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Grantchester

As mystery stories go, last night’s episode of Grantchester was kind of a let down. No really. Come on. You expect me to be transfixed by the sordid lives of a few boarding house residents after two crackerjack mysteries in a row? Last week had spies! The week before had every social justice issue known to man! This week had sad, angry people. However, Grantchester is not as interested in crafting carefully plotted puzzles as it is with examining the secrets of the human heart. On that score, last night unspooled some juicy mysteries.

Yes, Sidney (James Norton) is still dating that sassy secretary. Margaret (Seline Hizli) visits him at the parish at the beginning of the episode and practically swoons at the sight of him gardening with little children. She calls him a “saint” and then kisses him in brought daylight! In front of the pint-sized parishioners! Infuriating Mrs. Maguire (Tessa Peake-Jones) — who also can’t stand that Margaret refuses to wear stockings!

Margaret is angling for a normal adult relationship with Sidney, one with meet ups with the girls and kisses in the sunshine. However, Sidney is loathe to commit. Geordie (Robson Green) calls him out on terrible dating streak. It’s true: Whenever Sidney is confronted with potential happiness, he has to throw “a spanner” in it. It’s as though this man can’t bear to be happy. Some in the town might call this martyrdom, but really it might be closer to a cynical kind of masochism.

Solving this case hinges on Sidney seducing the victim’s wife, Vivian (Liz White) — and she’s happy to seduce him in turn. The two wind up having a steamy tete-a-tete in a bedroom setting. It’s a battle of wills played out in interview form that only serves to reveal how similar the two characters are. Both are charming, empathic, and willing to manipulate people and break the rules to serve what they perceive is the greater good. And both are jailed by their roles. Vivian was supposed to be the pliant housewife – a role she chafed under — while Sidney is supposed to be, as Margaret put it, “a saint.”

Isn’t Sidney a saint? Well, yes and no. Sidney has needs. Sidney has doubts. Sidney has desires. Sidney still can’t get over Amanda (Morven Christie).

Speaking of Amanda Kendall Hopkins… It seems that Sidney’s perfect woman is a bit of a sinner herself. She has a touch of the Winona Ryder in her. The poor little rich girl who lives in a dream palace is horribly depressed. Her one respite from her sorrow? Shoplifting gloves. She tries to explain to Geordie why it made her feel good simply by making her feel numb. I know that we’re supposed to feel sympathy for her, but like Sidney, Amanda is her own worst enemy. The two of them would rather play the roles assigned to them than be truly free.

Speaking of stepping outside the conventions of society… Leonard (Al Weaver) lies to both Sidney and Mrs. Maguire to go on an awkward movie date with Daniel Marlowe (aka the disgraced photographer from episode 1). The two of them have a cute sort of chemistry. Marlowe is perhaps the only person in town who listens to Leonard and who is charmed by his offbeat ways. Of course, this is 1950s Grantchester and Leonard is a closeted curate. He still dashes off when he fears discovery, but the fact that he’s attempting to pursue real love, or at the very least, true friendship, is a big deal.

Grantchester argues that in the end it’s all about love. The crimes we commit, the lies we tell, the mistakes we make, they all have their roots in love. After talking with Geordie, Amanda decides to confront Sidney and tell him how she feels. The only problem is that she’s waited too long. He’s decided to succumb to the sweet desire plaguing him. Amanda stumbles in on Sidney devouring Margaret’s face off in the parish gardens.

It’s enough to keep her silent for now. After all, Amanda loves Sidney, and in her mind that means she has to sacrifice her happiness for his. Well, that’s how she sees their love, at least.

[Watch Grantchester on PBS]

[Catch up on Season 1 of Grantchester on Prime Video]