The Equalizer: Season 5 Episode 18 “Decisions” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)

In the series finale of The Equalizer, you’re reminded of the best and worst parts of the series.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Episode 5 “Decisions” Details

  • Available On: CBS
  • Public Release Date: May 4, 2025
  • Director(s): Geoffrey Wing Shotz
  • Writer(s): Joseph C. Wilson, Rob Hanning

Episode 5 “Decisions” Recap (With Spoilers)

The Next Big Step: Vi, Delilah, Curtis

For Aunt Vi, it is a big day for her since Curtis is coming over and cooking. Now, being that Aunt Vi does this on a daily basis, has certain cookware she likes, and is overall particular about her things, she rushes to swap her good stuff for the things she wouldn’t mind scratched, burned, or worse. Curtis doesn’t catch on, but him inviting her to help alleviates her questions, need to side eye him, and anxiety.

However, no sooner than she is at peace cooking with him, he asks her to move in and this doesn’t sit right with her. But, in the long run, she decides they can move in together, but it has to be a new place for both, rather than her moving in with him.

As for Delilah? She meets an author she is enamored with and who is kind enough to speak with her after a book signing about Delilah’s desire to get into Howard. The woman happens to be on Howard’s Board of Admissions and after Delilah gives a passionate speech, it seems UCLA is no longer a given but Delilah will still be in a long distance relationship with Cam. Just one where he can take a train rather than a plane.

Talks Of Retirement: Harry, Mel

As Harry and Mel recover from yet another mission, only to learn a new one is about to begin, Harry is really of the mindset of stepping away. Not for his mental health, like Mel, but because there is something about repeatedly risking their lives that has him realizing they have gotten lucky so far. But, there is a need to question, what are they going to do when their luck has run out and can they truly prep for that inevitable day?

Mel isn’t really ready for that conversation just yet, but you can see it is on her mind as well.

The Family Business: Harry, Mel, Robyn, Marcus, Salazar

While Salazar does interrupt the romantic getaway Marcus had planned, it is only for a short while. After all, Robyn is a tank, and while Marcus doesn’t have the same amount of training, he can relatively keep up. Also, while Harry may speak of retirement, it isn’t going to be when Robyn and Marcus need him and Mel the most. So, they show up, back up Robyn, and Robyn ends Salazar’s life.

Now, unfortunately, Marcus gets shot in a way that lands him in the hospital, but this doesn’t stop him from proposing to Robyn. Who, after Marcus wakes from being put under for surgery, lets him know she will marry him – which everyone is happy about. However, this doesn’t end the pending conversation Harry wants to have about him and Mel exiting the business, which Robyn is made privy to, but Harry decides to just put it out there that the day will come, not that the day has come.

“The Equalizer” Character Guide

Review and Commentary

On The Fence

A Bit Of A Lackluster End For The Series [77/100]

I’m not completely against fan service, but what does bug me a bit is how much has gone unresolved this season, and now this series. From Robyn’s protégé still on the run, no answer to who was on the other side of that webcam when Robyn was called into the CIA’s office, and now Salazar falling with such ease, it all feels rushed and like the big things were mishandled.

But, I will admit, for a series finale that those behind The Equalizer were hoping to just be a season finale, it wasn’t the worst. Will I ever be a fan of Robyn and Marcus together? Absolutely not. However, whether it is them getting engaged or Aunt Vi prepping to move on, especially with Delilah moving out soon, you have to appreciate the progress shown in both of their personal lives.

I’d even add in Delilah, who is going to go into Howard, who I’d love a spin-off for, but I know CBS isn’t going to put time, money and effort into that. Maybe if this was Disney they could put it on FreeForm for a spell, maybe Hulu, but CBS isn’t going to use Paramount+ or ShowTime for a coming of age Black girl story, unfortunately.

Still, a part of me does wish that, to bring some balance to all this, Harry called it quits and Mel joined him. Just to have a sense that there is something real about this show, and it isn’t all about everyone getting lucky.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [77/100]

The Equalizer doesn’t end with a bang as much as it simply ends in a way that makes you wonder what the original end goal was? What changed over the course of 5 seasons, what did they fight to keep and won? What storylines were planned and which simply dropped due to time constraints or lost interest? For with the way the series ends, albeit not as planned, I can’t say anything was given to be excited about for season 6, beyond seeing Delilah graduate and go off to college. And as for what we were given, barely any of it feels satisfying.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.