Phryne is visited by an old friend: Véronique Sarcelle, whom she knew when she was living in Montparnasse, Paris's art district, in the years immediately after World War I.
Tropes
- Bilingual Bonus / Freeze-Frame Bonus: Those who can read French will learn from the newspaper clipping that the official name of Phryne's canvas is "Nu Couchée Au Peignoir" (Nude Woman, Reclining, with Dressing Gown) and that the Parisian newspapers, unlike Véronique, were well aware that Phryne was in possession of it.
- "Blackmail" Is Such an Ugly Word: Encouraged by Mr. Butler, Dorothy approaches her parish priest (who disapproves with her relationship with the Protestant Constable Collins) and mentions that she is considering converting - thus denying his church of all her efforts towards the church bake sale and fete. Father Grogan wisely backs down.
- Contrived Coincidence: Bert witnessing Pierre Sarcelle's murder and retrieving his final painting. Said painting being a nude portrait of Bert's future friend and employer.
- Crazy Jealous Guy: René, when it comes to Phryne. It's all but stated that he killed Sarcelle just to steal his masterpiece because Phryne was the model. He hated the idea of another man having her in any form.
- Dead Artists Are Better: As pointed out, bitterly, by Véronique.
- Didn't See That Coming: René Dubois fully expects Phryne to be unable to shoot him, allowing him to flee the confrontation in the restaurant. He didn't expect Madame Sarcelle, widow of the artist he murdered, to be in the doorway holding a knife.
- Everyone Was In WWI Together: Bert and Cec were living in Montparnasse in 1919, not far from a young Phryne Fisher.
- Kiss of Distraction: Jack, desperate, need to distract Phryne at the restaurant.
- The Lost Lenore: Véronique misses Pierre terribly.
- Not So Stoic: The typically confident Phryne nearly buckles in the face of abusive ex-lover René Dubois.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: While it's not the first time a case has had personal implications for Phryne, the confrontation in the café is the first time such implications have hindered her work.
- Running Over the Plot: The episode begins with someone running over Thommo Birmingham, a good friend of Cec and Bert.
- Working the Same Case: The French police are re-investigating Sarcelle's murder; meanwhile, thousands of kilometres away, Phryne and Jack are investigating the hit and run death of Bert and Cec's army friend. It soon emerges that the two are connected.
- Your Money Is No Good Here: Bert and Cec offer to pay Phryne to investigate their friend's hit and run. Phryne refuses payment and does it for free.
