A Pauper’s Grave – The show begins with Eliza Scarlet (Kate Phillips) and Ivy (Cathy Belton) searching for something. Ivy reminds Eliza of losing the keys and an embordered handkerchief. She receives a visit from DS Phelps (Tim Chipping) who inquires about her missing jewelry. After she identifies the inscription on her mother’s wedding ring, he identifies it as hers. He tells her that someone discovered the ring in the City Mortuary before arresting her. As Phelps escorts her out the door, she orders Ivy to notify William “The Duke” Wellington (Stuart Martin).

The Duke is in the bed with Betsy (Dunja Stojanovic) when someone knocks on the door. Betsy looks out the window to see Ivy standing on the sidewalk below. After Ivy asks for The Duke, Betsy tells him there is a visitor for him. Raising his voice, he tells her that he is not on duty. Assuming Eliza is his wife, she tosses him out of her house.

Phelps informs Eliza that an unidentified suspect unlawfully gained access to the City Mortuary through a smashed window. He says the suspect stole confidential files from the clerical room. She describes the act as a “disgrace” and “deplorable.” He tells her the city mortuary clerk, Mr. Potts (Simon Ludders) pointed the finger at her. She assures him that Potts is not fond of her. He reads Potts’ statement, “An unscrupulous woman who is as trustworthy as a bag of snakes.” When she mentions facts, he reminds her of her mother’s ring. Denying the allegations, she points out that it is off-limits to women when The duke enters the room.

Eliza apologizes to The Duke for getting him involved. He complains about it being his day off. She denies knowing how the right made its way to the City Mortuary. He sarcastically asks if she believes “he was born yesterday. After admitting her guilt, she complains about Potts’ refusal to provide her with the information for her outstanding cases. She assures him that the files were there when she left. When he questions her breaking into the mortuary at night, she admits utilizing a door key while Potts was at lunch. He accuses her of having created a duplicate key to the City Mortuary. She questions if she has any alternative. Detective Fitzroy (Evan McCabe) enters the room to relay a message to The Duke from Superintendent Monro (Ian Pirie). As he prepares to leave the room, Eliza asks if he believes her. He says her innocence will be difficult to prove.

Monro introduces The Duke to Chief Commoner Mr. Thackery/Alfie Frampton (Dominic Mafham). Monro informs him the confidential files were stolen during a break-in at a different mortuary. Mr. Thackery questions why the perpetrator hasn’t been arrested, with her history of breaking the law. He sarcastically says, “Lady detective.” The Duke to tries to explain how Eliza had issues with Potts but is immediately cut off by Monro who reminds him of the evidence. He suggests the same perpetrator committed both break-ins. Mr. Thackery demands they arrest Eliza immediately. When Monro suggests a thorough investigation, Mr. Thackery argues there is ample evidence already. Monro orders The Duke to charge Eliza. The Duke returns to the room, where he left Eliza to it empty.

The Duke and Ivy discuss Eliza’s whereabouts. While Ivy voices her concern for Eliza’s safety, he complains about her embarrassing him, again. He describes Moses (Ansu Kabia) and Eliza as “thick as thieves.” After he leaves, Ivy asks Moses if he is positive no one followed him. He suggests sticking with the plan.

The Duke informs Monro about Eliza’s disappearance. Monro questions if he is behind it. He assures him that Eliza is not responsible for the break-ins. Monro voices his concern about how Mr. Thackery will react when he finds out Eliza hasn’t been arrested. The Duke is given 24 hours to locate Eliza.

At the City Morgue, Ivy utilizes the alias, Cecilia Thackery, to get information from Potts about the stolen files. Potts admits to feeling violated by someone unlawfully accessing his “private sanctuary.” He assures her that he and the police can identify the perpetrator. She claims her husband, Mr. Thackery, before asking what was stolen. He reminds her of what she said about her husband informing her of what happened. She finally convinces him to tell her what is stolen by inviting him to dinner.

Ivy tells Moses the City Mortuary files consisted of a list of bodies that were never identified. She says the unidentified individuals were reported deceased 25 years ago in August 1857.

Eliza fights flies when Clementine (Laura Rollins) enters the room. They discuss why Eliza is there. Clementine offers to speak with a local woman to see if she has heard anything about the robberies. Eliza is forced to pay a bribe to coax her to do it.

The Duke tells the detectives that he believes Moses knows Eliza’s whereabouts. After everyone leaves except for Fitzroy, he admits believing Eliza is not guilty. Fitzroy says the City Mortuary files contain unidentified bodies from 1857. He hands him a cemetery map of where the bodies are buried.

Eliza waits on Clementine who immediately falls to sleep upon returning home.

Upon arriving at the cemetery, The Duke sees a woman and two men in an altercation. The men rush away as he approaches. He identifies himself as a police officer to Mary Dawson/Bloody Mary (Matilda Ziegler). Standing next to a hole with a casket, she describes the men as graverobbers. He asks who the grave belongs to. She denies knowing anything. Moses is watching from behind a tree.

At the London Metropolitan Constabulary in Great Scotland Yard, The Duke questions Mary. She identifies the unknown men as ‘body snatchers” before explaining the lucrativeness of body-snatching. After providing a physical description of the men, Mary makes her exit. Phelps alerts The Duke of a sighting. When he offers to have the man brought in, The Duke says, “He’s mine.”

Potts greets Ivy’s alias, Cecilia Thackery, while she is out shopping. He excitedly talks about his deceased mother as if she is still alive. As she prepares to leave, he questions why a woman of her caliber would go shopping. She assures him that she wanted to ensure the ingredients for the dinner are quality. Watching as she walks away, Potts refers to her as a “delightful lady.” Overhearing his comment, the grocer (Predrag Pavlovic) says, “Ivy is one in a million.”

Eliza is playing with her hat when Clementine awakens. She probes Clementine for information about her conversation with an acquaintance on the night of the mortuary break-in. Clementine claims she saw a man with dark hair and blue eyes while sheltering from the rain. Eliza reminds her that it had been weeks since it last rained before accusing her of lying. When she demands a refund, Clementine is off to work.

The Duke stops Moses as he prepares to enter a local pub. He demands to know Eliza’s whereabouts. Moses offers to ask the pub patrons about the graverobbers. He questions why he would offer him help. Moses promises to help him, help Eliza for a price. He refuses his offer before entering the pub. The patrons stop what they are doing when the landlord (Alek Rodic) addresses him as “detective.”

Ivy is shocked to find Hobbs standing on the doorstep when she opens the door. He asks if her name is Ivy. She assures him that she would do whatever it takes to help Eliza. He tells her that he should’ve guessed the Chief Commoner would never invite the likes of him to dinner.

Stannard (Dan Cade) and Watts (Denis Muric) are playing cards when Moses approaches. Moses hires the men to unearth a grave. The police rush in to make an arrest before they flee the scene. Moses gives himself up to The Duke. As they are forced into the police station, The Duke issues an order for the men to be placed in different cells. He escorts Moses to a remote area before removing his handcuffs. Holding out his hand, Moses reminds him of their deal. The Duke pays him while trying to bribe him for Eliza’s whereabouts. Moses quietly walks away.

Mr. Thackery demands to know why the police have arrested Eliza. Monro’s explanation falls on deaf ears as Mr. Thackery threatens to contact his superiors. When The Duke approaches, Monro asks if he has Eliza in custody. The Duke assures him that he has something much better.

Sliding a photo of Eliza across the table, The Duke asks Stannard if he was hired by the woman to rob a grave. Stannard denies it was her. The Duke reminds him of what he said about another woman breaking into the mortuaries. He claims they were hired by the woman to dig up graves. The Duke asks if he has any idea what she was trying to find. After identifying the woman as Bloody Mary, Stannard tells him that he recently met her. The Duke asks if he is referring to the vicar’s wife, Mary Dawson. He assures him that she isn’t the vicar’s wife but Blood Mary.

Monro informs The Duke that he is being removed from the case.

Clementine returns home with a swollen eye. Eliza questions he popped her in the eye. She admits getting into a spat with her sister who say a 50-something woman in a black dress. Eliza asks if she knew her. She denies knowing the woman unlike Chief Commoner from Scotland Yard who talks a lot when he drinks.

Eliza encounters Moses on the street. When he questions her destination, she informs him that she is off to solve the case. They say she has cleared in unison.

Fitzroy joins The Duke at the cemetery. He informs him that Mary Dawson, a 1950s diamond smuggler, utilizes the Bloody Mary alias. He says she was sentenced to prison for 25 years and was recently released. The Duke discovers a tag that reads, “Lucas & Son Florists Hillard Street Farrigdon. He questions, “Who sends flowers to a pauper grave.”

The florist (Nenad Maricic) says the grave receives flowers monthly.  The Duke asks for the sender’s address. Fitzroy tries to pressure him into talking about Monro’s decision to remove him from the case. As he tries to say his replacement, he is cut off but The Duke’s curiosity gets the best of him. Fitzroy says, “Carmichael.” After hanging over the customer’s name, the florist claims someone had been inquiring about the account. The Duke learns a woman had beat him there.

Eliza approaches the home when The Duke intervened. He escorts her to the carriage before knocking on the door. Mr. Thackery assures him that his connection to the stolen mortuary files is just a coincidence. He admits to having a humble upbringing but never let it stop him from striving for more. He claims his reasoning behind the flowers is to ensure he never forgets.

Fitzroy and Eliza discuss the flowers on the pauper grave. He relays what they learned from the florist. She claims the lady wasn’t her.

Raising his voice, Mr. Thackery assures him that he is as eager as him for the case to be closed. He asks him to leave before his wife returns home. As The Duke prepares to leave, a bell rings in the background. The Duke reminds him of what he said about no one being home but him. He suggests it is the maid. Cocking his gun, The Duke starts walking in the direction of the bell. Mr. Thackery orders him to not open the door when Mary and her hostage, Mrs. Thackery (Ana Bretsnajder) approach. She orders him to put his gun down. He complies with her request. As she prepares to shoot her hostage. Eliza advises her to not do it while pointing a gun at her head.

Mr. Thackery and Mary Dawson are arrested. While The Duke grills Eliza on police revolvers. Fitzroy struggles to get horse poo off his shoe.

Mr. Thackery tells police his real name is Alfie Frampton, and his fiancé is Mary Dawson. He says Mrs. Thackery is innocent. He claims to have fled with the diamonds, which he swallowed. He admits to staging his death to escape Mary and his past. The Duke suggests he took the name on the pauper grave.

The Duke fills Monro in on the arrests. When Phelps enters the room, Monro pours them a whiskey while ignoring The Duke. He tries to explain why he disobeyed his orders, but Monro insists he leaves. As he opens the door, Monro asks Phelps to tell him more about himself.

After describing men as “childish,” Eliza suggests Monro will eventually accept it and move on. The Duke says he doesn’t believe so because loyalty is everything. She gets defensive when he points the finger at her. He isn’t happy when she teases him about his relationship with Betsy. As he prepares to depart, they open the door to find Potts standing there. When Eliza attempts to apologize, he says his visit doesn’t pertain to her. Ivy says she assumes he received her message. He accepts her offer of “homemade steam pudding.” She admits to adding more raisins to the recipe. With her in the lead, they walk past a stunned Eliza as the episode comes to an end.

 

Miss Scarlet and the Duke Review

Miss Scarlet finds herself in a predicament that could land her in jail or worse, on the gallows. Fortunately for her, Moses and Ivy came up with a plan that give her enough time to find the true perpetrators. Whether she would have pulled it off without The Duke’s help is questionable.

The Duke’ arrogance is becoming more apparent with each episode. It is to the point, that he is unlikeable. I really wish they would soften him up a bit to make him just a bit more tolerable. With three episodes to go, anything is still possible.

Every member of the case performed superbly. I have taken a liking to the self-conscious Detective Fitzroy and meek Mr. Potts, my two favorite characters.

The consideration and planning invested into the creation of each crime are quite extraordinary. This is not even to mention the execution, which went off without a hitch.

The episode deserves a 6.8. Get more Miss Scarlet and the Duke recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link to learn more.