After a long hiatus, So Help Me Todd returned tonight with an enthralling episode, filled with drama for the main characters, both professionally and personally. Tension hit a high note at an opera event that twisted into a murder mystery, showcasing the clever blend of humour and drama that this show does so well. The episode kicked off with a chilling scene as someone sneakily switched out a prop knife, setting the stage for disaster amidst the glitz and glamour of the opera.
The opera soon pre–occupied the Wright’s when it took a dark turn as Jacqueline, Lyle’s mother and lead performer, mistakenly used the knife that was replaced backstage as a prop, leading to the death of another performer. As suspicions loomed over Jacqueline, her larger than life persona and inflated ego, threatened to incriminate her, making Margaret’s job as her attorney, extremely difficult.
Although the murder mystery was the main narrative, family dynamics were explored beautifully throughout the episode, particularly through Lyle’s relationship with his difficult mother and Todd’s frustrations with Allison overstaying her welcome at his apartment. Lyle’s relationship with his mother, Jacqueline, is extremely fractured. She openly disparaged him in front of Margaret and Todd, criticizing his choice to become a detective over pursuing a career as a cellist. Her patronizing nature leaves Lyle desperate for her acceptance, yet no matter how hard he tries, he simply cannot meet the incredibly high standards that Jacqueline has set for him. While it is difficult to imagine that a huge personality like Jacqueline could be Lyle’s mother, their dynamic shed light into his past and provided backstory to his character that viewers have been longing for.
The episode drew a brilliant parallel between Lyle’s challenging relationship with his mother and Margaret’s own relationship with Todd. Margaret, much like Jacqueline, often finds herself disappointed in Todd’s mishaps, constantly wanting him to do better. During a heartfelt conversation with Lyle, Margaret empathized with him and acknowledged that just as his mother wants the best for him, she harbours the same aspirations for Todd. This moment of reflection highlighted the complex dynamics of expectations woven through both relationships.
In the ongoing narrative of Beverly’s shady grooming of Susan, Margaret was shocked to see Susan hosting clients at the opera with Beverly, since she and Beverly went together the year prior. It became clear to Margaret that Beverly is manipulating Susan against her. Beverly even arranges for Susan to be featured in a “40 under 40” magazine spread, and throws Margaret not promoting Susan in her face, fully aware that the firm cannot afford to promote her. Towards the episode’s end, Margaret attempts to reach out to Susan, who claims that Beverly has been more of a mentor to her than Margaret ever was. Her words clearly cut Margaret like a knife, much like the literal knife killed the actress at the opera. This sets the stage for a compelling continuation, as viewers wait to see Beverly’s ultimate intentions and which side Susan will choose.
