Beautiful line that, isn't it? Enough to tear anyone up and relate to it. "Home" was one of those episodes that had more potential than most 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' episodes, and Alice and Knave together and seeing more development to Alice are always welcome. Beginning the second half of the show's run, it could have been a great episode, or at least should have been. Especially after the previous episode "Bad Blood" being so impressive.
"Home" however disappointed me sadly. As of now, it is one of the highest rated episodes of 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' on here and cannot agree regrettably. Personally lean towards the more mixed critical reception, that felt that the episode had its moments and good things (it certainly did) but did worse than "Down the Rabbit Hole" and "Forget Me Not" at being muddled and over-stuffed with all over the place decision making. Considering how far the show has come since those episodes in most areas, that should not have been the case. For me, it was my least favourite episode of the show (am really sorry) and the most disappointing.
Most of the production values are fine, especially the photography which is beautifully stylish and atmospheric. The music fits well too and the opening titles continue to enchant. The dynamic and dialogue between Alice and Knave still entertains and Alice and Cyrus's chemistry is sweet (the latter has yet to be as interesting as he was in "Trust Me" but he does progress here). Alice's character writing is one of the show's biggest interest points and a consistently good thing. Sophie Lowe, Peter Gadiot and Michael Socha are again immensely appealing.
John Lithgow continues to be very enjoyable as White Rabbit and it was interesting to see Whoopi Goldberg. There are moments of tension and emotion, the quoted line in the summary may sound cheesy to some but will strike an emotional chord with others, that line to me was beautiful and relatable. The plot at least moves forward development-wise, especially with Cyrus, and the characters too. There is a very surprising plot twist, the most surprising one since the big reveal in "Forget Me Not".
Against all of this, "Home" to me was very flawed. Structurally there is too much going on and with so much jumping around it did affect the coherence. Some plot developments are a bit random and come out of the blue, while also being sketchy. Too many of the character decisions don't make much sense and some are downright silly, such as with the wishes. There is not enough at stake or enough of an emotional punch for a mid-season finale.
Emma Rigby goes back to overacting as Red Queen after seeing some improvement and her motivations and decision making are all over the place. The writing does tend to be forced and at the beginning it's too sugary sweet at times. The effects look cheap.
Has its moments, but overall a bland, muddled and rushed episode that disappointed. 5/10.
"Home" however disappointed me sadly. As of now, it is one of the highest rated episodes of 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' on here and cannot agree regrettably. Personally lean towards the more mixed critical reception, that felt that the episode had its moments and good things (it certainly did) but did worse than "Down the Rabbit Hole" and "Forget Me Not" at being muddled and over-stuffed with all over the place decision making. Considering how far the show has come since those episodes in most areas, that should not have been the case. For me, it was my least favourite episode of the show (am really sorry) and the most disappointing.
Most of the production values are fine, especially the photography which is beautifully stylish and atmospheric. The music fits well too and the opening titles continue to enchant. The dynamic and dialogue between Alice and Knave still entertains and Alice and Cyrus's chemistry is sweet (the latter has yet to be as interesting as he was in "Trust Me" but he does progress here). Alice's character writing is one of the show's biggest interest points and a consistently good thing. Sophie Lowe, Peter Gadiot and Michael Socha are again immensely appealing.
John Lithgow continues to be very enjoyable as White Rabbit and it was interesting to see Whoopi Goldberg. There are moments of tension and emotion, the quoted line in the summary may sound cheesy to some but will strike an emotional chord with others, that line to me was beautiful and relatable. The plot at least moves forward development-wise, especially with Cyrus, and the characters too. There is a very surprising plot twist, the most surprising one since the big reveal in "Forget Me Not".
Against all of this, "Home" to me was very flawed. Structurally there is too much going on and with so much jumping around it did affect the coherence. Some plot developments are a bit random and come out of the blue, while also being sketchy. Too many of the character decisions don't make much sense and some are downright silly, such as with the wishes. There is not enough at stake or enough of an emotional punch for a mid-season finale.
Emma Rigby goes back to overacting as Red Queen after seeing some improvement and her motivations and decision making are all over the place. The writing does tend to be forced and at the beginning it's too sugary sweet at times. The effects look cheap.
Has its moments, but overall a bland, muddled and rushed episode that disappointed. 5/10.
