‘Three Pines’ Recap: ‘The Murder Stone’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episodes Five & Six of ‘Three Pines’. To revisit the previous episodes, click here.
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Over the course of the past couple of weeks, we’ve talked at length about the unconventional nature of the Prime Video series, Three Pines, and rightfully so. Because not only does this crime drama feature intricate cases that we don’t often see in shows of this caliber, but it continues to find new ways to challenge the audience and its characters via its casework. And of course, it’s making sure to follow up on every plot thread introduced in the series premiere of the show and it would seem that this is indeed going to be a standard. For, ‘The Murder Stone’, just so happen to be another pair of episodes that defied expectations, and kept the storytelling quite fresh, all by surprising us with another supremely unique murder case, and a twist in the Two-River case. 
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For when we catch up with Chief Inspector Armand Gamache in this tale, he and his beloved wife were settling in for a beautiful anniversary getaway at the Chateau Belleforét. But what should have been the perfect romantic getaway for this couple, was quickly sullied by the surprise that took place on the other side of the hotel. Wherein the family of Charles Morrow, including Three Pines residents, Peter, and Clara Marrow, had gathered to read the Last Will and Testament of their now late father and that led to conflict and trouble and murder… courtesy of a brutal end for the heir of the hotel, Julia Morrow. Which was a bold storytelling decision. Because despite the ties to Three Pines present here… such a move did move us out of the town, but it worked, because this new setting and this family gave Armand plenty to work with. 

Because he and his wondrous team of investigators quickly came to realize that this was a busted family through and through, one that had little respect for love or one another and understandably so. Since money was the ruler of this family’s lives and it drove Charles’ decisions and, in the process, left all of his children broken. Which made this story appear to be a parable about the dangers of greed and how that can come back to bite us. But as it turned out, this was a story about how a lack of love from a family can break an individual, since it eventually was discovered that none of the immediate family took part in this awful murder. Instead, it was the hotel’s manager, Maurice, who also happened to be Charles’ son as well. One born out of wedlock. And all he ever wanted, was to be part of the family officially and feel loved and when denied that again… he snapped.

But while it was indeed fascinating to learn that lesson and see that kind of unique case play out, this episode also took the time to advance the Two-Rivers mess in a stunning manner. Because Isabelle made contact with Kevin Kis and he had… some powerful things to say about that dark night regarding Blue. In that, the police likely killed her in a profiling incident, and that they wished to pin the crime on him. Which of course, was why he was on the run, and it took a lot of effort on Isabelle’s part to get him to finally speak with Armand, even after coming to learn he wasn’t lying in the slightest, and all of that effort may have been for naught. Because he was arrested before our heroes could get to him, and to make matters worse… he was found in his cell, within an inch of his life. Courtesy of someone who didn’t want him to say another word about this critical case.

Which of course, sets the stage for this case to explode, courtesy of Armand and his team, since they won’t stand for such an injustice. But while we wait to see how that plays out, we can revel in the majesty of another incredible case. One that was unique and refreshing and downright original. Not to mention, it was wondrous to see the setting change but still make us comfortable in the process via the tie-in to Three Pines and expand upon a character we’ve really only met in passing and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this investigation, we are back to counting down the minutes to the next chapter in this saga. To see what intelligent case awaits the team, and to see if at long last… the Two-Rivers investigation will come an end in a just and satisfying manner. Until next time.

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