Nancy Drew Review: The Scourge of the Forgotten Rune (Season 2 Episode 11)
Television has a very lose grasp on how amnesia actually works. That’s no less true with Nancy Drew Season 2 Episode 11, “The Scourge of the Forgotten Rune,” but at least it makes for an entertaining single-episode storyline.
We start with a more traditional form of the memory loss trope. At first, it’s just Nick wandering around in a daze, eventually making his way back to his friends without knowing either his own name or that they are his friends at all.
There’s the typical emotional roller coaster of explaining someone’s own life to them, in this case heightened by the fact Nick must be told he once killed someone. It’s especially uncomfortable given he’s suspected of murder again.
The gruesome slaying of that tour guide from a couple episodes ago brings us back to a more Nancy Drew-esque interpretation of amnesia; one where everyone loses their memories in a fight against a terrifying evil entity.
It’s a clever twist that the memory loss is intentional—the only way to escape death at the hands of something that kills when you know its name.
What follows are basically high stakes shenanigans. With a life-saving chip to play, Nancy and her friends try everything from slingshot knives to acid balloons in their fights. Sadly, we never get to see any of these on screen.
After a series of rapid cuts and many, many failed attempts, the memory loss serum runs out and our heroes are faced with the prospect of forever living lives that they can remember nothing about.
Of course, this doesn’t actually happen. In another intriguing take, the entity is weakened by more people knowing its name and is defeated by the power of social media. It’s as anti-climatic as it sounds, but you have to admit it’s smart.
There are lots of great moments here to spice up a plot that is by definition repetitive. George re-learns about Odette through a note to herself. Everyone starts warning themselves about their own character quirks.
The Hudson family drama is pulled into the fray, too. When Ryan’s mother tells Nancy she’s going to reveal the truth, Nancy panics and blasts her with serum, resulting in a completely different Celia than the one we’ve seen so far.
Seeing what this woman would be like without the Hudson influence is as strange, silly, and sweet as you’d expect. It’s also a sobering commentary on the legacy of fame and wealth. We’ve seen what it’s done to Ryan and now to his mother as well.
Still, I’m cautious about the notion of Nancy working her way into the family’s graces to protect herself. Everett now represents the heritage that corrupted his family and I doubt he’ll be able to change from his role as an antagonist.
At least for the moment, this is still shaping up to be a fight of our heroes against the corruption of the Hudsons and their patriarch, but I am interested in the issues of how Ryan will fare and what side Celia will be on in the end.
Though there’s not a lot of screen time left for other character developments, I do like what we get. George and Nick moving together is a big and hopeful step. It might even give the Drew Crew a new unofficial headquarters in that loft.
We also finally get to meet Ace’s secret brother only after he’s gotten himself hired at The Claw without anyone being suspicious. It requires a suspension of belief considering the intelligence of these characters, but does mostly work.
The split photo carried between the two brothers comes directly from The Parent Trap. The story soon to be revealed is almost certainly less heartwarming that that one, but I’m fully invested in seeing it play out.
Finally, for all the melodrama it took to get us here, I’m thrilled with the new Nancy/Carson/Ryan dynamic. I love every member of the Drew Crew and want them protected forever, but I’d also absolutely watch a spinoff just about this adorably unusual “two dads” setup.
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.