Lantern Bush – The episode opens with June Hart (Sigourney Weaver) placing letters in a box. A letter from Chem Hart (Charlie Vickers) is splayed on a desk. The next morning, June calls for young Alice Hart (Alyla Browne). She discovers a note that reads, “You lied,” on the desk. Twig (Leah Purcell) can be heard in the background calling for Alice who is hurriedly searching through drawers. A handmade doll reminds Alice of the dolls hanging on her mum’s, Agnes Hart’s (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) bed. When June demands to know why she is there, she throws a book at her. Angry, Alice shows her Chem’s letter.

Sally Morgan (Asher Keddie) tells John Morgan (Alexander England) that she had a fling with Chem until she discovered he was married. He asks when became aware. She claims it was after they found out Gemma would need a transplant and they were not a match. He asks how she contacted Chem. She admits to sending him a letter, Gemma’s photo, and a lock of her hair. Receiving no response, she went to Chem’s house to plead with him to get tested. She claims to have known the second she saw Alice. John asks if Agnes was aware of Gemma being Chem’s daughter. She tells him that Agnes told her that she tried to convince Chem to get tested to no avail. He asks if Agnes gave her the wooded baby statue. After claiming to have received from Chem after Gemma died, she confesses to hating him for giving nothing to save her. He tosses her a box of tissues.

John asks if she intended to tell him before informing her of his decision to stay in Gemma’s room until he can find a place in town. During a call, Sally tells someone to start the court proceedings which will not include John. She stresses the importance of being part of Alice’s life, sole custody is not necessary.

June informs Twig of her decision to replace Agnes’ things in her room. Twig suggests she should have left the room untouched when an email alert pops up on her computer screen. The email is from Solicitor Andrew Wheeler with a custody application. Deleting the email, June says they do not have to comply. Twig warns of what could happen if they visit the house and see how Alice hates them and her battered face. June suggests Alice just needs time to improve but Twig does not buy it.

June makes Alice a locket with Agnes’ photo. In a letter, she explains how Agnes landed at Thornfield after losing her parents in a car crash. She confesses to loving her deeply. She says Agnes and Chem fell in love. She tells Alice that they are both grieving for their loss. She promises to answer her answers when she finds her voice. Giving June a bouquet of flowers, Alice holds out a note that asks why her parents left Thornfield. June agrees to tell her when she speaks.

Alice shows Candy (Frankie Adams) her locket. Candy describes the locket as “beautiful.” In a handwritten message, Alice asks if she and Agnes were friends. Candy claims everyone there are friends. She grabs Alice’s notebook before leaving.

John places an evidence bag with Gemma’s lock of hair on the table. Sally tells Wheeler that she wants to tell Alice something about her parents. She wraps a copy of the “Selke Story” in purple paper. Alice places a handmade flower hairband on May’s (Bree Bain) head. She tries to scream but nothing comes out. Later, she finds Candy reading Agnes’ letter from Chem. Apologizing, Candy returns her notebook when Alice notices the scar on her palm. In a handwritten note, Alice says Chem had the same scar. Candy claims it was from a dare when they were children. Another note asks who was Chem’s father. Candy says June told Chem that his father was Robber Baron before telling her a magical story of how they met at a river. June teaches Alice about Thornfield honey and flowers. Oggie Novak (Luc Barrett) reads from a book when a van pulls up in front of the house. Alice watches as June interacts with a young mother.

While delivering a tray to Dina’s (Rose Riley) room, she notices abrasions on her neck. The woman asks her name. Alice says it without sound. Sally’s package with the “Selke Story” novel is returned without a response. Packing a bag, she hits the road. Dina tells June that she needs to utilize the phone. June says all communication goes through her and Twig to protect Thornfield and the women. She tells her that she can earn money working in the fields. May assures her that everyone can use money. Myf (Dalara Williams) describes it as “running away money.” Twig speaks of her son, Johnny, and daughter, Nina. In a note, Alice asks where are her children. Twig claims they were taken because she was a poor, young “blackfella.” Thinking of her family, Alice breaks down sobbing. Twig assures her that it was not her fault.

Dina gets a round of applause from the women for driving a truck. June invites Alice to go driving. After a few hiccups, she brings the truck back to the house. Sally asks Jana Novak (Victoria Haralabidou) if she is familiar with Thornfield. Jana says it is closed to the public. Sally tells her that she met June when her granddaughter was a patient at the hospital. Oggi waves at her while Jana suggests calling first. June receives an invoice from Royal George Hospital. Twig asks her about the 10 grand taken from their business account. June claims to have paid an attorney retainer for Alice. Twig thanks her. Sally is parked in front of the school when Candy drops off Alice. She follows her back to Thornfield. June refuses to let her see Alice. Sally tells her that she would like to leave her a birthday present. June asks what it would take to make her back off. Sally warns that she is not going anywhere until she speaks with Alice.

June shows Sally the women working in the flower fields. After saying Thornfield is a safe haven for women, she says the attorney and law enforcement put the women in danger. She asks if she wants to jeopardize this for her own needs. Sally asks if a safe haven with damaged women is the best place for Alice. She suggests giving Alice the choice. June and Sally are at the school when the school bell rings. Upon seeing Sally, tears form in her eyes before walking away with June. Sally calls John to tell him that what she has been chasing is not real. She admits to messing everything up but does not want to lose him.

Alice enters the dining room to find the women gathered around the table. They wish her happy birthday. In a handwritten note, she asks what is wrong. When she returns to her room, Twig informs her of baby Joshie (Ethan Tonkins, Clancy Hollis) and Dina (Rose Riley) leaving. Angry, Alice runs to the creek where she screams loudly. June receives a call from the hospital to confirm Alice’s baby brother’s surgery was a success and he is ready to be discharged. Oggi gifts Alice a “Little Mermaid” book. He is shocked when her raspy voice says thank you. Later, Alice blows out the candles on her birthday cake. She thanks June for the celebration. Stella (Renee Lim) and Boo (Maggie Dence) ask her to say their names. Everyone celebrates.

Sally apologizes to John. He suggests having a baby. Alice asks June if her parents were happy at Thornfield. June claims Chem became upset when he realizes Thornfield would never be his, only a female family member. She explains how Chem began to exhibit damaged behavior like his father. Alice asks if she was aware why not try to find them. June claims to have tried to no avail. Candy escorts Alice away. June tells Twig that they will tell her everything later.

In a flashback, Chem tells Candy that they are stitched together before cutting their palms. He grasps her hand. June calls John when the episode ends.

 

The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart Review

The arrival of Dina and her baby, Joshie changes Alice’s attitude toward June. She begins to help around the farm and learn about flowers. She continues to have flashbacks of her parents. June urges her to find her voice.

Sally starts court proceedings to get to see Alice. When Alice’s birthday gift is returned, she sets out to find Thornfield. She waits at a local school until Candy drops Alice off to follow her home. June reluctantly agrees to let Alice decide who she wants to live with. Alice remembers Sally but chooses to return to Thornfield. John eventually forgives Sally for not telling him about Chem being Gemma’s father. He wants to have another baby.

On Alice’s birthday, Dina takes Joshie back to his father. Alice expresses her frustration by screaming. She speaks for the first time in months.

A flashback reveals a special connection between Chem and Candy. He cuts their palms to bind them together forever.

June learns Alice’s baby brother is to be discharged from the hospital.

 

While more details about Chem and Agnes’ pasts are revealed, it’s difficult to ignore the obvious agendas. The show doesn’t portray men in the best light which could easily be contributed to Thornfield’s premise. It’s implausible to think one family could have so many dark secrets. The series is a sheer example of a weaved tale with never-ending plot twist revelations. The sequence will continue until no longer believable.

What is up with Gemma’s lock of hair. If Agnes sent the lock of hair to Chem, how did it end up in the police evidence room? Wouldn’t it have been inside the house when it burnt down? Let me guess, another plot twist.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our site. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.