Picking up where Season 2 left off with a bang…

This is certainly the second part of the season 2 finale, Exposed, but there was something about the setup which made me wonder whether this episode was going to stretch to a third part. Even with it being a continuation already, it had scope for an additional cliffhanger, particularly as a sizeable amount of time is spent away from McCall. There is interesting contrast to be had with a previous episode in which she intentionally had herself imprisoned in order to complete a mission, as this time out of her hands denies her the opportunity for communication with the rest of the team. She additionally does not have control of the situation – archnemesis Mason Quinn is already established as far too smart and well-resourced to allow her an easy escape. As such, the initial focus comes from the reaction of her friends, family and allies as they discover what has happened.

There is a single plot thread this time as everyone is focused on the same ends, to help to rescue McCall and foil Quinn’s terrorism before his dirty bomb devastates New York. However if there is a B-plot, it is that Delilah firmly holds the role of moral compass this time around. Although the team are collectively eager to save the city, they also, quite understandably, have the opportunity to save those close to them even if the authorities are reluctant to order a larger evacuation. The ethical conversation is almost understated because of the little time the episode has to manage that as well as the rest, but there is enough to see Vi struggling internally but ultimately prioritising the preservation of herself and Delilah with McCall in mind. Dante has a similar decision to make with his own family but no such moral struggle as he has nobody to have it with.

On the matter of Dante, the detective easily claims the best line this week, showing in a brief amount of time just how different Season 3 Dante is from when we first saw him. His experiences since meeting McCall (though not solely down to just her) have changed him, and this is highlighted in an action sequence she would have been proud of. He does not stop there, urgency far prioritised over procedure and an element of rashness growing into his operational activity which is partly driven by his care for McCall, but it is difficult to argue entirely so. A stint as action hero suits him oddly well though, and it has particularly suited him to work with Melody, who also has the chance to remind us of her prowess as a field operative throughout.

The team effort stands out as one quiet achievement of the episode is to remove just about all of the remaining secrets between the components of Team Equalizer from one another. The dramatic component remaining there involves McCall’s ex, Delilah’s father, as he is placed in a position of no return as far as McCall’s dangerous occupation goes, and this will set up a struggle either to keep Delilah in her life or perhaps even eventual reconciliation, which of course affects matters with Dante.

One matter which feels very resolved by the end of the episode though is that of Quinn. It appears there may need to be a new archnemesis in McCall’s life unless something very unexpected occurs, but it feels as if everything in that arc has been resolved. Perhaps the reason for this is to close the Bishop chapter entirely, but it will be interesting to see who or what can offer the type of threat to McCall and the team to throw them off their game now.

Verdict: A solid start to the season with very little time to catch a breath, and the main questions raised surround curiosity as to what the rest of the season will bring. 7/10

Russell A. Smith