On Call: Season 1 Episode 8 [Season Finale] – Recap and Review | Alongside A Shootout, Alex’s Review Comes Up
In its season finale, “On Call” may have a lot of action and pivotal moments, but it ultimately feels like it stumbled.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Recap
With Koyama as lead, the mission that could make or break Harmon joining Koyama’s drug taskforce begins, and with Alex trying to stir up the hope that if the drug bust doesn’t work, Smokey will still go down for murder, Koyama quickly checks him. After all, 50 kilos of fentanyl from China are coming in, and the last thing Koyama needs is Alex doing something rash because things may not go his way. Bad enough, Lasman’s actions got 40+ East Barrio members arrested; he did a press conference with the lieutenant, and that shook things up.
But luckily, the job is still on. However, what complicates things is that Leona seems to be handling the drop, not Smokey. Then, add in people showing up with guns blazing, and the whole operation goes to hell. Koyama, Harmon, and Alex join in the shooting. When Alex sees Leona is in danger and hastily runs, he goes after her, maybe thinking they have something going that could allow this to end peacefully, but he is wrong.
Upon seeing Smokey, shots are fired, and the next thing Alex knows, he is on the ground with Leona, seemingly ready to finish him off. But Koyama shoots her in the head, and as he takes care of Alex, Harmon is tasked to get Smokey.
The chase isn’t as long or life-threatening as her chase with Maniac, as Smokey doesn’t put up a fight. Honestly, he seems ready to die, for prison isn’t an option for him, and clearly, his place in East Barrios as a marked man means he will never know peace. But he doesn’t get his wish. He may not even get the chance to bury his daughter.
Though Harmon doesn’t get peace, if it is any solace for him. After learning from Koyama that her transfer got blocked, she accuses Lasman of being the cause. But he reveals he had what he needed if he wanted to be petty, from that bodycam footage when Harmon threatened someone, but he has no desire to take her down. This leads Harmon to realize that it was Lieutenant Bishop who admitted that it was a punishment for disobeying orders regarding the Maniac case.
The sad thing is, though, Alex suffers as well. In his review, Harmon blindsides him, doesn’t recommend him coming off probation, and has himr sent back to day 1. Then, to add insult to injury, Harmon asks to continue to train him.
Episode Details
| Episode Title | How The West Was Won |
| Originally Aired | January 9, 2025 |
| Network | Prime Video |
| Director(s) | Brenna Malloy |
| Writer(s) | Tim Walsh, Elliot Wolf |
Review
Trajectory (79/100): Decline
It’s a weird way to end a first season, having it where the leads, who were on the brink of starting a new chapter, ending up right where they started. It makes you wonder how the show can move forward, considering Harmon clearly wants to be promoted and do more, and with Alex, while still green, he has a need and desire to become official.
But, I guess you could submit that both had to receive some sort of punishment for the multiple times they went rogue and maybe that is just another way “On Call” seeks to stand out. You aren’t rewarded for playing the hero when it means risking your life or someone else’s.
However, it does lead you to wonder, in terms of a season 2, where could this head? Is Harmon still going to focus on eventually joining Koyama’s team? Should we expect to see more fallout from Smokey losing his spot? Will we get to know why Maniac was so protected or who Smokey’s Chinese connection was? Heck, what about Harmon’s sister, Alex’s brother, or the lawsuit that Lasman was ready to place at Harmon’s feet?
It is hard to say, and I don’t know whether to be excited.
Highlights
- A Thrilling End To Smokey and Leona
On The Fence
- Starting Back Right Where We Started
What To Check Out Next & How To Check This Out
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