1x05 Princeton Offense

(1,065-word review) This was akin to the second episode – a vehicle for focusing on the characters/their character development and the less significant meat in the middle of the more succulent, long-term meat of each central character's story arcs, while the latter isn't as much of a focus. This can certainly be done well and made incredibly captivating, but it wasn't the case then, nor the case now.

But that isn't necessarily a negative thing. Multiple things can "make up" for such instances when episodes centered primarily on building up the developing component of the characters don't quite go the distance in and of itself; for starters, those characters themselves and your level of investment in them, not whatever the plot entwinement of developmental purposes with them entails – and this show's duo at the helm are worthwhile and effective enough to fill in the gap.

Furthermore, both ongoing story arcs did receive some progression. Significant development concerning the Roxxon Corporation played out, with Tandy's section holding 99.9% of the engagement. Her mission to learn important information about them, particularly the identity of who's in charge, was noticeably given attention. The introduction of Mina Hess, Peter Scarborough, the reference to Ivan Hess, Mina's father, within Peter's hopes, in addition to "S.E. Fluid Dynamics" being on his hard hat and his name being on the blueprint of the (or a) oil rig alongside Tandy's father, sets the stage for considerable additional development, likely accompanied by an extensive info-dump – while Tyrone's basketball championship game seemed to be highlighted the strongest, coupled with a second-place focus on his and Evita's developing relationship, giving beneficial screen time and exposure to that aspect for enhancing their character dynamic.

It's sweet enough thus far, managing to be sufficiently engaging, though the chemistry difference between Aubrey Joseph and Noëlle Renée Bercy compared to him and Olivia Holt is night and day. Aubrey and Noëlle have chemistry, but it doesn't come close to him and Olivia. That, and the knowledge of the fact that Tyrone and Tandy are together in the comics, somewhat lessen the scenes with him and Evita – no offense to them, Evita, Noëlle, the chemistry between her and Aubrey, or the writer(s) behind those scenes.

The writers undoubtedly realized as such – realized the massive division differentiation between the two narrative sections, hence the implementation of something worthwhile within his story arc: the gratifying value attached to the expression of his compassion and humanity by letting the other team win, assisted by his powers giving him insight into the team members, only he changed his initial intentions instead of taking advantage of that, unlike with Tandy, through the excellent contrasting touch between those characteristics of his and how she's becoming a little too familiar and intoxicated with the power and control over people she now wields.

That added further depth to his character, increasing his likableness as well. Both of which contributed to my investment in him increasing. His characterization is distinctly more successful in executing the art of engaging with your audience/the viewer/me than Tandy's currently; she'll get there – she needs time for the necessary development. The contrasting differences between the type of person she is compared to him should even enhance that pivotal moment when she develops into a better version of herself, closer in line with him on a compassionate/humanity level, and, by extension, not intentionally abusing her powers from a place of enjoying having control over others.

But there was also the extra layer added unto the plot thread of his vendetta against Connors, with Duane's character, one of Billy's friends, who he also was semi-close to; how he is a drug dealer and in cahoots with Connors, which possibly played an indirect, by-association part in Billy's death – maybe not, and the only thing to glean is that he's working with Billy's killer, suggesting that he didn't care about him as much as he'll insist, or that his morals are flimsy, specifically when the prospect of a substantial pay-day is on the table. That new revealing info will probably catalyze a heated exchange – most likely in the next episode, which will also presumably contain the further, detail-oriented, exposition-heavy development and progression of the Roxxon Corporation-related story arc.

Additionally, during the first few seconds of that first scene of Tyrone teleporting to his workplace, vague memories began emerging. As I've mentioned in previous reviews, I've already seen this show – once: both seasons, as they were airing, or at least the second one because I was two months late when I began the first season, and that scene was the kickstarter of the stream of remembrance, and it was among those memories. More importantly, the most significant memory was the imminent confrontation between them and a specific thing that happened. My recollection of it is a bit hazy, but from what I recall, it's an intense and impactful scene.

Besides Tyrone's part in that ongoing storyline as far as the personal and solo progression side of taking Connors down is concerned, broadly and through the plot thread with Duane/the conversation he overheard, its process has expanded beyond the low-key and cat-and-mouse, not-legally-official (regarding being brought to justice rather than taken OUT) game between the two of them – mostly initiated and done by Tyrone. The face of that expansion is Det. O'Reilly, who has made her return, and now, thanks to him, has her eyes set on Connors as an assisting reckoning force to hammer down upon him the comeuppance heading his way: a more central role/plot thread for her character, with the benefit of making an actual, not illusory, dent in the drug-dealing enterprise within New Orleans, following the meaningful – but void of proper justice – unraveling of the truthful events behind the stabbing of Rick, who got what he deserved from his attempt to rape Tandy.

Lastly, the soundtrack was great once more. Jonathan Christiansen, this show's music supervisor, did an excellent job choosing the songs. The previous two episodes "only" had three songs that stood out to me, the second one had four, the premiere was soundtrack-excellence galore with EIGHT, while this one went up to five. That suggests there's been a slight dry spell until now, as far as I'm concerned, but three songs are still exceptional. Either way, I particularly liked the ones he chose for this episode.