This episode, and thus this review, comes with a strong content warning of domestic violence. It is a difficult watch in places, and this is by design. Viewers should prepare themselves for a rough ride.

Aunt Vi and Dante work together to help the victim of domestic abuse…

There are two important details about the episode structure this time around. The first is that the client engagement this time around is not a result of they, or someone close to them, seeking out McCall, but the reason for this is the second detail. This time, the investigation, and episode, is firmly driven by Vi, as her instincts around someone in trouble continue to be perfect.

We are introduced to Vi’s masseuse Angie in the pre-credits, which gives a glimpse into the peril she faces. Consistent to the messages of the episode, she does not come forward herself to ask for help. Instead, the eagle-eyed Vi spies an injury she has made every effort to conceal and it takes little for her to suspect, quite correctly, that the cause is Angie’s husband, Doug. Angie’s fear, both for the safety of herself and her young son, prevents her from drawing any further notice to it and she does all she can to steer Vi away. Fortunately for her, Vi is both persistent and sufficiently savvy to use the considerable aid she has at her disposal to pursue her suspicions. This may sound familiar to regular viewers, though generally that modus operandi could be expected of McCall.

The show plays its part in presenting Doug carefully as someone few would suspect of being an abuser; as Harry discovers, the image he presents to the rest of the general public is one of a very kind and generous man. Fortunately, this does not fully convince either Vi or Melody, who recounts her own sadness at losing contact with a friend under very similar circumstances. Melody’s experience is second-hand, though as a result of trying to get Angie to open up to her, Vi reveals she has a direct encounter of her own. By the end of the episode, Doug is one of the more chilling antagonists seen in the show. He shifts pitches with every scene he appears in and his presence becomes increasingly uncomfortable to the viewer as well.

The episode reaches an expectedly violent and harrowing conclusion, and calls back once more to Vi’s ordeals in previous episodes. Her method of protecting herself and her loved ones diverged from Delilah’s unarmed combat focus as she instead chose firearms training. That this is not as effective as she might have hoped perhaps saves her from a different trauma later as the implications of taking a life stare her in the face, even as she stares down death. Thankfully this is an element in which McCall has significant experience.

On a related note, Vi’s place as lead investigator provides McCall with the rare opportunity to enjoy some bonding time with Delilah, whilst continuing her daughter’s training. Following Melody’s more physical regime, McCall focuses elsewhere, this time concentrating on situational awareness. McCall’s story highlights awareness of one’s surroundings, something which has taken far greater precedence than the power of firearms over the course of the episode.

Dante has meanwhile considered his pursuit of his friend Manny’s shooter, Lo-Lo, although now has an additional bureaucratic hindrance in the person of a new captain who doubles up the warnings against pursuing his target. However, the suspect meets a sticky end in a manner which will undoubtedly threaten Dante’s career. Worse, it leaves the possibility open that more powerful threats face him in the near future.

This powerful episode concludes with contact details for those under threat of domestic abuse in the US and hopefully the Sky broadcast in a few weeks will follow suit for UK viewers. Vi is left far from unscathed which shakes the whole household.

Verdict: It makes for a challenging watch, which will stay with the viewer, and certainly has a lot to impart about its chosen subject. It asks the viewer to keep a closer eye out for things which are not as they seem as doing so just might save a life one day. 8/10

Russell A. Smith