Once Upon A Time In Wonderland 1.07 Review: Neglectful Fathers

For any of those that have yet to watch last night’s episode of Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, titled ‘Bad Blood’, this is where I tell you to stop, turn around, go watch the episode, and then come back here. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed ahead at your own discretion.

So, I’m surprised at myself that I’m still watching this series, but here I am, reviewing another episode. Basically we got more backstory relating to Jafar’s father issues, and finally were concretely told that the other man in the cage is in fact the Sultan, Jafar’s father – but then who honestly didn’t guess that? That’s what I was a little shocked at for this episode, the “big reveal” music they gave when we definitively learned he was the Sultan. Honestly, who else could the man have been? But then we also learned he tried to kill his son, and thus the reason for Jafar’s daddy issues. See, women aren’t the only ones that have them! Basically, Jafar’s daddy issues made him this evil villain, where all he wants is for the Sultan to call him his son. I mean, the guy does have a right to it; the man did try and kill him. Still, the guy’s hardcore evil, so I don’t really think there’s any redeeming him.

Elsewhere, Alice believes her father has come to Wonderland – and he really has, she’s just not talking to the real one. We’re able to see some parallels between Jafar and Alice, and that almost made it look like they were leading Jafar to not try to put Alice’s life in peril constantly, but then nada. But so help me God if they try and redeem him like they did the Evil Queen on Once Upon A Time. Anyways, Alice is still making her travels to find Cyrus, and next week they’ll apparently find each other. I’m sorry, but I’m still convinced she has more chemistry with Will, and that Cyrus is more or less a big, dull, dud. He’s so… boring. But this is a fairytale series, so there’s little hope that this “true love” couple will ever be with anyone else. A girl can dream though.

All in all, this is a mostly terribly acted series that a person has to shut their brain off to enjoy. This is not a series where you can shut your brain off, you actually have to shut your intelligence off to enjoy this show. And that’s a difficult feat for some, so I don’t expect this series to go passed this one season. Especially once Cyrus and Alice are reunited. I mean, honestly, what other possibly good storytelling could they have? Also, was that Aram playing the young Sultan (for all those The Blacklist lovers out there)?

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“If you’re just going to show me off, was the bag really necessary?” – the White Rabbit questions Jafar.

“Actually, isn’t vanishing one of the things genies can do?” – One of the Tweedle’s asks the Red Queen.

“Let’s see. Dice, a dollar bill, keys to Grannies – she’s gonna be right pissed about that.” – the Knave mutters, taking inventory of his possessions, with a nice little nod to the series mothership.

Okay, I’m off to review Grey’s Anatomy now. After, I have to watch and review The Crazy Ones, online for once because my stupid DVR didn’t record the show because it was on another damn channel. Anyways, stay tuned.

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland 1.06 Review: Sometimes the Maddest Stories are the Truest

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, entitled ‘Who’s Alice’, that is what I suggest you do before proceeding ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

Well, that was an okay episode. We got to see a bit more of Alice’s past and how she came to reside in that asylum after returning home. I couldn’t help but think of the new stepmom as a bitch, but the kid sister was kind of cute. I only wish she’d have tried to explain a few things to her before leaving for the asylum. It may be just me, but sometimes sisters have to protect one another, even from overbearing (and in this case, asshole) parents.

Otherwise, I did like watching Alice in that almost high state of fake happiness. The actress was brilliant at that and in showing her anger towards Will regarding him taking her from that place. Also, I did enjoy the Red Queen tonight, although not half as much as last week’s episode. I was glad that Jafar was only used sparingly in this episode, because he’s honestly not the strongest – or most interesting – character this series has. I was glad to see that Will was back in full form, but not so happy to have so much Cyrus. I’m sorry, but as much as they try to push that Alice and Cyrus are one another’s true love, I can’t help but notice the chemistry between Alice and Will – despite his not having a heart.

All in all, this episode was decent. Nothing extremely exciting about, but I did mostly enjoy the flashbacks. Certainly not as strong as the last episode, but not as bad as some this series has had. I just wish this show could grow to be consistently good, and that the writing and CGI would really get better. With episodes like this, as soon as Cyrus and Alice find each other, I can honestly see myself tuning out. This show really should have stayed a bridge between Once Upon A Time’s winter hiatus.

My rating: 6 out of 10.

Best Lines:

“Sometimes the maddest stories are the truest ones.” – Jafar explains to the doctor.

“Seems like an awful waste of wood when one sign would do.” – Alice mutters to herself before entering the Black Forest.

“Me! You should believe in me!” – Alice proclaims to her father.

Alright, folks, I’m off to heat up some food and watch Grey’s Anatomy. Stick around for my review of that as well as the one after for The Crazy Ones.

Once Upon A Time In Wonderland 1.05 Review: Love Isn't Always Enough

All those that have yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, entitled ‘Heart of Stone’, this would be a good time to do that before reading ahead. For this is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! You’ve been warned.

This was a much stronger episode than this series has head probably since the premiere. I think that is because it did not rely heavily on Alice’s quest to find Cyrus, in that the flashback scenes were of the Red Queen’s past and how she became who she is today.

I like Alice and all, but I somehow find myself caring more about the Red Queen than Alice’s love quest. This really was her episode; she owned it. The depth that they’ve added to her by showing us the struggles Will and her went through upon reaching Wonderland, and even before leaving for it. There’s something about a woman that will fight and strive for more than she is that is admirable. Sure, she betrayed her love for Will, but that showed the honest truth in the matter that love isn’t always enough. That being said, this is a series based on fairytales, so I’m doubting that will be viewed as a good thing, but I can’t help rooting for this character now more than ever. Despite the fact that she married a man that looked like he could’ve been her father, and was acting like it too.

There were some other intriguing points to this episode too. Cyrus managed to escape, which I’m glad he was able to do because Alice fighting for him was a little too one-sided for my liking. The White Rabbit gave up more about Alice and her supposed “weakness” of caring about others. His betrayal, while I’m pretty sure I understand the circumstances, reminds me very much of Rachel’s dad in Revolution; good intentions, but bad choices made despite that.

Anastasia (a.k.a. the Red Queen) used the dust she acquired with the use of Alice’s pure heart to resurrect Will from his stony composure (see what I did there?). She still loves him, and obviously the King is out of the picture, or else he’d be around for his people. I’m just not sure how much I want these two to be together because they don’t seem meant for each other. They may love each other, but like I said, love is not enough. Besides, they seem more like each other’s first loves than true, soul mate kind of loves.

All in all, I really loved this episode. Going in, I actually thought this was going to be my last week of this series, but if they can keep things going more like this I’ll have to stick around. I love Alice’s will to fight, and the Red Queen now more than ever, so this is beginning to be a more attractive series than it has been the last few episodes. By next week’s previews, I’m looking forward to Alice’s struggle on what love she’ll choose – family or Cyrus.

My rating: 7.5 out of 10.

Best Line:

“If I wanted you to fall off the cliff, I’d push you.” – the Red Queen explains to Alice rather eloquently.

Okay, kiddos, I’m off to watch The Vampire Diaries now, I think. Check back soon for that. Afterwards it’s Grey’s Anatomy and The Crazy Ones. Stay tuned.