‘Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries’ Recap: ‘Coop de Grace’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries’.

It is definitely safe to say that Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries is proving itself to be quite the unique crime series. For this Acorn TV original really is doing a phenomenal job of exploring the more unconventional reasons as to why people commit crimes and murders since we’ve been treated to stories that explore the genesis of crimes of desperation and pettiness and passion, lending a fascinating sense of realism and relevance to a story that is set in 1964 and it would seem that this show is showing no signs of slowing down in regard to this. Because as it turns out, the next episode in this delightfully charming serial, takes the time to once again examine a unique reason for people to cross the ultimate line.
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For ‘Coop de Grace’ is a story that pondered upon the fact, that some people will harm others in the hopes of keeping a grand secret buried for all times and it accomplished this particular examination… by offering up one of Peregrine’s most unique investigations to date. For this time around, murder most foul occurred at a bird club. Wherein the club president, named Virgil, was found tarred and feathered and stuffed with bird seed and well… that led to a variety of possible suspects for Peregrine and James to investigate. For one of the club members, Melvin, spent time in jail for committing a tar and feathering act back in the day and had beef with Virgil and the birdseed in question was forged by the club president’s own sister, Thelma, who wasn't fond of her brother in the slightest. But despite investigating those leads, James and Peregrine were stumped as to who might have crossed the biggest line imaginable since there was nothing solid to tie their suspects to this crime.

But as the case continued along, it quickly became apparently that someone was trying their best to keep our dynamic duo away from the truth and could have eventually succeeded in pinning this crime on someone else, had they not pushed so hard to be unseen by the police and our favorite private detective. For Samuel uncovered the fact that a man named Nick, who just so happened to be Virgil’s right hand man at the club, tampered with evidence designed to clear his name and once Peregrine and James swung by to have a little chat about the matter, they came to learn why. For it turns out that Nick was a former Nazi soldier and was working hard to keep that a secret and knew that scrutiny would reveal this awful truth and unfortunately for Virgil… he came to learn of this secret and died because of it. And that is a wonderful and direct way to point out to the audience that when someone has a horrible secret to keep… the kind that could cost them everything, they’ll do whatever it takes to keep it buried. 

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However, what was truly impressive about this week’s mystery, is that it also managed to offer up some answers in regard to what exactly Birdie has been up to behind the scenes when it comes to her side spy gig and as it turns out… she’s been handling unfinished business. For she and her beau, Aleks, used to hunt Nazis back during the war and a chance to bring down one that got away was too juicy an opportunity to pass up. But sadly, her journey was the saddest one present in this tale. Because despite taking a Nazi officer into custody, the fight to capture him, cost Aleks his life. Leaving dear Birdie beside herself and her sorrow oddly enough, motivated her to have a serious heart to heart with Peregrine about her and James’ standing as a couple and rightfully so. 

For this episode made it clear that the song and dance they’ve been playing around one another, where they appear to be professionals over anything else, won’t last and that at some point they need to address their feelings for one another and what happened between them. Because this episode saw their love for one another bubble to the surface on a consistent basis, and the comfort they felt toward experiencing those emotions once again, spoke volumes to the fact that they are a tortured pair emotionally and while Peregrine is now ready to take that next step and be open and honest with the man that sends her heart a flutter… such an act will be easier thought than done. For Sally has made her mark on her relationship with James, and Peregrine is all about keeping the highest integrity in such matters and it will be quite interesting to see what she does now that she is ready to tell James he is her everything.

But while we wait to see what will become of James and Peregrine, we can bask in the wonder of one quality tale. Because not only did this one offer us a quality examination on why people take lives, it was also filled to the brim with solid humor and quirky moments that only this series can pull off, and it even featured a little action and adventure and some emotional gravity as well. Because Birdie’s response to her beloved’s death made for some powerful moments for certain and well, this episode just goes to show that this series is one of the most versatile crime dramas around. For this writer is hard pressed to think of any other series in this vein that can pack in that many storylines and themes and blend them together in such a seamless manner and well, it will be quite interesting to see what other bold storytelling akin to this, awaits us as we barrel toward the series two finale. Until next time.

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