Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×01 “Elysium” Spoilers Ahead
Welcome, readers! It’s a new year, which means there’s a new season of Miss Scarlet and The Duke! And with a new season comes new stories, new crimes, and new faces, while the familiar elements that make us enjoy the series remain. And without further ado, let’s dissect the season four premiere!
Miss Scarlet and The Duke Season 4, Episode 1, “Elysium,” begins with what appears to be a hard-at-work Eliza Scarlet running a seemingly busy operation at the London office of Nash & Sons (not that he has any sons). While Eliza gives an interview to a Mr. Godfrey (Matija Živković) about the agency’s success, we soon learn that all of Nash’s men have left except for accountant Clarence (Paul Bazely), who is constantly reminding Eliza of the dwindling financial situation and lack of clients. And even though he’s the remaining employee, Clarence and Eliza aren’t exactly the best of chums, either. He and Eliza bicker about finances as Eliza has hired actors around the office while she does her interview, believing that feigning success will bring in publicity and clients, and right now, money is something they don’t have. Sadly, it seems not much has changed for Eliza; she may as well go back to running her own agency. She doesn’t even have Moses by her side to lend her a hand, as he’s accepted Nash’s offer to work in Paris.
While all is quiet at Nash & Sons, William “The Duke” Wellington is confronted with a hectic caseload and not enough manpower brought by an expansion of Scotland Yard. The inspector is grumpier (and hotter) than usual (I didn’t even think that was possible) as he hasn’t gone home in days. Scotland Yard isn’t the only one feeling the squeeze, as good old Mr. Potts reports the coroner is falling behind with the demands. Naturally, it gets only busier for the overworked inspector as there has been an armed robbery at the Temple of Elysium, an “elite gentlemen’s club.” It’s plainly a brothel, no matter how hard Madame Hera (Lu Corfield) tries to advertise otherwise.
The Duke initially dispatches Detectives Phelps and Fitzroy to investigate, but it quickly becomes apparent that everyone involved has nothing useful to offer about the robbery, the victims, or the shooter. The two are eventually able to find the shooting victim after canvassing hospitals, but the man refuses to identify himself. Luckily, Fitzroy recognizes the man as a government minister named Delaware (Al Weaver). To no one’s surprise, Fitzroy Sr. demands that William personally take over the investigation and keep it hush-hush.
Lacking the staffing and resources to comb over files for leads, William turns to Eliza for help. (Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about them and know this is the main attraction, and you’re all wondering what’s going on between these two since the whole Arabella-breaks-up-with-William-because-he’s-in-love-with-Eliza-and-doesn’t-deny-it thing). That, and the fact Eliza was clearly not happy about the relationship. Anyway, things could be better between the two. Eliza refuses to go to William to see if he can pass along a case or two her way, per Ivy’s suggestion, stating that she hasn’t seen much of William even after his relationship with Arabella ended. And then there’s William, who’s under the impression that Eliza is thriving as the chief inspector as she goes to the trouble of hiring actors (Again! Darling, how can you keep affording to bleed money away like this?) Obviously, Eliza accepts the job and recruits Ivy to assist her and Clarence in poring over the files.
Unfortunately, the article Eliza interviewed for turned out to be no help at all because it didn’t even print. However, we are graced with the presence of resident jackass Basil Sinclaire. The smug, pompous twit reveals that he interfered in the publication of the article, and deciding that he wants to prove that he’s an even bigger douchebag than we thought, reveals that he is aware Nash’s men have left and the agency is struggling. He then informs Eliza he’s going to expose her.
Thanks to Sinclaire’s threat, Eliza is forced to tell William the truth about the struggles at Nash & Sons. Enter the all-too-familiar angry William telling off Eliza because he’s upset she lied to him. While Eliza initially brushes it off by retorting that William doesn’t have to worry because he has a “comfortable job,” William accuses her of being ignorant and only thinking of herself before angrily storming off. A resigned Eliza then passes her brothel case findings to Detective Fitzroy. Being the pure epitome of a golden retriever that he is, Fitzroy shares his concerns about the Duke with Eliza (his lack of sleep and the pressure to solve the brothel case). Plus, realizing what an immense asset Eliza is, he leaves the case file for her perusal. Strangely, Madame Hera reports to William that all the stolen items were returned to the brother’s doorstep in a box. As such, she declares that she will discreetly return the belongings, and the “case is closed,” but Duke is not buying it and takes everything into evidence.
With the help of one of Nash’s informants — Athena (Florence Roberts), who works at the brothel — and of the former watchman Dimitrie (Igor Borojević), Eliza eventually finds a secret room in the brothel and deduces that the armed robber is Minister Delaware himself in a pathetic attempt to relieve his financial strain. (To no one’s surprise, Madame Hera was aware of what actually happened). With the case actually closed, William tries to convince the elder Fitzroy to use the case as leverage for more resources with the Home Office. It doesn’t go well, and you can sense William’s tension as he realizes he and his men will have to continue exerting themselves. However, things are turning around elsewhere.
So, what of Eliza and William in Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×01 “Elysium?” Well, it appears to be heading in a positive direction as the two have drinks together and share their grievances. As Eliza laments that “things haven’t quite turned out how I hoped,” William assures Eliza that she is not “bossy” but “determined” and reminds her that she is a good detective. Happy with the compliment, Eliza expresses that she would like to resume their monthly dinners, which William appears too happy to oblige. Of course, this exchange is filled with yearning looks with sexual tension in tad-too-long pauses between their conversations that cause you the immense desire to scream at the screen. But hey, remember, we’re on a good note right now.
At Nash & Sons, Eliza and Clarence come to a mutual understanding after Eliza confronts him about his criminal past, and the two begin to see eye to eye. This newfound relationship turns out to be pretty beneficial, as Clarence provides information about the rat Sinclaire. It turns out that the married Mr. Sinclaire (someone actually willingly married him — my condolences to her) frequented the Temple of Elysium. And happily, for Eliza, he’s one of the unlucky clients who was robbed! To everyone’s delight, Eliza returns his pocket watch, inscribed with his name and logs into evidence at Scotland Yard. The herb-named loser is forced to retract his article, and Eliza leaves him standing with a dumb look on his face (much to my delight if you couldn’t tell).
All in all, Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×01, “Elysium,” is a strong start to a new season, leaving much to intrigue. Although we’ll be missing the cool companionship of Moses, it will be interesting to see how the relationship between Eliza and Clarence develops. Plus, despite facing similar predicaments as when she was an independent private detective, Eliza is now responsible for maintaining a reputable business.
The risks are heightened, both financially and in regards to credibility; she was entrusted to maintain a business based on her investigative skills, but those skills alone are not enough to retain a staff. She clearly cannot continue implementing the business tactics she did before and will need to adjust. As she faces changes professionally, she and William will also have to face changes in their relationship. Try as they might, things cannot continue as they previously did, no matter how hard they try. As much as Arabella is disliked, she is the one who eventually utters William’s sentiments out loud — they’re out there, waiting to be acted on. And surely he is, responding to her “you look tired” sentiment with “you look beautiful,” heart eyes on full display, the emotions lurching from somewhere deep within him. The man is down bad, and we’re here for every minute of it.
Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on Miss Scarlet and The Duke 4×01 “Elysium?” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Courtesy of MASTERPIECE