Death Defying Feats

It's an interesting experience when a TV show jumps the proverbial shark. There's nothing particularly wrong with this episode; it just lacks most of what fueled seasons one and two. Oh, it isn't far off: it's like seeing someone you know do an imitation of someone else you both know. You can see what they're doing and why, but you won't mistake them for the real person.

Take Phryne and Jack outside the interview room. Previously we had Phryne show her cleverness just as Jack was thinking he could do without her; now she just reports -- and helps herself to the interview room. Same with Dottie and Hugh: imagine someone stealing evidence (or breaking and entering) and not getting in trouble. And where Phryne previously got involved due to necessity, now she just does so just to see what will happen (and on just one afternoon's practice). Ah well; it's just entertainment, right?

This is still reasonably enjoyable, and I'm still interested to see more of season three. It's still full of beautiful outfits and vintage decor, even if they did change to a lesser theme song. Miriam Margolyes is included but has nothing really to do. Essie Davis still looks fab. It's a competent TV mystery, but what once sizzled is here just warmed-up leftovers.

During the performance of a guillotine act in a traveling magic show, a woman's head is actually cleaved from her body. Phryne quickly deduces that it wasn't an accident, but murder. As we've come to expect in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, Phryne and Jack team up to catch a killer.

The mystery in Death Defying Acts if first rate. Lots of suspects, lots of clues, and lots of sleuthing. It's got everything I've come to expect from the show. But it also has some extras that make it one of the more fun episodes I've seen so far. First, Dot is given a larger role in solving the crime than normal. Other than the episode where she went undercover in the factory (I can't for the life of me remember the episode's name), I don't recall her playing such a key role. Second, the death in Death Defying Acts is about as gruesome as I can remember. A head severed from a body - very violent. And third, Phryne as the mermaid in the final act. There are some cheats in the way it's filmed, but it's still thrilling.

But the best part of Death Defying Acts has to be the developments in the Phryne / Jack relationship. Season 3 opens with Phryne getting ready for a dinner date with Jack. Phryne's father shows up and the date is canceled. In true Three's Company fashion, there is a miscommunication between characters. Jack, not knowing the man is Phryne's father, is quite obviously jealous. Phryne doesn't seem to understand what's wrong with Jack. It's just so much fun to watch. Feeling-filled gazes aside, it's a joy to watch these two characters finally expressing their true feelings toward each other.