My Love Affair with Frankie Drake Mysteries' Topical #GirlSquadGoals
My Love Affair with Frankie Drake Mysteries' Topical #GirlSquadGoals
Four working women daring to be different & the show that put women at the forefront of 1920's Toronto politics, crime, and social change
I’m verklempt.
After 4 glorious seasons, the Drake Detective agency is shutting its doors for good. For all those living in an alternate time and universe or potentially even fictitious time travelers, no longer will you be able to turn to the first female detective agency for any murders, thefts, or water contamination scandals you need solved.
Unless you sign this petition but more on the why below.
Frankie Drake Mysteries debuted on Canadian TV in 2017. I discovered the show during the pandemic and never looked back. If the show were a donut it would be a Krispy Kreme. In that, much like no one can easily dispute that Krispy Kreme donuts are pretty much in a category all their own - the quintessential unicorn of donuts - no one can dispute that this very mystery show is a notch above just any other in the genre at the moment.
The show features 4 strong female leads - Frankie (ESFJ - The Counsel), the detective agency owner, is scrappy, stylish and bold and not to mention great in a pinch. She can hold a poker face and improvise like no other. Trudy (ISFJ - The Defender), as Frankie’s partner is strong and resourceful, with a quiet confidence that is a good counterpoint to Frankie. Mary (INFJ - The Advocate) is a morality officer who aspires to be a police officer for the Toronto Police force, but in the meantime this being 1920s Toronto, settles for handing out fines to people and places that violate the social purity doctrine (more on that here) and Flo (INTP - The Logician) is studying to be a doctor and is a coroner’s assistant. She brings a level-headed, fun, pragmatic, data and scientific driven rationale to the crimes she solves. And she always has the latest scoop on any missing fingers (the episode with Flo’s love interest Basil, the Falconer from Season 4 was especially memorable) Also, a falconer is a real job. These are things I could have only ever learned from this show. Well, this show or an episode of Wild Kratts, had I listened more intently.
I wove in the Myers-Briggs classification with my descriptions (i.e. INTP) of our leads because one thing that struck me in this show was that for the most part these leading women are introverts. They are also exceptional as far as their professions. Running a detective agency, being a coroner, and working in the police dept. are not standard fare type jobs in 1920s anywhere. To boot, there is an undercurrent in the storylines that weave in how our leads’ independence isn’t something that they are willing to sacrifice, especially if that sacrifice comes at the cost of living a less authentic passionate life. It’s not portrayed as a cliche (oh, she’s a “spinster”) but with a dimension which gives way to the complexity and sensitivity of female choice in the modern world. Isn’t that the type of message we want to send to girls?
Watching Frankie and Trudy run the eponymous Drake detective agency, which usually involves a bit of convincing the patriarchy, that yes, two women can hold their own with the likes of crime kingpins and solve crimes with expert efficiency, and actually get it done better because no one really seems them coming, has entertained me now for hours upon hours of mesmerizing delight.
So I will end this with a tribute to each of the women and what they taught me.
Frankie: Be a hobbyist. Even if it means that your hobby is picking up new hobbies or picking locks. Moonshine anyone?
Trudy: Your friend and partner will still be your friend and partner even when you have to advocate for yourself in a way that’s authentic to you and have tough conversations with said friend which you feel could jeopardize that relationship.
Mary: Rule followers can bend the rules sometimes, especially if it’s for the greater good.
Flo: Emanating joy is a byproduct of personal fulfillment and a job you love.
Programming Plug: You can stream all episodes of this show now with PBS Passport or watch on Ovation TV starting in October.
Note: This show was also created by 2 women and many of the episodes were written and directed by women. Sharron Matthews, who plays Flo, also co-wrote an episode from Season 4 - "Life is a Cabaret” which features her singing. Rebecca Liddiard who plays Mary co-wrote “Showstoppers” which features her ballet skills. I don’t want to give away too, too much but both episodes are highlights of the final season.
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