Vikram's impulsive decision to use iconic artifacts from the Library to build a time machine leads to him traveling back in time, which causes significant narrative twists and emotional stakes. This act pulls Charlie, Lysa, and Connor along with him, unintentionally sweeping them into a past that could potentially upend everything they know.

Vikram, being a man out of time from the 1800s, has often clashed with the Library's rigid code of conduct. Unlike others who adapted, he has quietly resisted the system, and his decision to time travel reflects this ongoing tension between his heart-driven impulses and the Library's rules.

Mrs. A's truth comes out during the episode as Vikram's time travel goes awry, revealing deeper layers to her character and her role within the story.

Philip Rosch's performance was praised as perfect, and Elaine received more screen time than ever before, which was well received. However, some moments, such as Charlie referencing unseen conversations and the handling of the Pentecostal Oath, were noted as detracting from the episode's immersion.

The episode, and the season overall, features very public magical events such as a werewolf-like attack and a runaway train on nonexistent tracks. There is curiosity and some concern about how the public reacts to these events, especially since there is no clear discussion of magical coverups or memory wipes happening within the story.