Frankie Drake Mysteries Review: The Pilot/Ghosts (Season 1 Episodes 8 and 9)

Frankie Drake Mysteries finally delves into its titular character’s past in Season 1 Episode 8, “The Pilot,” and Season 1 Episode 9, “Ghosts,” as we learn a bit about Frankie’s experiences during World War I.

(As well as the scars she still carries around with her as a result.)

Frankie Drake is the sort of character who can often come off as a caricature as often as she does a person.

And the show knows this, as it often leans heavily into her Cool Girl Persona, making sure to have many people point how unconventional and fun and sassy she is. It’s part of the reason she’s so much fun to watch. She’s the w

So while Frankie is obviously charming, likeable, and tons of fun but she’s not exactly what you’d call vulnerable. In fact, we might say we know more about her sidekicks Trudy and Mary than we do the series’ leading detective.

That all changes in this pair of episodes.

Finally, Frankie Drake Mysteries decides to give its leading lady a real — albeit incomplete for now – backstory, and flesh out one part of her unconventional persona.

We already knew that Frankie was a war veteran. It’s where she learned to ride a motorcycle and shoot a gun and not take crap from any man who thinks he knows better than she does.

But up until this point, that backstory felt as much like an accessory as a real story.

But in “The Pilot,” we learn that Frankie is suffering from something that looks a lot like PTSD, and it’s bad enough that she’s seeking religious counseling about whatever happened. And in “Ghosts,” we get a better idea of what that thing probably is.

At first, “The Pilot” looks as though it’s going to be a rather typical kidnapping mystery, in which the son of a wealthy couple is taken in the aftermath of a public event about children’s health.

But the story turns out to be anything but typical. Instead of a blackmail plot, there’s a disturbing focus on a cult-like eugenics group who has managed to convince the missing child’s father that his son is somehow defective because he is deaf.

(Yikes.)

Happily it all turns out okay in the end, but when Frankie suddenly can’t bring herself to shoot at the kidnapper to keep him from escaping, it does raise some pretty big red flags.

And, also, pretty big questions, as I’m almost positive we’ve seen Frankie fire her gun before with no problems.

But, for whatever reason, Frankie can’t do it this time, and it’s definitely got something to do with her past and whatever it is, it’s bad enough that she gets a priest involved.

In “Ghosts,” we learn a little bit more information, thanks to the introduction of Louis Davidson, a private from the army that Frankie knew during the war.

He is extremely adorable and the two have a sweet chemistry together, even though Frankie insists their relationship wasn’t like that back then. (Or now, I guess.)

But Louis also has amnesia, so he not only doesn’t remember Frankie, he can’t help her with the case she’s working on, which involves a murder, a classic gas mask and the death of a fellow veteran.

The story itself is creepy enough — the culprit is murdering members of his old regiment over some defective supplies that left many in their group dead – and the episode is fairly unflinching about the gruesome effects of war on soldiers.

But once again, the mystery isn’t the most interesting part of things.

Instead, it’s the peek into the Frankie that once was: A charming flirt, a dedicated soldier, someone willing to do whatever it takes for her mission, and who suffers for it now.

But what happened to Frankie, exactly? We don’t know, and the episode barely hints at an answer.

Clearly, it’s something bad, but, then again, it’s also wartime. Define bad in this instance.

Did Frankie kill someone herself? Did she betray a friend or ally? Did she get someone caught by the enemy? Share a secret she shouldn’t have?

Whatever it is, the blood on her hands definitely isn’t a great sign.

Stray Thoughts and Observations

• Special guest star alert: Inspector Lewis’ Laurence Fox, who plays a surprisingly attractive aviation enthusiast with a clear crush on Frankie. Would not mind seeing him again, is all I’m saying.
• Not enough Mary this week for my taste, but I just love the natural flow of her character arc. Watching her teach herself the steps of detective work is adorable.
• I know I can’t be the only person who watched Fleabag recently and had a very strange reaction to Frankie’s priest showing up?

What did you think of this episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Frankie Drake Mysteries airs Saturdays at 7/6c on Ovation.

 Follow us on Twitter! 

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Killing Eve: 15 Iconic Villanelle Moments