Mel is attacked – then saved by an unseen protector…

Fisk is back, so this can only mean one thing: so are The Company, that often unwelcome working family tie that McCall can’t quite get rid of, as much as she’d like to.

On the subject of ‘family’, that is one of two keywords for this episode, the other being ‘secrets’. Interaction between the two is no coincidence either. The Bayani family are at the heart of the story as Melody’s brother returns. But also, another of her brothers appears. This older brother Matthew has secrecy around his day job to rival Mel’s own. The attempt on her life thrusts us straight into the action, although not before we see her commencing her newest voluntary venture: a support group for military veterans processing trauma from their time in service.

Matthew’s arrival makes Mel’s whole family story even more intriguing. That every one of the siblings who has appeared (so far) is into something dangerous the rest of the family are initially not privy to raises questions, such as how dinner events go during special occasions, should they all actually be able to attend!

The main storyline seems to end rather abruptly, even if it is neatly concluded. This is unsurprising since not everything set in motion in the episode has yet reached its conclusion. Some continuous plotlines have been either commenced or contnued, with Fisk warning of something far larger and more dangerous on the horizon for them all, and Dante’s father Big Ben showing there’s more to his relatively new-found freedom than has been revealed. There remains someone he answers to now that he is out of prison – and it isn’t Dante.

However, there must be a note of praise for the episode’s very capable method of keeping this number of story plates spinning without any of them becoming a distraction. Aunt Vi’s challenge this week sees no violence come her way, just a date with her partner Trish. Unfortunately for Vi, keeping Trish away from the action, or even awareness that there is action in the first place, is damaging their relationship. The strain of protecting Robyn, and everyone outside her business, is taking its toll, and Delilah is not immune to this either. Robyn understands that she somehow needs to find a fix to this whilst not allowing it to disrupt her missions as a matter of increased urgency.

Harry’s support role is somewhat unsung, certainly in this episode. It is easy to see his relationship and interactions with Mel which are both wholesome and usually amusing, but not for the first time this season, he has been a valuable ear to Dante when help or advice has been needed on personal matters. Whilst McCall is always around for anything physically dangerous, Harry has quietly provided counsel on family or personal issues, which Dante has acknowledged and respected. It is a level of bonding and trust he cannot establish with his father yet, and that appears to be a matter which will only deteriorate further. Harry additionally has a fun interaction with Mel’s other brother, Edison Bayani, in the form of a somewhat unorthodox family activity – team computer hacking. It is an example of the more subtle humour this episode uses, as the general tone is on the more serious side, certainly in great contrast to the one which came before.

Verdict: This is an episode which leaves us with as many questions as it does answers. Hardly surprising when the Agency show up, but even by their standards this episode bridges into a number of future headaches. It doesn’t slow down, this one, but it is a rewarding episode with which to keep up. 8/10

Russell A. Smith