Nancy Drew Review: The Trail of the Missing Witness (Season 2 Episode 12)

Far from the soapy family melodrama I’d expected in the full reveal of Ace’s half brother, Nancy Drew Season 2 Episode 12, “The Trail of the Missing Witness,” instead gives an entirely different type of drama—and yes, someone very nearly dies.

The reveal that Grant’s biological mother and he have both come from witness protection and that said mother is now being held hostage kicks off a rapidly paced hour in little time for these long lost siblings to get to know each other.

The story itself is great. There are smart and cryptic clues, a strong showing of the “this is actually much bigger than you realize” trope and a climactic end that sees all our heroes offering sacrifices to save loved ones old and new.

The last bit is as nail-biting as it sounds. For several moments and against our better judgements, we can believe that Ace might be dropped to his death by this corrupt witness, or that saving him could sentence many others to the same fate.

Though none of that happens, there is a cost. Celia works her influence at Nancy’s request. In return for protecting a list of witnesses, Nancy must recant the statement that makes her a key witness against Everett.

In the immediate aftermath, this doesn’t feel like as big a deal as it almost certainly is. Nancy’s “star witness” role comes about so quickly that losing it again doesn’t have much impact. Yet because these are the Hudsons, we know the true stakes.

Even with Everett’s true nature on full display, it’s a jolt to see he’s set up his own son for murder. Celia, though she may be portrayed in a moral gray area, is loyal to the family name above all else, and that’s why we fear what will happen now.

At least the biggest gut punch of the episode involves no Hudsons (besides Nancy.) Instead, just after hearing that Grant will have to be moved with his mom by WitSec, the brothers decide he should get to meet their father at least once.

It’s a lovely and heartbreaking scene. I’m cautiously optimistic the writers will invent an explanation to bring Grant back, but it’s not set in stone. Even though we’re barely met him, the characters’ emotions have us missing him, too.

For that same reason, my only complaint about this take on the reunion is how little time it leaves for, well, a reunion. There’s a bit of fun banter as Ace and Grant try to get to know each other on the run, but I’ll be disappointed if that’s all we ever get.

Nearly all of this adventure leaves Nick, Bess and George on the sidelines, happily occupying themselves with a chowder contest. This is where the Odette storyline takes turn that is both unique and so very awkward.

How do you define a relationship where a woman is in a happy relationship with a man but the fellow woman “timesharing” her body falls in love with a female friend? I don’t know and the show doesn’t either, yet the results are somehow hilarious.

And yes, they’re also completely unrealistic. I know Bess is lonely, but her immediately returning feelings for a stranger in the form of her friend is unsustainable at best. In another universe, Odette and Bess could be adorable. This is not that universe.

George honestly takes the developments about as well as she can, and it’s likely they won’t last beyond an episode of fun scenes. It’s also a great opportunity to see the George banter with her sisters some more. And here’s to The Claw’s award-winning chowder!

 

 

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Nancy Drew airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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