Reviewers and fans highlighted the episode's emotional weight balanced with its characteristic absurdity:
“This episode was so good!! Probably my favorite of the season so far. I loved the Emily/Lavinia/Sylvia Plath scenes.” Reddit · r/tvPlus · 4 years ago
See how critics and fans reacted to the surreal time-traveling events of this episode:
: Highlights include Mrs. Dickinson and Edward getting accidentally high on cannabis in the greenhouse, leading to comedic moments that balance the episode's "darker premise". Community Perspectives
: Reviewers from TheWrap noted this as a pivotal episode for Lavinia. Her encouragement for Emily to embrace "real love" in the present, rather than just in her imagination, is seen as the catalyst for righting the "EmiSue" relationship.
: While Emily is in the future, the show stays grounded through Henry’s efforts to arm Black Union soldiers and Austin’s controversial decision to pay for a substitute to avoid the draft—a historically accurate detail.