Courtesy of Showcase / Syfy
Bo (Anna Silk) must conquer her familial demons before she can begin her training to survive The Dawning. So why is she wasting time kicking b*tches down wells?
Let’s bitch it out…
In many ways, ‘There’s Bo Place Like Home’ is reminiscent of this week’s episode of The Walking Dead – a nearly standalone adventure positioned as a stop-gap preceding a larger battle yet to come. As a result it’s easy to dismiss: Bo is at an impasse in her training for the Dawning, so she returns home, has a mini-Fae adventure and makes cathartic peace with her emotionally abusive mother. And since we are unlikely to see the mother again, the episode has all the bearings of a one and done. Still there’s a great deal to celebrate amidst the blah.
Bo-Bo’s Emotional Beats: Whether or not the story feels timely or meaty enough to justify an entire episode is immaterial. It’s worth the price of admission alone for the emotional beats played by Anna Silk. It’s been awhile since Silk has had some legitimately emotional material to work with and her confessional speech to her mother at the end of the episode is a doozy. Did we know that she would ultimately forgive her mother? Of course! That doesn’t change the fact that this final scene reminds us why we cheer for Bo. Even though it wears its heart on its obvious sleeve, the speech balances just the right amount of sentimentality and schmaltz to deliver an emotionally satisfying wallop. Now Bo’s ready to kick-start her training into gear.
Lady Polly and perils of gothic youth: The Fae components are the least interesting part of the episode – primarily because they feel like an amendment to ensure the show earns its sci-fi stripes. While I understand that many fans of the show watch for its supernatural elements, this would have been an ideal opportunity to exercise restraint and simply dedicate an episode to Bo returning home to face her demons. Instead we have a tired Candyman/I Know What You Did Last Summer retread featuring a ghost unleashed in a barn fire. The murders feel jokey-fake (Jessica chokes on a freakin’ cherry?! How embarassing!), as does the resolution which involves Bo kicking Polly’s ghost ass back down the well faster than you can say The Ring. Silly and unnecessary.
Country Bumpkin Antics: Admittedly Kenzi’s (Ksenia Solo) quips are pretty amusing (shout out to Children Of The Corn? Yes, please!). In general, however, Bo’s hometown is far too cute for the cynical disdain she and Kenzi dispense throughout the episode. OMG cheery pies and cute polyanna dresses? BURN IT WITH FIRE. Shouldn’t Doug(ie) at least have an overbite or something? There’s hardly enough bumpkin here to justify the harsh words.
Besties/Sisters: Easily one of the best elements of ‘There’s Bo Place Like Home’ is the return to Bo and Kenzi’s relationship. This makes sense given the events of recent episodes; these two need to get back to normal. Even though Kenzi continues to harbour a host of secrets involving what went down at The Norn’s last season, it’s nice to see the besties take a road-trip, overcome a case-of-the-week underFae and get sloshed at the country fair. It’s a nice reminder of how important these two are to each other and how well the show works when they get the chance to show it.
Courtesy of Showcase / Syfy
Other Observations:
- Once again absent from the line-up: K.C. Collins’ Hale. He is now officially the least appreciated cast member on this show. Though if we’re being fair, Rachel Skarsten is also MIA and Kris Holden-Ried and Zoie Palmer barely get any face time. This is the Bo and Kenzi show, with extended cameos from Trick (Rick Howlands) to remind us why we’re not hanging out at the Dhal
- Speaking of Trick, how fun is it to see him get his own little sexy B-story with Stella? “Trick-bait” will surely be trending on Twitter in no time
- With that in mind, I wonder if Rick Howland is worried about incurring the wrath of the Doccubus clan with that statement about Bo and Lauren being “short term”. Watch what you say, there, bar keep!
- I really liked the aural symmetry that bookends Bo’s interactions with her mother. When she first comes upon her, Bo instinctively calls her “Momma”. By episode’s end – when she’s reclaimed her independence and strength – Bo says goodbye by addressing her as “Mom.” Our little succubus is all grown up!
- Finally, I do not care for Ksenia Solo’s new bangs, though I do think she and Silk can rock a summer frock like nobody’s business.
Best Lines:
- Bo (to Stella): “Twice the mommies. Twice the baggage.”
- Kenzi (to Bo, under her breath): “I seem to have attracted the attention of the country folk. Perhaps of the bumpkin variety?”
- Kenzi (when Jessica suggests she’s over Bo winning everything): “Sure are”
- Kenzi (when Doug resists her): “Don’t children of the corn me, Dougie”
- Kenzi (when Doug suggests they run through the field): “Oh great – nothing bad ever happens in the field!”
Your turn. Did this feel like a stop-gap episode to you, or did you enjoy Bo’s emotional journey home? Were you happy to see the besties share some bonding time? Did you think that the case of the week worked/was necessary? And does anyone else really want cherry pie now?
Lost Girl airs Sundays at 9pm EST on Showcase and Mondays at 10pm EST on Syfy