Questions of trust and loyalty resonate through this week’s excursion.

Major spoilers.

As warned above, my evaluation of this week’s adventure addresses some specific aspects which, perforce, means spoilers. But first, the dud and the bombshell from last week. Yes, the reveal that Violet lived likely shocked no one. The reveal regarding her identity as the Great Khan likely shocked everyone. Not only because of a major, if not total, lack of clues. Not even primarily due to that lack of setup. The major issue: Lexi should have had a clue anyway – if only the tiniest inkling or most fleeting doubt. Regardless, there could/should have been hints that Lexi and Danny didn’t see but the viewer did

No, I don’t expect or even want omniscience from Lexi. Yes, over a decade had passed since her and Violet’s partnership dissolved. Yet a character with such good instincts and keen observational skills should, even against someone as equally brilliant as Violet, and despite guilt and previous loyalty, have had at least a passing qualm or two. That said, the show otherwise carried it off remarkably well. Kudos for spelling out why Violet didn’t instantly kill Hardwick.

Regarding the death of Kate, not so much. I hate to lose the character regardless. Of course that’s the point, it’s supposed to be bad and evoke sadness and anger. The writers and actress did a great job with the character until now. What was poorly done was the direction of that one scene. Based on her history, training, and character, Kate should have been able to put up a much better fight even if she still lost in the end. Then, the idea that Danny and Lexi believed even for a second that Kate and Violet combined couldn’t fight off a single attacker, that just didn’t work. (To anyone who would argue, “…but they were supposed to be asleep…”, clearly from the staging, they weren’t.)

Not normally a fan of black humor, but it was funny and even a bit satisfying when Hardwick told that guy who constantly antagonized him that Violet needed her best man for a job.

Lexi and Danny remain at the heart of the show, with the ultimate question centering on if their (personal more than professional) partnership can survive. To that end, the question of loyalty dominates every aspect of this installment – both its cost, and its reward. Not just loyalty, but trust. The question of loyalty between his blood-brother-turned-rival comes up. Danny’s loyalty to Lexi vs. his loyalty to Kate. Lexi’s loyalty to Danny vs. her loyalty to Violet. When pressed, does each character trust their instincts, or the other person?

It stretched credulity that Lexi and Kate are buddy-buddy in the opening scene, yet Kate doesn’t trust her enough to confide her suspicions to her.  As a welcome counterpoint, the trust between Danny and Lexi looks to have withstood their arguments and viewers are left in no doubt where Lexi’s loyalty lies.  Apparently Danny saw that as well, but we’ll need next week to confirm that.

Verdict: The episode skillfully ramps the suspense up to an excruciating level, yet some major directing gaffes marred it.  7/10

Rigel Ailur