Twice Upon a Time S07E01 “Hyperion Heights”
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In the premiere of Season 7, 'Twice Upon a Time' launches a bold soft reboot of 'Once Upon a Time' with 'Hyperion Heights,' a modern-day Seattle-inspired neighborhood that functions as a cursed realm. Henry Mills, now a struggling author, leaves Storybrooke in search of his own story and stumbles into a new world where fairy tale characters exist under a new curse. He encounters a vengeful Cinderella named Jacinda, a mysterious Alice, and a new version of Regina now working as Detective Ronnie. The episode introduces a web of intrigue involving real estate developer Victoria Belfry—Lucy’s step-grandmother and Jacinda’s evil stepmother—while exploring themes of identity, memory, and gentrification. The hosts express mixed feelings: while they appreciate the show’s attempt to reinvent itself with fresh characters and a new setting, they’re critical of the weak character development, especially for Lucy and Jacinda, and the inconsistent logic around magic and portals. Despite these flaws, the episode sparks curiosity through strong performances, clever Easter eggs, and the return of beloved characters like Rumpelstiltskin and Hook, now working as detectives. The hosts ultimately believe the season won’t reach the heights of past classics like Neverland or Cursed Storybrooke but may surpass the underwhelming 'Frozen' season.
The reboot introduces a new modern-day fairy tale setting with a strong focus on identity and memory, but struggles with character depth and logic.
Henry’s journey as an author and his emotional backstory add emotional weight, though his portrayal as a grown man feels jarring after years of younger versions.
The dynamic between Hook and Rumpel as detective partners is a standout, offering potential for a compelling buddy-cop narrative.
The show’s attempt to explore gentrification through a fairy tale lens is ambitious but underdeveloped and tonally inconsistent.
Alice’s mysterious introduction and Regina’s powerful monologue are highlights that reignite interest in the season’s potential.
Season 7 Premiere: A Soft Reboot of Once Upon a Time
The hosts welcome back listeners and introduce the new season, 'Hyperion Heights,' as a soft reboot with new characters, a modern-day setting, and a fresh narrative direction. They acknowledge the absence of major original cast members like Emma, Snow White, and Prince Charming.
Henry’s Journey and the New Fairy Tale World
Henry, now a grown man and struggling writer, leaves Storybrooke seeking his own story. He arrives in Hyperion Heights, a cursed Seattle-like neighborhood, where he meets Jacinda, a Cinderella hell-bent on killing Prince Charming, and Lucy, who claims to be his daughter.
Introducing the New Cast and the Curse of Hyperion Heights
The hosts break down the new characters: Victoria Belfry (evil stepmother), Alice (mysterious informant), Ivy (Drizella in the past), and the returning Regina (now Detective Ronnie). They explore the curse’s mechanics and the town’s forced isolation.
Critique of Character Development and Casting
“I'm just like, shut up. Like, and there also doesn't seem to be any craftiness to her. Like, yeah, she steals the book, but like it just feels like an annoying child whereas like Henry felt kind of like a force of nature.”
The Return of Rumpelstiltskin and Hook as Detective Partners
“I just want to watch a buddy cop show about Hook and Rogers. The good about Rogers is all the things with Weaver, and then they show up a storybook with Emma, and I'm just like, really?”
“I just want to watch a buddy cop show about Hook and Rogers. The good about Rogers is all the things with Weaver, and then they show up a storybook with Emma, and I'm just like, really?”
“I don't think this is Frozen bad. I think there is no chance with these leads that this gets into the top four. Like I don't think this is going to be better than Neverland.”
“I'm not sure that the Mon and Henry by definition is a monarch. So I'm not entirely sure that I want to hear the monarch baby complain about gentrification.”
Hosts
Once Upon a Time
media
Henry Mills
person
Rumpelstiltskin
person
Hook
person
Lucy
person
Regina
person
Alice
person
Jacinda
person
Hyperion Heights
place
Victoria Belfry
person
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