‘Whitstable Pearl’ Recap: ‘The Free Waters’ & ‘Random Acts’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Whitstable Pearl’.
​
One intense and overwhelming lesson that our parents and the collective whole of humanity works to instill in our minds… is that second chances are an impossibility and it understandable as to why people think that way. Because we really have built our culture on achieving perfection the first time around, which in turn pushes us to make great first impressions and somehow not fail at chasing our chosen career fields and relationships… so we live up to that mantra… one that is wholly incorrect. Because second chances do exist, and they are a reality because failure is a genuine part of life. One that is necessary for us to learn what our mettle is made of and how badly we want what we are chasing. 

Which means that when the time is right and we are ready to pick ourselves up and give it another shot, we do so with gusto and find a way to make our dreams work and really, this notion is relevant to our discussion today… simply because the second chance and the peace and fulfillment it brings permeates the fabric of the new AcornTV series, Whitstable Pearl. For the series premiere of this dynamic new crime drama, introduces us to one Pearl Nolan… who put her dream of becoming a police officer on the back burner to start a family and a business to sustain them. And after years of raising her son and growing that business, a restaurant that shares the namesake of the series… the chance to become a quality investigator arrives when we catch up with her in 'The Free Waters'. For shortly after she opens her own PI business, it leads her to a run in with murder and that begins her journey toward a second chance and finding fulfillment.

Because despite being saddened by the loss of her friend, she has all the knowledge that the police do not, and that motivates her to forge ahead and solve this case on her own, regardless of her lack of a badge and that’s when the show’s grand exploration in regard to how we find our way into a second chance gets underway. Because this really is it, this is her chance to make a difference and use her skills to help the police and thankfully… they welcome it. For DCI Mike McGuire knows that her intimate knowledge of the town can serve him well, and he turns Pearl loose and she accomplishes wonders. For she is quickly able to piece together the who put down her dear friend, and despite the danger that comes with her search… she brings the killer to justice, giving her that second chance at last and the wonder of this two-hour premiere doesn’t end with Pearl’s pseudo-return to law enforcement.

---

For the second episode, ‘Random Acts’, is what hammers home the fulfilling nature of the second chance and how they don’t always go the way we might expect. Because Pearl isn’t handed a badge and a gun by the police. Instead, she quietly becomes a consultant of sorts, one that the McGuire knows he can trust through and through and for the first time in the short run of this series… we see Pearl at peace with the fact that she can do some good and that really does relax her and bring her happiness and it was nice to see the series point out in a subtle manner that our paths don't always go exactly as we plan, but we get there none the less and it still gives us exactly what we need. Plus, it was also quite delightful that she and Mike have a unique case to work as well in this second episode. Since the art thief plot line here was quite original and delightful and the show also deserves serious credit for also wasting zero time in exploring the possibility of romance between our two leads.
​
Because they do indeed have some serious chemistry, the kind that they are willing to explore and their romantic journey brings us to the other reason this series is so darn enjoyable… its characters. Because they are growing before our eyes in these first two episodes, and they have depth thanks to the powerful experiences that brought them to this point and the themes aren’t limited to Pearl either. Since DCI McGuire is looking for his own second chance at both love and his career since clearly the death of his wife sent his life careening out of control and the realism that surrounds these characters and their desire to find the right path in life, allows for the viewer to instantly attach to both of them and root for them to succeed. For they are wonderful and good human beings that deserve happiness and fulfillment.

If anything, this really is quite the refreshing series when all is said and done. Because everything about this show is unconventional in nature, and that’s a good thing for a crime drama. For it is devoid of the gritty nature that permeates other shows in this vein, and instead wants to focus on the raw humanity of the characters and the crimes they investigate. Which really does provide the viewer with a down to earth and oddly hopeful show. One that really does make it seem that both Pearl and DCI McGuire will find the fulfillment and completeness they so desperately seek as they forge ahead with their second chances and it will be quite interesting to continue to watch them grow in the weeks to come, and enjoy their second act in life, as they solve more unique and dynamic cases. Until next time.

---