The Equalizer: Season 5 Episode 3 “Just Fans” – Recap and Review

As Mel continues to deal with the events of the last season, Marcus seeks Robyn’s advice on balancing a fulfilling career without abandoning his family.

Originally Aired	November 3, 2024
Network	CBS
Director(s)	Darren Grant
Writer(s)	Barry O’Brien
Character	ACTOR’S NAME
Marcus	Tory Kittles
Robyn	Queen Latifah
Ky	Destin Khari
Evelyn	Michael Michele
Aunt Vi	Lorraine Toussaint
Captain Curtis	Christopher B. Duncan
Delilah	Laya DeLeon Hayes
Mel	Liza Lapira
Dr. Willa Roszak	Roma Maffia
Harry	Adam Goldberg

Storyline Recap

Daddy Isn’t There – Marcus, Robyn, Ky

With Marcus still on the West Coast and formerly having primary custody of his two boys, there was hope for him that Ky and Stefan would move to Los Angeles, and he’d pick up where he left off. The problem is, they don’t want to be uprooted, and his boss makes it clear this isn’t the type of job you have set hours for.

With Robyn’s experience in mind, he asks for her advice, and she is straight up about having a support system; otherwise, he isn’t going to be able to do his job. It has extended hours, traveling, and the only reason she could stick it out in the CIA as long was because Aunt Vi was home. Unfortunately for Marcus, he doesn’t have an Aunt Vi, so he works it out with his ex-wife for her to travel less so the boys have proper supervision. Ky is quite happy; he doesn’t have to move but misses his father dearly.

A New Cop, A New Love Interest – Evelyn, Aunt Vi, Captain Curtis

Evelyn and Aunt Vi decide to take part in a community outreach event the police have, but for Aunt Vi, it seemingly was more so to support Evelyn, who has a crush on Captain Curtis, than to partake. At least, you could derive this from her back and forth with the Captain as Robyn’s work is brought up. Yet, despite how heated things got while Evelyn was trying to secure the man, Captain Curtis only has eyes for Aunt Vi, and while not fresh from her last relationship, she wasn’t looking, so Captain Curtis, while cute, may have an uphill battle.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone Outside The Bubble – Delilah, Mel, Dr. Roszak

With everything Delilah has gone through, therapy has allowed her to craft a new normal that has allowed her to be happy, have one of her first boyfriends in Cam, and have a good relationship with her mom, family, and chosen family. Keeping this in mind, Delilah encourages Mel to step out of her comfort zone and, instead of Harry and her veterans support group, go to her therapist, Dr. Roszak.

Now, with her family history, maybe even culture, seeing a therapist is a foreign concept and while, low-key, pressured into it, there is a chance it could work for Mel. It, naturally, won’t have an immediate effect, but she seems willing to put work in beyond what she has been doing.

This Week’s Case – Robyn, Harry

A social worker, who moonlights as an online cam model, gets kidnapped, and her friend asks Robyn for help. This leads to Robyn, with Harry also on the ground, infiltrating a cam model agency and learning its COO sold two girls, specifically their real names and addresses, to a rich crypto creep, who imprisons them in his Long Island mansion.

Of course, Robyn and Harry find the two women, save them, and bring the rich creep to justice.

New Character Descriptions

Captain Curtis

Captain Curtis Martin is the face of the Citizens’ Police Academy Community Outreach, who may be against Robyn’s work as a vigilante but seems to have a notable interest in Aunt Vi – thanks to her cooking and tenacity.

Dr. Roszak

Dr. Roszak is Delilah’s therapist, now Mel’s. She is well aware of all Robyn is doing and its effect on her loved ones, but she gives grace and understanding that has allowed Delilah to heal. Both Delilah and Dr. Roszak hope that they can help Mel heal together.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Did anyone else think the bar was mainly a front all this time, and it didn’t get any real business?

Review

Highlights

A Reminder: Not Everyone Supports Robyn’s Work

“The Equalizer” generally operates with a presence lurking in the background, the big bad guy or girl, and cases of the week. It wasn’t always like that, however. The police and members of the government used to be against, if not outright antagonistic, towards Robyn and her crew. Unfortunately, that has been eliminated over the course of the show, but Captain Curtis’s opposition to Robyn is a reminder that she isn’t universally loved or turned a blind eye to because of the work she does.

Now, do I believe Captain Curtis will do anything against Robyn? No. Never mind, Aunt Vi is secretive enough to ruin her last relationship, and she didn’t present an active threat to Robyn. So if she and Captain Curtis get close, the likelihood of her letting Robyn’s secret out is even more nil unless the show decides to let it slip for the sake of drama.

On The Fence

Mel’s Healing Journey

When it comes to “The Equalizer,” it isn’t a show that creates a ton of shocks or surprises. So when it comes to Mel, you know she will eventually rejoin Robyn on the field – the only question is when. The problem is, and will likely continue to be, what will they do with her until then and after three episodes; as much as I appreciate Mel’s healing journey and the recognition of how much Robyn pushes down to continue, and the showing not everyone is capable of that, I am just not feeling it. The weight needed to feel Mel’s pain about being involved in the death of someone, in front of their family, isn’t there.

I can’t really put my finger on what is needed, missing, or who or what might be lacking, but I will say the tone of the show, despite all that happens, is too light to really allow Mel’s storyline to be impactful. This is a shame since there aren’t too many shows like this that show its characters unable to soldier on and yet still get seen week to week, struggling with their actions, even if the end result was for the greater good.

So, while it is a good idea, unfortunately, the execution remains shaky.

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