Welcome back Nancy Drew fans! “The Celestial Visitor” introduced us to a new character named Tom Swift, who is part of the book universe of Nancy Drew. Tom, will be getting a spinoff, so maybe we can expect to see more crossovers with him next season. For now, we get a dose of his interactions with the Drew crew and they are priceless, including him telling Nancy her perceived fancy party dress was hideous. Ha! There was a deep discussion between George and Nick regarding race and their relationship, it was real, it was sad but it brought them closer together. Nancy Drew is not shying away from hard topics this season and I love that, we have a lot to discuss in this weeks episode of Nancy Drew, so lets dive in.
Nancy, Meet Tom Swift
I never read the Nancy Drew books growing up, so going into this episode I had no idea who Tom Swift was, which was great because I was pleasantly surprised. Tom is a very wealthy, very successful inventor, and he’s gay and black, which is huge change from the books, where of course he’s a straight, white male. Tom graduated from M.I.T. at a young age and he comes from a long line of inventors, he wants to send his dad to the cosmos, which is why he shows up in Horseshoe Bay, to find a meteorite that can power his spaceship, and he needs Nancy’s help to find it.
You know who didn’t irritate me in “The Celestial Visitor”? Nick. Nick actually has a real personality underneath his boring exterior, turns out he was just code switching to fit in with everyone else in Horseshoe Bay, both Tom and I understand this completely. Nick is so relived to have someone his own age and black to talk too. He laments he cannot get a decent haircut in Horseshoe Bay, because the nearest black barber is three hours away. Yikers! Tom jokes with Nick about getting caught up in white people’s foolishness as he walks into the Claw, and there is utter chaos happening! Bess is vomiting bile, because she is accidently possessed by a demon thanks to George, and plates and dishes are flying around elsewhere like Poltergeist II.
Tom needs to come back for more episodes because he completely read the room on that one. While Tom and Nick bond over being black men living in a white male dominated world, Tom also asks Nancy for her help in locating a meteorite that landed in Horseshoe Bay 90 years ago, that has been kept hidden ever since. Tom alludes to the fact, that the meteorite might be causing all the ghost nonsense in Horseshoe Bay. Nancy agrees to take the case because Tom is going to paying her 2K and homegirl needs the coin, badly. I feel you Nancy, I feel you.
Icarus Hall
Of course there is a creepy monastery in Horseshoe Bay! Of course ghosts still haunt the place and Nancy tries to warn Tom, but he doesn’t believe in ghosts! Don’t worry Tom, give it some time, once they start to chase your ass or try to possess you, you will believe! Listen, honestly I didn’t care about the ghosts and the meteorite, storyline, I was watching because I low key loved Nancy and Tom together, even though I know Tom is gay. Tom’s backstory was far more interesting than any ghosts the duo were hunting. Tom’s dad doesn’t want his son to be gay, even though he’s super successful and smart! Tom’s dad knows that Tom already has it hard enough being a black man in America, but being gay too, makes his life that much harder.
Tom kept trying to prove himself throughout “The Celestial Visitor,” he has a ton of self invented gadgets that really would have come in useful if he weren’t trying to defeat supernatural entities! He has an outfit for every occasion and even teases Nancy about her thrift store beanie she is always wearing! Guys, these two, together were like butter on rice, give me more of them please!
The ghosts at Icarus Hall are guarding the meteorite, and try to kill anyone who tries to disturb it. Nancy is used to ghosts guarding stuff, and tries to explain it to Tom, who is starting to believe her, but also fears for his life. Ha! Horseshoe Bay is a hellmouth Tom, be glad you are just visiting. There is so much going on, with the meteorite that I almost completely forgot about Bess being possessed. Bess holds the key though, to Tom getting the meteorite, because she is being taken over by the women in white who were the first guardians of the rock.
It’s all too much for Tom, and me too! Like how many ghosts are laying claim to this thing? Seriously. The Icarus Hall founders were white men who only wanted power, they put a hex on the meteorite that can only be broken by a blood counter curse. Whose family do you think was one of the founders? The Hudson’s! So Nancy ends up spilling her blood yet again to break the curse and freeing the meteorite. Show of hands who thinks Nancy’s blood might release Odette from George’s body.
All’s well, that ends well I guess. I mean Tom got what he wanted, and he even got Nick to take picture with him and they are kissing! Tom wanted a picture to post on social media so his dad would stop trying to fix him up with girls. Nick is totally comfortable with his own sexuality and actually loves having Tom as a friend now. I hope we see Tom again soon! Nancy decides to go to a party celebrating her grandfathers release from prison and Tom gifts her with a stunning gown. I told you, I LOVE THEM! Nancy seems at peace now living in two different worlds, Tom tells her that she will always be Nancy Drew at heart, but if she wants to bring down her grandfather she will have to learn to be a Hudson too. Smart man.
Nancy Drew airs on Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
