This was a terribly written fluff episode. With limited shows this season, Damian Kindler and crew can’t afford to produce hideously lackluster pieces. After four continuously awesome episodes, we get the opposite of awesome: crap. This week surrounded two bird-human hybrid abnormals who took Magnus and Henry for a ride, while a temporarily blinded Will became trapped in a war torn nation, while remembering his past. This couldn’t get any worse if they tried, and clearly they didn’t.
A vague familial theme of reformed shysters surrounded the final scenes, but this episode proved disjointed and mostly filler. The birdbrains seeking assistance remained pretty transparent from minute one. Seeing Magnus taken for multiple rides without forcing the truth reminded me of the hideousness of “Hero II,” where each time Magnus suspected the “child with money,” but became triple-crossed. If the “Bickersons” knew what Sanctuary did, why didn’t they just ask Magnus for help with the kidnapped abnormal children from the start? I can guess why they wouldn’t, but it still didn’t make sense. I might have enjoyed their comedy relief, if we hadn’t had the funny leprechaun (who also betrayed Biggie) last week. And, seriously, what was up with that ending? Orphans? Really? Did they need to cast a kid who could’ve stunt doubled for Aileen Quinn, the original Annie, in 1982?
I thought I might enjoy Will’s story, but I didn’t. I hoped it would link to past or current storylines. Instead, we watch Will remember his shyster father in a morphine haze. I liked the initial cutaway scene where young Will walked from the graveyard into present-day Will’s bedroom.
What I imagined was more interesting than what happened. I thought the Sanctuary head set Will up, considering he conveniently provided morphine needles and then abandoned him in a motel. Although you can’t reach a doctor or the Sanctuary, you can conveniently grab medical-grade morphine? And, you don’t really know what happened to the deputy Sanctuary head i.e. if he broke bones or has the flu, yet you give him morphine? People, if I trip over a branch and fall, DO NOT give me Percocet. Advil is fine. Really.
Looking at this week’s sub-theme, the Sanctuary heads will probably break from Magnus. They believe in helping abnormals, but not to the same extent as Magnus. Remember Ravi in Carentan? Remember how they acted over Bertha and the recent uprising? The Sanctuary heads care more about acceptance, administration and comfort. Sure, some of the heads are abnormals, but they might throw back with the world’s governments for stability. Magnus might not have her electricity bill covered, but other Heads ARE in more precarious areas. The only reason they might stay with Magnus is because the world’s governments would probably turn against the heads once the smoke settles and experiment on them. Declan’s the only Sanctuary Head that might stick with Magnus. If he doesn’t, although Magnus lets Sanctuary use her old house, does she still own the deed to it? Who would get the house in the break up?
Despite my nay-saying, the actors still brought it this week. I loved the recent episodes with Henry and Magnus. It feels like Henry’s taking Will’s place as Magnus’ casual couch confidant and on missions. I like it, and it helps me avoid missing the Will and Magnus dynamic. But, I understand that Kindler needs Will to stand as a character on his own.
So, what did you guys think? Am I too harsh, or do you believe that this DOES NOT compare to the quality of the first four episodes? Come on, last week was AWESOME. And, this week was …. Not.
Notes and random thoughts:
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Nov 12, 2011 @ 21:19 EST5EDT
WOW! You really have a problem with orphans don’t you? Well I suppose you’re entitled to your opinion. The fans that I’ve spoken with seem to disagree with you about it being a bad episode. I realize that the lighthearted nature of Homecoming might be disagreeable to some, however I found it to be enjoyable. It will likely be one of my favorite episodes of Season 4!
Lol. Little orphan Annie starred in my favorite musical. I just hated the obvious tear-jerker trope of kids without parents at the end. After the intensity of the last four weeks, I’m fine with fluff, like the Hangover episode in season 3, but only if it’s well done. This felt half-assed.
However, I’m definitely interested in what you liked so much about this, if it’s your favorite of season four!
“Aren’t there any abnormals of color? I know the show films inCanada, but let’s see some more racial diversity in casting.” Are you saying THE stupidest thing ever and saying that Canada is all white?
Hey Kate,
There’s no need to throw insults. Sanctuary is filmed in Toronto/Vancouver where there is less racial diversity. When it comes to casting the human-esque abnormal of the week (who is not an international Sanctuary head), they’re typically Caucasian. We’ve had maybe two episodes (Will’s date night, the telepaths) that featured non-Caucasians as the speaking abnormal of the week, but even with the telepaths we only saw their tribe at the beginning\end of the episode and they didn’t feature like last week’s evil Leprechaun or this week’s bird brains. Apologies are always graciously accepted :)
You’re joking, right? Vancouver, British Columbia has a huge amount of racial diversity. That kind of comment is completely unfounded. Please do your research before making comments like this. Even a quick google of “Vancouver racial demographics” would suffice.
And while perhaps the abnormal of the week isn’t usually colored, perhaps you should take note that the show does a splendid job of factoring in racial diversity with other characters, from Kate Freelander to the various network of Sanctuaries all around the world.
Unfortunately, I’m not. I spent a week there. And, as an African-American woman I noticed the distinct lack of color. I met up with another minority blogger who lived in the area. He commented on the same thing and admitted it felt difficult at times.