Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Pandora’s Box

It’s been a long hiatus, but Eliza, William, and company are back with a new case that takes a heartbreaking turn, more annoying departmental politics to deal with, and plenty of tension on a great Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 2 Episode 1, “Pandora’s Box.”

The cold opening is an excellent reintroduction to the hilarious and brazen Eliza Scarlet, with a case that feels a little below her pay grade, given what we’ve seen her capable of over the last season.

The first case of the season has a bittersweet undertone with a somewhat surprising reveal as a young woman, Alice Lee, seeks out Eliza’s services to find her sister, Georgina Lee, who has disappeared. The request comes after William closes out the case and gets confronted by Alice in front of the new superintendent.

As Eliza attempts to tread lightly to “just get the facts” of Georgina’s case, William is stuck dealing with a new incompetent detective and trying to get in the new superintendent’s good graces.

The case takes some exciting turns, twisting at moments where it may seem like the answer is right in front of us. But the end result feels a bit more somber and bittersweet as it’s revealed that Georgina’s been mixed up in a bit of a surrogate situation with the man she was having an affair with and his wife.

It’s odd and feels unexpected, making it that much more puzzle-like.

Throughout it all, the undercurrent of tension, teasing, and flirty banter between Eliza and William is palpable from the first scene the pair share. Whether it’s their casual mentions of their dinners or their proximity, it feels like the romance is both being taken up many notches and slowly building to the point where something’s got to give.

Eliza: Where have you been, William?

William: At home. In bed. Where you should have been.

The slow, simmering tension throughout “Pandora’s Box” makes the final scene much more painful. The pair are very set on advancing their careers, and thanks to the Lee case, it became clear that the odds of them stepping over the other’s investigation in the future could become a recurring problem.

The decision boils down to a question that though initially unanswered, is easy to understand what it is. The episode title becomes poignant at the moment as the decision not to open the “pandora’s box” that is their relationship is how the hour closes out.

The fact that we were so close to seeing William and Eliza take that next, inevitable step only to see them take three giant steps back is equally frustrating and understandable. The decision also leaves the pair in an interesting position moving forward throughout the season, given that they know they each have feelings but can’t act on them right now.

Definitely, an exciting prospect to see how that affects their dynamic and how it differs from the initially light, flirty banter of last season and the not-so-subtle banter we get throughout this episode.

Random Thoughts

• Detective Fitzroy’s whole appearance screams Nepo Baby from the moment he walks onto the screen, so to see the connection to the police commissioner makes it all the more understandable.
• I love that Eliza still has Ivy to confide in and be there for each other. However, it is disappointing to see Rupert is off in Berlin, presumably with his new bride.
• Hattie reminds me of someone, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.
• That shot of Eliza and William’s hands nearly touching is truly god-tier period drama directing.

 

What did you think of this episode of Miss Scarlet and The Duke? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Miss Scarlet and The Duke airs Sundays at 8/7c on PBS.

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