S04.E04: The Return of the Killer's Hook

[jewel21]

Quote

Nancy runs into an old friend who is in town directing a remake of a horror film called “Longhook,” where strange things are happening on set. She’s hoping that solving a new case will help get her out of her funk, and a worried Ryan offers to help Nancy since he is a self-proclaimed expert on the original version of the film. Meanwhile, Ace helps Bess rehearse for her role as Victim #1 in the movie. Lastly, George and Nick discover that they were both stood up for meetings by councilwoman, Brie, which gives them both an uneasy feeling.

Airdate: 06/21/2023

[Lady Calypso]

So, I ended up really liking this episode, actually. I do feel like they have NO clue what to do with Ryan, especially when the Glasses are now AWOL and he was set up to be a part in their story, but I did love Ryan/Nancy/Bess teaming up this time around. Dad Ryan really works; who knew he'd be jump scaring his daughter four seasons ago? 

Speaking of Bess, I am very happy they are giving her something more to do than just solve their supernatural problems through rituals and relics. I was worried she'd just default to that All Knowing role, but having her rivalry with the new Sheriff should help alleviate that worry. Plus, I loved Bess getting all into Victim #1. 

The return of Lacey was great to see. I liked her begrudgingly accepting Nancy's help before all the weird stuff started happening. I also really like how they tied it in to the councilwoman. I love when plots eventually intersect. 

Nick/George were supposed to get space, but I guess the show tossed that out the window in favour of them teaming up. It does feel like both characters have been separated from the rest of the cast, particularly George (maybe Leah Lewis was busy with other things?) but it was great to see the two team up.

And Ace isn't totally missing from the episode! He gets to find the picture of Judge Abbott with Brie's father. And they're getting closer to tying the main mystery together and providing some answers, which is great.

[tennisgurl]

I really liked that episode, its probably my second favorite after the first episode. I'm a sucker for horror movie behind the scenes drama, Horseshoe Bay really is the ideal location to shoot a horror movie. Even beyond the many ghosts, monsters, and curses, its just got that spooky woods/Lovecraft vibe that lends itself so well to creepiness. On the other hand though, you have to deal with curses and evil water on your set! I loved getting so much Ryan and Nancy bonding, Ryan was so cute being all fanboy about this horror movie and the end with him and Nancy was adorable. Dad Number 2 is here with some solid love advice and a spooky movie, complete with jump scares! I hope that the Glass's make another appearance so Ryan can get more of a story. I was also really happy that Bess and Ryan got a quick scene together, I like their pairing a lot. They both come with so much chaotic energy. 

Speaking of, its great to see Bess really getting to shine more this season after she was so underused in the last season. I like the idea of her and the sheriff butting heads over the supernatural in the town, with the sheriff wanting to shove it down while Bess wants to embrace it. Bess even got to be victim number one! I love how into being this minor slasher victim she was, complete with trying out multiple accents. That also meant that we got to see Ace for a minute, even if it was mostly over the phone, at least he got to do some helpful stuff. 

"I believe that I'm a pizza guy." 

I love seeing Lacey again, she's a lot of fun and I always enjoy when they bring characters back again. I also really like that they connected the councilwoman, the water, and the haunted filmset, they did a really good job at tying everything together. 

I thought that Nick and George were taking some time apart, but I guess George agreed with me that its ridiculous and they started hanging out again. They have such good chemistry, I'm still tapping my foot for them to get back together. At least Nancy and Ace have a reason to avoid each other.

[quarks]

I think most of the main cast has found at least one other thing to film, what with Kennedy McMann's possible new show, Leah Lewis's voicework on Elemental and other things, and Tunji Kasim's appearance on Queen Charlotte. Which is good - wishing all the best to them.

Anyway, on to the episode, which if not among the show's best, seemed pretty solid and started answering a few questions:

1. So apparently Nancy isn't just working out of Icarus Hall, but actually living there? I have multiple questions all starting with why, but I guess that does help explain Carson's "empty nester" comment from the last episode - Bess appears to be living at the Historical Society, Nancy at Icarus, and Ryan on the sets of disaster movies.

2. Speaking of Bess and the Historical Society, really liking this drama between her and the Sheriff.

3. Speaking of the Sheriff, continuing to get seriously bad vibes from her. I mean I get that all of the law enforcement characters have been more or less introduced as potential antagonists/slightly shady characters, but this one jumps really quickly to conclusions. I say that even while agreeing that the set needed to closed down.

4. Yay, George and Nick can still be a great team. And yay, Nick has decided to start a political career! NICK FOR PRESIDENT. I have faith in you, Nick! I also loved the way he just smoothly slid into that interrogation, picking up the necessary clues from George.

5. And yay, ongoing Bess and Ace interactions. "I believe that I'm a pizza guy."  Bess leaping through the various accents was also hilarious.

6. Loved the way the various parents were all, heartbreak? Ok. Let's feed them!

7. BUT THAT SAID, RYAN, ok, yes, massive points for the Chinese food, minus several points for jumpscaring Nancy like that. 

 

[thuganomics85]

A little disappointed that it almost feels like Nancy's Two Dads can't be in the same episode together right now (baring the first episode), but it was great seeing Ryan again, and I liked him teaming up with Nancy to help with the case.  Both of them were great as always.  Plus, we got a little of him and Bess as well, which is always a delight.  He might consider himself Dad Number Two, but he's Number One Dad in my eyes (Carson as well!  It's a tie!!)

Great seeing Lacey again and I'm always a sucker for the "film within a film/show" trope and it being connected to some good old supernatural hijinks!  Liked how it ended up being a part of the tainted water story as well and both Nick and George getting involved at the end.

I know Bess' varied accents for the role was suppose to be comedic like, but her American accent did feel more inline for the type of B-movie, horror schlock they were aiming for.  But all of it reminded me of how she initially started out with an American accent and me finding her kind of wooden, until the real one came out!  Glad they made that choice and let Maddison Jaizani show what she is truly capable of!

Looks like Nick is going for the town council gig!

Love you, Erin Cummings, but if Lovett goes after Bess like this, we are going to have some problems!

Ace took a back seat tonight, but at least he found a connection to Abbott and Brie's father concerning this "Black Door" and whatever it is.

Good episode.