The Irregulars “Chapter Two: The Ghosts of 221B” starts leaning heavily on the found family aspect of this show and the spookiness of it all. After the events of “Chapter One: An Unkindness in London” Bea and the gang find themselves in the same situation: broke and desperately trying to find ways to make money. They partner up with Watson, even though they promised never to do so again, and end up in unexpectedly dangerous situations that change them all.
Bea in particular experiences the biggest changes. For one, the sister that she’s always tried to protect, doesn’t seem to need her anymore. Jessie is embracing her powers and the changes they bring and she insists on not needing Bea to hold her hand. Which Bea does anyway because Jessie does need her help. She saved her from the tooth fairy after all. But that’s not the only big change that Bea is going to have to contend to.
Our hero killed someone. Yes, the tooth fairy was the monster of this story. And yes, Billy was in serious danger. But it still hurts Bea to do something so necessary. She’s tough as nails but she’s never had to take someone’s life before. And we think that will change Bea, but not into what others expect. The tooth fairy tried to bond with Bea and make it seem like they are one in the same. She couldn’t be further from the truth. Bea is a survivor, a sister, a friend, and has more kindness in her than anyone expects.
If anything this is going to convince Bea to follow the clues to figure out what’s happening in London and why it keeps touching her family. No more waiting for things to come at her. She’s going to chase after it, whatever “it” is, and take it down. Because this is her family, her home, her ride or dies. And no one is going to put them in danger. Not John Watson. Not Mycroft Holmes, which was the surprise ending to end all endings.
What does Mycroft want with Bea and how does he know her? We can’t wait to find out more in “Chapter Three: Ipsissimus.” Until then, let’s talk Billy and Leo. They bonded and we liked it. Sure, they both have feelings for Bea; Billy more than Leo because the latter barely knows any of them. But they bonded over not being perfect and what they assumed the other to be. The vulnerability they shared when Leo showed him his leg cemented Leo and Billy’s friendship, even if reluctantly. And I’m here for it.
I do feel like “Chapter Two: The Ghosts of 221B” had more Spike and Jessie. I know they had things that they were doing and that were quite important, but it still felt as if they weren’t as grounded in the adventure of the show as Bea, Billy, and Leo were. And you would think the fact that they only have eight episodes that they would use every single precious second of screen time to establish who these characters are and what they’re willing to do.
Spike, breaking into 221B was brilliant but also a little bit of, “Well, that’s it?” We have to believe that his presence was absolutely known by everyone in that house. Same thing goes for Jessie and her New Orleans visit. Others have to know what she’s up to and they will both have to face challenges from people or creatures that want to take them down and stop the discoveries they’re making. Just you wait.
The Irregulars is available on Netflix.
