The biggest mystery in the season opener of Miss Scarlet isn’t a whodunit—it’s the secret love affair between detective Eliza Scarlet and Inspector Alexander Blake. Season 6, Episode 1, titled “Secrets and Lies”, confirms the romantic relationship between the two leads and explores the immediate complications it brings to Eliza’s life and work. The episode, which aired on January 11, 2026, shows Eliza trying to hide her new happiness from friends and colleagues, a decision that strains her closest relationships and nearly derails a murder investigation.
A Case Complicated by Concealed Romance
The professional partnership between Eliza Scarlet and Alexander Blake is tested immediately in the new season. Their first joint case since beginning a romance involves the mysterious deaths of two women, both linked to a psychiatrist named Dr. Isambard Cole. Eliza is hired by Scotland Yard to help a traumatized witness, Sarah Mason, who found one of the bodies.
However, Eliza’s fear of their secret being discovered makes her overly cautious. She initially tries to avoid the case and later attempts to keep a professional distance from Blake during the investigation. Her paranoia becomes a significant obstacle. At one point, a new detective, George Willows, spots Eliza rushing to Blake in a moment of relief, forcing her to reconsider her involvement entirely to protect their secret.
“Structure and control run through my veins, but over the years, I’ve learned that trying to control too much of your life is futile,” Blake advises Eliza. “When you stop trying to do so, that’s where the real freedom lies. The burden of the situation might be eased if you were to confide in someone. Someone other than me.”
This advice from Blake, drawing on his military experience, proves pivotal in the episode.
The Strain of Secrecy on Eliza’s Closest Relationships
Eliza’s decision to keep her romance a secret creates unintended tension with her trusted confidante, Ivy. Ivy quickly becomes suspicious, noticing a profound change in Eliza’s typically focused demeanor. The situation reaches a breaking point when Ivy overhears a private conversation between Eliza and Blake through a closed door.
The hurt Ivy feels upon discovering the secret is palpable. The emotional weight of this betrayal of trust adds a deeper layer to the episode, highlighting the personal cost of Eliza’s concealment. This strain forces Eliza to confront a central question: can she let someone into her personal life without losing control of the independent life she has fought so hard to build?
Meanwhile, Eliza’s employee, Clarence, misreads the situation entirely. He believes Eliza has somehow offended Inspector Blake, leading to a lack of cases from Scotland Yard. Eliza’s unusual behavior—turning down work and acting evasive—only makes the truth more obvious to those who know her best.
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Solving the Mystery of the Psychiatric Patient
While the romance takes center stage, the episode’s criminal case provides a compelling backdrop. The investigation into the two dead women leads Eliza and Blake to Dr. Isambard Cole and his secretary, Sarah Mason. Both victims were being treated by Cole for melancholia with potassium bromide pills and electrotherapy.
The prime suspect becomes a former patient of Cole’s, Zebediah Sawyer, a disturbed man who hears voices and once worked in a pharmacy. The plot thickens when a body pulled from the river is identified as Sawyer, seemingly pointing to a suicide. However, Eliza’s keen observation at the morgue, aided by the recently fired attendant Mr. Potts, reveals the corpse lacks the telltale burn marks from electrotherapy seen on the other victims.
This discovery unravels the entire mystery. Eliza deduces the body is not Sawyer but a blackmailer named Franklin Sloan. She rushes to Cole’s office to find Sarah pointing a gun at the doctor. The final explanation reveals Sarah is Cole’s daughter, and she accidentally caused the women’s deaths by mislabeling their pill dosages after only recently learning to read and write. Cole had killed Sloan and framed Sawyer to cover up the tragic accidents and protect Sarah from a blackmail scheme.
Eliza Chooses Trust and Confides in Ivy
Following Blake’s advice and resolving the case, Eliza makes a crucial personal decision. She finally confides in Ivy about her relationship with Alexander Blake. Ivy’s reaction is one of joy and relief. She tells Eliza that knowing the secret is “music to [her] ears,” and she agrees to help keep it, even from her own husband, Potts.
This moment marks a significant step for Eliza’s character. For years, she has been defined by her relentless independence and dedication to her work. Allowing herself to be vulnerable and share her happiness with a friend represents a new kind of strength and maturity. It eases the immediate burden of secrecy and strengthens her bond with Ivy.
New Faces and Evolving Dynamics at Scotland Yard
The premiere episode also introduces changes within the police force. With the departures of Detective Fitzroy and Detective Phelps, a new detective, George Willows, joins Scotland Yard. Willows is portrayed as capable and respectful of Eliza’s skills, quickly making a good impression.
A new subplot also sparks with the introduction of Isabel Summers, a young clerk starting at Scotland Yard on the same day as Willows. Their repeated, awkward run-ins throughout the day culminate with Summers boldly prompting Willows to ask her on a date. He agrees, scheduling it for the following day.
The episode is available for streaming on PBS platforms following its broadcast. The season continues with five more episodes, including “Trafalgar Spring,” “The Delivery,” and “Bad Blood”.
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