Nancy Drew Review: The Hidden Staircase (Season 1 Episode 9)
In Nancy Drew Season 1 Episode 9, “The Hidden Staircase,” an intense and emotional case helps Nancy and her dad find true progress—at least until that last cliffhanger.
We hit the ground running in our winter finale, picking up from the moment of Ted’s disappearance and rarely losing steam. This is true for both the dramatic pace and our emotional involvement in all the storylines.
We care about George’s sister and everyone connected to her. The writers recognize this and use that as the vehicle that moves the plot forward. I’m happy to see that investment prioritized over shock value, especially since an entity seeking child sacrifices isn’t something I want to dwell on.
Simon, the dark being in question, has a requisite creepy voice and a genuinely terrifying shrine, but even his real purpose is to connect us to characters. He was there for another child kidnapping Nancy witnessed when she was twelve.
This is where we finally get what I’ve been waiting for with Carson and Nancy, and what we’ve only gotten the briefest glimpses of to date: a chance for them to truly talk and support each other as father and daughter.
We’ve seen Nancy bury a lot of feelings, and that goes into overdrive here when she tries to deny the trauma of her last supernatural encounter. Thanks to Nick, Carson is there for the chance to act as a father, and not an adversary or suspect.
It’s rough but important to see Nancy be so vulnerable in front him, both in facing her terrors and when he presents her with a letter written by her mother. She’s been resisting his role as a parent to date—and, to be fair, he’s made that role mostly about scolding her behavior.
In the wake of these extreme circumstances, they’re able to (grudgingly) look past everything that’s stood between them. In the end, this is what’s needed for them to allow themselves to be open, honest, and loving.
These scenes are the most moving parts of a moving episode, and I really would like for this to be a point of closure. It would be great to take this as a midpoint that they can move forward from in future episodes.
And then there’s that cliffhanger.
It’s one thing for Nancy’s notes to inadvertently get her father arrested. That presents an intriguing concept of unattended consequences, one that could even present more opportunity to fight for each other instead of just fighting each other.
Instead, we are yet again left wondering what Nancy’s last known family member is guilty of, and how we’ll ever move forward if the worst is true.
The timing doesn’t help. I certainly can’t fault anyone ending the episode on its most dramatic moment, but it does have the effect of seeming to sap away all the progress we’ve made in a matter of moments.
As ever, I will see this a red herring until I am proven wrong, but the show seems determined to go somewhere with this. I just wish I knew where it was and why.
I’ve always been troubled by this plot point, but now it feels repetitive, too. We can’t keep questioning Caron forever. At some point, he has to be confirmed as a good person or a bad one, but I see no clear path from that second option.
All I want from here on is to simply move forward. I’m not thrilled about how we end here, but I’m holding out hope for a broader plan. It’s something we need to see soon.
Other Notes
- Though case-solving was a means to an emotional end, I did like seeing more use of code cracking. Nick’s got a knack for this stuff.
- Speaking of Nick, though alerting Carson to what Nancy is doing is a bit invasive, I love that he cares enough to know how to get her support she’ll otherwise refuse.
- I’m intrigued by Owen’s reappearance and familial connection to Bess, though there’s not much room for it here. Hopefully it can be properly explored in the second half of the season.
- Ace is awake! Unfortunately, we don’t get to hear from him yet. What stories will he tell when we do?
What did you think of this episode of Nancy Drew? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Nancy Drew airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.