I’m going to start off this week’s review by talking about Down for the Count and how it paved the way for this week’s episode. I didn’t realize how much of a game changer Down for the Count was until reading other people’s reviews. Although we didn’t get much anywhere plot-wise, we did center around character – which is much more substantial because it elevates the material and shines the light on some key performances. To illustrate my point, last week many people had agreed that Nina had delivered her best performance in the show’s run in the scene where Cat turns in her badge. She wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity hadn’t the episode centered around her. But aside from shining the light on Tess, the episode brought huge amounts of change to each character. Basically, Down for the Count established a shift for the characters and Something’s Gotta Give allowed us to see them all deal with it – which made it a fun watch.
Let me just say that Something’s Gotta Give is by far my favorite episode of the season. The story was beautifully crafted, situations were interweaved, and it finally felt like we were moving somewhere. And because of this, we’re going to break down the episode character by character.
HEATHER
Heather didn’t do much this week other than nag her sister to go pee on a stick! And here’s the thing we can count on – that whatever Heather blurts out is sure to make you chuckle. Although still unemployed, she did make a rather rash (and stupid) decision to start a relationship with Kyle last week. We didn’t get to see Kyle but I didn’t like the idea that Heather told him that Cat was a DHS agent now. Cat wasn’t wrong in “overreacting.” Sooner or later, he’s going to connect the dots.
JT&T
Poor JT is going through an identity crisis and he’s going through it alone. Yes, JT&T broke up again. But this time it’s for reasons that seem much more mature and at the same time, allows for some individual character development. JT tries to play hero but does it the wrong way. Sure, JT has done other stupid things by putting himself in danger but this time, he’s trying to be somebody he’s not. He has noble intentions by trying to save the bloggers, but instead ends up in a vulnerable position where he has a self-reflective moment that comes across as pathetic. On the bright side, we did get to see a more confident side of him playing an agent. Although disappointed in himself, the one thing that cheers him up is knowing that Tess is going to be there to support him on this journey of self-discovery as a friend.
CATHERINE & VINCENT
Catherine is moving on up! Now working for the DHS as Agent Chandler, not only is she dressed up to the nines, she has a new office – which I believe is where our gang will gather to crack cases. Although well kept, the building does have an “abandoned warehouse” type of feel and how come nobody came across this place before?
Besides the beast bounty, the other thing that’s on Cat’s mind this week is the fact that she might be pregnant. Whether you liked the ending or not, the important development here is that Catherine has embraced the idea of motherhood and the possibility that a baby might be in the near future. It’s a beautiful thing considering that in Season 1 NONE of this was a possibility and it is equally a beautiful moment when she discusses it with Vincent. And while it may not be the best time to have a child, at least we know that the “new dream” for Vincent and Catherine is a baby. And that sooner or later, perhaps later in the season, that dream will become a reality for them both.
Although we’ve tackled the baby issue before in Season 1, I think it was necessary to bring it back to this stage in the story where Vincent and Catherine are both much more confident in themselves and their relationship. In Season 1, they were just starting to figure out how to navigate their new relationship and deciding whether or not some sort of future was possible for them with Vincent in hiding. Vincent has come a long way. The Vincent we met in Season 1 was one who lived in fear and shame. One who had already sealed his fate to be one of loneliness and isolation. When Catherine brings up the possibility of being pregnant in Season 1, he reacts in fear and immediately strikes down the idea as something that could NEVER happen because of who he was. Fast forward to this week, when Catherine brings up the matter a second time - Vincent’s reaction speaks for itself. He is much more open to the idea of starting a family and not a strain of fear crossed his face – instead pure happiness and love for his wife. Perhaps their future is ambiguous but that’s ok, as Vincent notes, because their love is what makes everything else work. If there’s something we have to sacrifice, it’s not going to be our relationship. Our careers can wait. The world can wait. And with these simple words and gestures, Vincent is able to calm Catherine’s worries about their relationship in the future.
Beauty and the Beast always makes sure to thematically parallel the plot with Catherine and Vincent’s current struggles. And coincidentally enough, Catherine and Vincent are forced to go undercover as a couple whom are expecting a baby. Here, Catherine was able to witness the broken family of the “accountant” and how distant the woman had become to her husband. The woman falsely blames starting a family to be the root of their marital problems. Catherine takes this to heart as her and Vincent barely have any time for each other anymore and at one pivotal point in the episode, start blaming each other for the lack of progress on the beast bounty. However, once Catherine blurts out the one thing that’s been worrying her, Vincent is quick to reassure her that their relationship would not fall apart by welcoming a child, instead it would make their love that much stronger. It’s a sweet and endearing moment because we get to see Vincent be the supportive husband (maybe father) he thought he would never be.
THE BEAST BOUNTY
The accountant aka “secret professional assassin” totally took me off guard and provided us with an interesting twist even though our poor Vincent did get shot. And while at the end, Vincent - on the surface - appears calm and loving towards Catherine - on a deeper level - we know that Vincent is truly worried for himself. Because now we know that whoever’s after Vincent knows who he is and worse – knows he’s a beast. Which means that it’ll be easier to find and attack him and Cat. I like this development because it’s going to speed up the rest of the process and it won’t be long before Vincent will get exposed and will be forced to go into hiding.
As you can see, I very much enjoyed this episode and look forward to more episodes like this one. Next week, is literally going to be a throw-back to Season 1 where we venture into an alternate reality – one where Vincent has a scar and Evan is back?? Although this sounds like a fun “what if?” story, I do hope it has some sort of relevance to the plot or at least, might reveal something important. Until then, I’m hoping that Catherine will have to pee on a stick a third time this season!