B-I-N-G-O baby!! And we could add Tousled Jack to that listā¦ Along with Jealous Jack, Knocked-Out Jack and Ready-to-Save-Phryneās-Life-in-an-Instant Jack.
We begin with a classic vaudeville-style magic show, replete with Charlie Chaplin lookalike, contortionist and creepy ventriloquist. At least the wolf costume from Season 1 isnāt alone anymore in the āMFMM props that give me nightmaresā category. <<shudder>> Dotās there in the crowd, ushered by Cec and Bert - no doubt to keep them from tangling the arrangements their miss was so steadfastly preparing.
My goodness! What a difference a year makes! We went from ācopingā with one candle to a veritable fireball on the table. Love that the seat placements were across from each other - and neither was at the head of the table (which was where Mr. Butler was standing). Itās indicative of two things - 1) theyāre not meeting to discuss a case where they might need to compare notes or read from a pilfered typewriter ribbon; and 2) Phryne may be attempting to convey an equal standing. I thought it was pretty adorable how Phryne was so involved with setting the scene - lighting the candles herself. Sheās definitely hoping for some magic of her own. Though, I thought that hat was a bit of a hazard amongst so many open flames, LOL! Sheās dressed to kill in diamonds and that midnight blue gown we got a sneak peek of in some of the early stills that were released. Meanwhile, Jack is adjusting his (new!) tie in the reflection of his glass door and you can actually see the tension thrumming under his skin.
āJack!ā She all but shouts in anticipation. Itās not breathy. Itās not even welcoming. Her tone announces that she is about to eat him for supper instead of the meal Mr. Butler has prepared. Ah well, letās let the scriptwriters crap on our dreams again, shall we? Poor Phryne. Poor Jack. Poor us. The disappointment is palpable. āAn unexpected guest is far more enticing than an expected one.ā I canāt even hear the word āenticingā anymore without flashing back to Luna Park and Phryne daring Jack to ride the Scenic Railway with her. And Jack believes that Phryne will always chose the most enticing option. And she will. He simply doesnāt realize that itās him just yet.
But, murder brings the two together soon enough. As the Inspector punnily puts it, the magicianās assistant gets ācut off in her prime.ā Phryne demonstrates how the altered guillotine works because - of course - and asks him to pass her āsome vegetationā to demonstrate how the trick works unless he wants to volunteer for the job himself. This prompts Jack to pull one of the best JPS faces weāve ever seen. (Jack Polite Smirk for the uninitiated.) With a veritable cornucopia of produce to choose from, does he choose the leeks? The parsnips? No. Jack slaps the giant peen squash into her hand. And looks her straight in the eye as he does it. Flipping fantastic!
The team divides and conquers and Phryne woos Sid the prop guy for information - much to Jackās distaste. I wondered why this bothered him so much. I mean, itās not exactly new behavior for her - and thereās no way he could have thought her honestly interested. However after her cancellation of their plans, Jack is bound to feel a bit put out. Sid draping the scarf around Phryneās neck was the last straw, I think. I donāt know who this joker thinks he isā¦ Thatās Jackās maneuver!! Dot, meanwhile is snooping on the contortionist when Hugh foils her steath and tells her that he will find the clues āeventually.ā This reminded me of when Jack and Phryne were at odds in āBlood of Juana the Madā and he told her that maybe he couldnāt have opened the safe āas easilyā or found the blood trail āas quickly.ā Itās going to be a tough road for the young couple as Dot is growing exponentially more modern by the second and Hugh canāt catch up that fast. Naturally, Jack had to overhear that the āunexpected guestā is not only male but is also staying the night - and takes his irritation out on his constable who responds in glorious, unadulterated discombobulation: āUmm- workā¦ Itāsā¦Iām working. Itās working, Sir!ā I missed you so much, Hugh!! It almost makes up for you suggesting that Dot go home for a cocoa because the police were on the case now. Almost.
OK, itās time for everyone to be honest: how many times did you watch Phryne stroke down Jackās tie? Come on. If itās any less than five and you donāt have a good excuse like your computer caught fire, Iām calling BS right now.
That tie really is something with the intricate bordeaux and navy art deco pattern. He favors these rich colors in his palette but, this is by far the most complex pattern weāve ever seen Jack in - perhaps significant of the complexities he now faces in light of his shifting relationship with Miss Fisher. The style practically screams āPhryneā and Iām delighted she noticed. Iām looking forward to seeing it many more times this season. The most interesting part about her fondling his neckwear in this instance is that for the first time, he barely flinches - his annoyance at her currently outweighing any other sensation. But, within moments itās clear that sheās the one who had to take the first step when it came to them meeting again over dinner and not their next murder investigation (thwarted those the plans were). After asking if her offer to view the body again was an invitation, she reminds him, āI could wait all day for yours.ā He likes to play coy of course but, hell!, it was he who told Collins that the ball was only a dance - ānot a proposal of marriage.ā But Hugh wasnāt in love with Dot at that stage and Jackās too far gone. Perhaps he finding it difficult to take the lead given that heās certain how he feels about her her but is far less sure if itās mutual. Alas, Jackās always had a flair for the dramatic. We all remember how irritated he was at Lin for stealing her away from him in that alley, later pointing out that he was āquestioning her taste in menā - and he had even less ground to stand on then. For a moment, it looks like all will be put to rights. But, the gentleman house guest rears his head again and Jack resorts to sulking (which he does with an alarming amount of hotness), even dropping little passive-aggressive jabs in front of Dr. Mac at the morgue.
OK, letās talk about Mac and the Morgue. First, why the hell does Mac want to be the coroner? Does she not have enough going on at the Womenās Hospital and the University to keep her busy? Iām not complaining exactly because more Mac is always going to be aces with me but, there had to be a better way. Ah, well. Farewell Dr. Johnson! Iāll miss your misogyny if only because it reminds us how things really were and made Jack voice Miss Fisherās brilliance on a regular basis. What Iām actually rather peeved about is the new Morgue. Itās the freaking university set from Juana the Mad. What the hell? I liked the old morgue, with itās dark halls and clipboards, the filing cabinets to rustle through. It was clandestine and mysterious in its appearance, like it hid clues. This one is too white - too crisp - too clinical. I canāt imagine Jack and Phryne having a moment in there. End rant (for now).
In between, we learn (as if we didnāt know) that the Baron is Phryneās father. I was cheering her on as she kicked his rather smarmy and charming butt out to the Windsor. Which is cause for quite a bit of hilarity when Prudence confronts him about trying to use her account. Prudence is fantastic in this episode, calling Henry an idiot and Phryne that dear girl. Loved every second she was on screen. But, I must admit, I loved Henry too. If he werenāt my father or my friendās father, I would almost surely drink with him at the bar on the regular. No doubt he would be buying our drinks with someone elseās money and telling the most wonderful and outlandish stories. But, if I were Phryne, Iād probably want him to disappear too.
Cue the Hugh and Jack show. Always a crowd-pleaser. Hugh redeems himself somewhat by taking Dotās notes and reading them thoroughly - even comparing them to the Inspectorās. And, even though he is sheepish about admitting it āDotā¦tieā¦āsā¦ notes,ā he sticks by his instincts and had already brought the suspect in for further questioning. Jack then has to deal with his own female work/life drama as Miss Fisher storms into the station as Hugh puts up a cautionary but resigned hand. He knows sheās not going to be stopped. The fact that the policemen have beaten Phryne to the punch has Jack feeling rather smug (he wonāt admit it was due to her strong right hand) and I was just sitting there, waiting for the patented Jack Robinson eye roll/head tilt combo! B-I-N-G-O!
They had back to the theater and question Sid further which leads to an magnificent sight gag that has Phryne looking like sheās baring her breasts like her namesake. But, itās just a stage prop. Lovely flashback to āMurder Most Scandalous,ā including Jackās chagrined, lip-curling expression. She invites him for a supper do-over during which she would like to discuss her houseguest. Jack, to my surprise is forthright about it, āGood, Good. So would I.ā Unfortunately, Phryneās running late after trying to flush out the conniving contortionist. But, I will give her credit: At least sheās taking Jackās feelings somewhat into account because sheās sweating out the clock and when Cec and Bert appear on the scene, she delegates the task so she can get back to whatās really importantā¦ the Inspector waiting in her parlour.
Unfortunately, he was waiting a bit too long and served a few too many drinks.
In my mind, the jealousy thing was a bomb waiting to go off. Iām actually surprised they detonated it in the first episode instead of stringing us along. Presumably, weāve jumped to the two of them trying to navigate how to date. And right off, sheās gone and ditched him for someone else. Someone who is now spending multiple nights at her home. Someone who feels comfortable enough to leave his pipe, medication and cravat on her end table. So when Mr. Butler brings cocktails, Iām sure the temptation to lube his temper with alcohol was simply too great to refuse. Unfortunately, weāve seen what can happen when a dejected Jack drinks to excess. But while he was certainly fueled with plenty of liquid courage by the time Phryne sweeps in, he is not drunk. The alcohol has not clouded his thinking but it has certainly loosened his tongue - just not in the way Phryne was hoping.
Her aquamarine glittering cloud of a dress could not have been more different from the one she wore the night before when she was ready to devour him. We havenāt seen her in something this girly (with his floaty sleeves) since the first time Jack laid eyes on her in her friendās bathroom. She knew she had to make reparations and intentionally did not wear a lethal dress. It was, however, absolutely gorgeous and she looked more lovely than I think Iāve ever seen her. She always looks gorgeous though so I think it must be the color. It just seemed to light her up. (The sea-green kimono she wore the next day had the same effect.) Then, she does something equally surprisingā¦ She apologizes. And by the look on her face, she means it. Sheās practically swooning in that doorway - whether feigning for his ego or honestly delighted to see him in a way is anyoneās guess. Probably a bit of both. Not surprising. What is surprising is that he doesnāt tell her not to be sorry - that her remorse confuses him. Nor does he make a cutting remark about her constant need to make an entrance. Instead, he says heās sorry too. And it throws her.
āJack, at last. I am so sorry I kept you.ā
āIām sorry too, Miss Fisher.ā
āOh. Why donāt you sit down and ā¦ have another drink?ā
āNo, no, no. I need to make something perfectly clear.ā
Go ahead.
āWell, you know Iām a liberal-minded man. Maybe not as liberal-minded as youād like me to be, or as much as I w-would like me to beā¦ for you. But I donāt want you to think Iām like all those other liberal-minded men.ā
āWhat other men?ā
āWell, the parade. The constant parade of French artists, of fugitive anarchists, of, of, of Russian clairvoyants. The tango dancers, and and men whoā¦ men who wear damned cravats! (Guzzles Henryās nerve tonic by accident.) Well, Iām not one of them and I never will be. Even if you want me to be. Thatās all I have to say.ā
āJack, wait.ā
(Jack collapses - thankfully, not from a head injury. Just a potentially lethal drug and alcohol combination. No worries!)
How the hell do I even unpack this? It was just so amazing!! I loved his speech. I didnāt find it petulant, self-pitying or accusatory (of her) in the least. Over the past months, Jack has learned a lot about himself and what he wants - and he knows Phryne and thinks he knows what she wants (even though heās wrong but, she has never given him a reason to think otherwise). Yes, Jack. You are liberal minded. Weāve been saying so since at least The Green Mill Murder when you gave those plates to Phryne to destroy. And probably way more than you give yourself credit for because you just think youāre following your moral compass, when in fact youāre decades ahead in your thinking.
For him to make the statement that heās not as liberal minded as even he would like to be - for herā¦ really says something. Phryne wants to move quicker then he is ready for, in a physical sense and Iām sure he wishes he could talk himself into doing some really, really ignoble things for a change. Or maybe he wishes that the idea of her seeing other men didnāt bother him so much. Itās probably a bit of both. But he knows himself enough that he canāt oppress his nature. Not for something casual with her. I think Jackās extolling the parade of men (complete with over the top full body gestures - which had me squeeing) was a result of his many number of drinks along with years of pent up frustration from watching the revolving door of Phryneās bedroom and having to wrestle with having feelings (that as a married man during some of that time) he shouldnāt have been having and not being in a position to say anything about it. Case in point: Peter the Painter! Of course he knew! And even though we all saw how much he was affected by her dalliance with Warrick Hamilton - who admittedly wasnāt the Russian clairvoyant but worked for her - he never spoke a damning word against it. I noticed that he did NOT bring up Lin. I think that was was too much even for him to want to relive.
But even as he names off her lovers, he does not condemn her. He is only saying that he is NOT LIKE THEM. Well, no effing kidding Jack. Thatās why YOU are standing in Phryneās parlour right now and they are not. But he doesnāt know that. He doesnāt know that there havenāt been any other men for some time. All the same, heās owning his feelings and I love him for it. Itās his slightly less combative way of saying, āI am who I am, Phryne. And I canāt give that up.ā But, heās about to do another runner and (look kids! Phryneās learning from her mistakes!) she asks him to wait. I actually missed his hand on her neck the first time I watched this. But OMG! I canāt decide if he was about to kiss her or he was reaching out to steady himself as the nerve tonic took over and dropped his ass to the floor. I dearly wish Phryne finds the opportunity soon to tell him that she does not want him to be anything but who he is.
Ah, the morning after. Birds are chirping, sunlight plays off the walls in an ornately decorated bedroomā¦ Holy Mother of God!! Jack is in Phryneās bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ā In navy blue pyjamas!!!!!!!!!!!!! And all the angels in heaven sang. And I had to pick up my bottom jaw from the floor. I actually videoed my favorite parts of this episode on my iPad so I can watch jack waking up in those jammies as many times as I want, his hair curling out of control. For any of you still in doubt, that is 100% Phryneās bedroom. Go back and watch āMurder a la Mode.ā The humor of the entire situation was absolute perfection. Jack awakes and recognizes his surroundings. Heās been there before once with a gun trained on a jewel thief and is not likely to forget a single sensory feature of Phryne Fisherās bedroom. Except now he can add what her satin sheets feel like to the mix. Jack is mortified beyond belief. The last thing he remembers is slugging back all those drinks and telling Phryne off. It obvious he really couldnāt care less about the pyjama top but when he lifted the covers, I was sure he wanted to see if they left him in his suit trousers or not. His face says it all. Someone had turned him out of his britches! Then he pulls the covers up to his chin like heās been violated, LOL! Iām going to go a step further and suggest that on top of everything else, Phryne totally slept in that bed with him. Look at the other pillow. Itās dislodged. Iām sure it was just to be sure he was alright through the night. No telling what that mix of drugs and booze could do. Someone need to stay with him and monitor his breathing and, um, other natural reflexes. LOL!
Then Mr. Butler comes in with the Inspectorās suit all pressed, as if there is absolutely nothing odd about any of this. Loved Jackās morning voice all rough and sheepish at the same time āThank you Mr. Butler,ā with that one finger of polite acknowledgement in the air because he couldnāt bear releasing the covers any more than that for fear of losing all of what was left of his pride. That finger really was EVERYTHING in that moment. Nathan Pageās choices continue to amaze me. Nathan continues to bring the physicality to the part with the way he carried himself down the stairs. Heās unsteady on his feet - very unJack-like due to the walloping hangover - knocking over the plant stand and having to steady the branches. Even though he is fully dressed in his three piece again, he looks completely undone. His hair is tousled and his expression reeks of embarrassment. He was beyond ready to bolt out of there and do the walk of shame all the way home in yesterdayās suit. Until someone calls out to him.
āHungry? I can recommend the omelette!ā
Jack looks for a moment like he would like nothing more than to slug this cravat-wearing, omelette-eating depravity of a liberal-minded man. But Phryne swoops in in that aqua chinoiserie coat and, really, he stood no chance. And that was before he heard her call the man āFather.ā Gobsmacked Jack. Add that one to the list, please.
āHenry George Fisher - Baron of Richmond. We havenāt been formally introduced, though I did help to carry you up the stairs.ā ***To my unmarried daughterās bedroom.*** LOL! CLASSIC. Henry is indeed one of those liberal-minded men Jack spoke of. Poor Jack! His chagrin multiplied about a thousand fold in that moment. Phryne asks him if he recalls Mr. MacKenzie mentioning that the Baron was the showās new investor.
āYesā¦ I-I do recall.ā That last word is uttered with such mouth-garbling, breathless goodness, I could listen to it a hundred times. Oh! Who am I kidding! Iām sure I have.
Henry excuses himself to pilfer more food and Jack takes the chance to make his escape before he suffocates under all of the humiliation.
āJa-Aaaa-Ackk!ā Phryne calls in frustration, insinuating herself between him and the door. The closeup of the two of them is nothing short of gorgeous. I honestly thought it copuldnāt get better than the āYou kissed me backā scene from āAway With the Fairies,ā and thatās still in my top 10 moments. But a tousled, discomfitted Jack and a positively beaming, roguish Phryne make for a spectacular scene.
āI was going to explain last night, butā¦you were in no fit state.ā
āYou assaulted me,ā he accuses her. And my first thoughts were NOT of him laid out on her parlour floor.
āMy father assaulted you. Well, his nerve tonic assaulted you first, but none of it was planned.ā She thinks he DOES mean the drugs but itās clear from the look on his face that the clues just clicked into place. Thatās why he canāt remember anything beyond that last drink. No. He was not speaking of getting knocked out. He was speaking of the state in which he woke up this morning.
āWho put me in pyjamas?ā This is his way of getting to the answer without admitting how naked (literally and figuratevely) he felt.
āMr Butler, of course,ā she answers and his relief is palpable, until she addsā¦ āAfter I undressed you.ā
And then, she does it again with her eyes and YOU KNOW. JACK KNOWS. His eyes follow hers down his body. She has seen it all and is not the least bit abashed about it. (āAnd Iām not here to apologise.ā)
Cue the interruption by Cec and Bert, dragging in a trunk that contains a potential suspect. I have absolutely no interest in going over the actual case in this recap. Which is probably fine by you all. But, I loved the Sapphic twist with Sarah the contortionist. Phryneās words to Rosie about touches that were āa little too intimateā obviously extend to intimate objects such as Pearlās blood-covered pearls. And honestly, I could look at tousled Jack all day. Naturally, the next time we see him Jack is freshly dressed in a different suit and tie, hair freshly washed and creamed - looking every bit the part of respectable Detective Inspector again.
They chase down more dead ends and Phryne and Dot get pulled into a very clever rouse by one of their suspects. But, Dot thinks there is more going on than meets the eye. While Miss Fisher leaves the āmethodical partā of the investigation to Jack, she jumps into the deep end, ensuring mortal danger will be knocking on her door very soon. Should we be surprised that she studied āHoudiniās water torture cell under The Great Levante?ā No, of course not. The Great Levante was an actual Australian magician - the most famous actually - and was widely considered to be among the best in the world at that time. According to historical timelines, Phryne could have feasibly studied magic with him before the war, while she was still in Melbourne - presumably between flying lessons with Vic Freeman, LOL!
Back at the Station, Dot dupes Hugh and steals a piece of evidence after getting frustrated with his attitude, āI donāt do this job for fun, Dottie, I have to follow procedure.ā Awww. Jealous much, Hugh? Anyway, the letter she steals brings her back to the house she and Phryne visited earlier, where Phryne souvenir a vial of opiate tonic. Iām surprised you didnāt hear me crowing over the interwebs as Dot gets down and brandishes a lock pick to get inside. After several fumbles, the tumblers finally spring open, āYES!ā we both cry out at her victory. Meanwhile, Hugh finally realizes that something is missing from the file and has to confess to the Inspector:
āHang on, why doesn'tā¦ Oh, no.ā
āSomething wrong, Collins?ā
(Sighs) āMillie Naylorās letterās missing from the MacKenzie file, sir, and I think Miss Williams has taken it.ā
āJust what we need - two of them.ā
I loved that Jack said that. Not only does it give Dot as much power as Phryne, it also underlines the struggles he and Collins have to face, personally and professionally - together - but each in their own ways and in their own time. We also get a decent look around Jackās office for the first time. His mantlepiece has changed. Itās larger with more shelves and has been built up higher. The clock now sits further up the wall and I spy the scrimshaw again - this time on the new mantle shelf instead of his desk! I love when it makes an appearance! (Sad, I know. But, I blame my attention to set design and costumes on my love of Mad Men. It ruined me for ānormalā TV watching.) The policemen follow the trail back to the locked house and discover Dottie already there, with evidence in hand. Jack secures another piece that fits when he finds another vial of the medication and Hugh tells him that he knows itās used for asthma. Only one of their suspects gets breathless. They high-tail it over to the theater where Phryne, performing as the Miraculous Mermaid -in possibly the least flattering costume they could find - has been trapped by the killer in the water tank for 4 minutes. Henryās freaking out. So are Cec and Bert. Jack goes for the axe, ready to break the glass and save his damsel in distress (Cheers phrynesboudoir! For calling that one in your fic - how much did you love seeing it play out??!?!). But of course, Phryne needs no saving. She appears perched over the tank, panting for breath, but safe. Lock picks in hand. Iām not entirely certain how she got out, seeing as the killer put the pin back in the secret hinge but - whatever. Sheās safe and Jack is impressed. Thank you, Director, for that lovely silhouette of Jack looking up at her. Much appreciated.
Phryne interrogates the killer looking fierce, wet from the stunt, and clad in a gorgeous blue kimono that matched the color of Jackās pyjamas perfectly. Just sayinā.
Back in St. Kilda, sheās dressed and ready to receive her guest, no doubt hoping for a more familiar evening rehashing their case over drinks. Sheās wearing that black and gold lace overlay from āMurder Most Scandalousā - the one she had on when she sat in his lap. Probably not intentional. I just like pointing it out. But, Henryās back to spoil her plans and Aunt P. has had some urgent and distressing news that she shares with her niece in the form of a letter written to her by her sister, Baroness Fisher. Turns out old Dad is destitute. The investment in the magic show likely a rouse to get him back to Melbourne so he can use his daughter some more. A knock on the door precipitateās Jacks arrival just as she is about to admonish her father for having a drink in response to her obvious hurt and anger. But, Henry uses the Inspectorās presence as a pretense to toast the show and his daughter and gives hope to the idea that he (Henry) can change. Jack sees through the fake smiles and shares a knowing glance at Phryne before she knocks back her drink, unbelieving. yet, thereās an air of resigned hopefulness in her voice.
I know everyone said that you couldnāt top Season 2ās opener. But, I think they did it. All in all, this was well worth the wait!! Canāt wait for Episode 2!!
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