From the pages of Michael Connelly’s novels, Maggie Q is Ballard, a determined detective leading the LAPD’s newly formed cold case division. New leads in both cold cases lead to major developments, just as tragedy strikes close to home for Ballard.
Renee and Samira share their theory on the alleged corruption with Thomas. He’s hesitant to go all-in on their hunch, so the three promise to withhold this information from the rest of the team. Later, Renee and Thomas re-interview Adam Lennox, the man who supplied an alibi for Harmon Harris in the Laura Wilson case. Lennox is adamant Harris didn’t kill Laura, and reveals the false alibi was to keep Harris’s gay relationship under wraps.
Meanwhile, Colleen and Martina make some leadway. Colleen connects the vehicle in their case to a Las Vegas murder. And Martina’s legal friend constructs a 3D rendering of the bullet in the “John Doe” killing. Both lead Ballard to new possible suspects. First, a search for a blue Ford Van leads Rawls and Ballard to a man named Coleman. After a showdown, the man with reports of stalking his wife reveals he only wanted to see his kids, as they are in the middle of a heated divorce.
The second proves more fruitful as Renee and Samira meet an inmate connected to the gun in John Doe’s death. Javier Fuentes, aka Lil Javi, IDs the John Doe, but refutes that he had a hand in killing him. He offers more information, but only if a deal for his release and protection is reached.
As Renee’s team makes progress, two tragedies set them back a bit. Colleen’s efforts to reach Yulia Kravetz’s next of kin are halted as Rawls discovers her family was killed in the Ukraine/Russia conflict. And just days after being confronted by her former partner, Ballard learns Ken Chastain died in a single-vehicle accident.
Renee decides to attend the funeral and is surprised to find Samira and Thomas there to support her. Following the ceremony, Renee speaks with Chastain’s widow. She shares that Ken struggled with his drinking the last few months, especially after hearing the alleged confirmation of Renee’s incident with a fellow officer.
Finally, Martina attends her second date with her new boyfriend. Later, it’s confirmed that this officer is only courting Martina for intel.
This episode upped the ante with two big reveals in Ballard’s personal and professional lives. The writing is strong with great emotional touchpoints. Chastain’s loss is a total surprise, adding more trauma to Ballard’s already full plate. The episode also showed a different side of Rawls, who hides a tender heart behind his firm exterior. In all actuality, he has a soft spot for Ballard and maybe more for Colleen.
Rating: 8/10