Countdown: 10-33, Season 01-Episode 09. Recap & Review.
| Episode | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Teeth in the Bone | Wednesday June 25, 2025 |
| 02 | Dead Lots of Times | Wednesday June 25, 2025 |
| 03 | The Birthday Final | Wednesday June 25, 2025 |
| 04 | Bite ‘Em Down | Wednesday July 2, 2025 |
| 05 | Blurred Edges | Wednesday July 9, 2025 |
| 06 | A Needle or a Bullet | Wednesday July 16, 2025 |
| 07 | Nothing Else Helps | Wednesday July 23, 2025 |
| 08 | The Nail in the Chair | Wednesday July 30, 2025 |
| 09 | 10-33 | Wednesday August 6, 2025 |
| 10 | The Muzzle Pile | Wednesday August 13, 2025 |
| 11 | Run | Wednesday August 20, 2025 |
| 12 | This is His Signature | Wednesday August 27, 2025 |
| 13 | Your People are in Danger | Wednesday September 3, 2025 |
Normally the recap/review articles for Countdown are broken down into two distinct sections; the mission, and the villain. Episode 9 is different. This episode, more than any other proceeding it, is so intermingled and fast paced, that it races towards the ultimate face-off between good and evil.
The Pace is Set
“10-33” delivers everything fans crave. It’s got action, heart-stopping suspense and powerful performances. This episode is the culmination of so much story. Everything is at it’s boiling point. The villain is prepared and ready to strike. The task force is facing what feels like insurmountable odds at a time when their leader is compromised, Meachum is struggling, Oliveras is protecting his secret and supporting him as much as she can. Luke’s family has wandered into the line of fire and Shepherd is trying to stave off the intrusive demands of a needy family member. Bell, a vital member of the team is learning fast, that his dad’s old-school ways of doing things are a far cry from the modern police methods required today. This is so much more than just a race against time, this episode delves into the sacrifices our heroes must make, the resilience they summon in the darkest moments, and the heavy costs of trying to beat back a villain who holds all the cards. It’s no wonder fans are buzzing with anticipation for the next episode! Countdown continues to deliver the kind of storytelling that keeps us hooked and our hearts racing.
All The Details
This week’s episode opens with a scene that is as painful to watch as it is powerful. Blythe (Eric Dane), gravely wounded and alone in an alley after being attacked by Volchek (Bogdan Yasinski), drags himself across the asphalt towards his car to call in a 10-33 (Police code for Emergency/Need Assistance).
Dane is outstanding as he delivers the moment with a physicality that is raw, agonizing, and staunchly visceral.
We go from watching Blythe’s attempts to save himself in the alley, to another equally agonizing scene being played out in Meachum’s bathroom. Mark (Jensen Ackles) is struggling with his illness, and by all accounts, seems to be losing the battle. The pain he feels is obviously more severe and debilitating. The onset of these painful episodes are causing a cascade of physical symptoms that are difficult to mask.
The task force converge at the hospital, all trying to figure out what is happening with Blythe. While they wait for information, Oliveras sees a familiar face. Julio Beltran (Eddie Aguirre), now a doctor, was once a friend of Oliveras (Jessica Camacho) from her childhood days in Chicago. She asks if he can get an update for them on Blythe’s condition.
Meanwhile, Finau (Uli Latukefu) has spoken with LAPD and discovers the scene where Blythe was attacked is only a few blocks from the hospital.
Julio updates the team, telling them that Blythe is currently undergoing exploratory surgery to determine the extent of his injuries from the stabbing. It sounds like all of his vital organs were not damaged, but it will be more than an hour before Blythe is out of surgery, so Meachum, Finau and Oliveras go to the crime scene, while Bell (Elliot Knight) and Shepherd (Violett Beane) return to the office to investigate from there.
When Meachum, Oliveras and Finau arrive, Meachum recognizes the cops on the scene, Detective Flagler (Bradley Snedeker) and Detective Clausen (Denzel Johnson). They see Iosif Astapov (Pasha Lychnikoff) with his throat cut, and the blood trail on the ground leading to Blythe’s car. Clausen admits they haven’t found the weapon, and Meachum tells them it’s at the hospital, having just been taken out of Blythe.
Meachum assesses the scene and shares his impressions with the detectives. Blythe and Astapov’s meeting looks intentionally secret, so Oliveras wants to see what evidence might be in Astapov’s car. While Meachum distracts the officers, Finau acts as lookout and Oliveras takes a file she finds tucked beside the driver’s seat.
They leave immediately and back at HQ they hand the file over to Bell. He and Shepherd get to work on translating what they have from Belarusian to English.
Amina Finau (Nicole Lyn) calls her husband Luke, worried that he didn’t make it home. Luke asks her to collect their kids from school and get out of LA. Amina lets him know the kids have a poetry event, but he wants them to skip it. He asks that she call him as soon as she is on the road to her parents’ home in Palm Springs.
The team translate the new information from Astapov and discover that the consulate were tracking Volchek through a Russian forger named Sergei Belyaev (Rod McLachlan). When Meachum, Oliveras and Finau arrived to see him, his assistant alerted him to the task force’s arrival, and he escaped to the roof of the building. Meachum found his escape route and they followed. Once on the roof, Meachum, with Finau close behind walked the edge of the building to get around some fencing when Meachum suffered an attack of vertigo and began to fall over the edge. Finau was able to grab him and pull him back. Oliveras looked after Meachum while Finau captured Belyaev.
Bell and Oliveras interrogate Belyaev, and he promises to give them all the identities he created for Volchek, if they confirm in writing that they will reduce the federal charges, arrange for him to serve only two years and to be incarcerated at the prison of his choice; a minimum-security place called FCI Butner Low.
The team reviewed the information they received from Belyaev, and have a new name, Karel Novak, to use for tracking Volchek’s activities. Meachum is quiet and off to the side, obviously not fully recovered from the incident on the roof. Shortly after the meeting we see him stumble into the men’s room, in another onset of severe, debilitating and painful symptoms. His ability to cope has all but disappeared and he lashes out in anger, slamming doors and kicking the trash can. When Oliveras hears all the noise she enters the men’s room.
She can see the state he’s in. He tells her he can’t take it anymore. She stays with him until the worst of his episode passes and they return to their desks. Immediately after, the call comes in that Blythe is out of surgery.
When the team arrives at Blythe’s hospital room, he is arguing with his doctor, who insists he remain under observation for 48 hours. Blythe refuses. Shepherd drives the point home that he is no good to them if he is incapacitated. They urge him to take some time to heal. While the team visits Blythe, Oliveras sees Dr. Julio Beltran again and approaches him.
After thanking him for his help earlier with Blythe, she talks to him about Meachum’s illness. It turns out that he is a Neuro Oncologist and he offers to do a consult for Meachum. He gives Oliveras his personal contact info and business card. Is this the glimmer of hope Meachum so desperately needs?
Amina (Nicole Lyn) Finau goes to retrieve the girls from school so she can head to Palm Springs as Luke asked, however the girls and their teacher convince her to delay long enough for the girls to participate in the poetry event. While this is happening, the task force get back to HQ to investigate what they learned from the forger, and we see Luke call his wife and she doesn’t pick up. You can see how worried he is.
Meachum approaches Oliveras to thank her for her help while he was having what looked like the worst pain episode he’s had so far. She begins to tell him all about Julio from her life back in Chicago and that he has offered to give Meachum a consult. You can tell the way he takes the news that he’s highly skeptical, but before they can get into it any further, Shepherd calls in the team for a little help.
Shepherd is trying to sift through a great deal of data using the name Karel Novak they got from the forger Sergei Belyaev. She has been expanding her searches and as the team comes to help her Meachum notices one name on her computer screen, Kestrel Productions. It matches the name of the parking lot company that Volchek owned, and Bell commented that a Kestrel is a bird native to Belarus. The task force is convinced they have a solid lead and head over there. Unfortunately, they find nothing there they can act on, so they return to the office.
Shortly after returning, Blythe shows up and demands an update. The team talk it out and are trying to figure out how Volchek, a man who spends his time making himself invisible, would purchase a production company in Hollywood. You can see the lightbulb go on for Meachum as he remembers when movie trucks parked on his street. His point being that they park wherever they want, and no one asks any questions. It’s all about putting the trucks where Volchek wants them. Blythe gets Shepherd to search if Kestrel Entertainment has filed for filming permits. Turns out they have permits that are active now, at The Vine.
The tension immediately escalates through the roof! We know that Luke’s wife and children are attending the poetry event. Wanting to believe that Amina and the girls are on their way to Palm Springs, his attempts to reach them have not been successful. Luke checks his phone and using GPS tracking he discovers that his family is at the Vine. Now that Volchek has picked this day to exact his revenge and detonate two massive transport truck sized dirty bombs, not only is LA in peril, but we also see that Luke’s wife and children are in the line of fire.
Immediately the team launches into action and begins a heart pounding race against time to get to Volchek before he can do the unthinkable. The task force driving to The Vine had all the excitement worthy of a full-on police car chase.
I wanted to include this short video clip of the task force racing to The Vine. I thought it was such a nice effect when they produced a gap of silence when the vehicle Meachum is driving becomes airborne.
Our attention is immediately turned to Volchek and Andrej who have arrived at The Vine and park the trucks in a place to inflict maximum damage. Volchek goes into one of the trailers and for the first time we see the tool he built to execute his terrorist attack. Volchek powers up the detonation mechanism and arms it. We can see that he can go from “armed” to “detonate” from an app on his cell phone.
Volchek and Andrej share a moment of celebration and accomplishment, as they convey how significant this day is for them. Discarded by their homeland, hurt by America, they vow that Los Angeles will become synonymous with Hiroshima and Chernobyl on a scale of destruction.
They rejoice in the fact that once the damage is done, their own country will be shamed and blamed for the devastation and loss of life their bombs will inflict. Volchek believes that their names, Borys Vusovich and Andrej Sobol, will be remembered forever and their reward will be that they get to witness the destruction with their own eyes and hear the screams of the dying and injured. These two villains have every intention of making this a murder suicide mission.
While the team are racing across town, we see Luke Finau’s daughters get seated on the stage, as the Poetry in the Park event is about to begin. The task force arrives and spreads out to look for the trucks. Oliveras sees them parked at the west entrance, and they all converge while Meachum enters one of the trailers to examine what is inside. Bell and Shepherd are right behind him and he asks if they are able to disarm it.
The truck bombs are linked to be triggered remotely. They are not sure if Volchek plans to ignite the bombs from a safe distance or die watching, but either way, Blythe orders Meachum, Oliveras and Finau to spread out and find him while Bell and Shepherd do what they can to examine the bombs.
Blythe calls in the bomb squad, taking the risk that perhaps when Volchek sees them arrive and it spooks him into detonating.
Bell and Shepherd know that to drive the trucks away from this location will not do any good, not only could it cause immediate detonation if it is wired that way, it will only choose a different set of victims in a city as populated as LA. Their only chance is to try to disarm.
With Bell in one truck and Shepherd in the other, Blythe focuses on calling in the bomb squad and the forces he needs for citizen evacuation, while Meachum, Oliveras and Finau frantically look for Volchek. Suddenly, Finau sees his little girl on stage and can hear her reciting her poem.
He is faced with an impossible decision; he can continue his frantic search for Volchek, or he can get his family out of harm’s way before it is too late. He takes a big risk in discharging his weapon and screaming at the crowd, thereby causing panic.
As the crowd screams and runs, Finau makes his way to his family and begins to guide them away from the event stage.
Meanwhile Bell and Shepherd continue to assess options and are afraid if they step aside for the bomb squad, the threat will not be neutralized in time.
Suddenly, as the crowd thins and a gap appears, Meachum comes face to face with Volchek.
Good versus evil. Brave versus wicked. Hero versus villain. And Volchek does it! He stares at Meachum while he presses the button on his phone to detonate the bomb. Fade to black for the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers!
Character Development
◄ Nathan Blythe ►
Episode 9
- If there was ever an episode that could prove how tough and resilient Nathan Blythe is, it is definitely this one. Not only did he manage to call in a 10-33 when he was gravely injured, he underwent surgery and was back with the task force in record time.
- He displayed parts of his character that clearly demonstrated that given the right circumstances Nathan Blythe could be impatient, ornery and stubborn.
- When he does make it back to the office, he’s adamant he isn’t going to put up with resistance to him being there. A comment clearly meant for Meachum’s benefit.
- Back out in the field, Blythe easily returns to his true role as leader and manages the task force in one of their most challenging circumstances ever.
Episode 8
- Blythe, exercising all of his authority as task leader, confronts Astapov about Volchek’s intentions and demands information. When Astapov fails to comply, Blythe escalates up the food chain to Executive Assistant Director and the Deputy Director of the FBI.
- In order to protect the team Blythe orders them to stay at HQ and catch the guy if the bomb explodes. Only Meachum goes with him, and we see Blythe push back on Meachum’s risk taking, ordering him to retreat to a safe distance. It’s not often we see Blythe exercise his authority this way. Of course, he doesn’t want anyone on the task force to be injured, but it’s obvious Blythe cares about his team members on a personal level.
- Blythe greets Jerry (Bomb Tech) when he arrives on the scene and it’s obvious they know each other. Blythe gives him a look that shows he is genuinely afraid for him and wishes he didn’t have to call him in to do what he has to do.
- Blythe singles out Bell to compliment him on the work of finding the farm property that was linked to VKN. It helped them forward the investigation.
- Blythe pep talks the team at Volchek’s farm and encourages them that he has a good feeling about where the whole investigation is going. He feels they are in the final push. He tells them all to get a good night’s rest because the next 48 hours will be all-hands on deck.
Episode 7
- The team is in a slump and Blythe knows how frustrated they are. The Gallagher clue has run cold and they are no closer to finding Volchek. Blythe continues to encourage his team.
- At every setback Blythe continues to do his best to keep the team focused and motivated.
- After the task force does a raid on the Iskanders office, Blythe and the SWAT team leader end up in a screaming match over who tipped them off.
- Blythe vehemently defends every member of his team, and his team can hear him. It demonstrates to them that Blythe has their backs and believes in them.
Episode 6
- Blythe learns that the Belarusians have discovered and severed their connection with the server, offering Bell and Shepherd some wisdom on why Astapov would keep this quiet.
- The team is facing another challenge trying to find the connection between Gallagher and Volchek. Blythe does his best to keep the team motivated and positive.
- When Gallagher ends up being a dead-end, tempers flare and Blythe quickly gets the team back on track but not before sending Bell a cautionary message about criticizing the work of others on his team.
Episode 5
- In the last episode Blythe warned Valwell that if he continues to disrupt his mission, Valwell will see a side of him he won’t like. It looks like Tim Carmichael is the card Blythe was forced to play.
- We don’t know the origins of Blythe’s relationship with Tim Carmichael except to say they have a longstanding friendship. When they meet, Tim asks if Blythe will be joining him and his wife Elizabeth on their trip to Lanai in the fall. If they are vacationing together, this is a friendship of some significance. It would seem that Tim Carmichael is a man of some wealth and influence, but the only thing we find out about his role is that he is the “party fundraising chairman.”
Episode 4
- As the task force leader, it was Blythe who delivered the news to the team that Drew died in surgery.
- Drew’s death was a blow to the whole team, but it was particularly difficult for Nathan. He and Drew were friends. Drew had been sharing with Blythe the difficulty of losing his son Noah, how he and his wife Cora were coping. They also spoke of Drew’s time as assistant coach of Noah’s little league team.
- Blythe was also aware that Drew held him in high regard, having defended him against D.A. Valwell in their most recent altercation.
- Blythe never seems to miss an opportunity to teach Shepherd the good and the not-so-good duties required of them. He takes her along to visit Cora, so they can deliver the death message. He also lets her conduct her very first interrogation of a suspect.
- Drew’s death strengthens the teams resolve to really go after Volchek and ramp up their efforts as much as possible which is evident in Blythe’s talks as he does his best to keep the team motivated in the face of such loss.
Episode 3
- Nathan and Damon have worked together in the past, but it’s obvious their relationship is deepening. After the death of Damon’s son Noah, the two men make time to check in with one another. Nathan asks how the little league team is doing and offers to grab a beer when the mission is over to talk… or not. Whatever Damon needs Nathan is there for him.
- Forced once again to deal with Valwell, Blythe is clearly a man who stands his ground especially where his team and his mission is concerned. He refuses to buckle under Valwell’s accusations.
- Blythe clearly has the respect of his team, as demonstrated by Drew when he defends Nathan Blythe’s leadership and tactical expertise.
Episode 2
- In his task force leadership role, he seems to attract attention from local law enforcement and political wannabes. He effortlessly dispels their interference.
- Blythe hails from Greenwich, attended Ivy League (Princeton), wanted to be a lawyer, aspired to clerk for SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States), but pivoted after 9/11 and enrolled in the army after the twin towers came down. Army Intelligence.
- Nathan obviously grew up wealthy and Drew teases him about it.
- He is clearly a leader who is all about getting the job done and has no time for political aspirations, which is obvious in his dealings with D.A. Grayson Valwell.
Episode 1
- We know he is a 22-year vet with the FBI and has worked on 5 task force missions, being the lead on 2 of them, and one of them included Mark Meachum.
- He worked as a co-case Agent on the Amerithrax Operation (this was a real case in 2001 involving anthrax spores being mailed to victims, killing 5 and infecting 17 making it the deadliest bio-terrorism attack in US history).
- We learn he worked undercover with the Aryan Brotherhood for a year, earning Blythe’s respect despite the danger.
- We discover he was tipped off by an informant claiming a “foreign player” was trying to buy off DHS (Department of Homeland Security) officers but was denied from initiating a mission until he went to the Director of the FBI personally, which is why their mission is under cover.
◄ Mark Meachum ►
Episode 9
- Mark seems to be losing the battle with his illness, and it is heart wrenching to watch. His strength and resilience are really being tested.
- Meachum is intelligent, astute and knows his job well. When he shows up to the crime scene where Blythe was stabbed, he is able to assess what happened so effortlessly that I think he may have annoyed his LAPD Detective buddies. Being close to insider info on the villain Volchek was a big help, but that can be our little secret.
- Even though it is overstepping their bounds and skirting regulations, Oliveras wants to get a look inside Astapov’s car for anything that will help them discover more about Volchek and possibly more about what happened to Blythe. Mark doesn’t hesitate; he immediately distracts the officers so Oliveras can get inside the car and take the file she finds.
- Meachum pushing himself to do his job is now getting dangerous. The vertigo he experienced on the roof where they apprehended the forger was a big red flag that the battle is becoming too big for him. It was also very telling that he sat out the interrogation of the forger with Oliveras. They typically work together on those, and Bell stood in for that one.
- The battle with his illness came to a head in office bathroom where Meachum retreated when the pain became unbearable for him. He lashed out in frustration and the noise was enough to bring Oliveras. She stayed with him. She has a way with him that calms him down, centers him and helps him get ahead of the pain. She stayed with him until the episode passed.
- Oliveras tells Mark about Julio, her childhood friend, and he later teases her about him. While Oliveras is keen to get Mark to consider getting a second opinion, he remains skeptical. She gives him Julio’s contact information and urges him to make the call.
- Julio is a man with whom Amber has history. Mark teases her about “the pride of the neighborhood” which may have a spark of jealousy behind it.
Episode 8
- Mark assesses the damage at Volchek’s home after the explosion and delivers his suspicions and findings to the task force. Blythe agrees with his assessment.
- Mark has a chat with Amber about sharing his condition with Blythe from the perspective of the whole task force and how they have a right to know, seeing as it may put them at risk. Mark views Damon Drew’s plaque on the wall and knows she is right.
- Meachum shows his determination to be a part of the task force when he tells Oliveras that if Blythe benches him, he will find a way to work the case from the outside.
- When Bell alerts Blythe about the truck parked outside the federal building, Blythe, with the exception of Meachum, orders the team to remain in the office. Meachum looks directly at Oliveras before he heads for the elevators. It was fleeting but seemed protective (stay here), reassuring (don’t worry), comforting (I’ll be back). It was full of all the things he wanted to say to her but couldn’t.
- Meachum and Blythe get into it at the federal building, because Mark did not retreat to a safe distance as instructed. Until he is interrupted, it seems as if he is going to approach the truck and possibly open the trailer looking for Volchek. It demonstrates that he still views himself as expendable in the face of duty, but he never gets the chance to take that risk once he is issued a direct order from Blythe.
- The task force only have 5 hours before they are expected to push through to the finish line on the investigation. Meachum offers to sleep on the couch and let Oliveras crash at his house instead of driving all the way back to Eagle Rock. This leads to an intimate moment on his front porch. Meachum’s offer sounds very much like a romantic overture, but in the end Oliveras teases him about Melinda Bates and refuses his offer.
- Meachum still has not told Blythe about his condition but agrees to rectify that the next morning.
Episode 7
- The moment Meachum stops working out in his garage, he collapses on the floor and loses consciousness. Another indication that his condition is worsening.
- While he’s in the men’s room splashing cold water on his face, Oliveras follows him in to find out what’s going on. This is a clear indication that their relationship is deepening, as she not only wants to help him, but covers for him too.
- Oliveras visits Meachum at home and they share a beer. Meachum finally tells her about his brain tumor. She asks how long he has. Meachum tells her the doc doesn’t know for sure. It could be 6 weeks or 6 months.
- Meachum tells Oliveras that if he can, he’s going out saving something; their city, it’s people. No beach or sunset end for him.
- Meachum by nature is extremely independent and leans on no one, but Oliveras is becoming someone with whom he can confide. He struggles to share, but she doesn’t let him off the hook.
Episode 6
- There is some good-natured teasing as Meachum and Oliveras get in some target practice. Their relationship is taking on new layers of warmth and trust.
- We learned in episode 5 that Meachum served in the military. Here we find out a little more detail; he was part of the Airborne Rangers (aka 75th Ranger Regiment) which is a highly trained and specialized unit within the U.S. Army, known for its expertise in airborne and air assault operations, direct action raids, and seizing key terrain. They are an elite, airborne light infantry combat formation.
- Meachum was decorated with the highest ranking in marksmanship; Distinguished Expert.
- Mark reassured Oliveras that he is not a drug user while confiding in her about his migraines. He held back the entire truth, not telling her what the source of that pain was.
- When Gallagher turns out to be a dead-end, frustration boils over and Meachum’s temper flares.
- Oliveras gives Meachum some medication (pain killers) to help Meachum deal with the migraines. It’s obvious that she wants to help him, but it is also very revealing when she lets him know that she needs him.
Episode 5
- Meachum has increasing concerns about Oliveras.
- Oliveras utilizing drugs as a tool to get information from suspects does not pose a moral issue for him.
- He is not above stretching ethical boundaries when the job requires it, but he wants to know if she is using. I think partly out of concern for her safety, but also, he wants to know how her state of mind will impact their working relationship. Her being high poses risks to those she is working with as well as threatening her career.
- Mark Meachum shares a number of facts about himself; he’s not from LA; he is from Victorville; he dropped out of high school at the age of 17 and joined the military.
- For the first time we see Meachum’s illness take a significant toll on him physically as his vision becomes impaired, he loses balance and ultimately passes out in the stairwell. This could have been so much worse.
- Meachum is beginning to display the tell-tale signs of what persistent severe pain can do to a person’s state of mind; we can see his desperation, frustration and anger.
- The bathroom scene in this episode is heartbreaking to watch. He is desperate for help but has to walk a fine line between managing his pain and not diminishing his cognitive abilities.
- His angry outburst at his doctor shows us how desperate his situation is becoming. It also demonstrates that his doctor is not much help to him.
- Once the shaky episode passes, it’s nice to know he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. He and Bell get into the “my badge is bigger than your badge” exchange. Funny stuff.
- Once the team established a connection with Pascals catering, each member of the team assumes a role. Meachum takes on the role of husband to Olivera’s role. They become Tim and Tina Murphy.
- Finally, no matter how Meachum is feeling, we see those times when his military and law enforcement training take over. This was especially evident during the consulate event when he needed to subdue 2 security guards.
Episode 4
- Damon Drew’s death was of great significance to Meachum for a number of reasons. The first being his presence in the ambulance, witnessing the magnitude of injury to his friend. It was bound to be traumatic. Drew’s death would also rattle him in ways the others wouldn’t experience, because Meachum is looking down the barrel of his own mortality. And lastly, Meachum feels he bears responsibility because he took risks he shouldn’t have taken, and it ended up in a shootout that took Drew’s life.
- The conversation about Drew, shared between Meachum and Oliveras, is a heartwarming one and adds to their deepening relationship.
- Meachum’s temper boils over into physical intimidation as Mikhail feigns ignorance of Volchek’s terrorist plot and blames everything, including Drew’s death, on his nephew Timur.
- Meachum finds out that Oliveras still has heroin from the brick she took from Javi. She told him she was going to flush it and apparently did not. Meachum’s overarching fear is that she is using again.
- The whole team watched with pride as Evan Shepherd conducted her very first and very successful, interrogation of a suspect.
Episode 3
- Mark is having painful flashbacks to recent events, which seems to be a deepening symptom of his condition. He is still in acute pain and is medicating himself regularly to manage it.
- Mark takes another opportunity to tease Oliveras when she questions him about going back into Palmdale. He seems to take endless joy in playfully taunting her whenever he can.
- We learn during Blythe’s video call with warden Gill Thompson that Meachum was lucky to get out of Palmdale alive. He was in there for 9 months, which coincides with the timing of his terminal diagnosis. It’s possible that his wildly reckless behavior is the result of him being resigned to stop at nothing to get his job done while he still can.
- Mark takes improv a little too far, as Finau will definitely get him back for taking a shot at him during the prison transfer and escape.
- Having stumbled into something unexpected in this episode, Meachum is forced on his knees and is about to be executed. As with all things, Meachum faces the inevitable with stoic courage.
Episode 2
- When Oliveras suggests she reconnect with Javi Lopez she tells Blythe she would prefer to work alone, to which Blythe refuses. Meachum seems to enjoy her discomfort and simply smirks when she doesn’t get her way.
- Meachum is intent on winding Oliveras up and getting a rise out of her, as he starts messing with her on the drive over to Javi Lopez’s compound. She is so angry you can almost see smoke coming out of her ears. The whole exchange further fuels the tension between them, which he seems to be enjoying.
- He is still in pain but so far no one knows about his illness.
- When the smuggle operation is complete, Meachum shares a story about his rookie year as the arresting officer on an assault charge. It demonstrates who he is as a cop and a man. It also demonstrates the commitment he has to his principals and those he’s sworn to protect. See Favorite Scene for more details.
- He takes this a step further by expressing his willingness to protect Oliveras in whatever steps she wants to take regarding the truckload of drugs. So much so, he reveals he is willing to put his career on the line, regardless of the consequences.
- Rather than helping her, his exchange with Oliveras leaves him on shaky ground. A grand plan to thwart a huge infusion of heroin onto the streets of LA, is now replaced by her taking a single kilo.
- As opposed to helping thousands of kids on the streets of LA, has he just aided and abetted a heroin addict?
- Now he’s left wondering if he can trust her.
Episode 1
- Mark Meachum is a Detective with LAPD, Robbery/Homicide.
- When Blythe introduces the team, he looks square at Meachum when he says, “No lone-wolf.”
- We learn very quickly that Mark Meachum is everything authority figures don’t like. He’s a maverick. He’s unorthodox, cavalier, risk-taking to the point of reckless. He uses humor as a shield and he’s a smart-ass. He’s not the kind of guy who asks for permission or stays between the lines.
- But he’s also everything a leader admires; he’s brave, courageous, intelligent, astute, has good investigative instincts and will go places others won’t, literally and figuratively. He’s an asset most would love to have, if they can find a way to control him.
- Meachum immediately recognizes that Blythe hasn’t shared all the mission facts and has been working on it for some time before the team was brought in. During this conversation the audience learns what Meachum endured in his previous mission with Blythe.
- Meachum worked undercover for a year, cut off from everyone, to live with a very dangerous group of Nazis known as the Aryan Brotherhood. He got Blythe what he needed to save a woman’s life and get information necessary to make arrests.
- Blythe is so impressed with Meachum that he tells him he’d put up with anything if Meachum could do work like that again. It sounds like it came at some cost to Meachum.
- Just before the episode hits its dramatic climax, the audience is made aware that Meachum has a brain tumor. His doctor has informed him that the condition is terminal. He was diagnosed nine months prior with glioblastoma multiforme, and neither radiation nor surgery are viable options for him. His doctor recommends that he load up on relief medication and live out his remaining time in as much comfort as possible.
- Meachum tells the doctor that finding some beach and checking out is not an option for him. He wants the medication to manage the pain in his head, so he can keep working.
- No one knows that Meachum is terminally ill, or the threat that his condition poses for the team. He is quite literally a ticking time bomb. Knowing his fate, his recklessness becomes the wild card he plays knowing he’s expendable.
◄ Amber Oliveras ►
Episode 9
- Amber runs into an old childhood friend, who is now a Neuro Oncologist at Dignity Medical, who is kind enough to get them some inside information on how Blythe is doing.
- Oliveras wants to get a look inside Astapov’s car for anything that will help them discover more about Volchek. Meachum doesn’t think twice about helping her by distracting the officers on site, while Finau stands watch so she can search the car. She takes a file and tucks it into the back of her pants.
- There is no doubt that if it was not for Finau, Meachum would likely be dead after falling off the roof. But no one knows Meachum’s secret except Oliveras, and her helping him after his vertigo episode is a perfect example of the deep and supportive bond that Mark and Amber have.
- Blythe is in the hospital and Meachum is sidelined while he struggles with his illness, still feeling the aftereffects of his episode on the roof. Immediately, Oliveras steps up into a leadership role during the task force meeting after capturing and interrogating the forger.
- Drawn in by the noise, Oliveras goes into the men’s room and discovers Meachum in a full-blown episode of his worst symptoms. With a pain level that has become unmanageable, he is really suffering and admits he can’t take it anymore. Amber calms him, gets him centered and helps him regulate his breathing until the episode passes.
- The team returns to the hospital when Blythe is out of surgery and Oliveras takes the opportunity to talk to Julio about Mark’s illness. This is deeply important and demonstrates how much she cares about Mark and what he is going through. Is this the glimmer of hope that Meachum needs to extend his life?
- Amber and Julio have history, a shared background and have an undeniable respect for one another and their accomplishments. I think it’s obvious that there is a potential here for connection and Julio sees it too.
- Oliveras tells Meachum all about Julio and how he is the “pride of the neighborhood,” and Mark doesn’t waste any time in teasing her about it. I’m convinced there is a shimmer of jealousy behind his teasing banter. She gives Meachum Julio’s contact info and tells him to call for a consult.
Episode 8
- Amber talks with Mark about making Blythe, and by extension the whole team, aware of his condition. She cares about him but also does not want to see his condition interfere with the success or safety of the task force.
- When Bell alerts Blythe about Volchek’s truck parked outside the federal building, Blythe orders the team to remain in the office, except for Meachum. Meachum looks directly at Oliveras before he and Blythe head for the elevators and her gaze lingered on him as he walked away. It conveyed fear. Would he be hurt? Would he do something reckless? What if he doesn’t come back?
- When they roll up to Meachum’s place, he invites her to stay. They definitely have a moment on his front porch, and faced with the decision, she hesitates. It’s only a second or two but we see it. There is no doubt in my mind that she was torn; that she wanted to lean into him. Instead, she dismisses the possibility.
- Oliveras’ restraint suggests she is afraid of what staying would do to her partnership with Meachum, but their relationship is so nuanced, more needs to be known.
Episode 7
- Oliveras tries calling Meachum when he’s late for work. It’s obvious these guys are looking out for one another.
- She is also concerned that he might be abusing the medication she gave him which could blow back on both of them.
- Oliveras visits Meachum at home to give him a new medication to see if it will help with his migraines. While they share a beer, he finally tells her about his brain tumor. She is really struggling to take it in.
- Meachum tells Oliveras that if he can, he’s going out saving something; their city, it’s people. No beach or sunset end for him.
- Oliveras is someone who is tough and unyielding when it comes to the job, but with Meachum, she is demonstrating a softer version of herself. She wants to help him. These two are becoming bonded in meaningful ways neither of them are experiencing with anyone else, inside or outside the task force.
Episode 6
- There is some good-natured teasing as Meachum and Oliveras get in some target practice. Their relationship is taking on new layers of warmth and trust.
- We learned in episode 5 that Meachum served in the 75th Ranger Regiment, and decorated as Distinguished Expert, so Oliveras told him in a firefight, he needs to stand next to her.
- Mark tells Amber he thinks they are pretty much partners by this point in the mission and should lay their cards on the table, to which she admitted to her drug addiction.
- Oliveras gives Meachum some medication (assuming pain killers) to help Meachum deal with the migraine headaches. She admits to him that she needs him.
Episode 5
- Oliveras defends her position on using drugs as a tool to get information they need to save lives.
- What the audience (and Mark) does not know at this point, is whether or not she is using the drugs for herself.
- She gets defensive when Meachum questions her. Is she hiding details of her past because she is ashamed or is she in denial? Keeping the drugs handy offers her the ability to use again if she wants to.
- She offers Meachum a glimpse of how her undercover work as a DEA Agent compromised her in the past.
- Oliveras and Meachum are really beginning to move in synch, and she senses something is wrong with him but hasn’t guessed what it is. This is obvious when she goes looking for him in the stairwell.
- Once the team established a connection with Pascals catering, each member of the team assumes a role. Oliveras takes on the role of wife to Meachum’s role. They become Tim and Tina Murphy.
- She comes through at the consulate event, watching Shepherd’s back as she installs the root kit and takes out the Security Supervisor when he finds Meachum subduing one of his guards.
Episode 4
- The whole team experienced the loss of their fellow agent, Damon Drew.
- Nine months into her career as a DEA Agent, Oliveras lost her training agent in a raid. She demonstrates the singular torture of questioning every move, every decision, every action leading up to the moment her teammate was killed.
- Oliveras shares her experience with Meachum, offering perspective and comfort. It’s a kindness they seem to extend to one another as needed.
- Oliveras isn’t above planting heroin on a suspect to get the information needed to solve a case and this is demonstrated with Dmitry Kotov. Ethics aside, it worked, and it also opened up a point of contention between her and Meachum regarding the brick of heroin she was supposed to destroy.
- The whole team watched with pride as Evan Shepherd conducted her very first and very successful, interrogation of a suspect.
Episode 3
- Oliveras is having significant struggles. Her past is haunting her. Having access to a kilo of heroin has really tempted her to use again and each time she gets close to disposing of it, she gets shaky. Her time as a drug user rears its ugly head and and is torturing her. It’s clear she hasn’t found a way to subdue that monster inside of her.
- While Meachum is revealing moments of concern for Oliveras, she is doing the same with him. She questions the safety of him returning to Palmdale as a prisoner, and he wastes no time teasing her about it. Oliveras claims that Meachum makes it very hard for her to like him. It’s easy to believe she already does.
- Oliveras admits during this episode that she hates doing deskwork and prefers to be out in the field.
- It turns out that her instincts were correct when she spoke with Meachum while he was on the run with Timur. She sensed he needed backup, and the task force responded.
Episode 2
- Two years prior, Oliveras was involved in a mission where her undercover identity was that of a smuggler who worked both sides of the border. She worked with a cartel lieutenant named Javi Lopez, who likely would know who they passed the fissile material off to.
- She got in touch with a runner of his to reestablish contact and offered to set up a meeting. Blythe told her to take Meachum as her muscle.
- She wanted to do it solo, but Blythe refused. It’s obvious that she is still annoyed with Meachum and is trying to avoid working with him.
- Her level of knowledge about the cartel and their smuggling tactics are impressive and obviously come from her own extensive undercover work.
- She and Meachum have that heart-to-heart in the truck about the drugs and he shares some of his past regarding his rookie year on the force. You can see her opinion beginning to soften.
- The fact that Meachum would put himself on the line to play out the drug delivery any way she wanted to, really has an impact on her.
- Instead, she takes a single kilo. Are we seeing the actions of a cop trying to lighten the influx of drugs one kilo at a time, or are we seeing the undeniable temptation of an addict not being able to pass up on an opportunity to take some for herself?
- What is this going to do to her relationship with Meachum, who was willing to lay it all on the line for her?
Episode 1
- Special Agent Amber Oliveras, DEA.
- Blythe shares with the team that she has 14 years on the job and has been involved in multiple operations, some of them undercover.
- She speaks up with knowledge and authority when talking about the cartel, which tells the audience that she has seen some pretty harrowing stuff.
- Oliveras’ opening scene clearly demonstrates she is one tough agent.
- We learn very quickly that Oliveras is fearless facing down bad guys and has no problem defying her bosses orders. She is also unorthodox, cavalier and risk-taking to a much lesser degree than Meachum, but I wonder if this contributes to their clash of personalities. They have more in common with one another then either of them would be willing to admit.
- Oliveras demonstrates immediately that she is bold, gutsy, intelligent and perceptive.
- However, in her conversation with Bell we learn that her undercover operations were hard to come back from, not because they were dark, but because she didn’t want to.
- This is almost immediately supported when another officer in the FBI meets privately with Blythe to offer substantive information that Oliveras has been identified by a credible informant as a drug addict.
- Later that night Oliveras sits in a bar and takes up Finau’s suggestion that she look up Meachum’s last undercover assignment, which was Palmdale prison. In doing so, she also comes across details of Operation Smoke, which is the task force that Meachum worked with Blythe.
- She reads Meachum’s personnel file and it describes Meachum as arrogant, selfish and unprofessional, exhibiting a lack of restraint and discipline, accusing him of “cowboy” behavior that endangers the lives of his fellow officers. At the time Oliveras reads this it validates her low opinion of Meachum. It isn’t until episode 2 that she learns a significant revelation about what is written in his file, and it calls into question, it’s validity.
- While at the same bar, we see a woman nod for Oliveras to follow her to the restroom. The audience is naturally left to imagine that this clandestine meeting is drug related.
◄ Evan Shepherd ►
Episode 9
- Evan’s sister Molly is as yet, and undeveloped character. We know so far that she is a troubled and troubling young woman who can best be characterized as a self-centered, party-girl who leaves turmoil and difficulty in the wake of every action she takes in life. We also know that she is forcing her way into Evan’s life at a time when her focus and attention cannot be divided. Evan wants to prove herself on this task-force and Molly poses a threat to that goal.
- Evan continually proves the worth and effectiveness of her technical skills on the team and it gets noticed. Bell takes a moment to really share his appreciation of all the modern methods of policing she so effortlessly exhibits, but also, his gratitude for all that she is teaching him.
- In the last few episodes, we see a deepening of Evan’s friendship with Bell, and it begs the question of whether or not this is leading to something more. Not every male-female connection on a show requires a romantic component, but by Derek Haas’ own admission, he loves to weave in these kinds of character driven connections, so time will tell.
- There has been no greater test of Evan’s skill when she comes face to face with Volchek’s dirty bomb. Bell gives her an out and tells her to retreat if she wants to, but she stays. You can see how afraid she is, but she remains calm, composed and courageous as she works frantically to disarm the bombs.
Episode 8
- Evan keeps getting phone and text messages from her sister Molly. Their relationship is volatile.
- Frustrated by Molly’s incessant messaging, Evan calls her mother who informs her that Molly has decided to move to Los Angeles and is enroute to Evan. She appealed to her mother for help, but her mom said she has no control over what Molly does and nothing she says will make any difference. Sounds like Molly is a handful.
- Bell and Shepherd are close enough now that he could tell instantly that something was wrong just by looking at her.
- Shepherd tells Bell that her sister Molly is coming to town and describes her as a disastrous, self-centered, party-girl type who causes upset, turmoil and trouble wherever she goes.
- When Shepherd gets home from the Volchek’s farm, her sister is waiting on the stairs leading into her apartment. Molly insists they go out partying, but Shepherd refuses. Annoyed, Molly dumps her stuff and takes off, warning Evan that she will be back, threatening to break a window if Evan locks the door.
Episode 7
- Shepherd shows Bell that she is very adept at reading people. When they visit the manufacturer of the tongs, the gentleman is reluctant to supply them with the purchase orders for the last 12 months, but Shepherd makes a personal connection over basketball and the man warms up and agrees to help them.
- Shepherd tries to help Bell by reassuring him that while she heard Blythe is not the guy you want to get on the bad side of, he has a reputation for being a fantastic leader.
- Shepherd finds a significant Gallagher clue that helps the team move forward.
Episode 6
- When Gallagher turns out to be a dead-end, the whole team is feeling the frustration. Bell and Shepherd are working very hard to uncover it’s meaning and context to lead them to Volchek.
- Evan must be feeling very torn between loyalty to Bell as their friendship is deepening, and the way Bell has now singled himself out by criticizing Meachum’s intel regarding Gallagher.
- When Blythe asks about expanding their search for Volchek targets outside of LA, Evan is quick to point out that moving fissile material would be too dangerous.
Episode 5
- Shepherd tells Blythe the best way to infiltrate the consulate from the inside as Finau suggests, is to install a Root kit on one of their servers, but that means getting close enough to manually install it.
- Besides Shepherd doing her first interrogation in the last episode, this time she is joining the team in the field.
- Once they have established a connection with Pascals catering, each member of the team assumes a role. Shepherd takes on the role of kitchen help/server inside the consulate.
- She comes through and is able to install the root kit that will gain access to the consulate’s systems as soon as an employee logs into the system.
Episode 4
- The whole team experienced the loss of their fellow agent, Damon Drew.
- Blythe takes her along to visit Cora, so they can deliver the death message. Its an experience she later shares with Bell, expressing how much she wants, as the rest of the team does, to put Volchek in the ground.
- Blythe lets her conduct her very first interrogation of a suspect. She was very successful, got the information they needed to move forward, and the whole team was proud of how well she did.
- Something that Shepherd witnessed that the rest of the team did not, is when some administrators arrived to clean out Damon Drew’s desk and remove his personal affects. As they walk by, the baseball cap of Drew’s son, Noah, falls to the floor. Shepherd picks it up and puts it on her desk, while she conveys a quiet moment of grief.
Episode 3
- Shepherd discovered it is Luke Finau’s birthday and she shares that with Bell so they can plan something for him. It’s kind that she wants to bring some fun to the group when every other aspect of their job is grim. She swears Bell to secrecy so they can make it a surprise.
- Shepherd got some of her investigative skills early. She shares with Bell that while working on her school newspaper she discovered the principal stole the charity money donated to the school and used it to buy himself a new hot tub. She broke the story, and the principal went to jail.
- Evan Shepherd went to Stanford University.
- She delivers the cake to the lunchroom and is just so cute about it, except the bakery spelled Finau as Final, but Bell fixed it with a piece of licorice.
Episode 2
- Shepherd was able, along with Drew and Blythe, to participate in the smuggling operation using surveillance technology.
- She was able to view the border smuggling operation from cameras at the border, and satellite surveillance images.
- When it came time to “blow it up” they did their part in making sure Meachum could generate enough of a diversion to get the truck across the border.
Episode 1
- Special Agent Shepherd, FBI, has expertise in cyber investigation, internet fraud and computer intrusion.
- If I had to pick a reason why Shepherd would not be missed by her department (and hence was chosen for this task force) is because she is so inexperienced.
- Shepherd demonstrates her greenhorn status by raising her hand to ask a question during the mission meeting, talking to Blythe and thanking him for picking her, interrupting Blythe from studying Darden’s financial data on their way to interview Darden’s wife, and being corrected by Blythe on the leadership details of the Amerithrax operation she studied at Quantico.
- Shepherd definitely redeems herself when she discovers the panel truck in the vicinity of Darden’s murder and syncs up all the video to reveal an image of the shooters face.
- I think Blythe sees Shepherd as the beating heart of the team as he seems to involve her in the very human aspects of police investigation, like dealing with the family of fallen officer Bob Darden.
◄ Luke Finau ►
Episode 9
- Luke’s wife Amina (Nicole Lyn) calls him, worried that he did not come home. This episode really shows Finau as a family man and his concern for his wife and children. He asks Amina to take the kids and get out of LA. He wants her to pull the girls out of school immediately and call him as soon as she is on the road to her parents’ house in Palm Springs.
- Amina goes to the school to get the girls and is persuaded by the teacher to let the girls participate in their poetry event at The Vine. The compromise is the girls get to go first, and she can get on the road immediately afterwards.
- Finau gets worried that he has not heard from Amina yet and calls her, but she doesn’t answer.
- What may have seemed like a simple “helping hand” to Finau, turned into a life-saving act. Luke was able to grab Meachum when he began to topple over the edge of the roof, catching him just in time. Finau saved Meachum’s life. Again, the quiet stoic of the team, he says little and just acts when he is needed.
- When the team discovers that Volchek is at The Vine, Finau, who still hasn’t heard from his wife, looks at the GPS tracking on his cell phone and learns that she is there. He tells Bell, who is driving, to step on it.
- When Finau sees his little girl on stage and can hear her reciting her poem, he immediately kicks into dad mode and does what he has to do to pull his family out of harm’s way the best he can. It was a difficult decision because the panic that ensued after he discharged his weapon could have triggered Volchek to detonate. He went with his gut, and it paid off.
Episode 8
- Finau calls it after Meachum’s status update; they are dealing with a lone-wolf.
- Finau voices what everyone else is thinking; what happened to Volcheck that he wants to blow up a whole city?
- Finau works closely with Shepherd and Bell to process the evidence from the explosion.
- After Blythe disperses the team to tell them to go home and rest up, Finau checks in with Blythe to make sure he’s going to take his own advice and get some rest.
Episode 7
- Finau visits an old buddy at the impound division. Turns out it was a good decision; he finds out the dumped vehicle was never from border patrol. It was a stolen civilian SUV that was wrapped to look like it was from border patrol. Now Finau has to see if he can find what shop wrapped it.
- Blythe congratulates him on his hard work and tenacity with the border patrol vehicle. It’s obvious that Finau is pleased.
- When the task force raid the address Shepherd found linked with Gallagher trucks, they find it empty but Finau recognized the plastic on the floor and knew immediately that the trucks have been reskinned and could look like anything.
Episode 6
- Finau, ever the stoic quiet one, is becoming the barometer of the group.
- He is concerned about Meachum, but he says nothing.
- When he and Bell are riding to Needles, Finau talks about seeing a young kid getting completely stomped by his own gang as part of an initiation, to the point he was no longer recognizable. Seeing that was something that really motivated him to join the Gang Division to try and stop things like that from happening. It says a lot about him that he wants to help young people.
Episode 5
- When Shepherd hits an impasse in being able to infiltrate the consulate’s systems, Finau has checked in with his wife regarding who is managing the catered event, and suggests they go at this from the inside.
- Once they have established a connection with Pascals catering, each member of the team assumes a role. Finau takes on the role of Chauffeur to Meachum and Oliveras and then joins Bell in the mobile tech unit.
- Once Bell creates the security card Oliveras needs, Finau makes sure she gets it.
Episode 4
- The whole team experienced the loss of their fellow agent, Damon Drew.
- The whole team watched with pride as Evan Shepherd conducted her very first and very successful, interrogation of a suspect.
- This episode did not include much in the way of character development for Luke Finau, but it did demonstrate his use of brute strength at the Durko residence raid, where he lifted the property gate off its hinges and easily kicks in the door.
Episode 3
- This episode shows that Finau is a happy family man. He tells his wife he’d love to whisk her away to Hawaii if the task force operation was not so crazy. He seems like a loving husband and dad to his two girls.
- Luke’s wife Amina calls to chat about their dinner reservation. He hedges like he’s going to bail but tells her he will be there. Sounds like the “family-first” thing is really important to him.
- During the prisoner transfer operation, Meachum is working undercover as Jack Walker to help Timur Novikov escape. During the escape, Meachum takes a shot at Finau as he lays on the ground. Finau vows to punch Meachum in the neck when he catches up with him.
- The task force are becoming good friends, which is certainly evident in the birthday planning Shepherd is doing for Finau. She thinks it is all secret, but we find out on the prisoner transfer operation that he knew all along.
Episode 2
- In this episode we see Finau take on a critical role, being the driver of the rig that is smuggling the drugs across the border from Mexico to LA.
- One thing I noticed about Finau is that of all the task force members, with perhaps the exception of Oliveras, he seems to be keeping a quiet watch on Meachum and notices his telltale signs of pain.
- He comes off as a stoic friend, not wanting to interfere, but always noticing when something is amiss.
- A small piece of show trivia is that Uli Latukefu proudly rocks his Tongan heritage, and so Derek Haas, assured Uli that his character name in the show could be chosen to honor him in this way.
- Uli Latukefu ‘oku mau ‘ofa lahi atu ❤️
Episode 1
- Detective Luke Finau is from the LAPD and is an 18-year vet with the Gangs and Narcotics division focused on the nexus of guns, gangs, narcotics and crime. When Meachum asks him “Didn’t you get suspended?” the answer was “Which time?” so it sounds like he may have some “suspension” violations? Perhaps he’s been too rough with suspects in the past, however we see no evidence of that.
- Finau moves amongst his teammates as a quiet, keep to himself man who remains focused on the job.
- While Finau doesn’t engage with Meachum about his struggles with Oliveras, he does demonstrate his respect for him by telling Oliveras to read about Mark’s last undercover assignment.
◄ Keyonte Bell ►
Episode 9
- Bell, who in his own rite is a vital part of the task force, has teamed up with Evan Shepherd and the two of them together are forming the technical backbone of the team. His way of doing things was heavily influenced by his father’s teachings, and his time working with Evan is proving to be a major glow up of his modern policing skills.
- Bell takes a moment and shares his newfound respect for what can be accomplished from “a desk chair” as he puts it, but he also shines a light on Shepherd and her expertise.
- In the last few episodes, we see a deepening of Bell’s friendship with Evan, and it begs the question of whether or not this is leading to something more. Not every male-female connection on a show requires a romantic component, but by Derek Haas’ own admission, he loves to weave in these kinds of character driven connections, so time will tell.
- There has been no greater test of Evan’s skill when she comes face to face with Volchek’s dirty bombs. Bell gives her an out and tells her to retreat if she wants to, but she stays, and he stays right along with her. The two of them together are tasked with trying to disarm the explosives and we see composure and courage in both of them.
Episode 8
- Bell points out to the team that the explosion at Volchek’s house, shows he is killing his own countrymen and therefore it’s doubtful he’s acting on behalf of his country.
- Bell is the one who recognizes that the truck parked outside the federal building is one of Volchek’s trucks and immediately alerts Blythe and the team.
- Shepherd and Bell are close and she turns to him to voice her concern that her sister Molly is coming to town.
- Bell finds the farm property purchased by the VKN company linked to Volchek, that lets the team spring into action and is told “nice work” by Blythe. Their relationship is clearly back on track.
Episode 7
- Bell came up with the idea to go straight back to the beginning to shake things up and see if the team can get out of the slump they are in.
- Bell is feeling like Blythe is being hard on him but tells Shepherd he has no intention of “rolling over.”
- When Bell and Shepherd visit the tongs manufacturer, she ends up teaching him a thing or two about softening up someone to be a little more helpful.
- Bell crosses paths with D.A. Valwell who goes on about his father and what good friends they were. He makes a point of telling Bell how much he did to help his father get promoted in the right way with the right people. He basically tells Bell he will help him get promoted if he becomes “his friend.” This naturally sounds like an offer with strings attached.
- Bell is aware that Valwell is trying to use him to spy on Blythe and the work of the task force. He tells Valwell that he has no intention of going behind Blythe’s back.
Episode 6
- While driving to Needles, Bell admits to Finau that he plans on being the first black Director of the FBI. Ambition is good. Blind ambition can be dangerous. We don’t know what this is yet.
- When Gallagher turns out to be a dead-end, the whole team is feeling the frustration. Bell and Shepherd are working very hard to uncover it’s meaning and context to lead them to Volchek. When Bell questions the authenticity of the intel, Meachum, loses his temper.
- Blythe tells Bell that he needs to come up with his own leads before he criticizes others. This puts Bell outside the team emotionally no matter how briefly. It is now a sore spot between him, Meachum and Blythe.
Episode 5
- Bell makes Blythe aware of a potential issue. He shares that Valwell is seeking an audience with the Assistant Director in Charge (ADIC) and the phrase “Head on a platter” was invoked. Bell was quick to add that he thinks Blythe is doing a great job as task force leader.
- Bell seems to be taking on a purely technical role, working closely with Shepherd.
- Once they have established a connection with Pascals catering, each member of the team assumes a role to infiltrate the consulate’s systems. Bell is managing the mobile tech unit, disguised as a catering van.
- Bell ensures the Murphy’s (Meachum and Oliveras) are on the guest list (albeit a little late), Oliveras has the security pass card needed to get into Astapov’s outer office, and monitor’s the teams progress.
Episode 4
- The whole team experienced the loss of their fellow agent, Damon Drew.
- Blythe knows that Bell’s father worked with Valwell and wants to know what his father thought of him. Bell openly shared that his father was working a difficult case and it was a young prosecutor (Valwell) who took a chance and put his career on the line to help him.
- The whole team watched with pride as Evan Shepherd conducted her very first and very successful, interrogation of a suspect. Bell seemed to beam a little more than the others, which is in keeping with their growing friendship.
Episode 3
- Bell is working very closely with Shepherd to find out anything they can on Volchek. Through their investigations, it looks like their friendship is deepening, which is really sweet.
- She delivers the cake to the lunchroom and is just so sweet about it, except they spelled Finau as Final. Bell fixes it with a piece of licorice.
- Bell seems to be paired with Shepherd the majority of the time but often gets pulled into field work with the rest of the task force. He is at the shootout where Drew gets critically injured.
Episode 2
- Entering the building, Bell crosses paths with D. A. Grayson Valwell in the lobby and introduces himself. It seems there is an old family connection, as Valwell and Bell’s father worked together.
- Valwell asks Bell if he is a part of Blythe’s task force but withdraws the question. He could tell immediately that Bell was involved based on his reaction, and Valwell thanks him for his service and “keeping them safe.” You can tell Bell feels proud.
- This feels a little like Bell has inadvertently confirmed to an outside member of law enforcement his identity on the task force.
- Will this prove to be another point of entry for Valwell if he continues to pursue the taskforce?
Episode 1
- Bell is an Agent with the FBI specializing in terrorist threats, homegrown and international.
- He’s a character who seems ambitious but would prefer his path to glory be on his own merit, based on his admission to Oliveras that he was insulted when a coworker accused him of being a “legacy-hire” because his grandfather worked a very famous case back in the day (which was a real case; the Anglin brothers escape from Alcatraz in 1962). It seems his father also had a good reputation, which puts Bell as a 3rd gen agent with the FBI.
- He comes off as elitist when he questions Blythe’s decision to have him hack Spellman’s phones instead of having Shepherd do it.
- As an expert in terrorism, it was Bell who recognized the dangerous elements at the Pier 31 shoot out that has subsequently become the focus for the mission.
Best Performance
This week’s episode has two best performances worthy of the spotlight; Eric Dane as Nathan Blythe and Jensen Ackles as Mark Meachum. Let’s start with Eric Dane.
Eric Dane
The opening moments of the episode are a masterclass in physical storytelling, anchored by Eric Dane’s gripping portrayal of Blythe in the aftermath of a brutal attack. This scene is as painful to watch as it is powerful. Stabbed and bleeding, Blythe drags himself across the pavement toward his vehicle. Every painstaking movement he makes is laced with desperation and determination. When he finally manages to reach his car radio, it isn’t just an act of self-preservation, it’s a moment that reveals Blythe’s unwavering commitment to his duty in the face of overwhelming odds. Dane conveys both the physical agony and the intense focus of a man unwilling to surrender. The physicality of the moment is raw, agonizing and staunchly visceral, making it one of the most affecting scenes of the season for him.
Jensen Ackles
As Detective Mark Meachum, Jensen Ackles delivers one of his most layered performances to date. In the progression of his illness, we now see the final threading together of his vulnerability, stubborn pride, unspoken fear and the rage he feels as his body betrays him. This episode places Meachum in a relentless spiral of symptoms that have become too big to hide. His vertigo, migraines, blackouts, and unyielding pain have pushed him to the limits of his endurance, and each symptom is eroding his ability to function in the field.
Ackles resists the temptation to overplay these moments; instead, his portrayal is full of subtle cues, but the audience can see him falter, see the tightening of his jaw, the flicker of panic in his eyes, all of which have elevated to him clutching at his head in his attempt to alleviate the pain. Ackles makes the decline we are witnessing authentic, and it comes off the screen as real, devastating and moving for the audience.
His interactions with Oliveras provide an emotional counterbalance. Their partnership is deepening as she shields him from the rest of the team, as she shores up his strength. Ackles fills their shared moments with an undercurrent of gratitude and unspoken trust, allowing viewers to glimpse the emotional toll his illness is taking on both of them. She has become the calm in his storm, his emotional touchstone and the quiet steadfast support that is helping him cope.
Favorite Scene
Given the gravity of all that the team is facing in this episode, I chose as my weekly favorite, the banter we see between Meachum and Oliveras. It’s sweet, enduring and as always holds a quiet promise of the chemistry we hope deepens in their relationship. That is if Julio doesn’t interfere.
The growing bond that has developed between Meachum and Oliveras throughout the season has been one of the series’ most quietly compelling arcs. They have become the emotional core of the show. It has never been overtly romantic but charged with a mutual respect and emotional intimacy that always hints at more. Their chemistry is built on shared battles and mutual respect but it’s also tinged with something deeply personal. Oliveras’ quiet protectiveness over Meachum’s deteriorating health hints at feelings that may run much deeper than professional loyalty.
However, the introduction of Julio, a man with whom she has a shared past that pulls at nostalgic childhood memories, could complicate things. The addition of Julio may in fact begin to shift her emotional focus and potentially disrupt the fragile trust between her and Meachum. Things might get muddy, leaving the audience wondering whether the slow Meachum-Oliveras burn will ever have the chance to ignite, or will it get extinguished before it can truly begin?
What Didn’t Land for Me
Everything landed for me in this episode.
Just For Fun
Because I can’t stop watching these great interviews of Jensen Ackles…
Reminder
Don’t miss the next Countdown episode “The Muzzle Pile.” It airs on Prime Video Wednesday August 13/25.
- Please note, all media used in this article are courtesy of Amazon Content Services, Prime Video and/or IMDb unless otherwise stated on photos or video credit slides.
I say it every week- well done! This show has captivated me! There better be a season 2!
THERESA 🥰 Thank you. I’ve decided I’m just going to believe a season 2 is coming! It’s gotta be, right? There is no way Prime would turn away from success like this.❤️
Another great article! Love the character development section! And I love reading your thoughts on the episode.. always so very insightful! Keep them coming!
HEATHER 😁 Thanks so much! This one was such a big episode! Poor Nathan 😢 Poor Mark 😢 We may have to yell at Derek for hurting our heroes 🤣 I’m so glad you liked it. Will be posting the recap for Ep10 soon.❤️