Prodigal Son Episode 19: The Professionals
Fans of Prodigal Son have waited patiently for three weeks to pass since the last episode of the FOX drama aired. Because of the coronavirus, episode 19, which broadcasted on April 20th, is scripted as episode 21. Bummer for fans, we’re missing out on two episodes. However, the safety of the cast and crew is most important, and those involved in the show have promised an exciting ending regardless. With that said, we’ve got two episodes left for season one, and it kept up with the season’s action! Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Case (Not So Normal)
The episode opens in what seems like a typical day for Malcolm and quickly spirals out of control. To say it is not your typical episode would be an understatement. Why? Eve Blanchard is dead. Following a strange encounter at the Whitly house with Ainsley and Nicholas Endicott, Malcolm is called into the precinct for an emergency. That is where Gil tells Malcolm she committed suicide. She was found floating in the Hudson River, and it looks like she died about two weeks ago.
We learned minutes previously, it was around that time that Eve broke up with Malcolm via voicemail, and his gut tells him that she was murdered. With Edrisa’s help, they can prove this is a plausible thought. The bacteria in her body from the water do not match that of the Hudson River. But who murdered her?
“It’s a Family Reunion!”
Determined that Martin knows more about Eve than he led on, Malcolm and Jessica head to the psychiatric hospital to question Martin. Guess who is eerily present throughout the beginning of this episode? Endicott. Ainsley has her suspicions about him, and she’ll soon be proven correct. At Martin’s cell, Ainsley is already there. She has the same idea in mind. There is bickering that ensues, however with some “persuasion,” Martin tells him more about what their history is. Endicott is the reason he got the plea deal of the century and has all these fancy accommodations!
How disturbing is that, really? Martin Whitly murdered over twenty people, and yet he lives in quite a fancy cell. I guess Endicott’s power truly does go further than anyone realizes. He tells them that you can never say no to Endicott and that he turned Sophie Sanders’s life around, but she had to do whatever he wanted. Malcolm says he is a genetic narcissist and a born sociopath. Lovely! Just the kind of person you want around, you know?
The Nightingale
Before they leave, the group realizes that Endicott would never kill someone on his own, but instead hired someone to kill Eve. In a turn of normal events, Malcolm does not have a profile because assassins kill for work and do not fit any molds. Gil, when they are out of options, goes to an old bar where a “friend” tells him that the contract killer in NYC right now is someone named the Nightingale, a female killer. They follow his lead to the train station, where she is supposed to kill a guy named Conrad. Malcolm, as usual, causes a scene that is both unique and a little hilarious. Because there are a ton of women around, they cannot tell who the killer is. He uses a knife and ketchup to try and lure her out.
And it works. When the woman is made, Dani gives chase into an alley where we see some awesome hand to hand combat between the two. Dani kicks ass, as we would expect, and they take her in. She admits in custody that she did not kill Eve as Malcolm tries to question her. She tells him there are important parts of trying to make something a suicide.
“You need to sell it.”
Malcolm realizes thanks to her clues that whoever killed Eve must’ve gotten close to her. He and JT head to her apartment to find clues. On her bed, Malcolm looks up at the ceiling and notices something strange… she’s been watched from upstairs! Reviewing the cameras, they can figure out who the killer is due to his unique appearance and work uniform that gives it away. More thoughts on that in a minute, but the killer is Eddie, Martin’s new guard. In a panic, Malcolm realizes that Martin is in danger, and they rush to the psychiatric hospital just in time to see Eddie strangling Martin. In another shocking turn of events, Malcolm yells, “No! Dad!” as he seems to fade. It wakes him up, and he brutally gets the upper hand, using his fingers to impale his eyes. Ow.
Malcolm has his closure, or does he? As he seems to spiral more and more regarding Eve’s death, he heads to the hospital to question Eddie. Except, what seems like hours later, he’s back at his apartment, telling a vision of Eve to leave him alone. The door breaks open and the police storm in. JT, Gil, and Dani approach him and tell him he’s under arrest for the murder of Eddie. Something tells me this scene is some sort of psychotic break for Malcolm and is not real. However, it is where the episode ends. Alas, a few more points to cover!
1999
Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to Martin’s first few days in prison and his discussions with Endicott. It would seem they made some sort of deal that got Martin his fancy cell, but we never learn what Martin did on his end. We do see that Endicott threatens him and says if he does not hold up his end of it, he would ruin his life, including his kids, and sleeping with his wife. Well, he did the last one already. And we see Ainsley and him have a drink where he offers her the jobs of a journalist’s dreams. She’s suspicious, thankfully… but obviously, things are serious. Eve is dead, remember? What did Martin agree to?!
That KISS!
So, some fans are probably thrilled right now, and I have to say it makes total sense. In a heart to heart that was liquor induced, Gil and Jessica talk about missed opportunities and the feelings they once had. Have no fear, shippers; it ends with them kissing as Gil says goodnight! Honestly, this makes sense and considering her taste in men; otherwise, she deserves this!
The Stuff that Bugs Me
- I know the show lost two episodes and that as fans, we’re lucky to have the actual season finale in place and not episode 20, but man does this episode feel rushed, as does the explanation of who Endicott is and how he’s gained his power. I would’ve liked to see more about how his relationship with Jessica occurred and not a time jump that doesn’t do much for the plot. Time jumps are hard because it implies arc and character development, but we do not get to see it. That said:
- Eve Blanchard and Malcolm. I’m sorry, but these two just don’t mesh. Malcolm’s complete breakdown over her death does not make sense. Yes, they cared about each other, and I can understand why her murder would be upsetting… but the show is making it look like these two were head over heels in love, and they just weren’t. On top of that… there is absolutely no chemistry between the characters, not to the fault of either actor. Tom Payne has chemistry with just about every OTHER character except her. It feels weird and forced and does not fit who he is as a character at all. I get why it is important for the show, but I think somehow, it got lost in translation. When the majority of your fanbase does not like a character, it makes it hard for them to root for a couple as well.
- Eddie, the guard? Really, guys? That’s the best you can come up with? Look, I love the show… but this was just sloppy. Why not make David the killer? They mention that a hired killer has to get close to their target, get to know them. People LIKED David. It would be a shock, and no one would’ve seen it coming. But Eddie? Nah, it just appears obvious from the moment he steps into the room. Again, maybe this has to do with the production being cut short, but it comes across not so great.
That said…
What about the finale? Did Malcolm kill Eddie? Will he kill Endicott as Martin suggests in the preview? Is he truly the PRODIGAL SON? We have questions, and hopefully, Monday will supply answers. Monday night, 9 pm eastern on FOX watch the season finale of Prodigal Son.
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