Miss Scarlet Season 6, Episode 1 Highlights: ‘Secrets and Lies’

Miss Scarlet Season 6, Episode 1, “Secrets and Lies” Spoilers Ahead

Miss Scarlet Season 6 is a dream and every way, and we only have to look at the events of “Secrets and Lies” to be sure of this fact. With an intriguing case, the entire episode is entertaining from start to finish, but it’s all the conversations we get between Eliza and Inspector Alexander Blake that make it an absolute joy ride and every romance lover’s ideal situation.

There’s much happening here, and it’s admirable to see the steps showrunners are taking to finally give the female heroine love and a career, simultaneously, because it makes a clear statement that a woman doesn’t have to choose one or the other. It makes the show ten times more exciting, and I can’t wait to dig into all the episodes in our weekly highlights with all of you.

Surprise Romance Between Eliza and Blake? Yes, Please.

The Eliza Scarlet we’re introduced to in Season 5 is one who’s ready for changes, and the one we reunite with in Season 6 is putting action behind her words. She’s building a reputation, and she’s trying to start over, and more importantly, she doesn’t want anything to ruin the new relationship that’s bringing her a new kind of joy. But all of this is so incredible as it gives Kate Phillips some excellent material to work with in order to show us a lighter side of the character who’s consistently been so bottled and on edge, even as she’s smiled.

Related Content: Scene Breakdown: Eliza and Alexander Reveal Their Relationship in Miss Scarlet’s ‘Secrets and Lies’

It’s a bold move to start the episode with the revelation that Eliza and Inspector Blake are in a relationship, and it’s excellent writing to signal to the viewers that every seed planted in Season 5 is indeed coming to fruition. Would I have loved to have the chance to watch their actual first kiss on-screen? Absolutely, but it also makes complete sense that it happens off-screen, and the show isn’t one to shy away from flashbacks, so maybe we’ll still get it somewhere down the line.

Still, what’s so perfect about all of this is that their chemistry hits. It feels right that there’s a softness intermingling with Eliza’s hesitations, but more than that, it makes sense that she’s happy in this bubble because things ended a lot differently the last time she almost let a man in. She doesn’t have to say the words aloud for us to understand that she wants to do things differently than they’d been with William, because all the walls stacked between the two of them never went down. There were bridges to constantly walk through, and they never had the chance to do so, but everything with Alexander is different because he’s constantly meeting her halfway.

And even more interesting is the fact that she’s the one hesitating to take cases from Scotland Yard because she’s so terrified of favoritism or exposing the truth behind their partnership.

Building a Reputation With Conversations by the Fire and a Fighting Chance

We get a few significant moments throughout Miss Scarlet Season 6, Episode 1, “Secrets and Lies,” that openly showcase how solid this partnership between Eliza and Alexander can be, and the ease in both of them is exactly what makes these beats stick the landing. Both Eliza and Alexander value their jobs, but more than anything, they care about each other. They want this to work out, and the fact that he can throw in a teasing remark like “When exactly were you normal?” is also another factor to consider in why this relationship works so well. He knows her, values her, and accepts her as she is.

The strongest couples start as friends, but beyond this fact, they’ve got to be two people who hold nothing back from each other, and that’s precisely what we see in this moment as Alexander continues to emphasize that he wants her to work on the case, but he also understands where her hesitations lie. The fact that we haven’t lost any of the banter between them and can still have these quiet bickering moments is what’s making everything extra exciting. Small, little leans or quiet glances that allow them to talk in silence—every moment means something. It’s also delightful that it’s shocking this is only the first episode of the season.

“A quiet, very private courtship”

It’s music to Ivy’s ears, and it’s everything to me. The episode concluding with Eliza finally opening up to Ivy, even though she knew, because she overheard the conversation, is so perfect to give us a sweet moment in their mother/daughter relationship. It also shows us that Eliza trusts Alexander’s judgement because he made it clear that if she shared the secret, then it’d be easier on her, too. And, of course, it matters because it’s Ivy, and all this time, no one’s wanted Eliza’s happiness more.

No one has wanted to see her settled with a partner she truly cares for and working at a job that she enjoys at the same time. It’s everything for the woman who watched her grow up, and including this first-time moment for the audience to witness is also so important because while we don’t see many of these firsts for the couple, we’ve been with Ivy and Eliza for six seasons now, and this beat matters narratively as well as for the character journeys. It matters for how they’ll move forward, and it matters for how it’s adding to the sunshine in the air despite the show’s eerie and darker lighting.

Stray Thoughts

• “Might that soothe your furrowed brow?” Ivy and Barnabus are so precious.
• Oh, I already miss Fitzroy.
• Eliza stumbling is actually so adorable. 
• This episode made me so giddy, I don’t think I’ll ever be over it. I can’t believe we’re here and we’ve got a true romance on our hands.

Now streaming on PBS: What are your thoughts on Miss Scarlet Season 6, Episode 1, “Secrets and Lies” Let us know in the comments below.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Maja Medic/Miss Scarlet Limited and MASTERPIECE