Coroner Review: Back to the Future (Season 3 Episode 5)
Three women in small-town Canada share a spiritual bond rooted in a shady secret on Coroner Season 3 Episode 5, “Back to the Future.”
Unfortunately, the ending is anti-climactic, which has become a trend this season. But it doesn’t change the fact that other elements of “Back to the Future” are so good that the episode is almost perfect.
Perhaps Roxie does deserve the peace that ruling Andy’s death an accident gives her and her father. It’s a result that makes me yawn. Still, I can appreciate the complexity in the connection that Jenny shares with Andy’s father.
Many years ago, he hid one child’s secret to save another child as Gordon has done for Jenny. Seeing as their own case has recently come back into the Coopers’ lives, it makes sense that Jenny would want to keep secrets for a family she can help.
The 80s flashbacks and theme of witchcraft on the episode definitely add depth to the story and give it Haloween vibes. I’m surprised that the original airdate of the episode on CBC is far from Halloween.
Roxie may have killed her brother accidentally (who can blame her — that’s a horrifying mask). But “Back to the Future” really is about the bond between women that is forged via a spell.
Angela, Helen, and Roxie’s bond is broken after Andy’s death. Yet the fact that they all come together to support Roxie when she is told she killed her brother proves that it has remained strong all of these years.
Roxie in 1980 is also a pretty amazing person for participating in the spell that promises to rid Andy from her friends’ lives. She is right that Helen and Angela are better off without him.
It’s sad that they had a falling out, but nothing good would come of Helen being close to Angela when she was, say, 8-months pregnant with Dennis.
Speaking of Dennis, there is something very creepy about that man. I want him far, far away from River. Before we learn that he is Andy’s son, I thought he was Andy’s murderer.
Going on a date with that man is asking for danger. His flavor of dork isn’t sweet and endearing.
I would much rather watch Gordon and Peggy date, but it is very hard to process the fact that he is hallucinating her and she is Jenny’s mom.
Coroner has not mentioned her enough that I remember her story if she has a story to remember. Considering the Coopers’ past it’s scary to know that we have more to learn.
Continuing on Donovan’s cancer journey is also scary because it keeps getting worse and worse for him. It is tragic and beautiful to watch him throw the “Healing” rock into the water with only a high-pitched score and a visual to let us know he is screaming.
The whole episode has the vibe of an indie film because of details like that. Another example is when Helen’s voice reads the letter that Jenny finds in Andy’s room for us.
Plus, small details matter, and Coroner is always full of subtlety. Like how we know Roxie is an alcoholic because she usually has a glass of wine in her hand and we watch her make a screwdriver before one of Jenny’s visits. It’s never said because it doesn’t have to be.
Similarly, Jenny only has to see Roxie’s father’s drawing of the gorilla mask to know that he buried his son to save his daughter and the stress of that is probably what caused his stroke.
It’s a heartbreaking moment that makes me agree that Andy’s family deserves peace.
But there is a low rumble of anxiety in my heart because neither Donovan or Jenny are going to have peace in their lives any time soon.
Autopsy Notes
- The “Rocky” scene is a lovely light-hearted touch.
- It’s weird that Jenny and Donovan stay at Roxie’s bed and breakfast when they are investigating her brother’s murder. Is that actually professional?
- Is it me or are Jenny and Donovan beginning to have a chemistry that’s deeper than a professional rapport?
- I don’t understand how Donovan can tell a woman he’s basically just met about his cancer but is leaving everyone else in the dark.
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Coroner airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.