The new season of Once Upon a Time is fast approaching. And who’s gotten to watch the first two episodes of the new season, but promises not to spoil anything? This lady, right here!

I. am. EXCITED. Full disclosure, I’m a fan, so I may be a little biased about loving the show. But fangirliness aside, season three is off to a really strong start.
 

Season three starts off from the moment season two left off. Henry is with his kidnappers, Neal is half-dead somewhere, and Emma, Snow, Regina, Charming, and Hook are on a ship set for Neverland. No one is happy. No one. It’s pretty fantastic.

If you’ve read any of my reviews for Grimm, you know that I have a severely low tolerance for saccharine. I am sappiness diabetic. And as such, there are plenty of moments in Once that are a bit too sweet for my taste. But that is not a problem with the first two episodes of this season.

Things are looking dire in the most delicious way. Everybody’s got demons they’re going to need to conquer, and it looks like bloodshed may be required to do it. And begrudging teamwork, but that’s really the best kind.

And of course there is Peter Pan, mermaids, and the magic and dangers unique to Neverland to explore. It’s an interesting angle to have Peter Pan be the bad guy and Hook be the- er- less bad guy. I hope they are going to have a face-off in the end.

The complaint I hear from most people I know about Once is that the stakes aren’t high enough. Granted, most people I know are Whedon fans who have become accustomed to “stakes” meaning Jossing characters, but I can definitely see their point. While I am curious about Henry, I’m not really worrying about his safety. And I’m not even all that concerned for Neil. Hopefully, the writers will find other ways to amp up the adrenaline.

Personally, I’m still mad about the death of the huntsman and the “restoration” of Pinocchio. I mean, seriously, what were the writers thinking snatching away perfectly hot men like that from our viewing pleasure. Terrible really. But as long as they don’t get rid of Gold, I’m in. Though it would be nice to see him get a little more crazy, a little more golden, and a little more giggly. That giggle fills me with fear and delight. It’s fantastic!

The Once Upon a Time returns to Sundays on ABC on Sept. 29. Are you excited for the new season? What are you most hoping to see? Let me know in the comments!