Phryne is asked to investigate when a lady of the evening is found dead in a room bolted from the inside next to a man who took a large amount of laudanum. What makes things complicated for Inspector Robinson is the man is the deputy commissioner of the police...and his ex father-in-law.
This episode contains the following tropes:
- Fake-Out Make-Out: Phryne and Jack confer regarding the case in a curtained alcove at the burlesque. When another couple blunder in on them, Phryne leaps into Jack's lap and shoves his face into her cleavage. He takes it fairly gracefully, considering.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Dot sees herself as the responsible sibling to her sister Nell/Lola's foolish.
- Innocuously Important Episode: Not within the series, but revisited in the pilot of Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, in which it's revealed that the thoroughly corrupt Chief Inspector Sparrow was being held back in his machinations by Phryne, who had evidence that he was present in Madam Lyon's brothel.
- Oh, Crap!: Hugh goes positively bug-eyed with horror after Jack gently explains that the young prostitute who was just flirting with him is Dot's sister.
- Shameless Fanservice Girl: Phryne goes undercover at a burlesque and winds up doing the fan dance wearing... remarkably little clothing. She appears to relish every minute of it. Meanwhile, Jack's reaction is mingled amusement, resignation, and "Christ, I need a drink."
