Tonight's episode was half outstanding and half unfortunate, with the A-plot averaging the overall score to a seven.
First the good bits: The most interesting half by far focused on the story with Miles (Mustafa Elzein) and Cassie (Ashley Reyes)
Viewers were given a mix of exposition and action to find out that there's a group of very powerful, very lethal criminals afoot.
These shooters are seemingly woven into the fabric of law enforcement. (Otherwise why would Miles and. Fenton have been so deeply undercover. And why would Fenton take his own life?)
The action was tense, the fight scenes well choreographed, the use of lighting (or lack thereof) effective.
I'd personally have preferred slightly less intrusive music volumes, but the choice of music itself was spot on.
--
Cassie's relationship with her partner still shows how best friends should be--not someone who'd ever walk away or put themselves selfishly first.
I'm glad Cordell (Jared Padalecki) has Cassie watching his back now, given how her character has shaped up.
Yes, I do miss Micki (Lindsey Morgan), but these are different women--and BOTH are good.
---
Amazing spotlight scenes for Cordell, Trey (Jeff Pierre) and Captain James.
Hard to believe Jared Padalecki was still injured while they were shooting this--the after effects of a car accident. He was amazing.
Also amazing? Larry James in particular has several confrontation scenes and Coby Bell pulled them off seamlessly.
The Rangers working together have become a real highlight and I'm glad to see us focusing on that half of the story again.
The story in this A-plot made sense and held interest for this episode and as well as to set up next year.
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The other half of the hour focused on family--usually the show's bread & butter, but not tonight.
Perhaps the idea of a dinner together wasn't an out-of-the-question stretch. But the set up was just hard to swallow.
First, we have Stella (Violet Brinson) playing a 1950's Suzy Homemaker, coming over to make breakfast for her new man. It was bizarrely anti-feminist, even for a teen girl who's lacked common sense with boys. (But has had some semblance of self confidence.)
Then we have Stella and Colton (Jalen Thomas Brooks) planning a joint dinner at the former Walker house, rather than neutral ground.
Surely anyone could see the Sidestep would be a better choice--as it has been several times before.
___
This location choice by the writers makes Geri again look like a thoughtless fool for not recognizing that anyone other than her precious self might be hurting.
Cordell even comes in looking less than smart, siding against his father's (VERY UNDERSTANDABLE) anger and attempts to restrain himself, feeling displaced in his ancestral home.
The eye rolls when Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) and Abeline (Molly Hagan) were upset seemed offensive, given that both these characters have shown themselves to be strong and just individuals whom viewers love
Meanwhile Pileggi and Hagan, as always, were joys in every scene they were in. Whether it was drama or comedy, these two elevated every bit.
---
The "aha" moment when Geri finally realizes Gale might be a bit shady was far too little, too late. And instead of evidencing any feelings of guilt for misjudging, she simply treats it like a case development for Cordell to process on her behalf.
Geri is simply floating along again, instead of doing the hard work of self reflection and/or creating any sort of internal moral compass for herself.
---
Bright spots in the dinner scenes were Liam (Keegan Allen) and Dan (Dave Annable) who kept the action centered somewhat.
Keegan Allen didn't get a dominant role this ep, but he worked every minute he got.
Finally, a huge shout out to Paula Marshall as Gale who has been creepily great all season, but never as much as tonight. That last scene with the lemons & knife was simple, but frightening. And I'm not sure what she'll do next week when she's cornered.
Guess we'll wait to find out.
First the good bits: The most interesting half by far focused on the story with Miles (Mustafa Elzein) and Cassie (Ashley Reyes)
Viewers were given a mix of exposition and action to find out that there's a group of very powerful, very lethal criminals afoot.
These shooters are seemingly woven into the fabric of law enforcement. (Otherwise why would Miles and. Fenton have been so deeply undercover. And why would Fenton take his own life?)
The action was tense, the fight scenes well choreographed, the use of lighting (or lack thereof) effective.
I'd personally have preferred slightly less intrusive music volumes, but the choice of music itself was spot on.
--
Cassie's relationship with her partner still shows how best friends should be--not someone who'd ever walk away or put themselves selfishly first.
I'm glad Cordell (Jared Padalecki) has Cassie watching his back now, given how her character has shaped up.
Yes, I do miss Micki (Lindsey Morgan), but these are different women--and BOTH are good.
---
Amazing spotlight scenes for Cordell, Trey (Jeff Pierre) and Captain James.
Hard to believe Jared Padalecki was still injured while they were shooting this--the after effects of a car accident. He was amazing.
Also amazing? Larry James in particular has several confrontation scenes and Coby Bell pulled them off seamlessly.
The Rangers working together have become a real highlight and I'm glad to see us focusing on that half of the story again.
The story in this A-plot made sense and held interest for this episode and as well as to set up next year.
---
---
The other half of the hour focused on family--usually the show's bread & butter, but not tonight.
Perhaps the idea of a dinner together wasn't an out-of-the-question stretch. But the set up was just hard to swallow.
First, we have Stella (Violet Brinson) playing a 1950's Suzy Homemaker, coming over to make breakfast for her new man. It was bizarrely anti-feminist, even for a teen girl who's lacked common sense with boys. (But has had some semblance of self confidence.)
Then we have Stella and Colton (Jalen Thomas Brooks) planning a joint dinner at the former Walker house, rather than neutral ground.
Surely anyone could see the Sidestep would be a better choice--as it has been several times before.
___
This location choice by the writers makes Geri again look like a thoughtless fool for not recognizing that anyone other than her precious self might be hurting.
Cordell even comes in looking less than smart, siding against his father's (VERY UNDERSTANDABLE) anger and attempts to restrain himself, feeling displaced in his ancestral home.
The eye rolls when Bonham (Mitch Pileggi) and Abeline (Molly Hagan) were upset seemed offensive, given that both these characters have shown themselves to be strong and just individuals whom viewers love
Meanwhile Pileggi and Hagan, as always, were joys in every scene they were in. Whether it was drama or comedy, these two elevated every bit.
---
The "aha" moment when Geri finally realizes Gale might be a bit shady was far too little, too late. And instead of evidencing any feelings of guilt for misjudging, she simply treats it like a case development for Cordell to process on her behalf.
Geri is simply floating along again, instead of doing the hard work of self reflection and/or creating any sort of internal moral compass for herself.
---
Bright spots in the dinner scenes were Liam (Keegan Allen) and Dan (Dave Annable) who kept the action centered somewhat.
Keegan Allen didn't get a dominant role this ep, but he worked every minute he got.
Finally, a huge shout out to Paula Marshall as Gale who has been creepily great all season, but never as much as tonight. That last scene with the lemons & knife was simple, but frightening. And I'm not sure what she'll do next week when she's cornered.
Guess we'll wait to find out.
