Tensions flare between Nancy and the Drew Crew as they continue to fight the Aglaeca. Meanwhile, Bess makes a mistake that could cause all of them their lives. Lastly, George has a beautiful bonding moment with her sisters.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's Nancy Drew.
"The Drowned Woman" was written by Noga Landau & Melinda Hsu Taylor and directed by Larry Teng
The Drew Crew are destined to die by the Aglaeca. They have desperately searched for any way they can avoid that fate. They have scoured for clues. They have tried to arm themselves for the coming conflict. The show has built up this confrontation. As such, the narrative needed to deliver. And yes, this is a pivotal episode of the story. One in which actions are taken that can't be undone. However, it also feels like the show has a hard time letting go of this threat and the behavior that the core characters often exhibit. Before this night of horrors begins, the Drew Crew confess any regrets they have should the worst actually happen. They want to believe that the sand from the portents will be enough to injure the creature. It may not be enough. Some of them may die. They don't want anything left unsaid. That moment still invites more mysteries. Ace reveals that he hacked into a federal database to contact someone in witness protection. Later on, he calls that number and only teases that it's his potential sibling. That's a thread worth pursuing later. It's a tease that confirms more drama will enter Horseshoe Bay after this conflict comes to its conclusion. Ace has that relevance with his confession. Nick does as well. He feels as if he hasn't lived up to the promise he made to Tiffany. He was committed to making the Hudson family pay for the various sins they have inflicted on this town. He sought out his own personal happiness instead. That wasn't a particularly bad choice on his part. He found new purpose with George in co-owning the restaurant and falling in love. This mission still has to be important as well. He has to honor the deals he made in the past. Because there hasn't been urgency in ensuring he kept that promise, he was allowed to casually ignore it. Even Ryan doesn't believe he has to do anything to secure his father's conviction. It's a fate that is unlikely to happen because this is a wealthy and influential family. He is estranged from them but doubts they will ever deal with any significant consequences. Nick reaching out to Ryan mostly ensures that this crusade has a path forward even if he dies. It is smart while also resigning himself to that fate. It again suggests the path the show will take next. Meanwhile, Bess mostly just confesses that she needs to address her pattern of stealing things when she stresses out. It's not healthy. However, none of her friends particularly noticed what she took. So, this detail feels minor in comparison. Similarly, George doesn't have any regrets. She is simply grateful to get to spend one last breakfast with her siblings. That's enough for her. She fights for more. But this is enough peace. And Nancy acknowledges once again that her actions have created devastating consequences for her friends. She is always fighting to save them. That may only invite more peril into their lives though. The Drew Crew angers the Aglaeca by using the sand. It is a visceral reminder of the torture she endured before death. The final solution seems to embrace love and an appeal to humanity. It feels cheesy and overly simplistic as the solution to this conflict that has been escalating for awhile now. As such, it's reasonable for the show to produce that final image of Odette not leaving the Claw quite yet. The Aglaeca may be defeated because Odette takes control. She is still a lost spirit in this world. She breaks the curse on behalf of the Drew Crew. That doesn't offer much clarity or peace for her though. It also threatens George's own life. Nancy believes an item from the historical society can ward off death even when it's absolutely certain. She is correct as well. George suffers from this encounter. It means she may no longer be fated for death as a result of the blood curse. It's still likely that using this artifact will have consequences. It's foolish for the Drew Crew to proclaim that they are finally free of all the troubles that have plagued them. In fact, Nancy's reckless actions have only opened the door to more vengeful spirits terrorizing this town. Again, it creates the proper context and intrigue for what the audience should expect from the story moving forward. In some ways, it is a conclusion to the immediate threat. Nancy finds peace with Carson as well. He passionately declares that his feelings of love were always genuine. She was his daughter. He will always be there to fight for her and protect her. She cherishes that. She can't completely ignore everything that has happened. Life doesn't work that way. She has to confront the consequences of her actions. Her friends are safe. She doesn't want to be responsible for any of them dying before they have achieved the greatness they are destined for in their lives. And yet, they are also family. They care more about these bonds than any of their other relationships in this world. That too is significant. They fight for each other. When they stand alone facing death, they must keep those connections strong. They help one another rise up to face this adversity. They can probably handle the new threats that arise. They have to be mindful of their actions to ensure dealing with one threat doesn't invite even more to come along later. That has been the dynamic of the show so far. It has to change up the pattern at some point. That reflection is necessary to provide growth. It has the potential to get there. Right now, the Drew Crew embraces one moment of peace while the narrative proves to the audience that more drama is right around the corner.
The Drew Crew are destined to die by the Aglaeca. They have desperately searched for any way they can avoid that fate. They have scoured for clues. They have tried to arm themselves for the coming conflict. The show has built up this confrontation. As such, the narrative needed to deliver. And yes, this is a pivotal episode of the story. One in which actions are taken that can't be undone. However, it also feels like the show has a hard time letting go of this threat and the behavior that the core characters often exhibit. Before this night of horrors begins, the Drew Crew confess any regrets they have should the worst actually happen. They want to believe that the sand from the portents will be enough to injure the creature. It may not be enough. Some of them may die. They don't want anything left unsaid. That moment still invites more mysteries. Ace reveals that he hacked into a federal database to contact someone in witness protection. Later on, he calls that number and only teases that it's his potential sibling. That's a thread worth pursuing later. It's a tease that confirms more drama will enter Horseshoe Bay after this conflict comes to its conclusion. Ace has that relevance with his confession. Nick does as well. He feels as if he hasn't lived up to the promise he made to Tiffany. He was committed to making the Hudson family pay for the various sins they have inflicted on this town. He sought out his own personal happiness instead. That wasn't a particularly bad choice on his part. He found new purpose with George in co-owning the restaurant and falling in love. This mission still has to be important as well. He has to honor the deals he made in the past. Because there hasn't been urgency in ensuring he kept that promise, he was allowed to casually ignore it. Even Ryan doesn't believe he has to do anything to secure his father's conviction. It's a fate that is unlikely to happen because this is a wealthy and influential family. He is estranged from them but doubts they will ever deal with any significant consequences. Nick reaching out to Ryan mostly ensures that this crusade has a path forward even if he dies. It is smart while also resigning himself to that fate. It again suggests the path the show will take next. Meanwhile, Bess mostly just confesses that she needs to address her pattern of stealing things when she stresses out. It's not healthy. However, none of her friends particularly noticed what she took. So, this detail feels minor in comparison. Similarly, George doesn't have any regrets. She is simply grateful to get to spend one last breakfast with her siblings. That's enough for her. She fights for more. But this is enough peace. And Nancy acknowledges once again that her actions have created devastating consequences for her friends. She is always fighting to save them. That may only invite more peril into their lives though. The Drew Crew angers the Aglaeca by using the sand. It is a visceral reminder of the torture she endured before death. The final solution seems to embrace love and an appeal to humanity. It feels cheesy and overly simplistic as the solution to this conflict that has been escalating for awhile now. As such, it's reasonable for the show to produce that final image of Odette not leaving the Claw quite yet. The Aglaeca may be defeated because Odette takes control. She is still a lost spirit in this world. She breaks the curse on behalf of the Drew Crew. That doesn't offer much clarity or peace for her though. It also threatens George's own life. Nancy believes an item from the historical society can ward off death even when it's absolutely certain. She is correct as well. George suffers from this encounter. It means she may no longer be fated for death as a result of the blood curse. It's still likely that using this artifact will have consequences. It's foolish for the Drew Crew to proclaim that they are finally free of all the troubles that have plagued them. In fact, Nancy's reckless actions have only opened the door to more vengeful spirits terrorizing this town. Again, it creates the proper context and intrigue for what the audience should expect from the story moving forward. In some ways, it is a conclusion to the immediate threat. Nancy finds peace with Carson as well. He passionately declares that his feelings of love were always genuine. She was his daughter. He will always be there to fight for her and protect her. She cherishes that. She can't completely ignore everything that has happened. Life doesn't work that way. She has to confront the consequences of her actions. Her friends are safe. She doesn't want to be responsible for any of them dying before they have achieved the greatness they are destined for in their lives. And yet, they are also family. They care more about these bonds than any of their other relationships in this world. That too is significant. They fight for each other. When they stand alone facing death, they must keep those connections strong. They help one another rise up to face this adversity. They can probably handle the new threats that arise. They have to be mindful of their actions to ensure dealing with one threat doesn't invite even more to come along later. That has been the dynamic of the show so far. It has to change up the pattern at some point. That reflection is necessary to provide growth. It has the potential to get there. Right now, the Drew Crew embraces one moment of peace while the narrative proves to the audience that more drama is right around the corner.
