‘Recipes for Love and Murder’ Recap: ‘Do You Lick Everything?’ & ‘Operation Vetkoek’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes Three and Four of ‘Recipes for Love and Murder’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that murder mystery shows tend to move at a breakneck pace when it comes to the cases, they present us with, and it makes sense as to why. Because audiences have made it clear that they enjoy a brisk story, one that wraps up cases in a supremely neat manner while growing the characters, so we can all enjoy a magnificently epic and sweeping season. One that teaches us plenty about murder and its nature and entertains us as well, and this is so engrained in television shows that feature this genre, that it is almost impossible to find a murder mystery show that features anything but the norm. 

Which is why the Acorn TV series, Recipes for Love and Murder is of note. Because it is the series that is currently working to shatter that particular norm. For its two-episode blocks on Acorn TV, continue to break all the rules. For not only is the giant case hanging over this season of storytelling, not solved in the slightest, but the case is moving at a human pace. One complete with testing delays and legal proceedings. The kind that revolves around forensic testing and the obtaining of search warrants and that is allowing for a unique and refreshing story to come to life. One that features incredible food, because everything Maria cooks on this show is just… delectable and mouthwatering. But also... it is making the characters kings and queens.

That is allowing for some intimate moments to take place, the kind that are quite frankly, really helping us to get to know everyone in great detail. Even the supporting characters. Which made ‘Do You Lick Everything?’ and ‘Operation Vetkoek’ some supremely intimate stories. Wherein we learned for instance that young Regardt is quite the romantic and is eager to make Jessie his wife and it was just sweet to learn that and enjoy a little drama with that when the Martine’s cousin came into town to try and swoop him up. Plus, it was equally as powerful to get an idea what Jessie’s personal life is like and garner just a touch more understanding regarding Maria’s past in Scotland and her ties to the folks that are eager to speak to her. 

Not to mention, Maria once again used her wonderful knack for helping people in this tale in a beautiful manner. Since she has now mastered the art of using her recipes to heal the souls of others and bring people together. A move that adds incredible subtext to this series, the kind that speaks to how food is a universal language for us and bonding over it and breaking bread with others… especially when it is tasty, does wonders for the parties involved. If anything, it is just amazing to be able to enjoy a series that is taking its time with the story and the mystery and really focusing on the characters because it really is helping this writer and undoubtedly others to care about these folks and their plight, to the point where we want to see them find what they desire and of course… solve this ugly case.

Which did see some progress take place. Since we came to learn that Martine wasn’t totally forthcoming about her life and her problems. Because there is a mystery man, probably an ex, that she told few about. And since her husband and bestie are a little daft, he could be the culprit of this heinous crime and well… it will be interesting to see what that revelation will mean for the case in the weeks to come. But in the here and the now, we can celebrate a pair of intimate and magnificent stories. The kind that did an incredible job of world-building through and through and truly, the wonder of these stories is going to make the wait for next week’s episodes grueling. Simply because, it is equally as safe to say we want seconds and thirds of this delightful and delectable show. Until next time.

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