Prodigal Son Episode 13: Wait and Hope
With an episode titled “Wait and Hope,” you have to wonder what exactly is in store this week on Prodigal Son. The preview showed us some action, some fancy clothes, and a whole lot of crazy, so it makes sense that this episode is insane start to finish. Ready? Let’s get started.
Boomerang
The episode opens with a Malcolm and Martin meeting. It seems like Malcolm is showing his fiery side–he’s telling Martin where he went wrong, while as usual, his father taunts him, calling him a boomerang. He reminds his son that he always shows back up. However, Malcolm turns the tables and tells him he’ll never come back, that he destroyed him. For once, it is Martin dreaming… is this his worst fear? Does Martin have emotions? He’s a psychopath, so that is debatable. Either way, this is something new for our quick-witted doctor.
Little White Suit
Back in reality, we focus on Malcolm doing yoga, and living it up “normal.” Spoiler alert: he doesn’t do it well. Jessica, always unaware of her annoying habits, barges in with her version of what Malcolm needs. A fancy new (white) suit and a private escort to the airport for his vacation. Who is the escort? Gil, of course. The police scanner picks up a call on their way (and Malcolm has time), and sweet talks his way into going to the crime scene.
The best part of this entire scene is every joke made at Malcolm’s expense. JT goes with Miami Vice, Dani sneaks in a play of her own, but Edrisa wins at life because she calls him Captain KFC… and you really can’t disagree. I would suggest with Tom Payne’s boyish grin, and fangirl drawing looks he might be a long lost Backstreet Boy, though. Either way, as usual, the humor is impeccable.
Under Pressure
Villefort. Revenge killer. What do both of these have to do with this week’s case? Well, let’s add in a pressure bomb, a seriously old gun, and Malcolm doing what he does best: seriously flirting with danger. The team is talking about the murder victim when Edrisa moves the body, Malcolm noticing a pressure bomb just in time. He is the last one in the room, demanding everyone else leave. Things are seriously heated. Let’s add to it. Martin Whitly has excellent timing! He decides to call. Malcolm tells him he can’t talk and hangs up.
Side note: “Under Pressure” playing in the background is excellent — props to whoever chose that. You are da bomb. (Pun intended.)
Monte Cristo
Conner was executed for a crime, at least according to the story of Monte Cristo. Since the character had the name Villefort on his skin, this would make sense. Especially to Malcolm, who knows the story well from his childhood. Much to the surprise of the team, Martin Whitly calls the precinct. Gil annoyed that Malcolm spoke to his father, says the only way he will talk to them is if they speak to him as a team. Martin offers his insight and some highly inappropriate comments, and the team scores an unrelated lead. They are able to track the antique pistol to who bought it: William Voight.
The story continues at Voight’s facility, where they find him attached to a bunch of swords, similar to the story as well. Malcolm, danger magnet, decides he can solve this himself and catch the swords. Oh, good lord. How does he always manage this? I mean, I appreciate the insanity, but as a viewer, this is wild. Gil needs to reel this man in! Voight has got a name on his arm as well, and he says the swords belong to a “friend,” but he does not want to reveal who… until everything comes together. Cal Taylor is the owner.
You might be asking, who is he? Well, let’s pause.
Wear the Green
Jessica has spent the last few hours excited about the upcoming Taylor wedding. These are big-time socialites, and the Cal Taylor wedding is to be covered by all the media outlets. Ainsley helps her mother pick out a dress and talks about how important being a part of this story is for her. She tells her this is something she worked 20 years to get back to after Martin’s arrest and jail time.
The Next Page in the Story…
Connor and Voight covered up a crime that affected the Taylor family and a woman named Isabella Cora, who worked for them. Voight says that Cal Taylor and Isabella were an item, but she was underage… things got a little messy during a situation with a boat, Isabella died and the police were involved, and people were paid off. It sounds like Cal Taylor might be the next victim and Isabella’s father, our revenge killer!. Just in time for his wedding!
However, when the team approaches Cal and his father at their estate, the father seems less than concerned. Eventually, they convince them to let the police check all the hidden entrances and exits… and Isabella’s father turns up? It seems too easy, and Malcolm thinks so also. But, Gil wants Malcolm to go on vacation and demands that Powell take him to the airport. Dani, always in Malcolm’s corner, takes him elsewhere.
A trip to visit Martin. Oh boy.
Something Doesn’t Add Up
Martin teases his way into Malcolm’s mind. Our hero can’t help but bring up what he discovered from Watkin’s kidnapping before picking his mind about his case. He tells him he would never have killed him. However, they both agree that it looks like Cal is the one plotting the murders, and his finale is killing his father. It makes sense… he has the military experience, the hatred of an arranged marriage… all the romance and drama that the profile displays!
What’s that mean? Dani and Malcolm are going to a wedding. (Dani and Malcolm also go shopping and Dani looks STUNNING, which Malcolm also notices. Hmm.)
They arrive at the event, and she asks Malcolm what he was going to tell her before the bomb went off. He denies it being anything important. Is this a romance set up? Sure seems that way. No thanks. These two make much better friends than lovers. Malcolm needs stability and support before he needs love. It would be a poor decision to make them more, at least at this point in the show. Let’s not force something unnecessary.
Wedding Crashers
Our dynamic duo approaches Cal, who says he would never do such a thing. And then everything starts to make sense. His father, George, never wanted Cal with Isabella. He hated her and only ever saw her as an employee. What does this mean? Well, they never found her body… could she be alive and be our killer? Malcolm thinks so. He tries to stall at the wedding, find her in the crowd. He gives a speech about fathers, as Jessica looks on, annoyed.
Isabella reveals herself and points the gun at George. Just as it goes off, Malcolm dives to protect him and saves the day. Everyone wants to know who the hero is, and Jessica and Malcolm leave together. Malcolm and Ainsley talk outside, and all things seem to end well as they can considering how ruined the wedding is.
Thoughts
Overall, this was a solid episode. I do have two concerns regarding character development and consequences.
Characters: I understand character growth and change… but how does someone like Ainsley go from being so crazed in the lockdown episode to back to normal a few episodes later? And what about Jessica? She can be so wacky and cruel, but then so motherly and sincere. What about Martin? Regardless, if he tried to kill his son or not, he’s still not a good person. What is the point of trying to redeem him only to hate him a few episodes later again? The back and forth seems strange. It doesn’t show character growth; it shows an inconsistent dynamic.
Consequences: Malcolm might be a disaster, but even his luck has to run out eventually. He saves the day with the swords, jumps out a window for a bomb, and takes over a wedding… all in one episode. Where are internal affairs? Something tells me no one gets away with all of this without serious repercussions. I love the crazy, but I would like to see a little more realism. Gil can’t call in favors forever. Let’s see what happens next week!
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