Sex Cake – The episode begins with investigators collecting evidence at the crime scene. Lawrence Khubeka (Sipho Mahlatshana) nervously watches as an investigator transports evidence to his vehicle.

Anna Pretorius (Daneel Van Der Walt) professes her love Martine Burger (Tinarie Van Wyk Loots) while being escorted to a police cruiser.

Grace Zihlangu (Lee Duru) asks Lawrence if he spoke to the police. He tells her that he couldn’t do it. She suggests telling the police everything to prove he isn’t hiding anything.

Locals voice concern about a serial killer on the loose. Tannie Elna (Martelize Kolver) questions what she will do if he climbs through her window at night. A lady sarcastically says, “You should be so lucky.” Cornel Van Wyk (Alan Committie) adds that one of Koop’s “most beloved family members” was killed. Constable Klaasen (Megan Alexander) admits they’re addressing the issue as a matter of the utmost urgency.

Dirk Burger (Bennie Fourie) calls Anna a “bloody bit**” as an officer escorts her into the police station. After claiming to be the only person to love Martine, Anna says she hated him. Dirk assures the locals that he gave Martine everything. She tells him that he gave her more of what she didn’t need. The police rush in when he pulls his gun. The gun discharges as Khaya Meyer (Tony Kgoroge) wrestles it away from him. Anna tells him to kill everyone like he did Martine. Dirk is arrested for “reckless endangerment.” Marius Rabie (Grant Swanby) calls the local police a “joke.”

Tannie Elna asks if Martine looking at an astrology novel in her store impacts anything. Khaya says it’s doubtful. Tannie Maria/Maria Purvis (Maria Doyle Kennedy) says she wants to speak with him about Martine’s letters. He tells her to join the others in the queue.

Khaya tells Regardt Snyman (Arno Greeff) to escort Anna to the Interview Room and inform her she has been charged with assault on a police officer. He threatens to press more charges if she doesn’t talk.

Lawrence informs Khaya that he and his mother worked for Martine as her gardener and domestic.

Hattie Wilson (Jennifer Steyn) speaks to someone on the phone about her struggles with keeping the Gazette in operation. Lifting a bundle of letters off the desk, Tannie Maria says they are from people in need. Hattie asks if she was able to spend some one-on-one with the gorgeous Khaya. She complains that he was kind of rude. Jessie September (Kylie Fisher) says Regardt claims Khaya is constantly giving him orders. Hattie asks if he is Regardt’s boss. Tannie Maria tells them that Dirk fires his gun into the air. Jessie suggests the police “lock him up and throw away the key.” Hattie reminds her of “due process and fair trial.”

Khaya asks if the fire poker with fingerprints from the crime scene is being tested. After telling him that sleeping pills were found in Martine’s system, Piet Kasin (Elton Landrew) says she had been hit in the back of her head. Ragardt says Dirk claimed to have spent the night drinking at a bar and Fanie Le Roux’s house where he also passed out. He adds that Dirk discovered Martine’s body around 5am, not long after Fanie’s wife ran him off.

Tannie Maria tells Hattie that Piet is good at his job and with people. Hattie admits to not seeing him as her type, but likes his “very shapely arse.” After denying it’s about dating, Tannie Maria says it’s about getting Martine’s letters to the police. Hattie tells her that she’d allow Khaya to interrogate her at any time.

Tannie Maria receives a letter that reads, “I need your help. Got any good tips for seduction? It’s hard work being a farmer, we’re up before dawn trying to look after these animals of ours. There are no time to think about anything when your livestock are struggling.” Nigel (Pierre Malherbe) arrives to treat one of Gideon’s emu that hasn’t been keeping food down. Gideon (Stian Bam) tells Tannie Maria that he’s in need of a technique that tells someone how he feels. Gideon signs the letter, “Lonely on the Farm.”

Jessie informs Hattie that the police released Dirk on bail after charging him for firing his gun this morning. Tannie Maria describes the action as “outrageous.” Jessie suggests demanding the detectives read Martine’s letters. She tells her that she has her advice column to focus on. Jessie says she’ll interview Dirk. Hattie asks if she took care of the farmer’s market scheduled for Saturday. Jessie acknowledges filing the article. When Hattie asks if she filed the monthly youth entrepreneur profile, she promises to do it today before heading out the door.

Jessie calls Tannie Maria to ask for help with Dirk’s story. She tells her that she’s too busy with a “seduction recipe.”

Jessie asks Regardt if he helped interrogate Dirk. He tells her that he couldn’t tell her anything, regardless. She asks was the person who reported the crime Dirk. He explains that it’s difficult to find the body of someone you love. She assures him that Dirk was abusive toward Martine. He admits to finding his father’s body. After informing him of Riley September (Zac Wastie) being ill, she apologizes for what happened with his dad.

Tannie Maria responds to Gideon’s letter. She suggests he needs ample courage and “eggs from a happy hen” to romance his potential lover.

Gideon hugs his sick emu while Nigel assesses her. Tannie Maria explains her cake recipe to Gideon. Nigel assures him that there’s some improvement. Tannie Maria Gideon invites him in for cake. She suggests serving the cake with “fresh coated cream.”

While serving Piet a slice of cake, Tannie Maria asks if Anna can have a slice. When Grace approaches to speak with Piet, she offers her a slice of cake. He tells her that she can have five minutes with Anna.

Tannie Maria asks how Martine died. Anna admits to feeling something was wrong and when she arrived Dirk was there and Martine was dead. Tannie Maria suggests hiring a lawyer. Anna tells her that it no longer matters. She pleads with her to call a lawyer before leaving. Piet suggests Anna is smarter than Dirt gives her credit for. Tannie Marie slops down a slice of cake for Khaya topped with cream. Grace laughs when she tastes the cream.

Tannie Marie receives a letter from Aileen McKlintlock (Robyn Scott). It reads, “Dear Maria, It’s so wonderful to have a picture of you in my head of what you look like now. We haven’t seen each other in a very long time. I miss you. I miss talking about the old days. I’m aching. Lot of water under the bridge.”

Doep (Terence Bridgett) asks Khaya if his visit regarding Martine. He tells him that he’s there to speak with ladies at the Gazette. Tannie Maria identifies herself as “Maria Purvis” for the police report. While she writes out her statement, Hattie greets Khaya before sensually licking cream off her spoon. After informing Tannie Marie that Martine’s investigation is a “serious police matter,” he warns there is no time for “amateur detectives.” Rubbing his chest, Hattie promises to prevent her from interfering with his investigation.

Jessie asks a police officer what’s the holdup. He demands she stop if he says stop. Riley complains that he doesn’t feel well. Jessie asks if it has anything to do with his math exam when Dirk drives by.

Regardt informs Anna that she’s being released because her bail was posted. She tells him that Martine’s death is her fault. He reminds her that she included it in her statement.

Hattie sarcastically tells Jessie it’s nice she finally remembers her job. Jessie pleads with Tannie Maria to accompany her to where Dirk is staying. She reluctantly agrees. Hattie turns around to see they’ve gone.

Piet informs Khaya that Anna’s prints were on the fire poke.

Jessie tells Tannie Maria that the guesthouse is run by Seventh-Day Adventists. While she describes Dirk to Frank (Anele Matoti), Anna approaches with her gun drawn. Anna threatens to kill Dirk as he approaches with his gun drawn. After reminding him of his daughter, Tannie Maria says Martine praised his parenting skills. He agrees to let a mum and her children go. He sarcastically tells Anna that she doesn’t know how to fire a gun. She shoots him in the toe. He fires a shot at her and another into Tannie Marie’s cake carrier before falling into the pool. Jessie assists him out of the water. When she grabs his toe, he orders her to stop.

Frank thanks Tannie Maria for getting the mum and children out of harm’s way. She tells the young boys that they were very brave. Khaya informs her that the cake carrier must be confiscated. She complains that the cake will ruin. He asks what she and Jessie are there. She says they were there to interview him.

Jessie tries to sneak into the house only to find her mum, Lucille (Lore Loubser) waiting. She tells her there was a shooting at the guesthouse. Lucille informs her that Riley was very sick when she arrived home. Jessie claims Riley admitted to faking his illness before saying he didn’t deny it. Lucille scolds her for not giving him some medicine. Jessie reminds her that she’s his mum. The argument continues until Jessie asks if he’s okay. Lucille says the virus can be treated with plenty of fluids. Jessie adds “red jelly” before explaining that her dad gave it to her when she got sick. Lucille says she trusted her to take care of Riley. Jessie admits to not wanting to be a nurse or mother.

In a flashback, Maria Purvis is washing dishes when Mickey Purvis (Ashley Dowds) kisses her neck. She asks if he’d like a cup of tea when he walks away.

Piet returns Tannie Maria’s cake carrier and a note that reads, “Hope the cake still takes yum. I stole another slice.” Another letter from Gideon arrives. Nigel kisses Gideon before he leaves. Gideon describes the kiss as a “whole bucket load of fireworks exploded over the koppie all at once.”

Jessie suggests they investigate Martine’s house. Tannie Maria agrees before telling Hattie her “sex cake” was effective.

Tannie Maria stuffs her mouth while she and Jessie approach Martine’s home. They are inside the house when a vehicle pulls up in the driveway. Something busts through the window as they look out when the episode comes to an end.

 

Recipes For Love And Murder Review

Anna finds herself in a pickle when Khaya charges her with Martine’s murder. She tells Tannie Maria that she doesn’t care anymore. Whether fortunate or not, Tannie Maria and Jessie refuse to let her take the fall. When they arrive to interview Dirk, Anne shows up armed and ready to take him out. As everyone expected, Dirk isn’t going down without a fight. A shootout transpires, leaving both with minor injuries.

Khaya isn’t happy the Gazette girls injecting themselves into a “serious police matter.” Tannie Maria was upset with him for previously ignoring Martine’s letters.

It’s unclear what Lawrence and Grace told the police. Since they were employees of the Burgers, they probably had plenty to say.

What is the meaning of Aileen’s letter? It seems she still loves Tannie Maria, but it’s still unclear.

Jessie is selfish when it comes to Riley. She assumed he was faking his illness to get out of a math exam. Even when her mum validated his illness, she seemed to care less. Her approach was harsh, but understandable, that she didn’t want to be a mum. She is still young, after all.

My biggest gripe is the poor cinematography. The actors rarely make eye contact when conversing. I must say, it’s a tad strange. Plus, it complicates capturing recap images.

The dialogue is a hit-and-miss. However, I find myself quite enjoying the show. Just give it a chance, you may find it enjoyable as well.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Recipes For Love and Murder recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.