Exploring the Enchantment: Beauty And The Beast in “Once Upon A Time”

Since I delved into Beauty and the Beast last week, I decided to explore how the show Once Upon a Time reimagines it. Honestly, I wasn’t too impressed with the writers’ take. They obviously relied heavily on Disney’s version without much additional research.

First off, they began with Disney’s take on the beginning but added their own spin. There are no sisters, though they included Gaston. In older versions, Belle doesn’t have a suitor. She lives with her father, often with her sisters and sometimes her mother.

In Once Upon a Time, Belle is portrayed as a king’s daughter, which isn’t a detail in any traditional stories or even in the Disney film.

Small deviations like this wouldn’t bother me if it weren’t for the glaring issues, like where Belle starts staying with Rumplestiltskin. Casting Rumplestiltskin as the Beast seemed like a bizarre choice.

Since when does a mischievous imp equate to a terrifying, giant beast? His playful and wicked nature doesn’t match the tortured, fearsome Beast. The Beast needs to be commanding and intimidating, and Rumplestiltskin isn’t that. Even with all the makeup, he looks like a dressed-up imp. There’s no wow factor.

This poorly cast and written Beast is my biggest gripe. Remember the scene where Belle tries to open the curtains in Rumplestiltskin’s library? It was laughably ridiculous.

When Belle asks why he spins so much—a rather odd occupation for a beast—he giggles. Yes, giggles. It turns the scene comical, completely missing the mark of the Beast’s character.

At the start of Belle’s stay in the castle, the writers have her in the dungeon, probably to make Rumplestiltskin seem more menacing. But that isn’t even in Disney’s movie. At least they didn’t put her in bed with him, which would have been unsettling.

The writers missed an opportunity to add some mystery about his appearance. It could have been more engaging if Rumplestiltskin turned human at night, making him vulnerable. Right now, he seems too powerful. Despite attempts to show weaknesses, like when he fell ill last season, nothing truly threatens him.

For instance, Hook injured him when he was in human form, not beast form, which lessens the impact. If Rumplestiltskin had been in beast mode, Hook wouldn’t have been able to poison him. It doesn’t add up.

Then there’s the chipped cup. Cute in the movie, but unnecessary here. It doesn’t enhance their relationship. The actors lack chemistry, and these gimmicky attempts don’t help.

Giving Belle a library was nice, but I still can’t see them as a believable couple. Their relationship lacks the depth needed to make the story work.

I could go on, but I’ll stop here. What do you think about Once Upon a Time’s take on this tale? Any notable moments, good or bad? Share your thoughts below.