DISCLAIMER: This recap of Death and Other Details Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Rufus gets into the nitty-gritty in episode two, “Sordid.” He wastes no time interrogating the power players aboard the SS Varuna. As he eloquently puts it (I’m paraphrasing), he shines a light on the cockroaches. Now, all he and Imogene have to do is watch them scatter.
Mandy Patinkin is a delight in this outing. Episode two feels more like Only Murders in the Building meets Knives Out than its predecessor. “Sordid” is more engaging and darkly humorous. The episode doesn’t take itself as seriously, which is good. I love the flow of the interrogations and how the creative team weaves them together seamlessly. I also dig the more in-depth character work. It allows us to get to know our suspects.
“Sordid” answers a few questions while bringing new ones to the table. And, as Rufus states in the series premiere, “Details matter.” Some fun ones are interspersed in this installment. Side note: my money’s closer to someone on the Chun side as being Danny’s murderer. Blaming the Colliers is too easy. That said, the Colliers are definitely behind Kira Scott’s death.
Things are about to get “Sordid.” (Sorry, I had to.)
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Six Months Ago
We open with Keith, aka Danny (Michael Gladis), knocking on Rufus’ (Patinkin) door six months before the cruise. Danny has another case for Rufus despite the latter’s claims that he’s retired. Imogene (Violett Beane) watches their interaction play out. Danny procures an invite for Lawrence Collier’s retirement party aboard the SS Varuna. He and Rufus can dig deeper into the Collier Mills’ accounts and unearth evidence of fraudulent behavior and criminal acts. Also, they can find more info on Viktor Sams, the man responsible for planting the explosive in Kira Scott’s (Imogene’s mom) car.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
Then, Danny shows Rufus a photo of an adult Imogene as a reminder of what the grizzled detective set out to do — solve the murder of her mother. Danny believes Rufus can give Imogene the closure she so desperately needs. Imogene looks touched. Rufus explains to her that Viktor Sams (most likely a smoke screen) is part of a seedy organization that thrives on blackmail. Even though Kira was merely a secretary, she might have gotten tangled in something she couldn’t wriggle out of.
A Connection
In the present, Rufus states that both cases might be connected. Imogene asks what she can do to help the proceedings. Naturally, he must interrogate the ship’s VIPs, as it seems likely that one of them committed murder. We hear more voiceover from Rufus as he relays this information to a “Rita.”
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Meanwhile, Imogene reunites with Anna (Lauren Patten), who asks how it went. Imogene feigns distress, claiming Rufus was ruthless (or “Ruf-less” … I’ll see myself out). She embraces Anna while surreptitiously slipping half of a Joker card in the latter’s hand. Imogene intently studies the group for clues. Who did it in this whodunit?
Then, Rufus calls in Llewellyn (Jere Burns) for questioning. He asks the Collier family lawyer about Lawrence. Lawrence refuses to cooperate with our detective. Llewellyn fails to disclose anything of import, claiming Rufus has always had a “hard-on” for Lawrence. Rufus asks Llewellyn where he was between midnight and 8 AM. Llewellyn flips him the bird in defiance. Rufus notices nasty rope burns on the lawyer’s right wrist. Hmm.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
Barring Entry
Next, Imogene tries to visit Lawrence. However, Jules (Hugo Diego Garcia) is the Collier patriarch’s new security detail, and he refuses to grant her access. Oh, and Jules also knows about Imogene nicking the passcode for the security room from their one-night stand. He accuses Imogene of deleting camera footage (well, we know Rufus did that). He turns Imogene away.
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Later, Rufus asks Father Toby (Danny Johnson) questions. Where was he between midnight and 8 AM? Keith/Danny was harpooned with a sword-fishing spear by a murderer who concealed themself in a bar cart until housekeeping arrived to wheel them out. Father Toby insists it wasn’t him — he’s too big to fit in that space. Rufus counters he could’ve hired someone small enough to hide in said cart. We see Rufus with Tripp (Jack Cutmore-Scott) after asking the eldest Collier the same question as Father Toby.
Eleanor (Karoline) believes Rufus should stop wasting time and conduct an actual search of the vessel. However, Rufus believes hunting for clues among the suspects is easier. Leila (Pardis Saremi) sits in stony silence, glaring at Rufus. Then, Rufus asks the group to elaborate on their interactions with Keith/Danny. Father Toby lies, claiming he’s never met him. Governor Alexandra (Tamberla Perry) calls him a buffoon. Katherine Collier (Jayne Atkinson) simply states that God loves everyone equally.
An Outburst
Tripp declares he and Keith/Danny planned to change the world. Katherine tells Rufus about the party she orchestrated two days prior for the Chuns, who the Colliers hoped would invest in Collier Mills. We see her embrace Celia (Lisa Lu). Celia corroborates this. Keith “antagonized” Anna by chatting her up about her potentially becoming the next CEO of Collier Mills. She ordered him to scram. Then, Leila caught Keith snapping a photo of the table. She demanded he delete the picture before submerging his phone in water.
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Eleanor believes Leila’s reaction was over-the-top. She also explains that she and Anna had a fling in college, but it’s over now. She turns the tables on Rufus, reminding him the Chuns hired him to get dirt on the Colliers before they invested in Collier Mills. Rufus utilizes this opportunity to tender his resignation. The topic of bankruptcy enters the interrogation. The Colliers need the Chuns to save their company.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
However, Anna and Katherine insist this isn’t so. As Anna defends Collier Mills, we see a commercial for the family business play out. This is a nice narrative touch. Anna’s defense sounds rather commercial-like. Meanwhile, Imogene recalls a memory from three months ago. Anna visits her apartment, where Imogene hasn’t emerged for two days. It’s the anniversary of her mom’s murder. Anna cheers Imogene up by bringing her favorite food.
Drinks on the House
Then, Imogene finds Sunil (Rahul Kohli) behind the bar. He crafts a special drink, naming it after his next career move. He feels this one might have struck an iceberg. Imogene encourages him to tell Rufus everything — don’t withhold any secrets. Sunil thinks she’s implying that he has something to hide. Anna enters the room, so Sunil leaves the two drinks for them before departing. Anna asks why Imogene slipped her half of a Joker card. She explains that Rufus asked her to assist him with the investigation.
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Later, Rufus calls upon Teddy (Angela Zhou) for questioning. Teddy arranged for Keith to go fishing shortly after his arrival. He was allowed to keep his harpoon gun in his quarters because she didn’t think he’d use it to kill anyone. Perhaps she should’ve worried about the alternative. Eleanor reveals Father Toby and Keith went into the chapel together around four. That’s when we learn that he introduced Keith to Alexandra, who promptly began asking about her campaign donors. Keith/Danny believes she took funds from an illicit source.
Alexandra reveals what she enjoyed most about working as a DA before her time in the governorship. She feels it’s vital to let folks show their “bad hand.” After she sneezes, we switch to Katherine, who talks about Leila’s “illness.” We learn she was in an accident, resulting in a terrifying brain injury.
There Are No Accidents
However, Leila doesn’t believe it was an accident. She’s become more paranoid, thinking she’s being listened to and searching her quarters for bugs. As Rufus points this out to her, she continues to remain silent. We see a replay of her confronting Keith in the premiere episode, where she accuses him of following her. Elsewhere, Father Toby prays with Lawrence (David Marshall Grant) and Katherine in their quarters. Imogene and Anna run into Jules, who lets them gain entry. Instantly, Anna guesses that Imogene and Jules slept together … at least twice.
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Inside, That Derek (Sincere Wilbert), Father Toby’s son who’s a rising TikTok star, asks Imogene what it was like to be questioned by Rufus. Imogene is curious why Lawrence won’t see Rufus. They talk about how her late mother would enjoy the murder investigation. Imogene reminds the group that Kira didn’t love boats but was a great swimmer. Lawrence is definitely hiding something.
Next, Rufus asks Imogene to find the Collier Mills books. He needs access to their records and accounts. Whatever Lawrence is hiding could serve as the bridge between Kira and Danny’s murders. Then, Rufus sneezes in front of Tripp, who reveals the material of his sweater can sometimes cause allergic reactions. Rufus continues to ask about his burgeoning partnership with Keith/Danny. Onlookers witnessed their explosive argument not long before Keith’s murder.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
A Motive for Murder
We see the argument in question, with Keith looking to pull out of investing in Tripp’s business venture. Tripp was set to go live with said venture in a week and hoped to rake in millions. Winnie (Annie Q. Riegel), who was the woman Keith yelled at in the premiere, witnessed their prickly interaction. Rufus reminds Tripp that this is a motive for murder.
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We see a replay of Keith accosting Winnie for spilling liquid on his fancy watch. Winnie admits she’s not the best employee, while Teddy tells Rufus she gave her younger sister the chance to work on the ship. Teddy has always been a maternal figure for Winnie. Then, Rufus informs Tripp that the bar cart in which the killer hid was ordered from his room to be transported to Keith’s quarters. However, Winnie claims she heard a female voice place the order from Tripp’s room.
Later, Imogene reunites with Rufus. She admits that telling Anna about her involvement was fun. Sunil enters, informing them that Interpol is sending their best detective for the ongoing investigation. Rufus proceeds to ask Sunil questions. Sunil reveals Keith attempted to access his room with the wrong key card. Keith claimed he thought it was his room. Sunil didn’t report it to security or ask for a reprimand.
Get Them Flustered
Rufus asks Sunil, point-blank, why he killed Keith. Sunil denies this before storming out. Imogene wonders why Rufus did that. Well, it’s from his book, On Solving Impossible Crimes. Getting suspects flustered leads to them revealing crucial information with their eyes and general physicality.
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Then, Rufus tells Imogene that Alexandra is having an affair with one of her biggest donors — Tripp Collier. She was the one who ordered that bar cart to Keith’s room. There’s also Llewellyn and Teddy, who failed to disclose the exchange of goods they made on that first night. Father Toby lied about having met Keith/Danny. His whole career is predicated on protecting the secrets of the rich and powerful. Leila is paranoid about something. Anna lied multiple times to protect her, too.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
Unfortunately, anyone might’ve murdered Danny, as billions are riding on this deal between the Chuns and the Colliers. Elsewhere, Tripp confronts Alexandra about setting him up as an accessory to murder. She calls their affair a mistake before promptly ending it. Tripp’s line about not wanting her to leave because he has too much coke cracked me up.
Pulling Out of the Deal
Later, Eleanor and Anna chat about the impending deal. Eleanor’s grandmother is rightfully spooked now with this investigation underway. The Chuns will have to pull out of said deal. They can’t invest in Collier Mills. Anna grabs Eleanor’s wrist, claiming she’ll do anything to win her over. Eleanor glances at Anna’s wedding ring before rejecting her advances.
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Anna returns to her quarters, where she and Leila have sex. Meanwhile, Katherine signs a contract, and Jules whips out a passport. Is he going somewhere? Then, a mysterious someone watches Anna and Leila have sex on their laptop. I guess invading someone’s privacy is en vogue. Enraged, Tripp shatters the mirror in his room with a golf club. Oh, and Llewellyn? He’s bound and gagged in leather gear in someone’s closet. That explains the burn marks on his wrists.
DEATH AND OTHER DETAILS Season 1 Episode 2, “Sordid.” Photo credit: James Dittiger/Hulu.
Rufus provides narration, welcoming us to the introduction to his second novel, The Artless Detective. Rita must be someone to whom he’s dictating his book. A helicopter arrives, and with it, Interpol’s best detective, Agent Hilde Eriksen (Linda Emond), who greets Sunil. She asks if Rufus has subjected the ship’s elite to an interrogation in which they didn’t want to participate. Not to worry, though — she’s on the case. Linda Emond’s going to be a lot of fun. I can already tell.
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Who’s on your suspect list based on watching “Sordid”? What is Lawrence Collier hiding? What will Agent Eriksen contribute to the dynamic between Rufus and Imogene? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.
Death and Other Details drops new episodes every Tuesday on Hulu.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: MABEL MORA
Melody.McCune@geekgirlauthority.com
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
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