Review of Nancy Drew Season 2 Episodes 4 & 5

“The Fate of the Buried Treasure” and “The Drowned Woman” spoilers ahead. Prepare yourselves, you’ve been warned!

It’s my first reviews for shows and it’s pretty nerve-racking to put my thoughts out there. I’ll be happy to chat, please let me know what you thought too.

Mother Teresa: “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

If you say the name “Nancy Drew” to someone, you’re pretty much guaranteed a ‘Ah, yep. A girl. Solves mysteries. Been awhile though.’ nod of acknowledgement - probably with some raised eyebrows trying to recall some titles or the amazing author Carolyn Keene.

Like many others, I read Nancy Drew growing up, and at the announcement there would be a television series, I was sold. But like my last point, it’s been awhile.

I’m still incredibly addicted to The Hardy Boys though.

The fact that I - as someone who runs screaming from even the notion of horror; nothing has even popped up from the woodwork yet - can ‘handle’ the jump scares plus the incredible spectre make-up and costumes, it’s a testament of how much of a fan I’ve become since the pilot.

I say ‘handle’ cause I yelp/scream/shudder every single time. 😱

I’m in love with the writing

The biggest thing that drives me to watch is the writing.

Besides how much I adore “The Curse of the Dark Storm” (S01E03, Jesse Stern & Lisa Bao) and the cryptic escape room buzzle (book + puzzle 😆 that was a typo but a cute typo so I’m keepin’ it) hunt

as well as

*gasp and leans back* “The Reunion of Lost Souls” (S02E02, Andrea Thornton Bolden), the latest from the supernatural mystery thriller made it to my list of favourite episodes.

The first main reason, as you can tell, is the writing (S02E04) Céline Geiger and (S02E05) Noga Landau & Melinda Hsu Taylor).

I’m in awe at how writers foreshadow events that seem like simple dialogue. When those dots connect, it’s something special.

Even within the episodes, if you don’t pay close attention, you’ll miss some incredible character ‘foresight’, like Nick installing an abstract sunroof on his truck.

You’ll never miss the crazy blowout the Drew Crew had unfortunately. I’m sure everyone was surprised by the fight, from the escalating tension to the full-blown argument on the final day.

It was a long-time coming. Who wouldn’t freak out by the thought of meeting their death? Though a few things have been settled (a.k.a. blood bucket curse - thank healing-woollen-cloth George is okay...ish) there’s still much to come, particularly with Ace.

Is it me or has every show I’ve watched, and book I’ve read, used the term “cause and effect”? It’s everywhere suddenly.

Character development also just can’t end early on. As other reviewers pointed out, the manner E05 ended was probably how Season 1 was supposed to end. I’m all for no cliffhangers, who’s with me!

The strength of women

But I digress. Let’s look at the writing of the women.

This word I’m about to use has been downplayed a lot for decades, but I will use it. It was beautiful to watch the brilliance and strength of women in the series, primarily Nancy, Agnes and even Odette.

I was thrilled to see that even with such a short glimpse into her life, Agnes, second wife of Captain Marvin, believe the church was her safe place where she could hide her message in a musical cypher from those she can’t trust.

Men with deep pockets can do and discredit a lot, no? 💰

Someone worthy (one guess who) will find a way to shed light on the injustices and the suffering women could face back then - and sometimes even now. Persecuted, robbed and hidden away from the world. With no hope left, they grew mad and one became a manifestation of it: a really creepy fish-like monster.

Tell me now, if we could see the real souls of monsters in our real life, would they not look like the Agleaca? (I just watched Warehouse 13 “An Evil Within” with that similar concept in mind. I miss this series so much)

In our modern day version, Nancy’s not had it easy for a long time. The easiest is to retreat into herself and act on logic alone. We’ve seen the same methodology with Sherlocks (Elementary is the best version, fight me!) and other detectives, and what happens to all in the end? The people around have to humanise them.

Nancy decrypting the cypher (tvfanatic photo). Are we happy she’s had to be clued in by her biological dad Ryan Hudson? Duh!

The Dad Detectives

Comedic relief should always - always - be necessary especially in tense situations.

There’s no reason that you can’t have support as well, as Nick points out Nancy’s lone-wolf “operation”.

You can achieve great things with the right people in your life. And that includes the relationship between 🕵🏻‍♂️ The Dad Detectives, plus Ace!

Their concern for their daughter even pushes the loggerheads together. Their hilarious and poorly planned stakeout 🔭 was just what we needed to cut through the heaviness.

I can’t forget how Ryan didn’t choose to drive away but try for his safety belt. Carson knew there really was no point by then and tried to play it off. And their conversations are dad-witty [not that I would actually know🙃] and sweet. I would keep a vacuum in my car.

Ace’s chicken metaphor was adorable. However I would’ve been more inclined to a different animal. Can we imagine Nancy as a scarlet-red hen? ♥️🐣 *peep*

Mother Teresa: “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

The raw emotions on Scott Wolf’s (Carson Drew) face is always priceless. As the now-estranged dad of our heroine, all he yearns for is to be with her. Now he becomes the one to help save her and the Drew Crew.

Nancy understands that the reminders of Odette’s pain isn’t the way. She’s more than the monster the rumours spread. What a turning point! Appealing to the good side of human nature. More than reading from paper, they had to look her in the eyes and remind her of love.

Bess: “We see you.” Ace: “You’re human.”

Nick: “You’re not forgotten.”

Nancy: “You were loved.”

There’s so much more

Due process to balance things out with the awesome guys, I’d like to point out that the Ace and Nick are really well-rounded characters. I want to expand my basic French, learn to sign and be good with tools too 🥺.

More importantly, it’s been a true testament to their acting abilities. All of them.

I really enjoy reading Den of Geek Lacy Baugher’s reviews of the series, especially her additional thoughts. The best theory so far? “Ace is secretly a Hardy Boy and I will die on this hill.”

How could you not get on board with that?

Ace’s sibling is in witness protection. I’m sure they’ll be female from the recording on the voice message, which would likelier than not make their potential nickname “Jo”.

I personally think Ace has got the skills of Frank (who but him would be interested in really learning French, sign language and hacking) but Joe Hardy-hair and fun eccentricities such as actually walking into the cooler and having the door slam shut (not hating on Joe but you can tell which brother I’m partial to). Also, his dad’s a cop.

You’re totally connecting the dots now, aren’t you?

As you can tell, I’m more than a little excited for what’s to come. I hope the strong plot and storyline don’t die out anytime soon.

Next are “The Riddle of the Broken Doll” and “The Legend of the Murder Hotel”. Stay tuned!

My Additional Thoughts

I was smiling when I heard George drawl out each French word as if it were English for her to be corrected by Nick and then to end the episode by singing a song fluently? She is most definitely possessed. Again.

This is going to be so fun.