Nancy Drew Review: The Secret of the Solitary Scribe (Season 2 Episode 3)

As portrayed in Nancy Drew Season 2 Episode 3, “The Secret of the Solitary Scribe,” the first of the Drew Crew’s supposed last three days manages to feel much longer than it is while still being so packed with drama that it moves at a rapid pace.

The idea that a surviving victim of the aglaeca should offer our heroes comfort is quickly squashed here, and not only because the option AJ has chosen to avoid his fate could be interpreted as one worse than death.

As a part of the ongoing narrative, AJ’s story serves largely to add to the feeling of desperation that has become the theme of this storyline. His haunting through the episode is horrifying, and his ultimate death is all but a foregone conclusion.

Taken by itself, though, AJ’s story almost feels like a Greek tragedy: accountable for the death of a couple, he and his friend seal their fates in asking the aglaeca to save their young daughter. In the ensuing years, he endures supernatural torment to avoid dying as the others have.

That daughter is Hannah, and the notion of a fatal flaw in AJ is clarified when he resorts to trying to kill her to save himself. After Nancy talks him down, he lets the monster have him after all these years.

The message we are told through this tale– and by the aglaeca giving back Lucy’s bones after the Crew tries to return them to the ocean—is that there is no avoiding ultimate destiny. You can only delay fate in a way that’s horrifying in itself.

Of course, we know that Nancy must survive on this show in her name. Her friend’s fates aren’t set in stone, but there wouldn’t be much story to tell without them, either. I haven’t ruled out a single loss, but I’m confident that at least almost everyone will survive.

It speaks to the quality of storytelling that we’re able to have that confidence and still feel the sense of dread the show wants us to. And sure, a lot of that is the terror of ghostly hands reaching through the walls, but it still really works.

Even so, my favorite parts of the episode are the ones that take place in relative downtime, establishing and strengthening relationships. They remind us of just why we can’t bear thinking of losing these characters.

Ace’s father is as likeable as ever, though we don’t get enough time with father and son alone, able to bond away from the probing questions of detectives. Nick and George have cemented themselves as a couple we can all root for.

Most satisfying is the moment of real progress not only for Nancy and Carson to heal their relationship, but also to acknowledge Ryan’s place in both their lives and bring him into the fold. If they can’t give Lucy’s bones a proper burial, they can at least pay homage together.

As before, this is just one step of many, but it’s enough that we can also look forward to what comes after the final strike against the aglaeca. These three may never completely overcome their past, but maybe they can find new bonds.

Effective as the portrayal of these three days is, I hope we don’t drag them out too much longer. I’d like to get to more of these quieter scenes and whatever relief (or grief) may come with them. New mysteries would be very welcome, too.

 

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 TheCW.

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