Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2, “Cold War” Spoilers Ahead
Mistletoe Murders is back with two great episodes that not only deliver a solid case but also quiet character-building moments that are thoroughly intriguing. Season 1 leaves us in a tricky spot, and Season 2 kicks off with the kind of time jump that could’ve been frustrating, but instead, it works and ensures that the relationship’s angst makes everything twice as exciting.
More than anything, as much as the mystery element is enticing, it’s the character journeys that are easiest to care about, and both parts of “Cold War” touch on this with thoughtful beats that move the plot forward deliciously.
Sam Is Still in the Dark About Emily’s Past
And of course, he’s going to try to get to the bottom of it, but it’ll likely not happen until the finale, if we even do get some news by then. But the detail that works best is that the tension between Sam and Emily is twice as delectable now. How Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2, touch on his frustration while contrasting it with her conviction is no small feat. If this were a different show, we’d now have ridiculous love triangles in the mix, or so much rage that they wouldn’t even look at each other in a single episode.
But the fact that we actually see them talk things through and even argue about the matter is an excellent sign that this relationship is still important to both of them. It was never a fleeting romance, and they care about each other too much to let any of this slip away, even as they’re both in the right for feeling the way that they do, given Emily’s past.
And speaking of Emily’s past, how the episode utilizes flashbacks from her time in high school to her own crush, then parallels it to everything Violet is going through, is also incredibly significant in how the season will pan out. More than anything, the use of flashbacks to continue giving us more insight into Emily’s character and why she’s always so determined to protect people is a thoughtful narrative beat to make the episodes more gripping.
Quiet Moments Scream the Loudest in Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2
There’s a literal screaming match between Emily and Sam in the episode that both Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney deliver a full range of emotions during, but it’s the quiet moments throughout the episode that work best.
Again, we know Sam cares about Emily despite everything, and we know that she cares right back. So that in-home visit during Episode 2 is quite literally everything to show us just how much they’re both still longing for each other. The eye contact, subtle increments of how they’re leaning closer, and every spoken word is so telling of how deeply they care that it’s what romance dreams are made of. Their emotions in that moment are so palpable that it’s easy to feel everything they’re feeling.
Violet Is Back at Work With Emily!
I’m so glad Mistletoe Murders Season 2 doesn’t waste too much time on Sam’s anger. Understandably, he still has a lot of questions, but the fact that he knows with absolute certainty that Emily would do anything to protect Violet is everything. She doesn’t have to love and care for Violet as much as she does, but Emily does it with zero expectations. Violet is not only important to her as Sam’s daughter, but Emily sees her as her own person and loves her to the point that there’s nothing she wouldn’t do to protect her. All of this, in many ways, is for Violet, and that’s something I imagine we’ll see more of in the coming episodes.
So the fact that Violet gets to go back to work is what’s also going to bring back some of the cozier vibes from Season 1 that made their dynamic so lovely to witness.
Stray Thoughts
- My English Lit brain will never not get a kick out of Shakespeare references.
- “The Snow Flake Semi Formal” is taking me out.
- Of course, Emily can play chess!
- A bb! Emily! Our nerdy girl.
- These characters think December is too early to start Christmas, meanwhile, I’ve started decorating on November first.
- This shade of green at the school is so bright and it would’ve been so perfect if it were just a bit darker.
- Emily being self-taught in so many things is so fascinating
- That argument was genuinely so good. Sarah Drew is so great in this role!
- Single dad trope, you’ll always be so loved by me.
- Aw, young love, so wholesome. I’m too jaded to think it’d ever last. but alas.
Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 1 and 2? Let us know in the comments below.