Ep 1. The Old Switcheroo

Frankie Drake Mysteries is a Canadian television series with a refreshing and bold approach to the crime-solving genre. Set in the 1920s Toronto, it follows the adventures of The Drake Detective Agency, an all-female private investigation company struggling to gain recognition and acceptance in a male-dominated world.

Season 2 opens with the episode "The Old Switcheroo," directed by Ruba Nadda and written by Cal Coons. The episode begins with Frankie Drake (Lauren Lee Smith), the head of the detective agency, and her partner Trudy (Chantel Riley) attending a charity event. While they are trying to blend in with the crowd, Frankie notices a familiar face across the room - her old flame Elliott (David Patrick Flemming).

Frankie can't hide her surprise when Elliott greets her, but her shock turns into anger when she realizes that he has orchestrated a plan to frame her for a robbery. Elliott is an art thief, and he has used the party as a cover-up to steal a valuable necklace. Unfortunately for Frankie, he has planted the necklace in her purse, and the police are already on their way.

Trudy and Frankie manage to escape the party, but they are now both on the run. Frankie, who believes that Elliott is trying to get revenge on her for leaving him, decides to get to the bottom of the matter. She knows that the only way to vindicate herself is to find the real thief and prove her innocence.

The investigation takes her and Trudy to a high-end auction house, where they discover there is another art thief in town with the initials "E.F." They meet the auction house owner, a shrewd woman who seems to know everyone's dirty secrets, and a client who collects stolen art.

As the investigation progresses, we get to see Frankie and Trudy's excellent sleuthing skills and their witty banter, but we also get to know more about their personal lives. Trudy's romance with Moses (Sharron Matthews), a charming speakeasy owner, starts to blossom, and Frankie's complicated relationship with Elliott keeps resurfacing as she tries to solve the case.

The episode features some great twists and turns, and it keeps us guessing until the end. The creative team has managed to capture the spirit of the roaring twenties, and they have created some fantastic sets and costumes that transport us to another era.

One of the strongest points of Frankie Drake Mysteries is its focus on women and their struggles in a repressive society. The series doesn't shy away from addressing issues like sexism, racism, and classism, and it gives voice to characters that rarely get to be the protagonists of their own stories. Each episode includes a message of empowerment, and "The Old Switcheroo" is no exception.

Overall, "The Old Switcheroo" is an excellent start to Frankie Drake Mysteries' second season. It delivers on fun, intrigue, and feminist themes, and it leaves us wanting more.