Thoughts on previous episode here.
Okay, first impressions (first watch): Yum! Loved it. Like…everything about it. I liked this episode so much, I almost posted about it within 24 hours after my second watch.
But here I am again, rushing to post my thoughts before a new episode airs on the east coast, lol. And I’m doing this after a third watch because that’s how much I enjoyed it! Okay, here we go…
There’s Something About Jamie
The casting of Jamie is great! He reminds me of both Christian Evans and actor Tony Goldwyn (as his Ghost character). He is…unsettling. He’s coming across like Christian did initially—a little too interested in Gabi and saying weird shit. “Is Gabi an optimist or a pessimist” lol what a weirdo. Why is he so fixated on Gabi’s presence? He is serving stealth intelligence. Who is he fishing for?
And Margaret, stop telling that boy all that stuff. You don’t know him! Information is power, and who knows what that creepy boy is up to. She talked too much.
I really love this Jamie mystery. I’m aware of cases of imposters slipping right into families, most genuinely believing it’s their long lost loved one. But I also know of at least one case where the family knew/suspected it was an imposter…but went along with it, anyway!
Jamie was acting sus — he didn’t want to answer questions (but had plenty to ask), didn’t want to see his dad or sisters (but wanted to see Gabi) and beautifully dodged a lot of personal inquiries by getting people to talk about themselves. Most signs point to imposter, but there’s still space it could be a traumatized and/or brainwashed Jamie. Him saying Margaret was a completely different person than he remembered as a kid had me wondering, but I’m still Team Imposter for now.
Ghosts of Kidnapping Past
Forgive me, but every moment with Gabi and Sir was FIRE. They sizzled. I haven’t been shipping them all this time, only appreciating their insane chemistry, but ladies and gentlemen, I kind of want her to take his hand at the end of all this and ride off into the sunset.
Obsession isn’t this sexy in real life, but we’re dealing with MPG, and a neutered version of his character. An asexual predator.
The basement stuff was hot and giving dominatrix vs sub. Add pistol-whipping, the gag, the high heels, Gabi’s strut… This is what happens when you cast a sexy woman and a hot man and put them in an enclosed space. “Strip,” Gabi demanded. “I’ll need help,” he replied. Are you kidding me?
And some of the things Hugh said to her? Phew. Almost romantic and swoon-worthy.
She’s the Air He Breathes
It’s the intimacy for me, the way he knows her so well. He is so in tune with her body language, expressions, the way her mind works. “I know when you’re lying; you’re in pain.”
And then overhearing so much from her life while tied up in the basement, followed by poking around her home and picking up her current tastes and interests. Just…nosy and encroaching, but to learn and absorb these parts of her. And never judging. He followed her life and career and is so proud of what she has accomplished.
But bay-bee, saying his panic attacks stopped the day she walked into his life? Dang. This episode had me rooting for a dark romance ending. The guy had a chance to leave on day one and did not take it.
Shanola Hampton really gave this episode — the acting was acting. Both Shanola and Mark fed me well, so I’m pleased as punch.
Stop playing and feed us scenes of Gabi and Sir together in the same space every episode, writers!
Detective Dunce Trent
Trent is so frickin’ dumb. He didn’t see that coming?
It was clear how Hugh would respond since season 1 — the man isn’t throwing his Gabrielle under the bus, even if she does it to him.
Other Thoughts
I see why Gabi needs Margaret; she’s not great at reading people. The librarian was obviously dodgy and also reminded me of the snake woman from the X-files episode I mentioned before. So many shady, obviously lying people get past Gabi. Yes, for plot reasons, but still.
What’s Hugh’s plan? she wonders at the end with Trent. Ma’am, I think he wants you to heal — that’s his frickin’ angle. He wants her to dump that last weight — her father’s ashes. And he gets to psychologically hold the act over her, of course.
The writing and directing were also on point this episode. Great transitions between past and present.
Looking forward to the next episode!
Yes, made it with 6 minutes to spare…
Here are my thoughts on the next episode.