Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries "Murder & the Maiden" #3.2 (2015)

"So, Captain Courageous is entrusting Mata Hari with another secret mission?", 23 June 2017

Phryne is summoned by an old flame to investigate the disappearance of an RAAF Officer and a suspicious plane crash. Meanwhile, Jack is investigating the murder of a woman just outside the RAAF base. Do the two cases have anything in common?

While the plot and mystery in Murder and the Maiden are enjoyable enough, it's the relationships between characters that make this episode special.

First, there's the Phyrne / Jack relationship. Things get complicated due to the presence of Officer Lyle Compton. I liked the way Phryne's attitude toward Jack seems to change in this episode. In the past, she would have laughed off the whole love triangle. Here, though, she seems genuinely concerned that she has hurt Jack. It's a big step in their relationship.

Second, there's the Dot / Hugh relationship. Hugh is concerned with Dot's risk taking on behalf of Miss Fisher and expects it to stop once they're married. Dot sees no reason to change anything about her work with Miss Fisher. In the end, Hugh comes around to Dot's way of thinking. Another big step in a relationship.

Finally, there's the Bert / mysterious Russian woman (sorry, but I cannot remember her name) relationship. It's fun watching Bert play the love sick puppy. It's also apparent that Bert would do almost anything or fight most anyone for this woman.

8/10