The Equalizer: Season 5 Episode 12 – Recap/ Review
As Robyn and Marcus are questioned about their next steps, Delilah is asked to forgive, and Mel meets someone similar to her who is struggling with their father.
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Episode 12 “Trust No One” Details
| Air Date | March 16, 2025 |
| Network | CBS |
| Director | Bola Ogun |
| Writer | Holly Harold, Terence Paul Winter |
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Recap
The Tear of Tyrese: Tyrese, Delilah, Cam
Tyrese, the young man who is one of Cam’s best friends, is back in the picture as Cam has reconciled with him and there is hope Delilah could and would do the same. Initially, she isn’t for the idea, for the young man did put a gun in her face. However, as she gets to know him and his home environment and understands the desperation of his situation, she reconsiders her take on Tyrese.
From learning he is taking care of his two little sisters, who constantly worry about being taken by the State, to his mother being bipolar without the calibration of medication she needs, while Delilah isn’t forced to recognize her privilege, she does find herself being more willing to forgive with knowing the whole story. Heck, the situation may have even brought her and Cam closer together, for he has been by Tyrese’s side even when it wasn’t convenient, and Delilah knows her life can be just the same sometimes.
So, Why Don’t You Want Our Families To Meet?: Marcus, Robyn
As Marcus and Robyn date consistently, including sharing breakfast together, Robyn’s family asks why Marcus hasn’t come to dinner. Robyn, at first, isn’t trying to rush into things, but points are made, and she asks for Marcus to bring his boys and have the families meet.
Marcus is hesitant, and being that Robyn is a former CIA operative, she picks up on that without him saying a word, and his lack of clarity in his feelings aren’t taken well. However, he cleans it up by noting that one of his sons, Stefon, thinks there is a chance for his parents to reconcile, which is the reason Marcus is cautious.
Being understanding, even though Delilah hasn’t pulled that in quite some time, if ever, Robyn backs off from the topic, acknowledging time is needed, and the relationship is still new.
This Week’s Case: Harry, Mel, Robyn, Marcus
In this week’s case, a young woman’s father is murdered for he has potentially found the treasure of Freemasons, long believed to be a hoax. The young woman and her father weren’t necessarily close; sometimes, they felt like they didn’t speak the same language and connect as they should. Considering Mel’s recent interaction with her father, she relates to the daughter and aids in her grief. As this happens, Robyn is especially invested in getting justice since, like Mel, this case makes her think of her father, but specifically not knowing what happened lingering and with that in mind, she makes for damn sure, even with there being a convoluted riddle involved, the young woman gets justice.
And thanks to Harry and Mel being the dynamic duo they are, while he might know his history well enough to get all the answers necessary, Mel is able to compensate for what he lacks and this helps solve everything.
Cast and Characters
| Previously Introduced Character(s) | Actor |
| Tyrese | Khouri St. Surin |
| Delilah | Laya DeLeon Hayes |
| Cam | Nathaniel Logan McIntyre |
| Marcus | Tory Kittles |
| Robyn | Queen Latifah |
| Harry | Adam Goldberg |
| Mel | Liza Lapira |
Review
Trajectory (84/100): Climbing
While by no means a perfect episode, “Trust No One” was perhaps the most ideal one we have gotten in a while. It found a way to integrate the personal with the case for Robyn, in terms of bringing up getting justice and information about her father’s death, while playing out what is going on with her and Marcus growing closer. For Mel, it kept up her connecting with her father and setting aside her need for him to reach out and translate his words into what she could understand, and instead, she did the reverse.
Then, with Delilah, I love that she got her own separate story with a lot of time and effort put into it. As said a multitude of times, Delilah’s story is a stand out for “The Equalizer.” Whether you wish to bring up how consistent her growth is as a character, her own cast of friendships or love interests, in the case of Cam, the trauma she has gone through, or the light the character has, she is unrivaled – especially on network television.
Add in the balance of allowing Delilah to be some form of a carefree Black girl yet also have her reckoning with the realities of the world, partly because of her mother’s work and also because of the unfortunate realities of the era we’re in, what is there not to love? Especially in that, with meeting Tyrese’s family, seeing their situation, so was there a reminder of Delilah’s privilege without damning her for having such.
Truly, if more episodes of “The Equalizer” could learn to move each character forward rather than have a random story that ultimately feels like it doesn’t matter and there won’t be any consequences, we’d have less to complain about.
Highlights
- Mel and Harry’s Dynamic [83/100]
- Delilah’s Storyline [84/100]
- Mel Relating To This Week’s Victim [85/200]
“The Equalizer” Guide
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In the series finale of The Equalizer, you’re reminded of the best and worst parts of the series.
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The Equalizer: Season 5 Episode 17 “Acceptance” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
Robyn became The Equalizer not only to help people but to have time for days like this – to see Delilah glammed up and going to the prom.
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The Equalizer: Season 5 Episode 16 “Sins of the Father” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
In an episode built to test if the audience may want a spin-off, you aren’t necessarily given characters who you’d want to see more of.
