The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries "The Secret of the Jade Kwan Yin" #1.13 (1977)

Joe and Frank vs Chinese Smugglers, 20 June 2017

Joe and Frank get mixed up with a group of Chinese smugglers when they find a centuries old statue while out snorkeling. The statue was meant to be a gift to the Chinese people of Bayport, but was stolen off a ship in Boston. Before the boys can return the statue to its rightful owner, however, it's stolen from their house. Joe and Frank are now out to find the statue again and catch the thieves.

I know The Secret of the Jade Kwan Yin has its detractors, but I think it's a fun episode. The mystery here is interesting with a few twists along the way. The twist at the end involving the brains behind the smuggling operation really sent me for a loop the first time I watched it. I didn't see that coming. There are a couple of tense moments along that way that worked for me – especially the bomb on the boat scene. And I thought the ending was nice. The idea that the jade statue was just a cover to smuggle gems was a good one.

There are also some things about this episode that I enjoy, but for all the wrong reasons. Tossing the jade back and forth like a football during the parade, the ridiculous fight scene in the kung fu studio, dusting everything in sight for fingerprints, the stolen box literally hitting the boys on the back while snorkeling, and those 70s outfits – all hysterical. However, all of this only adds to the entertainment I get out of The Secret of the Jade Kwan Yin.

6/10