Category: TV Reviews

The Guilty Party – Director: R.T. Thorne/Writer: Carol Hay

This one starts with Frankie, Trudy, and Mary outside the courthouse, where a man (Ernie Logan) convicted of murdering his girlfriend (Christine Mayfield) three years ago has just been released because of a witness recanting their testimony. According to Stephen Reid (left-wing reporter and now officially Mary’s boyfriend), the cops bungled the entire investigation, either through incompetence or on purpose Logan thinks the cops railroaded him and wants them to pay for it, but a man (Derek Walston) shows up and tells Frankie and Trudy he knows Logan really did kill Christine (who was is niece) and wants them to prove it. Frankie accepts the case immediately. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 6”

Ghost in the Machine – Director: R.T. Thorne/Writer: Keri Ferencz

This one starts with Frankie and Alessandro about to get it on in her office when Nora shows up. She’s broken up with her latest flame and needs a place to stay for a few days. Frankie reluctantly agrees and heads out with Alessandro, leaving Nora to make herself at home. Late that night, Nora is awakened by someone calling for help and sees a freaky-looking girl, who vanishes and reappears when Nora’s looking in the mirror. Naturally, Nora assumes it’s a ghost. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 5”

A Most Foiled Assault – Director: Gary Harvey/Writer: Jennifer Kassabian

This one starts at a gym where several women are practicing fencing. Women haven’t been allowed to compete in the Olympics so far, but these women are hoping to be the first. Unfortunately, some men aren’t happy about that and have even attacked some of the competitors. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 4”

The Girls Can’t Help It – Director: Gary Harvey/Writer: Mary Pedersen

This one starts with Mary attending a swinging party full of flappers and dandies making merry at a mansion. She was invited by an old school friend (Jackie), but feels somewhat out of place surrounded by the upper classes. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 3”

Prince in Exile – Director: Eleanore Lindo/Writer: Peter Mitchell

This one starts with Frankie and her new boyfriend (Alessandro Contento) arriving at a club with a bunch of reporters clamouring to take Alessandro’s photo. They don’t really care too much about Frankie, especially one obnoxious reporter who pisses Alessandro off by being rude to Frankie. Inside the club, we learn that Trudy’s fiancé Bill has gotten a job offer in Ottawa, which means Trudy will be moving there after the marriage. It’s obvious she’s still having doubts about marrying Bill, but she won’t admit it. Frankie and Trudy notice a guy aggressively questioning another customer and force him to leave. The guy says he’s looking for a missing Prince, so they decide to help. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 2”

Scavenger Hunt – Director: Eleanore Lindo/Writer: Mary Pedersen

This one starts with Frankie, Mary, Trudy, and Flo tramping around the woods taking part in a scavenger hunt. We get some updates on everyone’s lives: Flo is getting ready to enter medical school, Trudy and Bill are engaged, and Frankie has a new guy in her life. Frankie’s man is supposedly rich, adventurous, and European, which makes the others think she might be lying about how great he is (or about his very existence). Frankie and Mary spot one of the items on their list (a carved wooden moose) and Frankie climbs up an escarpment to get it. From her vantage point, she sees something that’s not on the list … a dead body. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 4, Episode 1”

Well, that’s another season of Frankie Drake finished. I like this show a lot, so I wish there were more episodes per season. We learned a bit more about the main characters (finally finding out what happened to Frankie during the Great War) and saw some favourite guest characters (Joe Perry, Tickles Malone, Moses Page) return, along with perennial favourites Mildred and Nora. We also met Frankie’s brother, as well as a few real-life characters like Agatha Christie and William Hubbard. I like how the show throws in topical issues (medicine shows, the lost Debussy concerto, Trudy’s friend running for office) that are still relatable. In fact some of the issues, like sexual harassment or the land scam, are still happening today. Flo seems to be getting closer to realizing her dream of being a doctor, and Mary has finally learned to stand up for herself, which should help her become a cop. Mary is still my favourite character (and I love how well she and Flo work together), so I hope we get plenty of her in the next season, which I’ll start reviewing next week.

A Sunshine State of Mind – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writers: Jennifer Kassabian, Keri Ferencz

This one starts with the gals gathered at Frankie’s office, complaining about the heat wave gripping the city. Trudy’s mom (Mildred) comes in to tell them she’s bought a place down in Florida, in a resort called Miami Springs. Mildred admits she spent a lot on the place (and some of Trudy’s aunts and uncles bought in as well), but she’s happy to have a nice vacation property and Trudy seems quite thrilled too. Frankie gets a call from her mom (Nora), who tells her she bought property in Miami Springs as well, and is the one who talked Mildred into investing. Unfortunately, Miami Springs is a scam; Nora isn’t worried about the money she lost, but she does feel bad for getting Mildred (and her family) mixed up in a fake deal. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 3, Episode 10”

A History of Violins – Director: Cal Coons/Writer: John Callaghan

This one starts with Frankie and Trudy attending a violin concert featuring a famous (but somewhat reclusive and eccentric) violinist named Natasha Petrov. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 3, Episode 9”

Ward of the Roses – Director: Stephen Reizes/Writer: Andrew Burrows-Trotman

This one starts with Frankie arriving at the local campaign headquarters of Etta Rose, who’s running for alderman for the Ward. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 3, Episode 8”