'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' started off very unevenly, but did improve in its second half and its last three episodes ("Heart of the Matter", "To Catch a Thief" and "And Then They Lived") saw it showing signs of being great. Comparing the last three episodes to when the show first began with "Down the Rabbit Hole", in my mind it is safe to say that it did come on a lot, a lot of the initial flaws did eventually improve with one exception and it deserved a fairer chance as has been said a few times already.
"To Catch a Thief" is as great as the previous instalment "Heart of the Matter". That was the first great episode of 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland', though "The Serpent" and "Bad Blood" came close. This episode is just as great for similar reasons, with one exception so much has improved from the beginning (which is what a show as it progresses should ideally do). There were three great episodes of the show, "To Catch a Thief" was one of them.
My only criticism is once again the special effects. Hate going on about them, but they are still sticking out like a sore thumb cheap. The show never improved on the Jabberwocky's design. Though they were worse in other episodes, Bandersnatch in "Forget Me Not" springs to mind.
However, the rest of the production values look good. 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' was always well shot with beautifully varied use of colour and "To Catch a Thief" is no exception, very true too to the style of its parent show 'Once Upon a Time'. The music suits the tone, which has a mix of the comedic and serious, of the story well. The writing has really come on, by post-"Home" it flowed a lot more naturally and a lot entertained and intrigued. Still love the Knave's sass and there is more tension with Jafar that was not there for a lot of the show.
Really enjoyed the storytelling, this aspect was the most uneven of the show being sometimes very well done and at other times full of obvious problems. Here in "To Catch a Thief" it is vastly entertaining, there is a lot more at stake in one of the show's darker episodes by quite some way and there are a few surprises along the way. "To Catch a Thief" is again an eventful episode, while being one of the few 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' episodes to not feel too over-plotted or muddled so it didn't feel too confused.
Story and character writing has advanced significantly, and this is including Jafar who tended to leave me cold for much of the show but is fine here. Loved the character interaction, Knave as always is a joy and Cyrus has definitely come on a lot since the period between "Forget Me Not" and "Dirty Little Secrets" and isn't as underwritten now. It was interesting to see a different side to Alice and Knave's relationship, it isn't as witty here and seeing it tested in the way it is had genuine tension. The performances are strong, especially from Sophie Lowe and Michael Socha.
In conclusion, great. 9/10.
"To Catch a Thief" is as great as the previous instalment "Heart of the Matter". That was the first great episode of 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland', though "The Serpent" and "Bad Blood" came close. This episode is just as great for similar reasons, with one exception so much has improved from the beginning (which is what a show as it progresses should ideally do). There were three great episodes of the show, "To Catch a Thief" was one of them.
My only criticism is once again the special effects. Hate going on about them, but they are still sticking out like a sore thumb cheap. The show never improved on the Jabberwocky's design. Though they were worse in other episodes, Bandersnatch in "Forget Me Not" springs to mind.
However, the rest of the production values look good. 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' was always well shot with beautifully varied use of colour and "To Catch a Thief" is no exception, very true too to the style of its parent show 'Once Upon a Time'. The music suits the tone, which has a mix of the comedic and serious, of the story well. The writing has really come on, by post-"Home" it flowed a lot more naturally and a lot entertained and intrigued. Still love the Knave's sass and there is more tension with Jafar that was not there for a lot of the show.
Really enjoyed the storytelling, this aspect was the most uneven of the show being sometimes very well done and at other times full of obvious problems. Here in "To Catch a Thief" it is vastly entertaining, there is a lot more at stake in one of the show's darker episodes by quite some way and there are a few surprises along the way. "To Catch a Thief" is again an eventful episode, while being one of the few 'Once Upon a Time in Wonderland' episodes to not feel too over-plotted or muddled so it didn't feel too confused.
Story and character writing has advanced significantly, and this is including Jafar who tended to leave me cold for much of the show but is fine here. Loved the character interaction, Knave as always is a joy and Cyrus has definitely come on a lot since the period between "Forget Me Not" and "Dirty Little Secrets" and isn't as underwritten now. It was interesting to see a different side to Alice and Knave's relationship, it isn't as witty here and seeing it tested in the way it is had genuine tension. The performances are strong, especially from Sophie Lowe and Michael Socha.
In conclusion, great. 9/10.
