‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’ Recap: ‘Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’.
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Truly, there are few things in this world as tragic or unsettling as when family members turn upon one another. Because family is sacred and something we cherish to no end, and that is why we are rattled and stunned when we hear on the news that two family members have crossed that uncrossable line and committed harm upon one another. But while it is important to cherish family and show disdain when it is treated as meaningless, so that we continue to cherish it… we do have to be honest with ourselves and understand that family life isn’t as rosy for everyone as it was for us. Because sometimes, family can be toxic and unhealthy in every sense of those words and that kind of environment can drive people to do horrible things to one another.

If anything, that reality, and the cause as to why family members suddenly view their own blood as the kind of monster that needs to have vengeance imparted upon them is top of mind today, simply because it served as the focus of the next episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries, in the most surprising way imaginable. Because at first glance, it really seemed as though Jean and her new hometown were going to be embroiled in a crime related to money. For a dead body turned up at Jeremy and Judith’s thirty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration and the poor soul that was gone, Mary (who also happened to be Judith’s estranged sister), was basically robbed either before dying or after. Since a rare and valuable broach was missing from her outfit.

Which in turn motivated Jean to offer her services to the police, since she knows that kind of product inside and out and knew she could help them track it down and that offer provided her… with honorary status from Andre Caron. Because he trusted her knowledge and instincts and that… kicked off the grand investigation into this murder and Jean’s quick thinking and in-depth digging, revealed that there was indeed a family element at play here. For it turns out that Jeremy’s brother Harry… had an affair with Mary. Leading Jean to wonder if a crime of passion from Harry’s wife came into play here. But in the end, that wasn’t enough to bring this heinous crime to fruition. No instead, a broken and abandoned heart, one belonging to Harry and Mary’s unplanned daughter… Angela… brought about Mary’s end.

Because Angela was abandoned shortly after birth and put into the foster system and once, she reached adulthood and set out into the world, she decided it best to reunite with her mother and forge a future with her. Which went swimmingly at first, until Mary had a change of heart and abandoned Angela again. Leaving Angela with no recourse in her mind… than to exact revenge on someone that caused her great harm. Which is why she worked to steal the broach. To sell it and get some kind of value from a worthless parent. But alas, the plan to steal it via the event and a disguise, went wrong, and Mary died, putting Angela behind bars all because she couldn’t reconcile or let go of the past and in this instance, that is easier said than done… making this story a grand tragedy for certain.

One that makes it clear that marginalization and emotional abuse, will motivate a family member to do horrible things to their own flesh and blood, genetic ties be damned, and this episode deserves a round of applause for showcasing this in such a frank manner and for not trying to offer a solve to this… because there really isn’t one. Because we cannot influence what others do, we can only control our own world and be a better family member, plain and simple. But all family commentary aside, this episode also deserves kudos, for giving Jean a new purpose in life and for giving her a true nemesis as well. Since the person that wants the ring, worked to get their hands on the broach and they are taunting Jean and that definitely compels one to continue this journey… to see how Jean’s newfound role, might finally lead her to her husband’s killer, and peace at last. Until next time.  

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