Malice in Wonderland

Season 8, Episode 2, Aired
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Episode Summary

While attempting to take over the Underworld, a young demon plots to lure the Charmed Ones out of hiding, but when Billie stumbles onto his plot ,she becomes one of his victims instead.
7.9
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Fan Episode Reviews (45)

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  • Mediocrity In Blunderland

    4.5
    "Poor"
    By lenzinoH20, Oct 12, 2011 Report Abuse
    Malice In Wonderland-While attempting to take over the Underworld, a young demon plots to lure the Charmed Ones out of hiding, but when Billie stumbles onto his plot ,she becomes one of his victims instead.
    Ehw! Brad Kern must really have been full of himself at this point to even think this "Sex and the City" Knock-off effort would even bemildlyentertaining. I don't know if it's the fact Jason Lewis, who starred on the HBO series, now stars on this show that made Kern want to pay tribute to the "Sex" fans who might be watching the series during that time because Lewis was on the show, but it just doesn't work. Phoebe's Samantha inspired monologues were far from hilarious or even insightful, just filling up needed air time when we should be focusing on the sisters' new lives and exploring what that means for their future, but no, it's just more gimmick than anything else. It's episode 2 and I already bored to death of Dex. His scenes with Phoebe (who he thinks is Julie, her cousin) just go on for too long and it just seems forced when the reason Phoebe is only getting to know him is because she "thinks" her premonition means that Dex is her future husband. What's even worse about this plot is that we know they won't end up together and that this whole wedding vision is just a cheap attempt to get Phoebe to throw herself on another guy. Not to mention, besides the looks, Dex is about as interesting as watching dust collect on a computer screen.
    Then you have Paige's sub-plot with her becoming a police officer...for an episode...than quitting.....*headdesk* I won't even talk it because it's a completely unnecessary and non-existent plot as you see! But it once again leads us to Trinity...I mean Billie, in all her tacky goodness, leading to one of the most random and laughable fights I've ever seen. Since when can Paige fight like that!? *headdesk* Then we officially introduced to Billie and besides being easy on the eyes, Kaley Cuoco is bland as u'd expect. Not that the character of Billie is written well anyway. I find it hard to believe that someteen-agedgirl can learn all about being a witch and hunting demons so casually. It took the sisters years to be that good but suddenly this new chick seems more advanced than the Charmed Ones.....right! *rolls eyes* The demon plot is also a typical Charmed mess with a fairytale being used to harm innocents (which is mostly just crappy CGI and lame direction) I couldn't help but laugh watching that girl going after the bunny...seriously, was she stoned!? O_0 After all that is said and done with, the sisters decide to take Billie under their wing if she does the demon hunting for them, Oh if only they new!
    The only decent plot point is with Piper, more specifically the scene where Piper talks about how much of a whirlwind the last 7 years has been for her from being a college grad/aspiring chef to discovering she's a witch to getting married and having children. Piper certainly have gone through the most evolution over the years in terms of the various stages she's taken in her life, it makes sense if she would feel like she's lost her identity with all that happened. Leo's answer to her question was truly touching, showing that the sisters', especially Piper have earned a life without magic considering how selfless they've been and now it's time for them to be selfish. It's too bad the rest of the episode couldn't have been a self-reflective. "Malice In Wonderland" is the same old tired trite Charmed, with only a decent moment of clarity from Piper and Leo that truly means something.moreless

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    0 0

  • Alice in the City? Sex in Wonderland? Anyone?

    6.5
    "Fair"
    By MovieMark, Jul 21, 2010 Report Abuse
    There's a game to be played with this episode. A drinking game. Every single time the word sign is mentioned, take a swig of your preferred poison. I can guarantee you that you will be buckled come episode's end.

    A fun title, and an admittedly fun episode, 'Malice in Wonderland' is Brad Kern's ode to Sex and the City. While it doesn't necessarily work, SATC had just ended when this episode aired, and with hunky Jason Lewis fresh off the series, it was a nice attempt to bid adieu to the show.

    Again, much like the previous episode, some things work well, while others don't (to the power of infinity). Paige could have had a truly great arc if Brad had kept her interest of enrolling in law-enforcement a long-term idea (instead of, ya know, the five minutes we get here toying with the possibility; she doesn't get the job, but she gets the cop - the little slut, oh, er, I mean 'Free Spirit'). Oh, and where did Paige learn those fighting moves from, eh? We ALL know that Paige isn't one for the punches and kicks (unless she's a vampire), let alone swirly spinning kicks.

    Which leads me to Billie, who I actually really enjoyed in this episode. (No, really.) Her action scenes were fairly slick, and I love how cocky she comes across, yet so very air-headish too (I laughed when Paige tried to explain the dangers of being a witch, to which she replied 'yeah, whatever'). I also liked her own spin on scrying - you can tell that Brad certainly had Kaley in mind for a Charmed spin-off.

    Piper's subplot wasn't all that engaging, but it had its far share of tender moments involving Leo. Piper now understands that she simply cannot escape her fate as a witch, and I loved her little rant to Leo, and how she brought up the past seven years and how so much has happened during that period.

    Overall, it's a peculiar mix of sass, Sex and the City nonsense, and a left-field Alice in Wonderland homage (which I had a lot of fun with). Ya know, I remember hating this episode once upon a time, but in retrospect, there's a lot of fun dialogue throughout, and a playfulness and attention to characters that the show has been missing for some time.

    Oh, er, Rose, dear...please, stop with the crazy expressions and lay off the tacky jewelry.kthx.moreless

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  • IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SIGNS

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Blinksterboy, Jan 21, 2009 Report Abuse
    It's all about the signs

    Not sure why this episode has such a low score as it's actually rather good. The plot follows on neatly from last week, with some strong character development for Billie. Sure, she's cocky and full of it but isn't that just what the sisters need? No-one has ever challenged their position as top witches and it really shows. It's about time someone was there to keep them on their toes.

    The opening scene is brilliant. I'm sure the 'Charmed Ones in disguise' plot will wear thin after a while but, for now, it's highly entertaining. I love the way Leo is constantly checking himself out. Piper seems almost back to her old self this week and her scenes with Leo are lovely. I much prefer her this way to the sarcastic whingebag she has been for the last three seasons.

    Despite Paige taking the lead role this week, she also gets a subplot in which she decides and then undecides to join the police. While this is fine as an idea, the writing is laughable. Basically, she walks into the station (which is the same set as the Bay Mirror - how cheap!), assaults the recruitment officer and takes her first training class about five minutes later. Meanwhile, Phoebe visits Dex and they talk about very little. And I thought Jason was dull!

    Having demons take over Magic School is a neat twist. I liked the idea of them using innocents to lure the Charmed Ones out of hiding but the Alice in Wonderland theme was a little odd. That hall of illusions thing was seriously weird and the guest actress was very wooden. Good vanquishes though.

    As for those voiceovers - interesting experiment but please don't try it again. I've never seen Sex and the City but I'm guessing that's where they got the idea. And top marks for the title - my personal favourite of the series.

    Score: 9.0moreless

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    2 0

  • Alice in Wonderland?

    5.9
    "Mediocre"
    By Danny2312, Feb 09, 2008 Report Abuse
    College students are trapped (kidnapped) by demons. Like Alice in Wonderland, except this lacked of rabbits. What can I say about this episode--it is completely pointless and I waste my one hour in my life watching this completely pointless episode. This episode is the worst episode I've watch so far in this series. Especially the end of the episode, where they vanquished the demon, they just throw the potions and then "BOMB", the demons is vanquished.

    I think that the writers is having problems dealing with the plot of the series. The series is getting worse and worse. Can the writers be more creative and have a better episode?moreless

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    0 1

  • Poor college students are dragged into a fairy-tale alternate reality, Billie picks up on the scent. Meanwhile, The Charmed Ones search for their identities

    7.6
    "Good"
    By zeofan1, Nov 06, 2007 Report Abuse
    I liked this episode. It resurrected the fairy tale idea from season 5's Happily Ever After and identified many symbolisms. For example, the title states that there's trouble in the Charmed Ones' perfect lives, while alluding the classic story: Alice in Wonderland, which, according to Pheobe, is about the loss of innocence and the search for one's identity, which is what this whole episode is about. I liked that they brought back the demon from Seaon 8's Still Charmed and Kicking who is now trying to expose the Charmed Ones' identities. However the Charmed Ones took him out and his little demon whore too, He, He, He. For future reference I was spoofing The famous Musical: The Wizard of Oz. Thank and good night (Elvis).moreless

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    1 0
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • When Paige uses the phrase "deadly real", Billie corrects her, telling her she cannot use an adverb with a noun - but both words are actually adjectives. Edit
    • Phoebe (as Julie) tells Dex that she always thought he was a lawyer and then quickly covers by saying that is what Phoebe thought. Wouldn't it have made more sense to cover by saying that she thought that after seeing him at funeral and in elevator the other day rather than by saying Phoebe who never even talked to him said it? Edit
    • When Paige is scrying, it's obvious that the crystal doesn't hit the map by itself, but Paige drops it deliberately. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • At the beginning, Phoebe and Piper talk of Dex in references to the show Sex and the City which Phoebe continues to give a narriation throughout the episode in a Carrie-like voiceover. This is somewhat of an inside joke of course, since Jason Lewis appeared several times on that show as Smith, Samantha's actor boyfriend. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Billie: I can't believe this, you guys really are The Charmed Ones. I did a little research after you left. The newspapers said you all died in some terrible accident. (looks at Paige) And which one are you? Paige: I would be Paige. Phoebe: What do we do? Piper: Blow her up? Paige: Piper! Piper: What? Do you have any better ideas? Billie: I'm not gonna tell anyone if that's what you think, I promise. Piper: What's the catch? Billie: Well, show me the ropes. Teach me everything you know about witchcraft. Everything. Phoebe: Forget it. Paige: Wait a second, what do you have to offer? Billie: I can help you guys fight the demons so you don't have to do it all the time. I mean, I assume that is why you faked your own deaths, right? Piper: You're right, she is too smart for her own good. Paige: All right. One condition, lose the cheap vinyl outfit. Billie: Oh. Paige: Sorry. Edit
    • Paige (talking about "Sex and the City"): Didn't one of them sleep around alot? Edit
    • Piper: People don't make me whistle again. Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Re: Phoebe's voiceover
      As mentioned at the beginning of the episode, they're riffing on Sarah Jessica Parker's voiceovers on the TV series "Sex and the City". Edit
    • Title: Malice in Wonderland
      This is a reference to the classic novel, "Alice in Wonderland", and its Disney film adaptions, animated and live-action. It's also a movie starring Elizabeth Taylor from 1985. Edit

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