B-I-N-G-O baby!! And we could add Tousled Jack to that list… Along with Jealous Jack, Knocked-Out Jack and Ready-to-Save-Phryne’s-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 isn’t alone anymore in the “MFMM props that give me nightmares” category. <<shudder>> Dot’s 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 “coping” 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). It’s indicative of two things - 1) they’re 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. She’s 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! She’s 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.
“Jack!” She all but shouts in anticipation. It’s not breathy. It’s 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, let’s let the scriptwriters crap on our dreams again, shall we? Poor Phryne. Poor Jack. Poor us. The disappointment is palpable. “An unexpected guest is far more enticing than an expected one.” I can’t even hear the word “enticing” 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 doesn’t realize that it’s him just yet.
But, murder brings the two together soon enough. As the Inspector punnily puts it, the magician’s assistant gets “cut off in her prime.” Phryne demonstrates how the altered guillotine works because - of course - and asks him to pass her “some vegetation” 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 we’ve 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 Jack’s distaste. I wondered why this bothered him so much. I mean, it’s not exactly new behavior for her - and there’s 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 Phryne’s neck was the last straw, I think. I don’t know who this joker thinks he is… That’s Jack’s maneuver!! Dot, meanwhile is snooping on the contortionist when Hugh foils her steath and tells her that he will find the clues “eventually.” This reminded me of when Jack and Phryne were at odds in “Blood of Juana the Mad” and he told her that maybe he couldn’t have opened the safe “as easily” or found the blood trail “as quickly.” It’s going to be a tough road for the young couple as Dot is growing exponentially more modern by the second and Hugh can’t catch up that fast. Naturally, Jack had to overhear that the “unexpected guest” is not only male but is also staying the night - and takes his irritation out on his constable who responds in glorious, unadulterated discombobulation: “Umm- work… It’s…I’m working. It’s working, Sir!” 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, it’s time for everyone to be honest: how many times did you watch Phryne stroke down Jack’s tie? Come on. If it’s any less than five and you don’t have a good excuse like your computer caught fire, I’m 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 we’ve 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 “Phryne” and I’m delighted she noticed. I’m 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 it’s clear that she’s 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, “I could wait all day for yours.” He likes to play coy of course but, hell!, it was he who told Collins that the ball was only a dance - “not a proposal of marriage.” But Hugh wasn’t in love with Dot at that stage and Jack’s too far gone. Perhaps he finding it difficult to take the lead given that he’s certain how he feels about her her but is far less sure if it’s mutual. Alas, Jack’s 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 “questioning her taste in men” - 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, let’s 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 Women’s Hospital and the University to keep her busy? I’m 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! I’ll miss your misogyny if only because it reminds us how things really were and made Jack voice Miss Fisher’s brilliance on a regular basis. What I’m actually rather peeved about is the new Morgue. It’s the freaking university set from Juana the Mad. What the hell? I liked the old morgue, with it’s 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 can’t imagine Jack and Phryne having a moment in there. End rant (for now).
In between, we learn (as if we didn’t know) that the Baron is Phryne’s 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 weren’t my father or my friend’s father, I would almost surely drink with him at the bar on the regular. No doubt he would be buying our drinks with someone else’s money and telling the most wonderful and outlandish stories. But, if I were Phryne, I’d probably want him to disappear too.
Cue the Hugh and Jack show. Always a crowd-pleaser. Hugh redeems himself somewhat by taking Dot’s notes and reading them thoroughly - even comparing them to the Inspector’s. And, even though he is sheepish about admitting it “Dot…tie…’s… notes,” 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 she’s not going to be stopped. The fact that the policemen have beaten Phryne to the punch has Jack feeling rather smug (he won’t 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 she’s baring her breasts like her namesake. But, it’s just a stage prop. Lovely flashback to “Murder Most Scandalous,” including Jack’s 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, “Good, Good. So would I.” Unfortunately, Phryne’s running late after trying to flush out the conniving contortionist. But, I will give her credit: At least she’s taking Jack’s feelings somewhat into account because she’s sweating out the clock and when Cec and Bert appear on the scene, she delegates the task so she can get back to what’s really important… 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. I’m actually surprised they detonated it in the first episode instead of stringing us along. Presumably, we’ve jumped to the two of them trying to navigate how to date. And right off, she’s 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, I’m sure the temptation to lube his temper with alcohol was simply too great to refuse. Unfortunately, we’ve 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 haven’t seen her in something this girly (with his floaty sleeves) since the first time Jack laid eyes on her in her friend’s 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 I’ve 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 surprising… She apologizes. And by the look on her face, she means it. She’s practically swooning in that doorway - whether feigning for his ego or honestly delighted to see him in a way is anyone’s guess. Probably a bit of both. Not surprising. What is surprising is that he doesn’t 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 he’s sorry too. And it throws her.
“Jack, at last. I am so sorry I kept you.“
“I’m sorry too, Miss Fisher.“
“Oh. Why don’t you sit down and … have another drink?“
“No, no, no. I need to make something perfectly clear.“
Go ahead.
“Well, you know I’m a liberal-minded man. Maybe not as liberal-minded as you’d like me to be, or as much as I w-would like me to be… for you. But I don’t want you to think I’m like all those other liberal-minded men.“
“What other men?“
“Well, the parade. The constant parade of French artists, of fugitive anarchists, of, of, of Russian clairvoyants. The tango dancers, and and men who… men who wear damned cravats! (Guzzles Henry’s nerve tonic by accident.) Well, I’m not one of them and I never will be. Even if you want me to be. That’s all I have to say.“
“Jack, wait.“
(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 didn’t 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 he’s wrong but, she has never given him a reason to think otherwise). Yes, Jack. You are liberal minded. We’ve 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 you’re following your moral compass, when in fact you’re decades ahead in your thinking.
For him to make the statement that he’s not as liberal minded as even he would like to be - for her… really says something. Phryne wants to move quicker then he is ready for, in a physical sense and I’m 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 didn’t bother him so much. It’s probably a bit of both. But he knows himself enough that he can’t oppress his nature. Not for something casual with her. I think Jack’s 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 Phryne’s bedroom and having to wrestle with having feelings (that as a married man during some of that time) he shouldn’t 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 wasn’t 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. That’s why YOU are standing in Phryne’s parlour right now and they are not. But he doesn’t know that. He doesn’t know that there haven’t been any other men for some time. All the same, he’s owning his feelings and I love him for it. It’s his slightly less combative way of saying, “I am who I am, Phryne. And I can’t give that up.” But, he’s about to do another runner and (look kids! Phryne’s 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 can’t 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 bedroom… Holy Mother of God!! Jack is in Phryne’s bed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  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% Phryne’s bedroom. Go back and watch “Murder a la Mode.” The humor of the entire situation was absolute perfection. Jack awakes and recognizes his surroundings. He’s been there before once with a gun trained on a jewel thief and is not likely to forget a single sensory feature of Phryne Fisher’s 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 couldn’t 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 he’s been violated, LOL! I’m 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. It’s dislodged. I’m 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 Inspector’s suit all pressed, as if there is absolutely nothing odd about any of this. Loved Jack’s morning voice all rough and sheepish at the same time “Thank you Mr. Butler,” with that one finger of polite acknowledgement in the air because he couldn’t 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 Page’s choices continue to amaze me. Nathan continues to bring the physicality to the part with the way he carried himself down the stairs. He’s 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 yesterday’s suit. Until someone calls out to him.
“Hungry? I can recommend the omelette!”
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 “Father.” Gobsmacked Jack. Add that one to the list, please.
“Henry George Fisher - Baron of Richmond. We haven’t been formally introduced, though I did help to carry you up the stairs.” ***To my unmarried daughter’s 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 show’s new investor.
“Yes… I-I do recall.” That last word is uttered with such mouth-garbling, breathless goodness, I could listen to it a hundred times. Oh! Who am I kidding! I’m 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.
“Ja-Aaaa-Ackk!” 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 copuldn’t get better than the “You kissed me back” scene from “Away With the Fairies,” and that’s still in my top 10 moments. But a tousled, discomfitted Jack and a positively beaming, roguish Phryne make for a spectacular scene.
“I was going to explain last night, but…you were in no fit state.”
“You assaulted me,” he accuses her. And my first thoughts were NOT of him laid out on her parlour floor.
“My father assaulted you. Well, his nerve tonic assaulted you first, but none of it was planned.” She thinks he DOES mean the drugs but it’s clear from the look on his face that the clues just clicked into place. That’s why he can’t 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.
“Who put me in pyjamas?” This is his way of getting to the answer without admitting how naked (literally and figuratevely) he felt.
“Mr Butler, of course,” she answers and his relief is palpable, until she adds… “After I undressed you.”
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. (“And I’m not here to apologise.”)
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. Phryne’s words to Rosie about touches that were “a little too intimate” obviously extend to intimate objects such as Pearl’s 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 “methodical part” 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 “Houdini’s water torture cell under The Great Levante?” 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, “I don’t do this job for fun, Dottie, I have to follow procedure.” 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. I’m surprised you didn’t 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, “YES!” 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:
“Hang on, why doesn't… Oh, no.”
“Something wrong, Collins?”
(Sighs) “Millie Naylor’s letter’s missing from the MacKenzie file, sir, and I think Miss Williams has taken it.”
“Just what we need - two of them.”
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 Jack’s office for the first time. His mantlepiece has changed. It’s 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 “normal” 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 it’s 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. Henry’s 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. I’m not entirely certain how she got out, seeing as the killer put the pin back in the secret hinge but - whatever. She’s 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 Jack’s pyjamas perfectly. Just sayin’.
Back in St. Kilda, she’s dressed and ready to receive her guest, no doubt hoping for a more familiar evening rehashing their case over drinks. She’s wearing that black and gold lace overlay from “Murder Most Scandalous” - the one she had on when she sat in his lap. Probably not intentional. I just like pointing it out. But, Henry’s 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 precipitate’s 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 Inspector’s 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, there’s an air of resigned hopefulness in her voice.
I know everyone said that you couldn’t top Season 2’s opener. But, I think they did it. All in all, this was well worth the wait!! Can’t wait for Episode 2!!
