When it was announced last year that the ABC series Once Upon A Time would be adding a story arc in Season 4 including characters from the hit animated film Frozen, public reaction was all over the map. Some were suspicious of the timing, suggesting that this mash-up was simply a way to cash in on the record-breaking success of the film; some were concerned that the “canon” of the Frozen story would be changed beyond recognition. Once Upon A Time is known for taking creative license with its fairy tale characters, giving them new and often surprising story twists. For example, Red Riding Hood actually becomes the wolf herself, and gentle, meek Snow White is a forest-wise bad ass when her people and their lives are threatened by the Evil Queen. While the series is so well written and creative in its character development, these twists are usually welcome, there was a fear that it was simply too soon to mess with Arendelle.
Producers Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis were quick to express their love and respect for Frozen and promised the audience that they would not disrupt or alter the future of these characters in probable animated sequels. Adam was quoted in articles saying, “We are so in awe of that movie. A lot of us have children, and we are obsessed with that movie in a way that like, it’s inspiring to all of us,” and later, “It’s important to millions of fans of Frozen, and we want to do our best to honor what they loved about that movie, and more particularly, about those characters. We would never want to re-do the movie. But we want this to feel like a part of [the movie] and feel a part of our show. We want it to walk that line of being part of the Once Upon a Time universe, but also feel like part of the Frozen world.”
The results have been very positive. Ratings overall are up 12% from Season 3, and Once was declared this week to be the top entertainment program on Sunday evenings for target audiences from ages 18 to 49. Elsa and Anna have never strayed from the personalities (or the wardrobes) that they were given in the animated film and the writers have created a rich back story that explores the origins of Elsa’s powers and the fate of their mother’s siblings. The writers have cleverly woven in subtle and not-so subtle references to the film in very satisfying ways. (When confronted by her evil ex, Prince Hans, who is trying to take control of the kingdom, Anna indignantly, declares, “and I sang with you!!”) Animated characters such as the rock troll king, Grand Pabbie and “Marshmallow,” a menacing snow monster, have been inserted with care and quality design.
On social media, there is a vocal group of people with Frozen fatigue. Children appear to remain immune to that syndrome, so “Let it Go” will be around for the foreseeable future. And with Once Upon A Time fans, a passionate and vocal group to be sure, there have been some warming to the characters. Many have expressed the wish that there would be some way to keep Elsa and Anna in Storybrooke, citing the close relationship between Elsa and Emma, and the adorable and feisty persona of Anna. Both characters were made fully real through the talents of actresses Georgia Haig and Elizabeth Lail. But characters likely have a lot more to do in the animated world, so Storybrooke will have to let them go when the mid-season finale airs on December 14, 2014. The producers will certainly find other ways to delight viewers beginning on March 1, 2015, when the second half of Season 4 premieres.