ONCE UPON A TIME: Producers On Emma’s Journey & World Building, Dr. Whale Tidbits

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Once Upon A Time creators and exec producers Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis discuss the journey so far and what’s coming up on the ABC fantasy series. Tidbits on the return of Dr. Whale also emerge.

On world building and the role of Emma Swan:

AH: We’re sort of trying to build out our own world and use these [fairytale land] characters as the jumping off point for telling this larger story that we’re trying to tell about what is essentially a new fairy tale character – the child of Snow White and Prince Charming, Emma Swan, and how she gets embroiled in this huge battle of good versus evil.

On how different the show would be if it were on another network:

AH: It’s funny because it’s the only place we took it. We’ve been working with ABC/Disney for many years now. I guess it’s a good thing they went ahead with it, because if they didn’t, I’m not sure where we could have done it with the same amount of latitude that we’ve been given. The brand management people at the Walt Disney Company have been great. From when we first pitched the idea, they’ve been very supportive of allowing us to play with their icons and kind of re-invent them.

EK: I mean, we killed a dwarf. We had a pregnant Snow White. We had Cinderella promising somebody her first-born. So they’ve been really great in allowing us that freedom.

On their approach to the Evil Queen and giving her complexity:

EK: We have a phrase that you’ll see in later episodes, “Evil’s not born – it’s made.” What we love about Regina is she’s very tortured. And you understand that there’s a hidden pain inside her that is causing her to do these things. We’re just not going to reveal it till the end of the season.

AH: Prior to the end of the season (Episode 18), well before the finale. That question of being evil, what happened between her and Snow that we’ve kind of hinted throughout the season is one that we see a few things before the finale.

On how long it will be before another character follows the Huntsman in remembering:

AH: All I’ll say is as a viewer, I’d be pissed if it was a really long time. There’s hints of it coming soon. There are levels of seepage that occur.

EK: Levels of awaking for different moments.

On the meaning behind Emma’s last name (Swan):

EK: We chose the name because it’s the metaphor for her journey, to become the swan. And right now I don’t think she is. The funny thing about Emma is theoretically, if she truly believed what’s going on, she’s a princess. But if you told Emma Swan she was a princess she’d … laugh at you.

The pair also talk about:

• The show’s elaborate costumes.
• The challenges of special effects and how they hope the show will get better at it as time goes on.
• The relationship between Mary and Emma.
• Avoiding the damsel-in-distress character archetype.

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Elsewhere, tidbits on the Dr. Whale character played by David Anders’ have emerged (via TV Line):

• Dr. Whale will resurface in Episode 15 (around mid-March).
• The episode — “Red Handed” — will focus on Little Red Riding Hood and Ruby.
• The Whale/Mary fling has flown the coop.
• A source from the show adds: “The thing about Dr. Whale is he can’t be tied down.” Reference?

Source: Hero Complex | TV Line

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Tagged as: adam horowitz, edward kitsis, interviews, once upon a time, red handed, Spoilers