The Equalizer (S04E03) – A Blind Veteran Gives Robyn Trouble
“The Equalizer” continues to provide the type of guest stars you hope become reoccurring.
Plot Recap
You Don’t Mess With the Elderly – Mr. Otis, Aunt Vi, Delilah
We take a week off from Aunt Vi worrying about Delilah or sabotaging her relationship so she can focus on an old friend, Mr. Otis. He is her elder, whose wife did her hair when she was alive, and she checks on him occasionally. She brings Delilah, and together, they learn someone is taking advantage of Mr. Otis in his retirement home, and they expose them.
The Loss Of A Father – Sara, Michael, Clay, Robyn, Dante, Mo
Michael recently became a father. Sara was his wife, and it appeared for a moment that he committed suicide. However, thanks to Clay, a blind veteran, Robyn and Dante come to learn that thanks to a local Irish mob led by a man named Mo, Michael was killed, and it was pushed to look like an accident.
To make a long story short, Michael had information that could have exposed the mob, and being that Michael, with a partner, was a major New York real estate developer who didn’t want to grease palms and things of that nature, he had to be taken out – and was. Hence, Sara asked Robyn for help.
A Veteran In Need – Captain Watkins, Mo, Robyn, Dante, Clay
As we’ve seen many times before, Robyn and Dante working together has not always been supported or approved, and Captain Grace Watkins, unfortunately, is the type who doesn’t approve of vigilante justice. Yet, despite her noting this to Detective Dante, he proceeds to work with Robyn.
After all, Clay now holds Michael’s USB drive and thinks with the money Mo will pay, he can compensate for time missed from his daughter and lessen his need to hustle. However, Mo is not an honorable man. He kidnaps Clay’s daughter, and once he believes Clay has given him the USB with all the evidence, he goes to kill Clay and his adult daughter.
Luckily, between Robyn’s team and the police, Mo is taken down, and Clay and his daughter aren’t harmed. However, while Mo is given justice, it is felt that Clay, a blind and disabled veteran, did not get justice since nothing changed for him. He still has PTSD, is blind, estranged from his family, and living in the guts of the subway.
Cast Guide
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Sara | Auden Thornton |
| Michael | Ross Alden |
| Clay | Marvin Jones III |
| Mo | Scott William Winters |
| Dante | Tory Kittles |
| Robyn | Queen Latifah |
| Mr. Otis | Franklin Ojeda Smith |
| Aunt Vi | Lorraine Toussaint |
| Delilah | Laya DeLeon Hayes |
| Captain Watkins | Indira G. Wilson |
New Character Description(s)
Sara
Sara is Michael’s wife, who recently gave birth to their child and goes to Robyn hoping for help.
Michael
Michael Conway is one-half of the owners of Beltany Realty, one of the biggest realty firms in New York City, who, in pursuit of creating a homeless shelter, stumbled upon corruption that, with his desire to expose it, was killed.
Clay
Clay Johnson is a veteran who is blind, thanks to a munitions accident, who lives in the bowels of the subway, pickpocketing to make ends meet.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Black Lightning: Season 1.”
Mo
Mo Brown is the head of the Westies, a New York-based Irish Mob who murdered Michael.
Mr. Otis
Mr. Otis and his wife, Ms. Bella, were neighbors of Robyn and Aunt Vi when Bella was alive. However, now Mr. Otis lives at a retirement home, having a really good time.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Gossamer Folds.”
Review
Highlights
Clay’s Story
As of yet, “The Equalizer” hasn’t had a spin-off or major plans to make one. However, something about Clay’s story makes me hope that something is considered between a recurring character and a potential spin-off. Marvin Jones III, just in “Black Lightning” alone, seems like he’d be perfect for a show like “The Equalizer,” a DC or Marvel franchise, just his look and voice just feel wasted on something one and done, and Clay seems like the perfect character to develop.
On The Fence
Dragging Out Robyn and Dante Becoming Something
To me, while we do like Dante and Robyn’s chemistry, the way they are dragging this out is leading to this to losing its impact. Dante has had far more interesting storylines beyond the will he or when he will confess to Robyn. There is his relationship with his father and ex-wife, what he is going through as a cop, and Robyn? Honestly? The longer they wait, the more sense it makes that this has been on the back burner.
I mean, even for Robyn, she has many storylines better than she and Dante maybe getting together. There are a huge amount of characters we’ve been introduced to that could reoccur, we could meet more of Aunt Vi and Robyn’s family, people like Mr. Otis and Dante? Sometimes, it seems he is more of a convenience because he is there often, and Queen Latifah knows how to play up there being something there, then this being a must-see relationship that deserves to be realized.
Background Information
| Network | CBS |
| Episode Title | Bind Justice |
| Release Date | March 3, 2024 |
| Director(s) | Geoff Wing Shotz |
| Writer(s) | Adam Glass |
| Previous Episode | Season 4/ Episode 2 |
| Series Page | The Equalizer |
| Character Guide | The Equalizer Character Guide |
