‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’ Recap: ‘Season 2, Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘The Madame Blanc Mysteries’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular aspect of crime dramas that has become a staple if you will, is that the killer must be a remorseless monster. One that had solid reasons, in their mind, for committing the ultimate sin. A move that makes the story in question, a true battle between good and evil, wherein the evil is vanquished, and the hero can teach the killer and the audience a lesson in morality. Which leads to a satisfying story of course, one that does however leave us wondering… if it is ever possible for someone to be filled with remorse over murder. Because all we see in those stories is a form of bloodlust, of humanity at its lowest and understandably so. For murder is the ultimate sin, and there is no forgiveness or reconciliation that comes forth from taking a life, so perhaps there is no hope for those who kill.
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But the fact of the matter is, that portrayal isn’t correct and yes… people can in fact… regret the actions they’ve taken part in. Because sometimes… murder isn’t portrayed as it is on television. It isn’t some deeply calculated act designed to bring down a system or send a message or satisfy an unwholesome and evil urge. It’s something that happens in the heat of the moment, and regret can and will come into play. And those who commit it, are faced with real pain and real remorse over that which will now haunt them until the end of their days. But for entertainment’s sake… we look at that more sensational side and moral side, and rightfully so. But it is nice now and again, to find a story that takes the time to speak to the remorse one would feel in such a situation, as was the case in the next episode of The Madame Blanc Mysteries on Acorn TV.

For the next chapter in Jean’s adventures, basically revolved around a cold case. For the death of a local theater legend, brought forth truth for the deceased’s daughter, Vivienne. In that, she was adopted, and her real mother was murdered years ago and she wanted Jean to figure out what happened to her mom. Which led to Jean’s toughest case to date, one that featured intrigue and a missing rare item as well, and it also brought forth more death. But as Jean continued to dig and deeply, she came to realize that the murderer, was nothing more than a jilted lover. One that killed his love in the heat of the moment for infidelity, and an unfortunate soul in the wrong place at the wrong time. But upon committing his original crime, Jules was wrought with guilt and wrought with pain over the fact that he killed someone he loved and… left a child in a bad place. 

The very child that asked to have this murder solved, and in a desperate effort to set things right and atone for that sin… Jules stepped up, and raised Vivienne as his own, even though her father was a different man altogether. Because the guilt of killing was quite real, and Jules had to carry that every single day and truly hoped to heal his sin by raising a good woman and helping her to live a good life. Granted, he was caught in the end and off to jail in his later years because Jean always uncovers the truth. But it was refreshing to see a killer have a heart in a story like this for a change and feel remorse and try to atone for the worst sin possible. Since it did remind us, that not everyone is a calculating serial killer, or a monster born of society’s ills. Sometimes a killer is just a killer, one that screwed up and feels great pain over their actions and should indeed be held to the letter of the law.

All of which made for a refreshing tale really, one that also featured a big moment for Dom. For his ex was back in town in this tale, working a play at the theater as she worked to rebuild her life post marriage. Which allowed for Dom to finally confront her for her actions and hold her to count for her selfish nature and that was lovely to see. Since it let Dom grow, and helped him to heal and well, that too just added to the wonder of a magnificent story, one that really did surprise at every turn with its emotion and humanity. All because it worked to explore, the fallout of murder and the impact it has upon lives, which is vast and reaching… because of the impact a single life makes upon this world and robbing people of it… is outright devastating. Until next time.  

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