Mistletoe Murders Season 3, Episode 2, “Don’t Fear the Wreather” Part 2 Spoilers Ahead
Just when you think the premiere of Mistletoe Murders Season 3 is glorious, Part 2 of “Don’t Fear the Wreather” delivers an even more stunning ride. Where the romance is concerned, yearning is through the roof in this week’s episode, and the election results are also surprising. More importantly, we finally get some answers about why Emily’s fears are miles high.
Related Content: Mistletoe Murders Season 3, Episode 1 Highlights: ‘Don’t Fear the Wreather’ Part 1
There’s a lot to appreciate about how the end of this episode sets the stage for the kind of season we’re going to get, making it even more excellent on all fronts. The amount of conversations we do get and the silence that’ll eventually follow thrust us toward establishing more concrete dynamics, and that alone is crucial in a show like this.
Sam and Emily Do Have a Future Together
Sam Wilner, I didn’t know your game. (I mean, I did, but still, whoa.) If there’s one thing this romance author and journalist loves more than a good kiss, it’s the moments in between. A tug on the wrist. Prolonged beats of eye contact. Silent conversations. The tension that simmers to a boiling point and leaves characters wanting. These are all palpable emotions on paper, but in the hands of the wrong actors, we aren’t going to feel the gravity of the words.
Thankfully, both Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney not only have excellent chemistry, but they’re both very much bringing their A-game to these quieter moments. They’re ensuring that the audience understands the fact that even while there are barriers between Emily and Sam right now, the feelings they have for each other haven’t changed. They likely never will because this is it for them.
This is especially the case with Sam, who makes it abundantly clear that he recognizes she’s home and not Fletcher’s Grove. But before that, it’s how he showcases that he does need her. Working on these cases together is something neither of them expected to find comfort in, and the fact that they do is a gift that keeps on giving, which we see painted gorgeously on both their faces. The way she draws her fingers slowly up his forearm. The way their voices quiet to whispers. The way that it’s so obvious they both wish things were different. The way their fingers linger because neither of them wants to let go. In short, the scene in Sam’s office is so well-executed, I could actually cry.
Mistletoe Murders Season 3, Episode 2 Finds Its Killer
Our killer isn’t Helen, and genuinely this is such a good thing. If for no other reason than the fact that I love the reassurance of knowing just how much of a girl’s girl Emily is, because that Chairman speech was the kind of lovely thing I’d expect from a character like her. It’s also reassuring to know that Helen and her stepdaughter Ruth are trying to mend their relationship.
With how big of a role she has in Fletcher’s Grove, I hope this means we’ll be seeing Catherine Bell in the show more throughout. It’s fun to have her in a show like this with how prominent she is in the world of The Good Witch, and it makes Mistletoe Murders brighter too.
Emily and the CIA
Sam might be in the dark about why it took Emily so long to come back, but at least we’re aware of it now. She’s back with her old handler and on active duty to help finally put an end to Chimera. There’s plenty here that’s interesting because it amplifies the stakes while making it abundantly clear that every part of her would involve Sam if she could. But this is bigger than both of them in every way.
Still, three seasons is a long time to have one continuous threat as the primary villain, and I hope that this really is the end of it. I want Mistletoe Murders to go on for multiple seasons, but I’d rather we solve small crimes every two weeks rather than continuously deal with one big bad villain in the shadows. It works now, but if it goes on longer, it could weigh down the show with pacing issues I don’t want to see.
Sam’s also open to going with her wherever, so maybe we could even get a spring spinoff somewhere else. The lighter parts of this show are what work best, and it can be a riveting little detective series if given the chance.
Further Thoughts
- I continue to love the dynamic between Emily, Violet, and June so much.
- Sam giving Emily in agency when it comes to making her decision is so so important. This is how we know he’s an excellent partner.
- The music in this episode was A+.
- But also kind of want a gingerbread cookie now.
Now streaming on Hallmark+: What are your thoughts on Mistletoe Murders Season 3, Episode 2? Let us know in the comments below.
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