As the gang regroup following the destructive fight at the Mahkent residence, the Crocks take matters into their own hands as they try to ensure the safety of their newfound family. Mike and Jakeem may have found another clue in the mystery.

Ok, so the climactic fight at the end of the previous episode really was the main thing which dragged the show back up from a doldrums it was circling. Sofus’ heart attack and the team’s subsequent attempts to rescue him really cemented what the show is and has always been about at its core, and this instalment builds on that rather elegantly.

The team needs to regroup, and that means assessing all the facts. As Sylvester is quick to point out, there’s a certain level of convenience to the fact Beth discovered a signal coming from the Mahkent residence just as some of their number were already there. More to the point, having had the big, all out fight in their house, their identities are now revealed to the Mahkents and in particular to Cameron. What follows is a conversation in which Courtney makes a fairly sizeable personal sacrifice in order to protect others, as well as some great writing and acting on Cameron’s part, as he is forced for the first time to begin to confront exactly who his father was. More importantly, the show takes that beat to present us with the true duality which underpins so much of what it’s done from day one. Jordan may have been a megalomaniac with murderous tendencies, but he was also a loving husband, father and son. Expecting anyone to let go of the one because of the other is naïve in the real world, and the show handles all this very well indeed.

Meanwhile, Lily doesn’t take the fact she and Sofus were attacked in their own home too well, but fortunately Paula is keeping an eye out on the neighbours. Electing to take Barbara in hand once again and train her the only way she knows how, Paula doesn’t meet that much more success. Determined to protect their new found family, she and Crusher go to the Mahkent residence themselves to try to resolve things in their own way. It’s another great scene, in which we get a glimpse into what lies beneath the surface of the old couple and their fury at what was done to their son.

Mike and Jakeem, having found a monster and a bit more besides, go back home to fill in the others on what they have found. Pat and Sylvester unfortunately recognise exactly who the boys are talking about – an old, formidable foe from their past, and one who won’t be easy to defeat. Perhaps now, they feel, they have finally found the culprit behind all of this.

But there’s one more, horrible surprise to be revealed before the credits roll and honestly, this is where the show goes really dark. I honestly didn’t expect it to go this way, and I don’t know how what happens will impact everyone as we head towards the climax of the season (and the show) but suffice to say that it’s a double surprise as someone steps from the shadows as others are relegated to them. I didn’t see this one coming, and I am intrigued to see how this concludes.

Verdict: Back on track with some real heart, depth, nuance and genuine emotion. 9/10

Greg D. Smith