S05.E06: Two Truths And A Lie

[Guest]

As the officers of 15 Division try to hunt down the killer of Brian Gowdy, Andy and Sam go on the road to interview a list of inmates at Millburn Penitentiary. All are known associates of the prime suspect; one person on that list happens to be none other than Jay Swarek, Sam's elusive father.

[weightyghost]

Shocking, another episode where Sam doesn't talk and Andy gets mad. Five years these two have known each other and dated and been partnered. I know more about my coworker who I've worked with for 4 months than Andy knows about Sam. Their relationship is one big rehash of the last 4 seasons and I can't believe the writers think this is a good idea. Also, it showed how immature Andy is when compared to Sam. It was like a bored daughter harassing her father on a road trip. And instead of, you know, doing their job, they spend however long going over Sam's sad history. 

 

I got really confused part way through because all the guys were dark, short haired, 40s and I couldn't keep track of who was supposed to be doing what. 

 

As always, Gail/Nick (I enjoy them being break up buddies) and Chloe/Dov were the best parts of the episode. Traci deserves better than the rehash of Dex's storyline. 

[Emily Thrace]

Well Sam's dark backstory is dark and really there's nothing there we didn't expect. It was well acted and I think Andy's words actually landed for once. Its such a tricky balance letting character's grow without having them do a complete 180.  I like that McSwarek is not perfect but Sam really does seem to be trying. At least this time around it seems like Sam gets that he needs to change.

 

Dov and Dov's girlfirend need a new story this one is officially old news.

 

I have a feeling Detective Peck had something to do with Dex's attack this story doesn't feel done yet.

[DropTheSoap]

At least Duncan't wasn't around.

[Sandman]

I agree the scenes in the truck were well played, but it still seemed a little too easy somehow. Maybe it was the suddenness of Sam's "I love you"? There was a certain "All better now" quality to the end sequence. Swarek's still a grudge-holding, closed-off jerkface, I think.

 

This show still has the capacity to surprise me sometimes. I was not expecting Swarek to come up with an "I love you" just then. I was definitely not expecting the patsy guy to try to slash his own throat. (Don't police cruisers have safety glass?) I knew that the wife character had to be important -- they're not hiring Liane Balaban and not giving her something to do besides pickup duty at the clink.

[Samantha84]

Good episode.

 

Great work by Missy and Ben throughout. Sam is changing, for the better, and I think he gets it. He gets that there has to be changes made for this to work w. Andy, this time around.  

 

When did I start liking Dov and Chloe? Perhaps the premiere but I do.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Samantha84

[Slider]

This season hasn't been all that great.  The only bright spots have been Nick, Dov, and Chloe - CHLOE for crying out loud!  I'm over Sam and Andy.

[redsox7819]

Dear god that was awful. I think I am done with this show. I pretty much hate everyone this season. Well, not Nick, Dov and Chole.

 

Andy just because Sam tells you this darkest secret, which could not be any more sterotypical and unorginal and one that I saw coming from a mile away, does not mean he is good for you. Sam will never change, men like him do not. 

[dirtydi]

Loved this episode.  Sam's dad is a jerk.  I so root for Sam and Andy.  I want them to make it, I think they will.  Still not a fan of Chloe and Dov.  I want Sue back.  I can't help it, I like Nick and Gail together too.

[90PercentGravity]

That ending was just terrible. That could have been a scene in a daytime soap. That's how bad it was.

[betsyboo]

Please correct me if i'm wrong - but the entire episode i kept thinking - they're looking for a guy whose wife is having an affair. so why did they keep trying to link all the players? meaning, i remember from last week's episode that the witness told the police that the assailant kept asking questions about costa rica, etc. And then targeted the same car make and model. It was obvious to me last week that a scorned husband was looking for the man who was sleeping with his wife and all he knew was what kind of car he drove and that he was headed to Costa Rica. ... ?????? Did i jump to a conclusion too early? I spent the first 30 minutes of this episode wondering why they weren't chasing that lead. Then voila! there it is! So confusing.

 

I liked the McSwarek conversation in the truck. And I love Gail and Nick as friends.

[prican58]

I watch this show primarily for Gail and Holly but I will admit to actually liking other story lines and characters. 

 

Not enough Oliver. BTW, Chloe and Sam have made miraculous recoveries, no?I know it's television but on Longmire Deputy Branch was shot and almost killed but at least we still see him struggling with the physical aftermath. These truly are super cops.

 

What are we to make of Gail and Holly? The previous ep had Gail saying she hadn't broken up with her but she's just not talking to Holly right now. This episode has Nick stating that Gail is now single and Gail neither confirms or denies.  I don't necessarily want to be spoiled but does anyone get a sense of what will happen? 

[webruce]

I would think you would see Holly "around", work and stuff. Maybe the actress is doing a side project so they had to "break " them up awhile?? Then they will atleast be back as friends.

[webruce]

A lot of things in this episode don't seem to fit with last episode,and we are covering the B case. Chris seems to be doing fine and shows no dope problems or come downs from what happened last week with Jamie the dealer. Chloe doesn't seem to have the same "itch" she did. And it is the same day I would say. Also Oliver talks to binge buying and upset girl Gail. She was worried about Holly and little Sophie. Now she is fooling with Nick(liked it) and now says she is single.Last episode she said her and Holly weren't broke up but having problems. Holly or associate wasn't called in to check Brian Gowdy's body?

Seemed today that for the most part teams were broke down in dating or formally dating pairs. Current: Dov/Chloe, Sam/Andy, Former:Nick/Gail. The only one who wasn't paired was Chris. Also Traci wasn't with Steve, much. He seems to be replacing Luke or Jerry, litteraly.

I guess I didn't get it that Brian Gowdy and his twin Jim,were played by the same actor. But the, "The bad guys are probably after brother Jim" thing didn't really amount to much. But it would have been a big clique anyway. But it was definitely a good thing to look at, it was a possibility.

I would have thought either way they would at first have a Officer escort the brother home, and watch him. Or keep him at the Precinct House.

Dov and Chloe talk over some of the reasons he didn't fight for her in hospital against Wes.But they do work it out, and she knows he did fight for her. Now we have to put Wes in the rear view. But they may seem him around on certain calls.

Gail and Nick worked well together tracking down the car of Sean Harrison. I thought he was strange when he called to his wife Kelly and said she must be at work. Then he didn't tell that Ex- Con Larry Chisholm was living temporarily in his basement. But they then thought Larry was doing a prison job for a someone else.

When Nick and Gail found Larry at the bus stop it was funny Nick telling him he was an Olympic runner. Then he turned to run and Gail was waiting. But in the Squad car after he was told Sean told what he did, he got wild and tried to kill himself. So we knew Sean had some hold on him.

The strange ending of Kelly cleaning up after stabbing Sean after he beat her and thinking the knife was put there by Brian Gowdy was a bit eerie. But she will need Psychiatric help.

Dex got beat up at a bar and Steve went to give him a ride home from the hospital. Was he trying to be friendly? Was he trying to intimidate Dex and get him to do something he shouldn't? Not quite sure. But he took the bus instead. But later he visited Traci and even though he was upset about Steve coming she calmed him down and told him she was special to her and Leo. Steve watched from a far. Not sure if will do something else to separate them and put Dex in a bad light again, or what?

Andy finally got to meet Sam's dad Jay. He didn't want her to but she pushed for it after finding out from Guard G. Quinley who he was and figured out why Sam wanted to get back from prison so quickly. His dad said his mom was looney, and Sam was getting quite upset. We find out dad was a hard man. He also liked to talk about Andy too. He beat Mom and Sam feared him. Sam used a opportunity to have his dad arrested by lying. But Andy got some information out of Jay about Larry Chisholm and Sean Harrison. Sam went back to dad and apologized and said, "I forgive you Pop!" and he was through. But even after meeting Sam's dad Jay and before his sister Sarah. But as we see at the end them rolling on the bed that Andy may love Sam even more. And Jay is in Penitentiary for killing someone after he was falsely arrested.

Again they solved it without help from Inspector John Jarvis. But he will be needed when Duncan's case comes up I bet.

Edited August 27, 2014 by webruce