Patience Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Murder, Magic, and the Art of Distraction
Magicians and legendary jewel thieves create a backdrop for murder on Patience Season 2 Episode 3, “The Magpie.”
When a man is shot to death, a broken window, a dead bird, and ten firsthand accounts all suggest a bullet came from outside. They also lead the detectives to believe the killer may be “The Magpie”, who orchestrated elaborate robberies for decades.
The most likely suspect is a man who literally writes the book on the art of distraction and who certainly acts smug enough to fit the part. But the Magpie is actually two different men: our dead lawyer and the famed TV magician who was his mentor.
The killing is an act of revenge after Ben turns on Jay, and the latter nearly gets away with murder through his own acts of distraction. But Patience’s eye for detail sees straight through (and nearly ruin’s Frankie’s appreciation for magic along the way).
Also, the vampire number plot seems to come to an abrupt and somber end when Patience, with Elliot acting as moral support, tracks down an old friend to learn her mother has been dead for 13 years. In the aftermath, she struggles with her anger.
Three episodes into the second season, and Patience and Frankie are starting to fall into a rhythm with each other even though neither is quite acknowledging it. At least Monroe truly recognizes her as an asset, even if she still callers her “Headphones”.
In fact, a new dynamic enters while Patience’s extremely logical brain can’t stop explaining the tricks the DI wants to keep mysterious. She’s at first hurt when Frankie snaps at her but comes to understand that they’re both just wired differently.
There’s still a ways to go before these two can approach what Bea and Patience had in season 1, and most of that work falls on Monroe’s shoulders, but I do like that they acknowledge that Patience needs to work with others as they need to with her.
Like Frankie, I enjoy the thrill of simple magic tricks even when I know they’re just done through slight of hand. Violent murder notwithstanding, it’s a fun world to spend an hour in, with plenty of literal flash and a dizzying climax in a hall of mirrors.
We also see that even with all these self-satisfied illusionists and word-renowned criminals, the motives for crimes are still extremely human. In the end, Jay falls for his own hubris and they need to have the world know how “clever” he is.
As in the previous episode, Patience and Elliot’s scenes bring something sweet and lighter to this often-dark show. Admittedly, the dynamic of this hour is immediately tinged when Patience learns of her mother’s passing.
Understanding why there’s more anger than grief in her initial reaction will take additional unpacking of her backstory, and I hope it’s something we’re able to explore over the rest of the reason to give her a chance to move forward.
Still, seeing Elliot immediately be there for support of Patience’s confusing feelings is heartwarming, and seeing them find a long-lost set of diamonds together is just fun. He’s becoming one of Patience’s biggest allies and I can’t wait to see more of it.
What did you think of this episode of Patience? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Patience airs Sundays at 8/7c on PBS>
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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.