Ep 2. Ladies in Red

Frankie Drake Mysteries season 1 episode 2, “Ladies in Red,” follows private detective Frankie Drake and her team as they investigate a dangerous black market operation in Toronto's Chinatown. The episode begins when Mary, an old friend of Frankie's, visits her office and asks for help finding her missing husband. As Frankie and Mary track down leads, they discover that a group of women working in a clothing factory have also disappeared.

Frankie and her team, which includes her assistant Trudy, police inspector Ernest Hemingway, and cab driver Flo, dive deeper into the case and find themselves in the middle of a dangerous black market operation. They learn that the women who have gone missing were part of a sweatshop run by a powerful crime boss named Daddy Kelly. Daddy Kelly's front business is a restaurant called The Lotus Blossom, and he has a network of criminals who work for him, including a group of hitmen called The Red Ladies.

Frankie and her team realize that the missing women have likely been taken into The Lotus Blossom by Daddy Kelly and go undercover as waitresses to gain information. Trudy and Flo pretend to be two job applicants at the Lotus Blossom, and Frankie poses as a wealthy customer in the restaurant's private room. As they navigate their way through the restaurant, they learn about Daddy Kelly's operation and take note of the Red Ladies, who all wear red dresses and hats.

Meanwhile, Ernest investigates Daddy Kelly's warehouse, where he finds evidence of child labor and human trafficking. The crime boss captures Ernest, but Trudy and Flo rescue him just in time. As Frankie continues her investigation at the restaurant, she discovers that two Red Ladies are planning to kill Daddy Kelly, and he'll show up in his red car to pick them up. Frankie phones Ernest and lets him know that Daddy Kelly will be driving a red car, and they set up a sting operation to capture him.

The plan succeeds, and Daddy Kelly is arrested along with many of his henchmen. The missing women and children are also found in the warehouse and reunited with their families. Frankie, Trudy, Ernest, and Flo rejoice at their successful investigation and the dismantling of the black market operation.

In the end, Frankie also finds out the true story behind Mary's missing husband: he had abandoned her and their son and fled Toronto. Mary is devastated but grateful for Frankie's help and for finally knowing the truth. The episode ends with Frankie and her team ready to take on their next case.

Overall, “Ladies in Red” is an exciting episode of Frankie Drake Mysteries that highlights the ongoing social issues of human trafficking and child labor. The characters' undercover work at The Lotus Blossom adds a thrilling element to the episode, and the team's successful investigation is satisfying to watch. The episode also delves into character development as the audience learns more about Mary and Frankie's past friendship. Fans of crime dramas and period pieces will enjoy this episode and the series as a whole.