This episode alone makes the entire 2nd season worth it. Fantastic
19 Reviews
Best episode of the series
jasonforeman3118 November 2019
The best episode of this show
djetm8 November 2019
If you were not quite happy with the first 4 episodes, you will get a BIG payoff with this episode, that takes a deeper look at Annie's childhood.
And WOW - this was truly truly GREAT.
Loved every minute of this episode, and I think I must watch it again right NOW.
And WOW - this was truly truly GREAT.
Loved every minute of this episode, and I think I must watch it again right NOW.
Top Job episode and well acting
ice_on_fire-20136 November 2019
The episode Revealed an in-depth look into Annie's childhood, and how it affected her sophisticated personality, and the issues between her parents that emerged her complex of categorizing people in life in to types: good or bad..Nothing in between or gray areas..Just plain simple..To understand the character's audition in this show they had to put a whole episode explaining the childhood of Annie and how it affects her life ever after..The plot was amazing and brilliantly intact..I give it 10/10..Good job..
Brilliant storytelling
hnt_dnl11 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Having now caught up to this series in Season 2, I didn't think any episode could even come close to "The Queen" from Season 1, but at the halfway point, there's a second masterpiece to join the ranks of this engrossing anthology series. "The Laughing Place" expertly peels back the layers of Season 2 protagonist Annie Wilkes in a superbly told backstory. I was totally blown away by the terrific performance of Ruby Cruz as Teen Annie in this episode. The physical resemblance to Lizzy Caplan is uncanny, but Cruz adds a depth of character to Annie that only a backstory really can. We get to see her troubled childhood firsthand and things she had to endure such as bullying, flawed parents, and a learning disability, all of which culminated in her becoming the infamous Misery villain. In addition to Cruz, exceptional performances are delivered by John Hoogenakker (as Annie's father), Robin Weigert (as Annie's mother) and Sarah Gadon (as Annie's tutor). This quartet of actors brought their A games to this one and a masterwork was born. And what's amazing is that even knowing the final outcome, it doesn't matter because the getting there was incredibly edgy, scary, and tense. A testament to strong writing and acting. THIS is how you tell a flashback story. Hopefully, come Emmy time in 2020, the voters recognize this beautifully crafted episode.
Just simply breathtaking (in an unsettling way)
mhelvete7 November 2019
Incredible acting and storytelling! In my opinion is this one of the best episodes of Castle Rock yet. The unsettling tone of the camera work and music drew my attention so much that I felt anxious about what was going to happen. This kind of feeling is exactly what I expect from a well written and directed piece of art. Just simply incredible.
A juicy look back at the beginnings of trouble to come!
mitchandcary10 November 2019
Despite my having a bit of difficulty readjusting the perspective of the timeline, and characters (mostly due to superb casting), this was an eerie, but really enjoyable perspective on the bigger story, both behind and ahead. Ruby Cruz gives an absolutely stunning performance as the teen Annie Wilkes. Playing a younger version of a fictional character, who happens to be playing a younger version of another fictional character is no easy task. Lizzy Caplan takes on the subtleties of Kathy Bates' character, and Ruby Cruz manages melding both into a unique, yet identifiable character all her own. The entire creepy vibe of this episode, balanced with the desire to see successes for the characters, makes this episode shine.
Hands Down. This is true horror.
Exiled_Jedi18 November 2019
What can someone say about this episode? Everything is perfect. It's like a solid horror book. The building character of the protagonist is amazing while in the background, the whole episode has Lovecraftian vibes (hidden in details). It will be an hour of your lives you will never forget.
Just WooW!
ramyjelda6 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The whole episode felt like just minutes. Full of tension and drama! The minute her teacher showed up prignant, we knew it's highly likely her sister but her mother being alive is a hell of a surprise!! Can't wait to see the coming mixed-up events!!
One of the most heart-wrenching episodes i ever saw
jakub-stylinski23 January 2020
Ruby Cruz just takes over in this episode, her acting is SPECTACULAR.
The whole cast do a great job, very well cast episode overall.
Even if you didn't watch or like previous episodes, please do yourself a favor and watch this fantastic episode, which could be treated as a separate story.
This story stays with you after watching, a truly fantastic episode!
Even if you didn't watch or like previous episodes, please do yourself a favor and watch this fantastic episode, which could be treated as a separate story.
This story stays with you after watching, a truly fantastic episode!
Best episode ever + Lovecraftian elements
Exiled_Jedi18 November 2019
The specific episode is beyond imagination for those who seek a TV show horror-oriented. The character building of the main protagonist is amazing, supported by an epic young actress who steals the whole show of S02E05. An amazing twist changes the whole story with the final scene, while - if you are careful enough - you will find Lovecraftian elements hidden in the episode.
Amazing episode
knezmikula29 May 2020
By far the best episode this show has had so far. It's a horror masterpiece. I can't even get my thoughts together how well this was written and acted. I'm amazed. Episodes like these make it worth watching television. Whoever wrote this....is deeply wounded himself.
Boiler Plate Material
gregoryroman-886357 November 2019
Not a big fan of this episode, but I understand why it was made. There were lots of Easter Egg components to the story that will make more sense as the season unfolds, but it was still hard to maintain interest as the episode just kinda plodded along, finally getting to the exact ending we all knew was coming. Grade: C.
5!
b_amplifiedrecords13 November 2019
S2 Episode 5 TV at it's best
skniazi720 June 2020
This changed the entire season around
psilver128 May 2020
Awesome origin story!
I was only half interested in the season up to this episode. After watching this, it felt like it was written and directed completely different than the previous four episodes. Once the credits rolled I said, "Damn! It is ON!"
I was only half interested in the season up to this episode. After watching this, it felt like it was written and directed completely different than the previous four episodes. Once the credits rolled I said, "Damn! It is ON!"
"Your laughing place is anywhere you say it is."
classicsoncall17 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
With this flashback episode, many questions about Annie's (Lizzy Caplan) past are answered, including one very big one you didn't even think of asking. The background typewriter clacking of the first four episodes is put into perspective, while the origin of the 'laughing place' comes from Annie's relationship with her dad (John Hoogenakker). The arrival of teen Annie's (Ruby Cruz) tutor Rita (Sarah Gadon) portended a significant change in the direction of Annie's life, compounding an already observed reading disability caused by dyslexia. Then, when Rita showed up pregnant, the resultant shock of her relationship with Annie's father was stretched further still, until the tenuous break that occurred with the dedication of Carl Wilkes' finished book. The writing here was skillfully done, almost as if Stephen King had done it himself, a point I feel I have to remind viewers of both seasons of 'Castle Rock', since more than a handful of reviews across the series attribute the stories to King himself. The writers for each episode are obviously major Stephen King fans with a deep knowledge of his novels and short stories, well enough to craft a series based on his characters and settings to a remarkable degree. Having King on board as executive producer of the series certainly helps get the feel of his works across.
THE MOST BEAUTIFULL EPISODE!!
cristopherhoffmann20 November 2019
The Laughing Place
bobcobb3018 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This wasn't a perfect episode, but this was a great one for sure.
The scene with Rita shouting as she found her dead lover at the hands of Annie and lost her baby was incredible, as was the cliffhanger ending.
This episode took the show to a different level.
The scene with Rita shouting as she found her dead lover at the hands of Annie and lost her baby was incredible, as was the cliffhanger ending.
This episode took the show to a different level.
Amazing episode except...
royandkat7 November 2019
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