Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4, “The Ides of December” Spoilers Ahead
Mistletoe Murders not only cranks up the heat this week, but it continues to deliver another angsty episode that hits in all the right ways and leaves us with a wild cliffhanger that’s going to make waiting for the next episode impossible to do.
After last week’s “Cold War,” this episode wastes no time with another gripping mystery, nor does it waste any time on the romance, as it delivers some of the best tropes to continue fortifying Emily and Sam’s relationship. The flashbacks continue to give us more insight into Emily’s past with thoughtful yet quiet beats, and every small moment continues to make these characters achingly realistic.
Undercover Shenanigans? Yes, Please.
There are about five elite romance tropes, and forced proximity will always be one of them. So the episode pairing Sam and Emily in a stakeout is peak romance, and the banter it brings out is incredible to continue strengthening the trust they’re building. It makes the episodes extra delightful, but more than anything, it reminds us of why these two are so good together.
One thing’s for certain: Sam and Emily can have fun together. They can laugh when things get tough, and they can brighten the other’s mood when something’s off. Plus, there’s something to be said about the fact that it continues to show how they’re both there for each other. Last week, Emily proved that there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Violet, and this week, showing up beside Sam after hearing about Reed is her way of saying that she’ll always be there for him, too. And the fact that he’s now on the same level as her with his brief decision to step down from the force is also a great way to put them in a spot where they can do everything more comfortably.
Holiday Loneliness Is So Relatable
There’s so much nuance to women and our desires, so the fact that Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4, “The Ides of December,” address this is something I’ll always take. Because ultimately, it’s proof that a woman can be an independent business person who loves and appreciates her space, but she can also feel lonely and want love in her life. These two ideas can coexist simultaneously, and a woman is still a fully fleshed-out person whether she has companionship or doesn’t.
More than anything, there’s a realness about the holidays bringing out this ache more than any other time of year. Thousands of women (and men, too) can probably speak on the fact that loneliness hits hardest during this time of year because watching people make plans or do certain coupley activities can make them realize that they’d maybe like that, too.
So, I’ll give the show its credit for that because a large part of the people who wrongfully critique Hallmark properties fail to acknowledge the duality of human beings, and women especially. Having love or wanting it doesn’t make someone any less independent, and what this argument also fails to recognize is that human beings weren’t designed to be alone. If that were the case, we wouldn’t have these longings—romantic or platonic.
Sam’s Confession – He Just Wanted to Be There
Talk about a declaration. I’ll always be such a huge fan of the moments before a couple gets together where the three little words are exchanged without actually being used—when it’s so obvious that the way they care about each other is bigger than any of them thought it’d be. Sam telling Emily he just wanted to be there for her to protect her, not to pry, is everything we need to see that he’s also so different from the people in her past because he doesn’t expect anything in return from her. He only wants her and to ensure that she’s safe because that’s how much he cares.
But what also hits is Emily’s reply and Sarah Drew’s achingly vulnerable delivery when she says, “I’m afraid if you know my secrets, then you’re never going to look at me like that again.” We know that Emily loves this life she’s built and the person she’s trying to become, so it’s fully understandable that she’d feel this fear. It’s fully understandable that she’d want to keep her walls up rather than take the risk and potentially lose someone else by marring the truth they’re building as a new foundation.
But as Sam says at the end of Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episode 4, he’s more interested in the person she is now. And the fact that he proposes he doesn’t need to know more, but he doesn’t want there to be more new secrets, is so important. That word new matters here because it’s also further proof of how much Sam values Emily and her agency. He doesn’t want to push or pry, so getting this out of the way helps them start over in a way that’s good for both of them. Again, it continues to be so impressive how frequently the show allows them both to be vulnerable with each other. Sam’s softness is exactly what makes him so perfect for Emily, and it’s so rewarding to watch as a romance author, personally. And given what we got last week, it all goes together so well.
Stray Thoughts
- “Why can’t I ever leave a bookstore without books? It’s an illness.” Yes exactly.
- “I forgot how annoying young love can be.” 😂 but where is the lie?!
- “You’re not stalking me, are you?” Girl, it’s two events. Relax.
- Oh, girly pop author has bots. It tracks.
- These two smile at each other way too much for people who are just friends, even now.
- Stop, this is so cute!
- “It’s a stakeout, not a picnic.” You guys they’re too cute.
- As an author, I’m so offended by how rude this woman is. Like, girl, these people are the reason you have a job. How are you not grateful beyond words?
- I love a good dress reveal.
- I can’t handle how cute these two are with all this forced proximity.
- How many times can I say these two are too cute in a single episode? (Or two.)
- Violet, babe, what is happening?!!
- Really love this turn of events for Piper. It’s what she deserves.
- Aaron?!!!!
Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on Mistletoe Murders Season 2, Episodes 3 and 4? Let us know in the comments below.
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