(Okay, so Tony Hale really didn't have an important role in the episode. Sorry about the mislead. Actually, you know what? I'm not sorry. The show misled me, so I misled you. Join me in my disappointment.)
Tonight's episode...well, frankly, it wasn't very good. I guess this shouldn't be surprising, given how the season has been going downhill, but I guess I try to be an optimist when it comes to television. Anyways, underneath all of the broad comedy and overworked drama, there were some good elements in tonight's episode, elements that would seem to point to the show trying to improve itself, trying to regain the season one highs. (Some might see this as writers lazily aping season one success, but be optimistic with me and assume their just trying to better their show, would ya?) Present tonight were elements such as...
Playing with story structure – The two best episodes of Season 1 (“Baptiste” and “Christopher Chance”) both had stories that were told through flashback, and they managed to wring tension out of reconcile the past with the present. Tonight's episode attempted this with Harry, the private investigator we met a few weeks back. (Why the show decided to bring him back, we'll never know.) And they smartly tried to create tension in these wrap around, quickly establishing that Chance was sitting on a pressure release bomb, and that he was captive of some thugs. Note I said “tried,” as this lacked the tension of the aforementioned episode. But kudos, HT, for not sticking with the traditional structure. Better to try and...well, you know the rest.
A capable Ames – Ames has been the more troublesome addition of Season 2, because while she was as equally annoying in personality as Ilsa, at least Ilsa served a purpose as the purveyor of capital, travel, guns, etc. Ames just somehow managed to fuck up on every mission. But starting with Monday's episode, and continuing tonight, we have begun to see a more capable Ames, one who is able to work with the rest of the team, and get the job done efficiently. Yes, her annoying personality is still intact, and it was quite grating tonight, but I can accept her presence a little more knowing she is now an assent to Chance and the guys.
A more logical role for Ilsa – A similar change has undergone Ilsa. A previously stated, Ilsa has had a purpose for being on the show. What she didn't have, however, was a reason to be in the action. The show had mostly had her serve as disapproving authority figure, which got old, fast. The other role she's served – the one I think works better – is that of liaison, the rich person to meet with high end people and gather info (somewhat) covertly. The show returned to that well tonight, with all of the problems that incurs. Yet the show itself seem to acknowledge how ill-equipped Ilsa was for such jobs, and that makes me think that they could (possibly) pull off some character arc in which she becomes more skilled. Maybe. Regardless, that doesn't forgive all the wacky hijinks of her tripping on truth serum.
And yet....
Yet, I can't deny that there were elements here, elements which have been present for several episodes now, that, despite the damage they inflict on these episodes, don't seem to be going away anytime soon. Things like....
The continued insistence that the cases resonate emotionally for one of the main characters – I liked that the show stopped having all of the clients have a direct relation to one of the team members. Yet, in its stead, they have tried to make the missions resonate emotionally, a move that's for the worst. At least with the direct client connection, it was said once and the over with. With the emotional resonance angle, we get treated beaten over the head with multiple scenes of overly blunt dialogue about how the characters feel. It's hacky and unoriginal, and it fails to land every time.
The continued Chance/Ilsa romance – What else can I say. It's forced. It's awkward. There's no chemistry. Precious minutes that could go to more action go to this boring subplot. I just wish that it would go away.
Like I said, this was not a good episode, as even the positive elements brought their own drawbacks to the table. Yet the show keeps giving me hope, hope that the show could turn around form this creative slump. Too bad it probably won't get the chance.
Additional Thoughts:
“She's VERY friendly, if you know what I mean.” Yeah, Ames, he's an undercover operative; he knows what you mean.
“Or, 'Guerrero's gonna slit your throat, Harry'”
There was something about Chance riding a horse that I found oddly bad-ass.
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