Lara's Review - Mace vs. Scalpel

This is another episode I am not sure if I liked, and once again I know that I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either, I think it felt tired, like both the actors and the writers were holding back leading up to the series finale, which looks and sounds fantastic.

There were certainly moments within the episode I did enjoy, both stories wise and in the acting. Miguel Ferrer, once again had the opportunity to flex is acting muscles and it was another example of how under-rated he is as an actor. I have always loved the character of Garret, he is as complex as Jordan, and although he is often gruff, you have an affinity with him.

The storyline involving Garret was good, it wasn’t overly compelling and it did seem a little predictable, but I thought that the acting made up for it. The actor who played Everett made an awesome psychopath, or perhaps a better word is a sociopath (you choose). He certainly gave me the creeps, because you despised him, yet felt sympathy for him, and that is what makes him scary. 

The second storyline was more compelling, or at least I was drawn into it, questioning Manny’s guilt or innocence. I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, the tension between Lu and Jordan is building, and Woody is beginning to get caught in the middle. I did like that while there was this tension, the episode didn’t focus on it, it was more about the case, which I like, it was the interlude before the finale.

I enjoyed the conversation between Bug and Lily at lunch, or rather, what was not said between the characters. The revelation to Lily that Bug has potentially moved on with his life seemed almost crushing to her. And Lily admits to Bug that she is unsure of why she agreed to marry Brandau, beyond ‘he asked me, so I said yes’. The entire interaction between Bug and Lily makes me question if we will see a wedding in the finale that is not to say I want Bug and Lily to be romantically linked, it is more to do with me being unable to see Lily going through with it.

This leads me on to Brandau, I just cannot relate to him, there is no element to his personality that draws me to him, and I feel there is a lack of chemistry between Lily and Brandau. But, I won’t go on, I think I have discussed my opinions of Brandau enough, I just will wait and see what will happen in the finale.

Perhaps the most interesting element of the episode was the interaction between Jordan and JD. I liked that it was Jordan who initiated the contact, and then apologising for the incident between her and Woody, it was another demonstration of her growth this season as she accepts responsibility for her actions. I like JD, I think I always have, he added something this season, a little controversy, a little romance, and a little action, I am kind of sad that they kill him, but it does provide an added twist in an action packed season. I do think the conversation between Jordan and JD set the stage for his murder; Jordan could tell he was distracted, so how this plays into framing Jordan, then solving his murder will be interesting.

As always the music was great, it particularly heightened the tension in Garret’s storyline. I enjoyed the pace of the directing in the episode, and although I said on the whole it felt tired, the pace in the directing kept my interest, it was always moving, something I think is a trait of Bethany Rooney’s, go back and watch The Elephant in the Room, Enlightenment and Locard’s Exchange (all directed by her), you can feel the same pace as you watch them.

I don’t really have a lot to say about this episode, I feel it was more the interlude before the fireworks of the finale. It contained the final elements necessary for the finale, without being of particular significance. But, the re-introduction of JD makes me anticipate the finale, so it served its perpose.