‘Signora Volpe’ Recap: ‘Truffles & Treachery’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season finale of ‘Signora Volpe’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about the nature of the fresh start and why we take part in them and how we adjust to a new normal when we take that proverbial plunge. All because the new Acorn TV series, Signora Volpe, has given us so much to ponder upon regarding those concepts. Courtesy of Sylvia Fox’s decision to abandon her career at MI6 and start anew in Italy as something of a private investigator. One that uses her skill set to help others in special ways and well, what’s amazing is that this series is showing no signs of slowing down regarding its in-depth and realistic look at what the fresh start looks like and what it actually entails. 
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Because the season finale of this dynamic and unique series, took the time to ponder upon something that isn’t discussed all that often regarding the fresh start. In that, what we sometimes forget… is that people can and will take part in them for unhealthy reasons. For instance, there are some, who are so unhappy with their past and their past transgressions… that they believe the fresh start is the only way to be free of those burdens. And what makes that so unhealthy, is that it is the incorrect way to handle our past and our missteps. Because they cannot be run from, and they cannot be avoided in the slightest… and we must confront them and resolve them if we truly want a new beginning. 

Which is a truth that Sylvia encountered in ‘Truffles & Treachery’ in the most surprising way imaginable. Because at first… this episode didn’t seem as though it was going to focus on that concept in the slightest. For when we catch up with Sylvia here, she’s finally settling into a near complete house, and she’s being asked once again to help with a case that would mean the world to someone. Since the father of one of her contractors, had his prize truffle sniffing pig go missing, and for a time it appeared as though this mystery was going to be the focus, and it would have been a welcome plot line regardless. Because how often does one get to enjoy a mystery involving what appeared to be a kidnapped pig?

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But the arrival of Adam at Sylvia’s house no less, quickly changed the tone of this particular tale. Because just like that, Sylvia had the past sitting at her patio table, and Adam made quite the ask of his ex-wife. In that, he needed her help in cracking one heck of a case. One involving the son of an old friend from her time in Moscow. For young Sasha had been accused of murder, and few believed he was capable of such an act, and he clearly needed Sylvia’s keen mind to save him. Which she eventually agreed to, and in the process was able to uncover treachery and lies and Sasha’s innocence. Which in turn allowed for him to walk free and nurse a broken heart, since his lover, Mario was the one that died in the midst of this attempt at revenge.
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However, what mattered more about this plot and the return of Adam in general, is that it taught Sylvia the lesson at hand. Because part of her clearly thought, she could just sell the flat in London and make a clean break by heading to Italy. But alas, leaving behind people that value her talents and care about her… is what opened the door to Adam’s return and the proper realization, that she is going to have to take the time to confront her past career and her make peace with it if she ever wants a clean break… and that’s an important realization to come to. One that was handled in a brilliant manner in this particular tale.

Because Sylvia didn’t just magically fix everything in this tale, she simply had her eyes opened to the reality of the next steps she needs to take. Making this a supremely realistic story for certain, one that makes it clear that we handle everything regarding the fresh start in steps and that’s a wonderful lesson to send our way, and it sets the stage for more potential growth for Sylvia in season two. Because then she can properly deal with her past in an equally satisfying and realistic manner and hopefully, we do indeed get a second season of this show. Because it is just so unique and so refreshing, and Sylvia’s story deserves to come to its complete journey. But while we wait for that particular good news, we can bask in one intelligent finale, one that saw Sylvia save a life from doom… and she also managed to find that pig, and you really cannot ask for a more complete season finale, than that.  

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