When Weller and Nas track Douglass Winter to Bulgaria, they learn there’s more to his story than they originally believed. Back in New York, Jane and Roman secure a microchip for Sandstorm, and Zapata helps Reade cover up his involvement with Coach Jones’ death. Here is a recap, followed by a review of the Blindspot episode “Her Spy’s Harmed.”
RECAP:
Picking up where we left off, Reade swears he didn’t kill Coach Jones. While in the basement, Reade heard a noise, then found Jones death. Zapata believes him, and they skedaddle. Back at Reade’s, they plan to retrieve the tape he left in the VCR by going in as FBI. After freeing the tape, there’s no time to put it back, so Zapata steals it. Patterson and Borden spar, spending time together before she’s called away for work. It’s somewhat effective; Patterson learns Jones is dead and rushes off.
Roman recruits Jane on his mission. Jane flashes back to a fellow orphan stealing the 1 Rand. Present-day Roman says that coin is the last thing they have from their parents. He hands Jane the puzzle box she gave him before her memory wipe. He can’t open it, and she’ll have to wait because they’re headed to steal the microchip Jeffrey Kantor was supposed to supply.
In Douglas Winter’s black hole of emails, there’s one inviting his girlfriend to Bulgaria. Arriving in Bulgaria, Weller and Nas encounter the new CIA director, Jay Keaton, who’s after Winter too. Weller and Nas locate Winter, who claims he’s innocent and a prisoner. They stash Winter in a suitcase and bring him to a safehouse. Winter reveals that masked men broke into his house and framed him. He recorded the whole ordeal with his glasses. Patterson gets to work decoding the voices. Two hours after she said she’d take a lunch break, Borden checks on her. She’s stressed and calls him David. Nas finds Weller wishing Mayfair were there with answers about Sandstorm, and things get really physical. The CIA attacks the safehouse, but Weller and Nas return to the States with Winter.
Reade informs Zapata about the security guard who saw him outside Jones’ house. Zapata pays him a visit. After threatening to deport his pregnant girlfriend, he relinquishes the evidence. Upon seeing that Jones died of asphyxiation, Zapata has questions about how long Reade was in that house. Patterson finds Borden in his office and apologizes. She always chooses work over her personal life. Borden understands and doesn’t want to make her choose. He leaves, and Patterson spots an NSA bug up above.
Jane and Roman secure the chip, but an alarm goes off and guards close in. Roman exits to handle the situation non-lethally, while Jane calls Patterson to copy the chip. It’s taking way too long. Jane flashes back to being unable to protect Roman from a kid cutting his face, so she aborts the counter-mission and rescues her brother this time. They escape. Jane unlocks the puzzle box to uncover a gum wrapper that replaced the coin until little Remi could steal it back. She tells an emotional Roman she loves him before returning to the FBI. Nas questions Jane about why she aborted the counter-mission. To protect the long game. Nas says it’s over; Sandstorm has everything they need. Jane believes she can turn Roman. The decoded voices reveal that Shepherd and Roman framed Winter, and Weller recognizes Shepherd’s voice.
REVIEW:
By splitting the storylines into action carried out by several duos, “Her Spy’s Harmed” managed to create an all-around fulfilling episode with a series of personal and professional obstacles that each felt just as relevant and important as the next. Not without its flaws, this hour presented a mediocre case in execution, but a fascinating one when placed into the grand scheme of the series. What truly lifted the episode up was how seamlessly each storyline tied into the greater mythology of Blindspot and proved that nothing is unimportant nor is anyone forgotten.
Weller and Nas took control of this week’s case and jetted off on a quasi-undercover mission that turned out to be quite unexpected. Since the beginning portion of season one, Douglas Winter’s guilt seemed as surefire as his comparison to Edward Snowden, so learning of his innocence and status as a government pawn was a surprise I’m sure many of us did not see coming. It’s probably for the best that we didn’t meet Mr. Douglas Winter prior to this revelation. His very visible panic and inability to hide his emotions makes me wonder how his co-workers believed he was capable of what he was accused of. Ten seconds into his first scene, it became rather obvious that he was no whistleblowing mastermind, but instead a scared man with no idea how to survive the situation he supposedly put himself in. Perhaps more subtle acting choices could have made Winter a more believable suspect, but nevertheless, I’m all for this turn of events. It becomes much more interesting and terrifying that he was framed than if he were just a whistleblower because it shows just how easily Sandstorm can execute their missions and just how ruthlessly they can destroy innocent lives.
While I’m not dying to see Winter again, I’m increasingly curious about his connection to Mayfair. “Condone Untidiest Thefts” explicitly stated that Mayfair and Winter were working together, but in this episode, Douglas Winter claimed to have no knowledge of Mayfair. Maybe the FBI incorrectly assumed a relationship when there was none, but it’s equally as likely that Mayfair could have used an alias when interacting with Winter. Especially with all of the mentions of her name in this episode, it’s nice to see how much of a presence the former assistant director of the FBI still has on this series.
Going back to Weller and Nas, their personal relationship took a notable step forward, although it doesn’t seem a sure thing that it’ll continue on the same path. Prior to this episode, enough time had been spent developing their professional relationship into a place where they trust and confide in one another, but this was really the first time they seemed to show a different sort of interest in one another. I’m not yet sold on the idea of them pursuing a romantic relationship because there hasn’t been a flirtatious buildup for it, but I’m also not opposed to seeing something play out because it’ll surely cause interesting conflict with a pregnant Allie and a remorseful Jane thrown into the mix.
Speaking of Jane, her storyline with Roman this episode gave us a glimpse of their potential relationship before Jane erased her memory, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was no question from either of them when Jane took the lead on this mission, even though Roman was the one with the plan and the prior knowledge to execute it. She has the authority no matter her age or circumstance. Watching Jane play the protective older sister both as a child and then again as an adult even without memories of her life with Roman solidifies her love for him and her innate desire to help and protect those around her. The most heartbreaking aspect of this relationship is how hurt Roman feels that his protector chose to erase their previous life together. But not only does he blame Jane for abandoning him, he also blames her for turning him into a psychopath. This is our first indication that Roman isn’t happy with who he’s become and may be looking to do something to redeem himself. It was a little odd that Shepherd didn’t make an appearance this episode with the mission being as important as it was, but her absence kept the focus on Jane and Roman, and that was what this episode hoped to accomplish.
Reade and Zapata, the dynamic duo of accessory after the fact, makes quite a team of law-breaking feds. I enjoyed watching the lengths that a calm and protective Zapata was willing to go to to save her friend and partner from a false accusation, with the exception of her threatening to deport a pregnant woman. As harsh and unflattering as that was, it spoke to her commitment and deep-rooted belief in Reade’s innocence. Knowing that Reade has blocked out traumatic memories from his childhood, I think a case can be made that maybe Reade did stab Coach Jones to death and just doesn’t remember. Unlike Jane, Reade has yet to unlock any of these suppressed memories (that we know of, at least), so his guilt falls within the realm of possibility. I hope he didn’t murder Coach Jones because I’d love to see him continue to be on the team instead of in prison, but I look forward to learning more about the incident, regardless of the outcome.
Even before Patterson called Dr. Borden “David,” their relationship seemed highly reminiscent of her time with the dearly departed, and I don’t know if that makes me enjoy it more or less. The joy they exhibited in each other’s presence, their awkward and intellectual conversations, and Patterson’s attempts to keep her work confidential all make it feel as if she’s using Borden as a substitute for David. Every relationship has issues to work through; if Borden hasn’t realized this one he’s facing, then I’m sure he’s about to, and it doesn’t inspire confidence in the longevity of this pairing. However, I hope these lovebirds make it through because someone on this show could sure use a dose of happy in his/her life.
ODDS AND ENDS:
– This title’s anagram is “Shepherd’s Army.”
– That promo for tonight’s episode looked intense, but where was Rich DotCom?!
– Did Oliver Kind not call Jane back or did their date go so poorly that she’s avoiding even bringing it up?
– Reade: I eat takeout, Zapata. What do I need thirteen knives for?
– Reade: Zapata. Thank you.
Zapata: What’s a little accessory after the fact between friends?
– Roman: Is that why you came back for me today? You felt guilty? Remi would have protected the mission at all costs.
Jane: Yeah, well, you might not want to hear this, but if that’s true, I don’t want to be Remi. I hope she never comes back.
