Nancy Drew Review: The Terror of Horseshoe Bay (Season 1 Episode 15)

On Nancy Drew Season 1 Episode 15, “The Terror of Horseshoe Bay,” visions, rituals and spirits all act as dubious aids to uncover the truth.

As expected, one solved mystery for Nancy Drew is just the start of a lot more. In this case, that seems to mean one “Wait, what?” moment after another.

The first, and the one that requires the most suspension of belief, is the notion that Joshua has somehow survived burning electrocution whilst hanging from metal chains and remained able-bodied enough to go on the lam.

It may well be possible this is a red herring and his very dead body was moved by another entity, but we don’t hear of it yet, and while I can cautiously accept the absurd, I’m troubled that nobody else seems to question how it’s possible.

That’s due in part to how quickly and frustratingly the matter fades into the background. A killer on the loose does little but raise tensions and put a couple cops outside the Drew house who do nothing to stop our hero putting her life in danger away from home.

If you’ve been watching from the start, you can probably guess that this means we have a new shocking moment come to steal an earlier one’s thunder. This comes in the form of Karen’s involvement in Joshua’s crimes.

I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the twist, but after reflection, I admit it makes some sense, even or perhaps especially if it means she’s been working an angle for as long as we’ve known her.

It’s been strange to see how cold she’s turned to Nancy’s father since his arrest. Whether she’s actively learning more about Carson or has just never really trusted him, there’s a lot that at least tentatively fits her actions.

The matter of whether it also fits with what we’ve seen of her character is another one. Rule #1 (Everyone’s a suspect!) always holds true, but the bridge from her friendship with Lucy to this is a bit hasty.

It’s also not given quite as much weight as I’d like, considering the emotional connections between her, Carson, and Nancy. Once again, the plot moves on to a ritual that’s a whole collection of weirdness.

The visions that spur the trip add a new level of “NOPE” to what we’ve seen so far and some of them make more sense than others. Seeing imagined bones and needed to find real ones? Sure? Having teeth appear in Nancy’s mouth? A little too vague and way too ick.

I don’t question the Drew Crew and Owen unquestioningly performing the ritual they uncover, because we don’t expect anything else at this point, even when the obligatory “toll” almost costs Owen his life.

Now Lucy’s bones are hidden, and we must wait and see how or if this evidence will spare Carson a murder conviction. It’s that emotional investment that makes it worth trying to understand all that’s thrown at us.

Our last shake-up comes in the gag-inducing scene of Nancy pulling that seaweed crown from her throat. I have no guesses whatsoever as to what we’re meant to read into that—only that it’s nothing good.

Other Notes

• I wasn’t expecting Claire’s name to come up again. At least she wasn’t just a one-episode entity
• With Nancy and Owen official, I’m on board to see where this pairing and a potential George/Nick one go; at least for now.
• Ryan’s back at the top of our suspect list, and it’s like he’s been there all along. That can still change in an instant, but I’m not sure I’m ready for more whiplash.

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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