Pandora’s Box – Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) greets Lord Bullington (Eilian Wyn-Jones). She informs him that his birds have been found. He admits to questioning her ability to find them. When he promises to pay her fees Friday, she questions why not pay them now. He utilizes inconvenience as an excuse. She reminds him of a clause in her contract that states payment on delivery. After scolding her for bad-mouthing him, he says her payment will be received when it suits him.

Bullington returns to playing cards. He turns around to see what startles his bird to find Eliza holding a birdcage in each hand. She makes the birdcages explode.

In jail, Eliza shares a bench with a tramp (Vahid Dzankovic). William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin) taps her on the shoulder. He sarcastically asks what’s the foul odor. After a few unpleasantries, he springs her from jail. She complains about struggling with her cases even though she is a good detective. She says it would be easier if she were a man. He assures her that being male also has downsides. She asks for examples. When he doesn’t respond, she laughs. He promises to have her an answer before they go to dinner. When she gently touches his fingers, he warns her of people gossiping. She says, “Let them.”

A commotion grabs their attention. DS Phelps (Tim Chipping) informs him that a woman demands to meet with him. Alice Lee (Katie Brayben) scolds him for turning up nothing after an investigation. The Duke orders Phelps to escort the lady out of the police station.

The Duke introduces himself to the new Superintendent Monro (Ian Pirie).

Hattie Parker (Jesse Cave) and Eliza encounter each other on the street. Eliza apologizes for the loss of her father. Hattie describes her work as “marvelous.” She promises to meet with her Wednesday.

Eliza is not happy when she enters her office to find Moses (Ansu Kabia) in her office. She pleads with him to stop “breaking into her office.” He satirically admits enjoying keeping her on her toes. She asks if he has something for her. He hands it over. She is short with him until he claims to have her a potential case. He says a White Chapel landlord is in need of a detective.

Alice complains about The Duke’s decision to close her sister’s case. Eliza explains how The Duke has loads of open cases. Alice admits becoming frantic after she stopped receiving letters from her sister, Georgina Lee (Emilija Stanisic) three months ago. She pleads with Eliza to investigate her sister’s case.

Eliza voices her concern about taking Georgina’s case. She tells Ivy (Cathy Belton) it could embarrass The Duke in front of Superintendent Monro. Ivy suggests being selective when choosing cases to protect her future with The Duke. She assures her that they are only friends. After agreeing to reject the case, Eliza says she will analyze the data to determine if The Duke overlooked anything. She will turn her findings over to him before the case is reopened.

Eliza visits Wentworth’s store to gather information about Georgina. As a worker prepares to escort her out of the store, they encounter Mrs. Wentworth (Elizabeth Bower).

Mrs. Wentworth describes Georgina as a “sweet girl.” Mr. Wentworth (Jason Thorpe) tells her that they figured she found another job. Eliza asks if that is what they told the police. Mrs. Wentworth denies speaking with the police. Mr. Wentworth denies having any knowledge of an investigation.

Detective Fitzroy (Evan McCabe) rudely interrupts The Duke while he speaks to the police about their uniforms. The Duke later speaks to him in private about his behavior.

Jane Yates (Rosemary Boyle) tells Eliza that Georgina fled to escape a controlling Hattie. She claims Alice treated Georgina as if she were a child. Eliza asks if she knows where Georgina is at. She denies knowing her whereabouts.

During a police raid, The Duke is attacked by a suspect. A physical altercation ensues, with Salisbury getting the best of him. Fitzroy walks upon the two men physically brawling. The Duke orders him to utilize his revolver. When he draws his gun, the suspect only briefly stops before punching The Duke several more times. Once he gets the upper hand, he asks Fitzroy if he is always “useless.”

Eliza speaks to Alice about her conversation with Jane. Alice gives her a telegraph from Georgina. The telegraph reads, “Dear mother, I’m sorry I’ve caused you worry. Please know all is well and I will be in touch soon.” Eliza reminds her of what she said about her parents no longer being alive. Alice informs her that Georgina is her daughter. She explains how they devised the scheme to protect their reputation after giving birth out of wedlock. She claims Georgina never referred to her as mother, only Alice. Eliza suggests the sender is aware of her being Georgina’s mother.

While Eliza has her ear to a door, someone on the other side smashes it. She is sent sprawling as someone speeds past her. Jane is lying facedown on the floor, with a bullet wound in her back.

The police remove Jane’s body from the room. Eliza informs The Duke of her new case. He accuses her of not respecting him or else, she wouldn’t have reopened his case. She describes the investigation into Georgina’s disappearance as “poor.” The Duke scolds Fitzroy for bringing a potential witness to the crime scene. Raising his voice, he orders him to transport him to the police station for questioning. When she addresses him as William, he demands she never utilize his name again.

The Duke speaks with Alice about Georgina’s case. He apologizes before explaining how his department handles thousands of missing person cases annually. She says Eliza exposed police incompetency in Georgina’s case. He asks her how she knows Jane. She informs him that Jane and Georgina were co-workers. When she mentioned Eliza, he pleads with her to focus her attention on something else. She tells him that Eliza, at least, investigated the case. He is taken away from the case when a suspect fires a weapon inside the police station. Once the suspect empties the chamber, The Duke retrieves it. Holding it up in the air, he demands the owner to identify himself.

Fitzroy explains how the suspect removed the revolver from his holster. The Duke dismisses him from his position.

Eliza digs through her bag for the keys to her office when she hears someone approaching from behind. She pulls her knife on no other than Moses. They discuss how Jane can afford expensive rent. He gives her a name on an account that Jane was making payments.

While Mr. Salisbury (Richard James) is speaking with a customer, Clementine (Laura Rollins) approaches. She hands him a message from Eliza. She confronts him about the account Jane was depositing money into each month. He informs her of his liaison position for wealthy clients and a group of girls. She asks if any of his wealthy clients would want Jane dead. He describes Jane as a popular girl who earned a lot of money. She asks if Georgina was one of his girls. He assures her that he would never agree to share Georgina with any of his other clients. She asks him to identify the man. When he refuses, she threatens to inform the police and his wife of the liaison service. He identifies the man as Mr. Wentworth.

Salisbury explains how Mr. Wentworth visits the tea house daily at noon. Eliza is at the Wentworth department store when Mr. Wentworth heads to the tea house. She slips into his office, where she discovers a package inside a locked cabinet. As she drops the package on The Duke’s desk, she identifies it as Georgina’s clothes. She suggests Jane was blackmailing Mr. Wentworth. He assures her that she would’ve reopened his case against his wishes. They discover Alice’s telegraph from Georgina was sent from a place, where Mr. Wentworth owns a home.

The Duke and Eliza visit Mr. Wentworth’s country home. A baby crying prompts them to enter the home without the maid’s permission. They find Georgina in a bed and Mrs. Wentworth holding a baby. Mrs. Wentworth explains how she could never have a baby. She says Georgina came clean about her affair. Mr. Wentworth claims Georgina had a difficult pregnancy. She explained everything in a letter to Jane in the event she died during childbirth. Mrs. Wentworth tells them about Jane threatening to disclose their secret to the public. Mr. Wentworth voices his concern about his reputation being ruined. Mrs. Wentworth admits killing Jane after she teased her about her infertility. She is arrested.

Superintendent Monro confronts The Duke about his firing of Fitzroy. The Duke assures him that Fitzroy isn’t fit for detective work. Monro informs him of Fitzroy’s father being the police commissioner. The Duke isn’t happy when Fitzroy is permitted to stay on the payroll.

Ivy voices her concern about Eliza being alone. Eliza reminds her that she isn’t alone as long as she has her. Hattie stops by for a visit. When takes a small slice of cake, Hattie describes her appetite as unappealing. She chooses a much larger slice of cake. Hattie tries to convince Eliza to speak at the Cultural Society, in which her aunt is a board member. Eliza asks why she would even consider doing it. Hattie says if she got her aunt’s approval, it would secure their friendship.

The Duke stops by to speak with Eliza. She goes on a rant about the importance of her freedom and not having a master. After voicing his concern about the humiliation of Georgina’s case, he suggests they remain friends. He bids her goodnight. He reluctantly leaves her home as the episode comes to an end.

 

Miss Scarlet and the Duke Review

Kate Phillips as Miss Scarlet is not a disappointment. Like last season, she is a thorn in The Duke’s side. Phillips’ performance is stellar as always.

My biggest qualm is the slow pace. Eliminating fluff would’ve sped up the pace quite nicely. If the episode was packed with relevant content, losing 10 or 15 minutes wouldn’t have made a difference. I am all for shorter episodes to combat boredom.

The cast did amazingly well to bring their characters to life. The dialogue is mostly on topic, with a bit of rambling here and there. I do question the need for the “master” comment. The Duke’s reasoning for not wanting her to reopen Georgina’s case was legitimate. It had nothing to do with control.

The wardrobe is excellent. The cinematography could utilize tweaking.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Miss Scarlet and the Duke recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.