Average Joe: Season 1/ Episode 5 “A Cautionary Tale of Frontier Justice” – Recap and Review (with Spoilers)
In Episode 5, “A Cautionary Tale of Frontier Justice,” Joe and his team weave a complex escape plan, while the lethal Arina pursues them relentlessly, leading to startling revelations, tense negotiations, and the ever-looming threat of the Russian mafia, all entwined in a suspenseful dance of deception, danger, and coded clues.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Previous Episode: “The Above Average School Teacher” |
Next Episode: “Green Blue” |
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Release Date |
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Director(s) |
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Writer(s) |
Rob Cullen |
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Noted Characters and Cast |
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Joe Washington |
Deon Cole |
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Angela Washington |
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Leon Montgomery |
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Jennifer (Jen) Washington |
Ashley Olivia Fisher |
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Touch |
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Dimitri |
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Cathy Montgomery |
Cynthia Caye McWilliams |
Recap
This action-packed episode, “A Cautionary Tale of Frontier Justice,” takes us on a thrilling quest to track down the murderers of Nicolai’s son, spearheaded by Arina and Nicolai’s loyal henchmen, who eventually find themselves frustrated by the lack of substantial progress. In the midst of this chaos, Joe and his crew manage to abscond with a vital hard drive, the narrative subsequently focusing on their strategic efforts to outmaneuver the Russian mafia, maintain a subtle trail with Officer Touch’s assistance, and discard the conspicuous Lamborghini.
Living La Vida Loca
Post a thrilling escape from a bloody melee at the boutique, splattered with the lifeblood of an innocent employee and ruthless assassins; Joe concocts a strategic plan. Officer Touch reappears with the van, and they swiftly barricade the door, even as the formidable Arina clashes with Joe for control on the opposite side.
As they flee the crime scene, the van buzzes with discussions of the uncertain future for the men and their families. An ad for new homes inspires Joe to move his family into a partially completed house he has been working on, a property owned by his demanding employers, Winny and Stan, who constantly chastise him with unjust accusations of theft.
Arriving at his current residence, it becomes a race against time to evacuate his wife and kids from the impending mafia madness. Angela clearly understands the urgent need for decisive action to protect their daughter from potential harm.
Cops Catching Clues (Ring Around The Rosie)
A frantic hunt leads the deadly Arina to the Washington’s deserted residence. Unaware of the perilous situation, Winny and Stan arrive to retrieve a forgotten purse from Teddy’s funeral ceremony. They accuse the absent family of theft, completely oblivious to the danger that has forced them to flee.
Arina, under the guise of a realtor named Moss, attempts to throw Winny off the scent. However, a suspicious Winny verifies Arina’s false credentials, leading to a tragic end for both her and Stan. Following the cold-blooded murder, Arina reveals her exhaustion from her perilous lifestyle and yearning to see her daughter. Her subsequent confrontation with Nicolai leaves her terror-stricken after a gruesome threat to her estranged daughter.
Tell Me The Truth
As the suspicious crime scene falls under the scrutiny of the Pittsburgh police, Officer Touch cunningly assists in staging it as a mafia vendetta, planting Dimitri’s Cartier in the shop attendant’s pocket. Sergeant Pamela, buying into the setup, assigns Touch to the case.
After receiving a tip about a video featuring Dimitri’s decapitated head, Pamela summons Touch for an explanation. He provides her with a basic outline of his association with the Washington family and Jennifer’s link to Dimitri Dzugashvilli, Nicolai’s son. Jennifer is called in for questioning and gives terse responses due to her coaching, which does not go unnoticed by the seasoned sergeant. Pamela urges Touch to remain transparent, an instruction the audience is certain he will not heed.
Highlights
Needing A Good Man
Cathy, weary of her perpetual role as the leader in her marriage to Leon, finds herself at odds with Joe’s plan to dump the lavish supercar into the lake. With her sights set firmly on financial gain, Cathy advocates selling the car instead. When Leon conveys Joe’s plans to her, she responds with frustration, accusing him of constant indifference to her viewpoints.
Nonetheless, she manages to persuade Leon with her irresistible charm, assertive demeanor, and captivating beauty. Their negotiations lead them to a potential buyer who initially undervalues the car by several tens of thousands of dollars. With newfound assertiveness, Leon steps in, hinting at the presence of another prospective buyer. This tactic successfully coerces the man into renegotiation while Cathy observes the scene from a distance, brimming with pride.
What follows is a joyful interlude, with Cathy resplendent in black lingerie and Leon showering her with affection. Yet, even amidst this diversion, Cathy’s keen eye spots a license plate frame bearing two crucial names – a cryptic sports reference concealing an encoded number that leads straight to Joe Washington’s address.
On-The-Fence
Too Cliche
The audience is led to decrypt clues related to famous basketball players, which finally unveils a secret stash of money hidden in the house. The sudden death of Joe’s employers complicates the retrieval of these hidden funds. This clichéd twist leaves the audience on edge, wondering what’s to come.
FAQs
What are supposed to be the final clues?
Two player jersey numbers in the right order are the Washington’s address.
How did they escape Arina?
Chaining the door shut.
Who finds Winny and Stan while deceased?
Sergeant Pamela finds them deceased in the bathroom and Arina sees her but disappears before she is discovered.
