The Equalizer: Season 4 Episode 5 – Review/ Recap
The last member of Mel’s siblings is introduced, and like Ed, it’s when they are in trouble that could turn fatal.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Recap
Secrets Eating Away At Everything – Trish, Aunt Vi, Delilah, Robyn, Ben, Dante, Harry
For both Delilah and Aunt Vi, keeping Robyn’s secret complicates their personal lives. As shown, Delilah struggles because she can’t vent about her mom to anyone her age. So, it leads many to think she has a perfect life or wants it to seem that way.
As for Aunt Vi? Trish repeatedly asking questions, almost as if she is a spy or government agent, and getting vague answers back is troubling for her. Trish feels like she has opened her world to Aunt Vi, but Aunt Vi is holding back from letting Trish into her world. This leads to what, at best, is a break between the two but, at worst, might be a breakup. Which, of course, Robyn doesn’t want, but how to balance discretion with the secret of what she does is hard enough for her to maintain, never mind her family.
Speaking of family, Big Ben has been spending a lot of time with Detective Dante’s boys, and wants the chance for a unsupervised visit. Det. Dante isn’t really for it, due to past issues with his father, but after a conversation with Harry, he does allow it, and his boys end up disappointed as Det. Dante worried they would be.
Now, where was Ben? Well, at a bar with someone who isn’t revealed to us.
Bayani Family Trouble – Matthew, Mel, Robyn, Harry, Ed
As established when we met Edison back in season 3/ episode 8, Mel’s family courts a lot of drama. Mel was in the military, Edison had dealings with international crime, and while Ruby, the other sister, didn’t have issues on an international level, she didn’t live a simple life either. But, one family member we didn’t meet last season was Matthew, who holds a heavy focus in this episode since we learn he was in an unlisted strike force known as Red Cell.
However, with learning his teammates have gone beyond the call of duty, he wished to be a whistleblower and to stop him, both he and Mel were hunted. Thankfully, by the episode’s end, Matthew is able to complete his task, but not before ending up in a situation where it seemed like he would be killed.
A Storm Is Coming – Director Greene, Fisk, Robyn, Harry
Whenever Fisk shows up, you know the bubble Robyn and her team exist in will be popped. In this episode, Fisk shows up to reveal that Director Greene wants to be debriefed again regarding Michelle Chambers’ escape. Both Fisk and Robyn’s involvement is questioned, and there is someone in attendance whose existence is solely known through there being a 4K camera in the room.
Now, in the episode, we get multiple conversations that leave us on a cliffhanger. The first is who Big Ben was speaking to, and the second is what Fisk wanted to talk to Harry about. It isn’t confirmed that it was the identity of who was in the room with him, Robyn, and Director Greene, but there is the possibility.
As for who that person is? Unfortunately, the only thing Fisk reveals is that the person is going to bring a storm with them.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Who was Ben talking to?
- Was the conversation Fisk had with Harry about figuring out the fourth person in that debrief meeting or something else?
- What are the chances Trish’s questions weren’t just about wanting to be part of Vi’s life but also about knowing Robyn’s secrets?
- So, are we going to follow up on what’s going on with Delilah’s dad post-break-up?
Review
Highlights
The Consequences of Robyn’s Secret
“The Equalizer” has long shifted away from being all about Robyn. She might be The Equalizer, going on cases, and Queen Latifah might be the most recognizable person in the cast, but it generally isn’t about her. Hence why, Aunt Vi and Delilah, especially, have been built up so much, and with noting how they may have experienced expansion but still have limitations, you’re reminded that even if Robyn isn’t often treated as the center of their universe, she is.
Her work, while it helps many people, hinders and threatens her family. Delilah got stronger and is thinking of the military because she learned her mom’s secret and her mom’s kidnapping. Aunt Vi formerly was constantly worried because of the anxiety of not knowing if Robyn would come home and in what condition?
Both have made adjustments, but there is no denying the trauma involved nor how Robyn’s secret makes it so, if Aunt Vi wants to stay with Trish and Delilah’s future dating life, are going to remain immensely complicated.
A Storm Is Coming
We’ve been without a definitive villain for a while. Mason Quinn died at the beginning of season 3, and since then, while we know there are evil people in the world, none have had Robyn on their radar. This is a surprise when you think about it since a lot of her cases deal with the mob, gangs, and international criminals every few episodes.
But, while we may have struggled to have a proper villain from criminal organizations routinely show up, when it comes to the American government or police, Robyn has never lacked someone who didn’t support what she did, or wanted to bring her back into the fold.
So, while Fisk is really coy about who this person is that is bringing the storm, maybe they could be the villain this show has long needed.
Bayani Family Drama
Mel’s family is something else. I’d even say, as “The Equalizer” continues to build up its supporting cast, while it may be too soon to ever imagine a spin-off, I’d say Mel’s family continually feels pushed forward to have such. From each brother who flirts with danger, Ruby who is undoubtedly a figure who deserve a magnifying glass on her life, than Mel’s story and Harry’s in extension?
Again, can I foresee a spinoff featuring them in the 2024-2025 season? No. However, it increasingly is becoming undeniable the value Mel brings to the show, and, hopefully, from the performance of not just kicking ass but the emotions from when Mel thought Matthew was dead, hopefully, more get opportunities like Hayes to build a career outside this show.
Harry and Det. Dante’s Relationship
Both Harry and Detective Dante live semi-isolated lives on the show. Both don’t really have friends whom they can access regarding topics that aren’t work-related. So, watching Harry and Det. Dante talk about Big Ben was a surprise, especially since Harry recognized Det. Dante needed to talk, so he dropped his original intention of calling altogether.
Now, will this friendship evolve past a random conversation here and there? It is too soon to tell, but there is reason to believe since Harry is likely going to get an itch for doing more than being on a computer or hanging with Mel eventually.
On The Fence
Dante and Big Ben’s Relationship
Maybe Detective Dante is the problem? While we see a lot of movement with everyone else, on a fairly consistent basis, his storyline has sputtered a bit. Mind you, he has had some emotional highs and dramatic moments, like in episodes 12 and 13 of Season 2. But, I wouldn’t say Det. Dante, or Marcus if you prefer, has kept up with Delilah, Aunt Vi, or Mel.
This isn’t to say his relationship with Big Ben has been pushed in such a way to have huge untapped potential. However, it could and give him something to do beyond being the butt of jokes regarding when he may eventually go out with Robyn. Which is slowly becoming a running gag.
Background Information
| Episode Title | The Whistleblowe |
| Release Date | March 31, 2024 |
| Network | CBS |
| Director(s) | MJ Bassett |
| Writer(s) | Joe Gazzam |
| Previous Episode | Season 4/ Episode 4 |
| Series Page | The Equalizer |
| Character Guide | The Equalizer Cast and Characters |
| Official Website | Official CBS Website |
Cast Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Trish | Gloria Reuben |
| Aunt Vi | Lorraine Toussaint |
| Delilah | Laya DeLeon Hayes |
| Robyn | Queen Latifah |
| Ben | Danny Johnson |
| Dante | Tory Kittles |
| Harry | Adam Goldberg |
| Matthew | Alain Uy |
| Mel | Liza Lapira |
| Ed | Trevor Salter |
| Director Greene | Margaret Reed |
| Fisk | Donal Logue |
New Character Description(s)
Matthew
Matthew is one of the three boys of the Biyani family, and to Mel’s surprise, like her, he got into the military. However, while she thought he was stationed at a NATO base in Turkey, doing resource analysis, in truth he was part of a strike force named “Red Cell” that handled situations the Government didn’t want connected to their name.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Fantasy Island: Season 1/ Episodes 9 & 10.”
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