining flying monkeys and genetically alter them into Planet of the Flying Monkey dudes that took over the Emerald City and used the Scarecrow for, uh, bedding, or what? (Can you tell it's really late and I'm both very tired and my filter is malfunctioning?)

Hallmark Transforming "Mirror Mirror" Comic Into Family Movie "The Hunters"

And it's getting a few known names attached along the way. Joshua Williamson's graphic novel "Mirror Mirror" (released Nov 2010) is essentially a mash-up of Snow White, Indiana Jones and Warehouse 13. With kids. (So much fun!)

Mirror Mirror 1

Read the pages below on the left in order for a little taste of the graphic novel, this section featuring Red Riding Hood tale motifs, showing how it ties into modern day and the real world.

Hallmark Released Synopsis:Carter and Jordyn Flynn (Payne, Forbes) aren't the average mom and dad. For them, a typical workday can take place anywhere in the world, raiding ornate museums and evading pursuing authorities as Hunters, protectors of powerful fairy tale artifacts that are anything but make believe. (Edit FTNH: Definitely sounds like a special annex of Warehouse 13!) 

While they take their jobs seriously, they're just as concerned about the welfare of their two sons, 21-year old Paxton (Amell) and 16-year old Tripp (Tracey), who are unaware of their parents' true line of work. 

When Carter and Jordyn disappear during one of their missions, the boys learn the truth about their parents and their lineage. They turn to old family friend Mason (Garber) for help but they soon discover that the deceitful Mason is after what the Flynns were trying to protect - an enchanted mirror that has the ability to grant any wish. It's got quite a history, too: It's the same mirror that played a pivotal role in the destiny of Snow White. It becomes evident that it's up to the valiant brothers and Dylan to save the day before very real fairy tale magic falls into Mason's less-than-worthy hands. (Source) 

Cont... Mirror Mirror 2

For those not familiar with Joshua Williamson's Mirror Mirror, here's an excerpt from an interview with the author by Comic Vine just before the graphic novel was released.

Joshua Williamson:   Mirror, Mirror is about the magic mirror from the Snow White fairy tale. In our story Snow White destroyed the magic mirror and scattered its pieces across the globe to keep it from ever being rebuilt. She then created a group called the Huntsmen to protect the pieces from evil.   

(Edit FTNH: Also shades of Snow Queen here - a shattered evil mirror with pieces scattered over the globe..)

Now in present day a young man named Owen Grimm is the newest Huntsman and is trying to stop a wicked Prince from putting the evil mirror back together and using it to rule the world. 

As to why someone should pick it up… If you’re looking a family friendly adventure story that is fun for everyone you should pick this up. If you like the Indiana Jones films or National Treasure, this book is for you.  

CV: Where did you get the idea from? Do you often think about twists to old fairy tales?  

Cont... Mirror Mirror 3

JW:  This idea sprang from me wanting to do an adventure book, something with someone searching for something. Crazy vague, I know. The thing is what is out that hasn’t already been found? 

One story that has always bugged me was Snow White. We get this nice happy ending where Prince Charming rides off with Snow White in his arms and the evil old Step Mother is dead. But what happened to that evil Mirror? It was manipulative and has insane powers, and could be argued was the real bad guy of the story. One day I just put two and two together and thought “what if Snow White destroyed the mirror?”   

A line of dialogue that never made it into the script was of Snow White saying “Mirror, Mirror on the wall… do you know what I’m going to do with this?” while she was holding a giant sledge hammer. I’m pretty sure that was the first line of dialogue I wrote but it just never made it in the actual finished script. It was just the germ of an idea that lead to the whole book. 

Yeah, I’m always thinking of twists on classic fairy tales, but not just fairy tales… myths, legends, fables, you name it. 

CV: What makes this take on Snow White and the Magic Mirror different from the stories told in Vertigo's FABLES?  

Cont... Mirror Mirror 4

JW: F or starters we never actually see Snow White in this story except for in a few panels in flashback. I love Vertigo’s Fables, but I still wanted to make sure that we stayed far away from what they’ve done. We don’t have any actual live fables or other characters running around. There are ties to the stories, but a big part of the book is that all those fairy tales and myths came from some kind of truth and we explore that truth. For example, the big bad wolf, Bigby, in Fables is a shape shifter and sheriff, while in Mirror, Mirror, the big bad wolf is actually based off real life serial killer Peter Stumpp. 

This is more like the Indiana Jones films where it’s very grounded in reality with hints of supernatural building until it’s unleashed. (Source) 

I've been impressed in the past with Hallmark's handling of fairy tale movies (eg Snow Queen, Hans Christian Andersen). Some of their made-for-TV fairy tale movies have had better quality storytelling and visuals than the big blockbusters and kept the fairy tale base solid, so while I still think of Hallmark in a "less-than" manner initially, perhaps we'll be pleasantly surprised by this too (fingers crossed!).

What I'm really hoping for is some well balanced but also meaty family entertainment with that mystery/adventure element middle graders seem to love, that delves into different tale details for clues on how to continue the adventure. While Once Upon A Time is generally family friendly it's more soap and less adventure (and has no resolution) than popular family films and series tend to be so perhaps this will bridge the gap.

Argo actor Victor Garber and The Killing's Michelle Forbes are set to star in the Hallmark Channel original movie The Hunters, which is scheduled to premiere October 25. Based on Mirror, Mirror, a comic book by Joshua Williamson, the film will be a part of Walden Family Theater, a new series of family movies to air on Friday nights. (Source) 

With the Fables movie quietly gaining momentum (*fistpump!*), this would be an excellent "fairy tales in the modern world" introduction to kids who aren't ready for something so adult but still want something a little Warehouse 13.

The comic looks like a lot of fun and with the right creative team a family movie could be too. (You can see a little more of the pages from Mirror Mirror HERE after the main article and there are a few more pages HERE too.)

If you'd like to grab one of your own, you can find copies of Mirror Mirror available HERE. It's also available for Kindle.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter, TVBroadwayWorld, ComicVine, ComicBookResources

OUAT, OUATinWonderland, Frozen, Saving Mr. Banks on Disney XD & at D23 Jul 30/Aug 1/Aug 9

Snow White & the 7 Earth Benders* (Disney's Avatar Princesses) by Robby Cook
You can see more HERE

Disney's fairy tale (and associated) properties will be getting some TV specials and showcasing during the end of July and beginning of August, including at the annual expo D23.

Here's a summary of the relevant information from the recent announcements:

Disney XD (TV):

July 30, 2013
8:00 PM – "On The Red Carpet Disney Fandom Edition" (Disney Fandom premiere)
"On The Red Carpet" host Rachel Smith and Disney XD Insider and Radio Disney on-air personality Morgan Tompkins give fans at home an all access pass to San Diego Comic-Con. On The Red Carpet Disney Fandom Edition at 8 PM will include looks at Marvel's Phase Two films, Disney's Frozen, Pixar's Planes and ABC's Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

August 1, 2013
8:45 PM – "Once Upon a Time: For the Fans" (Disney Fandom premiere)
"Once Upon a Time: For the Fans" is a television premiere hosted by Lee Arenberg ("Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, "Once Upon a Time") featuring never-before seen interviews with ABC's "Once Upon a Time" cast, a profile of Captain Hook ("Sincerely Hook") and a special look at the families of Storybrooke and how they're intertwined ("A Fractured Family Tree"), along with a preview of ABC's new fall series "Once Upon a Time in Wonderland."

Disney Fandom will broadcast from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on July 30, July 31 and August 1. On Tuesday, July 23, Disney.com/Fandom will offer special looks, a printable schedule, news and polls, among other features.

You can find additional details HERE.

Expo event:
Disney's Annual Expo D23

Starting August 9, 2013
Location: Anaheim CA (across from Disneyland)
Disney's own expo, D23, will give sneak peeks of Frozen (Fri, Aug 9), along with other animated features while a live action presentation will happen the next day, including a first look at Saving Mr. Banks (Sat, Aug 10).
Both presentations will feature exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes footage, discussions with filmmakers and surprise celeb appearances.

More information HERE.

* You may be wondering why on earth (heh) I used an image of a Snow White/Avatar mash-up. The reason is two-fold: 1) it was made by a Disney fan and 2) it reminds me of a project I'm very sad isn't going to see the light of day in the foreseeable future - Disney's The Order of the Seven:

'The Order of the Seven' takes the idea of the seven dwarves and transforms them into seven highly skilled martial arts masters, each from a different part of the world. Set during the 17th century, the disparate international masters are all part of a centuries-old order who have lost their way when a chance encounter with a fleeing Englishwoman and an unrelenting evil that pursues her gives the men a chance at redemption and a new path to follow.

Another description:

Order of the Seven initially was set up by producer Andrew Gunn as a live-action kung fu take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but later evolved into a fantasy-action adventure tale. The story centered on a young woman in 19th century Hong Kong who escapes her wicked stepmother and takes refuge with seven men belonging to an ancient order dedicated to fighting demons and dragons. 

Reminder: ABC's "Once Upon A Time" Marathon on New Year's Day

In case you're not aware (or have forgotten in the midst of seasonal celebrations and obligations) ABC is having a Once Upon A Time marathon on New Year's Day. Happy New Year!

Here's the OUAT marathon trailer promo:



And here's the advertising copy that was released a little while ago. (I'm presuming most blog followers are keeping up with the OUAT episodes - in case you're not, please note that the schedule below includes a brief synopsis of each.) One thing missing from this is that I've read in several places that they're starting with the Pilot (which makes sense) and there are conflicting reports on whether ABC will air 6 or all 7 of the episodes to date (and I can't get to a TV right now to check the programming myself). Please note these times are EST (I wouldn't want you to miss out):

ABC is giving Once Upon a Time fans the chance to marathon several episodes on New Year's day, or giving newcomers to the show the chance to catch up before new episodes resume in January.

Six of the seven episodes of Once Upon a Time that aired this fall will be broadcasted on New Year's Day. The schedule is as follows:

4:00 p.m. ET - Unknown episode

5:00 p.m. ET - Unknown episode

7:00 p.m. ET - Episode 3, "Snow Falls": At Henry'surging, Emma convinces Mary Margaret to pay a visit to a comatose John Doe in the hospital and to read to him from the storybook. But Mary Margaret is stunned at the outcome of her visit. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world, Prince Charming meets Snow White for the first time in a most unexpected way.

8:00 p.m. ET - Episode 4, "The Price of Gold": Emma tries to help a young pregnant woman escape from the clutches of Mr. Gold. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Cinderella (Jessy Schram, "Falling Skies") makes a regrettable deal with Rumplestiltskin.

9:00 p.m. ET - Episode 6, "The Shepherd": David - aka John Doe - must choose between staying with Kathryn or leaving her to be with Mary Margaret, with whom he's fallen deeply, and inexplicably, in love; and Emma catches Sheriff Graham in a lie. Meanwhile, back in the fairytale world that was, Prince Charming is about to encounter a life-changing event that will forever alter his destiny.

10:00 p.m. ET - Episode 7, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter": One of the town's residents begins to remember their fairytale past, and Storybrooke mourns the loss of one of their own. Meanwhile, in the fairytale world that was, the Evil Queen attempts to find a heartless assassin to murder Snow White.

Once Upon a Time fans can also catch up on all of the episodes online at ABC.com.  For more details,click here.

Once Upon a Time returns with new episodes on January 8.

There are numerous teasers and spoilery-type things out there about the next episode in case you are curious. All I will say here for now is that Episode 8 is titled "Desperate Souls" and focuses on Rumpelstiltskin's story as well as the aftermath of the mid-season finale tragedy in Storybrooke.

What a great opportunity to have a fairy tale start to your new year!

Image source: HERE
Copy source: HERE