Reviewer Rating: 4.4/5.0
4.4
High school reunions not only rekindle lost romances and friendships, they also bring about petty resentments and rivalries.
The second episode of Small Town Season 1 features the Gibsons’ 50th reunion and explores many storylines, including this week’s case.
However, it also expands on Carl and Cassandra’s romance and develops a friendship between police rookies.
A love triangle breaks out at the wrong time
When Kayla (Malaika Henney-Hammadi) and Bobby (Greyston Holt) are photographed kissing, it’s a red flag.
Sneaking around doesn’t work, and her husband Ivan (Nathan Witt) confronts Molly at her house with the photo, so she can’t even lie.
The confrontation between the men seemed more intense than usual. Granted, most men would be outraged if they learned their wife was cheating on her, but the words and fists seemed to be taken personally.
Things quickly became heated and Molly’s customers were so concerned that Cassandra contacted Carl.
Affairs, love triangles and jealousy often lead people to blurt out words in anger, but since “The Cops,” they should be playing it safe. Alberg and several witnesses were nearby.
Of course, no one expected that one of them would die that night.
A murder brings secrets to the forefront
Three of Cassandra’s former classmates discovered Bobby’s body on the edge of the dock while they were there. Talk about a welcome surprise.
Due to an earlier altercation, Ivan was the initial suspect, especially as the detective. Alberg learned that Bobby and Kayla were high school sweethearts before Kayla and Ivan got married.
Which is pretty messed up considering Ivan and Bobby have been best friends since childhood. However, it’s something you weave; dating your best friend’s girl is a mess.
Things get complicated when Ivan swears he didn’t kill Bobby. His story doesn’t match his brother Sam’s, and a race begins to determine which brother lied.
Bobby has many enemies, but thanks to Gibson’s eyes and ears, they come back to Sam. Sam has money problems and has been using Bobby to help run his cocaine business ever since he met Bobby and knew he was trouble.
Kayla was instrumental in tracking Sam because she had Ivan’s voicemail password and knew that Sam would turn to his brother when he was desperate.
However, no one knows how desperate Sam is and if he doesn’t follow the plan, he will try to shoot his brother. Family loyalty can only go so far.
So is love. Although Keira proved Ivan’s innocence and tried to save his life, she and Ivan ended. He can only stay in second place for so long.
Are Carl and Cassandra eager to develop their relationship?
I love Carl and Cassandra’s relationship. This is the best part of the show. It’s sexy, dramatic and angsty.
However, from the hopeful reconciliation at the end of Small Town Season 1 Episode 1 to their sexy time with wine, they seemed to miss a few beats.
Cassandra looks like the girl next door. In many ways, she’s like a grown-up version of Lana Lang from Smallville – popular and smart, the type who would organize a high school reunion.
Carl is the dark, brooding sort, but impressively he agrees to escort her to the ball.
Making their relationship official seemed like a step too far. They had only been dating for a few weeks, maybe longer if there had been a time jump since Fall From Grace reported on the case in the fourth book in the series.
Although she seems excited about the date, Cassandra is also worried that she will soon be considered just the police chief’s girlfriend and lose her identity. It’s a legitimate concern since she’s been on her own for so long, but she’s often the eyes and ears on his cases.
They were so obsessed with the ball that it looked like they were reliving the best parts of it.
Unfortunately, dating a cop isn’t easy and Carl has to finish solving the case in the middle of the dance.
They may be too hasty until they learn how to juggle their professional and personal lives. Their relationship needed more substance than just sexy and cute. I wanted to know more about their families.
Interesting friendships formed between new people
The second episode of Small Town Season 1 allowed the newcomers, especially Isabella, to shine. Like Cassandra, she’s a local girl and is excited about the reunion.
Isabella knows everyone in town and wants to reconnect with her high school crush, but she’s afraid to attend the party alone.
It was fun to see Edwina offer to be her wingman, especially when she had to work on the case where Andy Kendrick had to escort Isabella to prom.
The two become friends when he compliments her outfit and encourages her to approach her crush. Isabella discovers that her crush is now more of an ogre, but the witty arc is worth seeing the newbie’s character evolve.
Does the format of “Small Town Murder” work?
Each episode of Small Town Murders usually focuses on a novel, meaning it’s the case of the week. Unlike some other programs, most mysteries don’t stick around.
This led to the show featuring many different Canadian actors as guest stars and a greater emphasis on developing the main characters, especially Carl and Cassandra.
At times, this series felt like a mini-movie each week, and I wish the cases had longer to develop and breathe, but I still enjoyed it.
The TV version of “Falling from Grace” moves faster and is more interesting than the original. I rarely admit this, so they are doing something right. Do you like the TV show Small Town Murders? Do you ship Karl and Cassandra?
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the show, so let us know in the comments.
