I’m going to break form to set up this poll, because it feels entirely personal to me, but I’m getting ahead of myself. As previously reported, after the season six finale, star Jennifer Morrison is leaving the Once Upon a Time TV show and her character, Emma Swan, daughter of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (aka David Nolan; Josh Dallas). While Once Upon a Time is renewed for a seventh season, Morrison has contracted to appear in just one future episode. For what it’s worth, Once Upon a Time was renewed for season seven on May 11th. Details here.
A fairy tale fantasy drama, Once Upon a Time also stars Lana Parrilla, Robert Carlyle, Emilie de Ravin, Colin O’Donoghue, Rebecca Mader, and Jared Gilmore. It’s long been known that the seventh season will be a reboot without Goodwin and Dallas. Still, ABC Studios had been negotiating for Morrison, Parrilla, and O’Donoghue to return (although it seems they’ve known for quite a while that Morrison was out). Reportedly, Andrew J. West, a veteran of Once creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz’s cancelled Freeform TV show, Dead of Summer is joining the cast, in season seven.
Even when networks cancel shows I dislike or don’t watch, I never revel in cancellations. I feel too sorry for the people who are going to lose their jobs, particularly the below-the-line crew members, and rookie actors who are trying to establish themselves, professionally. I mention this, because although I am quite happy OUAT snagged a season seven renewal, I still kind of feel like it has been cancelled.
I’ve lost a job I loved and needed. The heartbreak was horrible and the financial hardship was worse. That job happened to involve recapping the first few seasons of Once Upon a Time, for the now defunct website, Television Without Pity. (Pssst. All the TWoP recaps are archived at Brilliant But Cancelled.)
Once upon a time, after watching the season three premiere, in fact, I opened my recap of episode 3.01, “The Heart of the Truest Believer,” with the following:
Welcome to the third season of Once Upon A Time. While they beat pilots, I’m not particularly fond of season premieres. “The Heart of the Truest Believer” is an exception. From the cold open, it engaged me far more than I expected and made me see the show from a fresher perspective: this show tells Emma’s fairy tale.
I’m both sure I’m not the first person to have thought or said so, and this isn’t even the first time I’ve thought it, but throughout season 2 I forgot all about it, and that’s where I think last season suffered.
Emma, who grew up in the stark reality of Our World, is our gateway to this magical multiverse. When an episode or plot-line forgets about Emma, it forsakes us. No matter how deliciously devilish Regina, Rumpy, Cora, etc. can be, no matter how noble Snow and Charming, no matter how well done flashbacks are, Emma needs to be the heart of this show, because this is her story, every bit as much as Sleeping Beauty is the story of Princess Aurora, or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is Snow White’s.
Over the ensuing seasons, Emma’s story has not always been the one upon which Kitsis and Horowitz have chosen to focus. Now, please know, I am a great fan of this dynamic duo, and have been since they wrote for Lost (which I also recapped). In my opinion though, when storylines have shifted focus away from the fairy tale of Princess Emma Swan, the show has usually suffered as a result.
So, while I am grateful Once Upon a Time was not cancelled, I’m not sure I’ll watch, once she’s gone. I wanted the renewal for Kitsis, Horowitz, the remaining cast and crew, and most of all for the loyal Oncers — those fans who will keep watching through the end credits of the Once Upon a Time series finale, no matter how many seasons it runs.
Coincidentally, I also recapped The Vampire Diaries for TWoP, so this feels a bit like déjà vu all over again. When Nina Dobrev exited, also at the end of season six, I tried to keep watching. I made it through the first episode of season seven, before quitting, in disgust. My heart wasn’t in it, because I felt her character, Elena, was central to the story for which I had signed up. I only returned for the TVD series finale, earlier this year, because Dobrev did.
So while I might try to watch an Emma-free seventh season of Once Upon a Time, I’m already pretty sure I won’t get through it. Truthfully, I’ve had tears in my eyes the whole time I’ve been writing this article. I am just so sad — deeply sad. Should Kitsis, Horowitz, or Morrison happen upon this piece, I hope they understand my sorrow is a tribute to the beautiful character they created together, and I thank them for it — and for my Emma.
Right now, as I wipe away my tears, I’m nearly certain I’ll sit out season seven, read spoilers, and if it sounds worth watching, binge the whole installment once it’s through. I know that’s not what the creators, cast, crew, studio, or network want to hear, but it’s my truth.
Despite the season seven renewal, I feel Morrison’s departure has cancelled my show, if not the show. I know she feels worn out, and she so deserves to have a personal life. Honestly, I applaud her moving on to try new things. I wish her the best and will follow her career with interest and enthusiasm. I’m neither bitter, nor angry. It’s just that Once Upon a Time without Emma is not the story I chose to watch, back on October 23, 2011, and it never can be.
How about you? Will you watch a seventh season of Once Upon a Time, without Jennifer Morrison’s Emma Swan? Please vote in our poll, and sound off in the comments, below.
For me, Jennifer Morrison wasn’t the reason for the seasons, so her departure is of No grave consequence. There are so many other fairy tales that can over-ride her exit. As long as Lana Parilla and Robert Carlyle are still there….I’m All In❗
yes I will still watch. Emma is not the only character.
I am happy with the Happy Ending of Season 6. Season 7 is basically for the LGBT’s satisfaction. No interest…
What does it have to do with LGBT?
It was not a happy ending at s6 Netty. It was only a continuation and beginning, which never last long as revealed in the flashforwards in s6.
I haven’t been feeling OUAT since they started moving the characters around like chess pieces to support the Disney princess of the season errr six month story arc. While I was glad the Frozen and Peter Pan stories didn’t drag on for 22 eps, there wasn’t 11 eps of story either and they stuck with it for all 11. Emma as the dark one had a lame reveal for all the promos indicating she went so bad they locked her up, she just stole some memories and saved Hook’s life. And then they performed character assassination on Belle to justify… Read more »
It was no mistake. The mistake was having Emma with Hook when he was the assassin of Charming’s father. People hated it. And you can see why the wedding episode did not boost a single rating number for that. It’s just like the mistake with Rapping Robin Hood or Rumple abusing Belle. And you would wonder why those 3 ships (CS, RumBelle and OutlawQueen are getting destroyed one by one).
I will definitely keep watching. I think it is smart of them to change it up.
As long as they continue to develop the role of Henry and keep Regina & Rumple & Snow & Charming, I will continue to watch. I believe moving Henry into a major character would be the correct direction to move.
I’m pretty sure snow and charming are leaving the show.
That’s where you are wrong Angela. Both Ginnifer and Josh already spoiled that that are not leaving or quitting the show. They already spoiled they will return in the show (and most likely in future seasons after s7 and might return as regulars soon). It says so here in this link.
http://ew.com/tv/2017/05/14/once-upon-time-ginnifer-goodwin-exit-interview/?xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitter
This clearly proves that Snow and Charming are not leaving the show.
No way I’ll watch without Emma ! That’s unthinkable!
I actually feel that they’ve needed to step out of the ‘main’ characters for a couple seasons. Although I love the characters I don’t think they can keep writing bad things to happen to them. Let them live in peace. Bring in some new blood and let other characters take the main stage for a little bit.
Emma was one of my favorites, however, I am a fan of great writing and that is what has kept my interest. The writers are my true heros in that they have kept my interest over six years the greatest feat for me who has a short attention span. Thanks to the great inventive writers.
If we were all more flexible to changes within our shows they wouldn’t be canceled after only a few seasons. Look at soap operas for example, some of them have been running 40+ years, people don’t threaten studios with massive online campaigns over minor effects mistakes or cast changes. the viewers just enjoy the fact that their show is still on the air. The real reason shows like Star Trek TNG was on the air for so long, is less about the following and ratings, but there was NO SOCIAL MEDIA, no smear campaigns, no online boycotts over minor bull****.
Emma was never my favourit,I find her kinda boring, as long as Regina and Rumpl are there I’m still watching!
I never felt that Emma was the most compelling character.
Regina and Rumpelstiltskin were always more interesting.
So yes, I will continue to tune in.
As much as I will miss the original cast, I will be intrigued as to what the creators will do, with their newfound power, maybe add some new characters, some new plotlines. The biggest question though, is Will this season be the last?
I think they should keep the character of Emma Swan. I think they should just make her younger so Charming and Snow can have the time with her they should have while she was growing up. Maybe a spell that transforms her to 12 years old or something. Then she would kind of still be there. It would be very sad for Hook though.
Except for the fact the actors playing Snow and Charming left also. But good concept. Remember when Henry went to the library and found the other story books? Better idea they need to look at stories outside the Disney franchises. There are fairy tales out there that do not still have any copyright ownership.
I always thought we’d see Emma turn into the swan princess, I mean a lake even appeared for her to be cursed in! I wasn’t enchanted by Emma, but I waited for that moment. *sigh* I will miss Snow and Charming (Mr and Mrs Dallas). but will try to keep watching for Regina; Parilla’s character was always my interest.
Guess what Ola. We have not seen the last of Snowing. Mr. And Mrs. Dallas already spoiled that they will return soon (most likely in future seasons and maybe as regulars again). Remember?