Category: TV Reviews

Diamonds Are a Gal’s Best Friend – Director: Peter Stebbings/Writer: Carol Hay

This one starts with Frankie and Trudy out in the country, investigating a stolen horse. The farmer (Sommers) complains about the missing horse then casually mentions his daughter Camille has disappeared too. Camille only goes into town (with the horse) twice a week to deliver produce, but today’s not her day to go. Sommers claims Camille is an innocent, god-fearing girl, but Trudy finds some booze and a trashy romance novel hidden in the barn. They find a man’s shoeprints, a Turkish cigarette butt, and a torn scrap of Camille’s dress. They wonder if she ran off with a lover, or if she was running from someone else. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 8”

50 Shades of Greyson – Director: Cal Coons/Writer: Jessie Gabe

This one starts in the Krazy Kitten Club with a dancer (C.C. Storm) doing a fan dance. She keeps her breasts covered (which really bothers a loudmouthed guy in the audience) until she notices a red light at the foot of the stage go out, then she drops the fans to show off her charms. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 7”

Extra Innings – Director: Sudz Sutherland/Writer: John Callaghan

This one starts with the ladies attending a baseball game featuring the Toronto Sparrows (a woman’s team). Mary is really into it (she plays in a recreational league), while Flo doesn’t seem too interested. Frankie and Trudy are casual fans (although Frankie seems to enjoy flirting with Brody, the concession stand guy). Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 6”

Dressed to Kill – Director: Sudz Sutherland/Writer: Jessie Gabe

This one starts with an adoring Toronto crowd waiting to greet Coco Chanel as she arrives at her hotel. But there’s someone who’s not such a fan of Coco and takes a shot at her with a rifle. Later, she gives the cops shit for not being able to find the shooter and when Mary overhears that, she suggests to Coco that she might know someone who can help her. A local gossip columnist called Lipstick uses the incident as fodder for her column, but Coco is more concerned with finding out who wants her dead, so she hires Frankie. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 5”

Emancipation Day – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writer: Andrew Burrows-Trotman

This one starts with Trudy singing at a rally for the UNIA (United Negro Improvement Association). Her mother (Mildred) harangues her and Frankie into collecting donations for orphans, including an adorable moppet named Esme. Nearby, a couple of guys (Wesley and Lionel) are arguing, with Lionel trying to convince Wesley not to do something. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 4”

Radio Daze – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writer: Cal Coons

This one starts with Mary on the radio, describing a close call that a local woman had while walking alone in the woods. Mary reminds listeners to obey the law or they could suffer the consequences. Trudy and Bill are listening to the show at Wendy’s place and Trudy asks Bill to the movies, but he says he’s busy and suggests an alternate night. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 3”

The Last Dance – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writer: James Hurst

This one starts with Frankie, Trudy, Mary, and Flo at a dance marathon, although Mary seems to be the only one entered in the contest, with the other three just taking part in the “free dances” amidst the main competition. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 2, Episode 2”

The Old Switcheroo – Director: Ruba Nadda/Writer: Carol Hay

This one starts with Frankie’s mom (Nora) announcing she’s now on the board of the Royal Ontario Museum. Nora insists she just wants to bring some life to the stodgy old institution, but Frankie assumes Nora is looking for new suckers to fleece. They attend a lecture by an archaeologist named Marian Hartley (played by Lara Jean Chorostecki from X Company), who talks about meeting Howard Carter on a train and being invited to join him in Egypt. If that sounds familiar, it’s because that actually happened to Frankie. She and Marian are old acquaintances (definitely not friends) and Marian has apparently appropriated one of Frankie’s adventures and made it her own. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Season 2, Episode 1”

Well, that’s the first season of Frankie Drake Mysteries done. I thought I would like this show—since I love the 1920s setting and I always enjoy seeing kick-ass women—and I was right. The Twenties (and Thirties) always have a slightly pulpy feel to them, giving off that Indiana Jones/GURPS Cliffhangers vibe that I love. The cars, the guns, the fashions, and the overall feel of adventure only enhances the fun. We’ve already seen Frankie interact with several real-life characters, so I hope we get more of that next season. For me, it helps connect to the characters when they’re dealing with real history. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Season 1 Overview”

Once Burnt Twice Spied – Director: Peter Stebbings/Writer: Michelle Ricci

This one starts with Frankie teaching Mary how to develop photos. They’re interrupted by a phone call, which Mary takes. A voice on the phone says “Blue Lemonade” and hangs up and when Mary mentions the cryptic phrase to Frankie, she takes off immediately. Continue reading “Frankie Drake Mysteries Reviews: Season 1, Episode 11”