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 1.03 Review: A Story of the Broken Hearted

Anyone that has yet to watch tonight’s episode of Once Upon A Time In Wonderland, titled ‘Forget Me Not’, then I suggest you go and so immediately. This is not a spoiler free blog. THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! Proceed at your own discretion.

Well, from the beginning of the episode I kept thinking to myself, ‘Why am I still watching this?’ But then there are the tiny little nuggets of intrigue filtered throughout the episode and I remember why. Plus I find it difficult not to watch a spinoff show when I watch the mothership. I mean, what if there are crossover cameos?

Anyways, I’d like to state once again, and until it stops being horrendous, how terrible the CGI work on this series is, much worse than the original series. I mean really, does that trail Alice and the Knave keep ending up on have to look quite so ridiculous? Maleficent’s castle didn’t look quite so bad compared to that stabbing-my-eyes-with-brightness look to it, but that was also really bad. Where are they spending their budget on?

Still not liking Jafar all that much, he continues to look like someone acting the part rather than being the part, but the Red Queen is beginning to grow on me. But perhaps that is because she turned out to be the breaking of hearts Anastasia. I do have to say I picked up on that before the big reveal at the end of the episode, but only this week, especially when the Red Queen reacted to hearing that it was the Knave who was helping Alice. I am curious to learn how and why she betrayed Will, and if Anastasia actually is her name, like Will to the Knave.

Not a terrible episode, but still not great. I find myself thinking I could act out these characters better than some of these actors over the top performances, and I’m a writer. Then again, there are some nice points to the episode. I did guess that Grendel was the man in the frame with his wife before any of the other characters seemed to. I’m surprised Alice didn’t get that pretty much off the bat. Either way, I suppose I’ll keep watching, but like Trophy Wife you won’t see me crying if this series doesn’t get a second season.

My rating: 5.5 out of 10.

Best Line:

“I mean this as a friend, Alice. Sod off.” – the Knave tells Alice.

Okay, folks, I’m off to watch Grey’s Anatomy now. After that it’s The Crazy Ones, and if you’re lucky tonight the sixth edition of Best Performances of the Week.