‘Darby and Joan’ Recap: ‘Season 2, Episode 3’

1/14/2025

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Key Art for Season 2 of ‘Darby and Joan’ Courtesy of Acorn TV.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Darby and Joan’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One particularly difficult task that writers and creatives that are assembling a crime themed series, run into, is figuring out how to properly explore the backstories of the characters we are spending time with, and how to grow them as individuals. Because those are important pillars of storytelling that audiences crave, and if they don’t receive it, they will move on. So somehow, it must come into play and therein lie that great and grand task, one that oddly enough… the writers of Darby and Joan on Acorn TV don’t have to worry about. Simply because their fine work in offering up a different kind of cozy mystery/crime series, is helping them to accomplish those goals no problem, and for proof, just look at the show’s next episode.

For this particular tale brought Jack and Joan to a lovely resort to reunite with Joan’s sister, Max, and have a good time with some of her friends. Who were here celebrating a wedding anniversary. But of course, a kidnapping came into play while they were there, and that meant Jack and Joan were the only hope in bringing that individual home, safely. Which they were able to do by figuring out that all of this related to money, and how some parties in and around the family were desperate for a payday they felt they deserved. But thankfully, the case was solved and well, we will breeze through that part of the story today, because it’s what happened as the case chugged along that matters a bit more regarding our core discussion.

Because by having a family member be in the mix of a case, and by not having the case move forward at breakneck pace… this story was able to explore the dynamic between Joan and her sister, and foster growth, for Joan and least. And what we learned here was fascinating. In that, Max never quite grew up and saw anything negative involving a family member as a slight against her, and Joan came to realize that in order to have a relationship with her sister, she will have to offer grace and humility until to figure out a way to defenselessly reach her. Which taught us a great deal about both women, how they grew up and how they lived their lives before change came into both of their worlds, and it was lovely to see that play out in this tale.

All of which informed us, that when it comes to this show, the road trip setting and the chance for this duo to settle in when they solve cases, allows for wonders to be accomplished and for quality growth moments to take place. And while we’ve seen family members either be involved in cases or be in their orbit in other shows, to accomplish those all-important goals, this story really did take all that to new heights and it still… found a way to move Jack’s storyline along and make it a touch more ominous. Simply because, Carlton turned up dead in this story. Which was quite the shocker that raised more questions than expected and threatened Jack’s safety in the process. For clearly, someone is trying to tie up loose ends regarding this case, someone with a lot of information about it, and Jack is a loose end.

Which is chilling progress, the kind that will add a sense of urgency to Jack’s push to uncover the truth. But while we wait to see his response to this, we can celebrate, one delightful tale. One that truly expanded upon Joan’s past in a lovely manner and helped us to properly understand her family dynamic and some of the strife she’s faced in the past couple of years. Not to mention, the case was intriguing and engaging and hopefully will serve as a blueprint for other shows eager to figure out that all-important balance the audience seeks, and it will be interesting to see what other intimate moments await us as Jack and Joan work to solve more cases, and put Jack’s past to bed, in the weeks to come. Until next time.

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