Episode five finds Detective Cordelia Cupp collecting more evidence against her people of interest when new information presents itself. Episode four ended with Cupp being summoned by a stranger who placed 31 calls to the White House, asking for the person leading the investigation.
Secret Service Director Colin Trask guides Cupp and Agent Park to the caller who phoned from a hotel across the street. As they make their way to meet the mystery voyeur, they find a teenage boy, Vushi, whose family is visiting Washington D.C. for a tour of the White House. However, the tragic incident canceled his tour, leading the political historian to monitor the events with his binoculars for the rest of the night. He tells Cupp he saw a flashing red light appear twice that evening from Room 301. This is the same room where Cordelia recently discovered the blood covered with paint. Cupp questions others about the red lights, and they alleged it is nothing but the reflection of brake lights in the building’s windows as cars leave the premises.
Cupp’s next move is to learn who may have entered the empty Room 301. Before she can, she’s hounded by WH personnel, directors, and guests with questions and personal requests. One request comes from Kylie Minogue. The “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” singer politely asks to take a quick nap upstairs in the Lincoln Room, which she was promised in exchange for her impromptu performance. She was a last-minute decision after Lilly failed, again, to secure a musical guest. Her request is declined because Hugh Jackman wants the room instead.
Cordelia evades the ordeal, asking several people whether they entered the room that evening. Harry Hollinger’s bedroom sits across the way, but he never entered it. He’s also shocked to learn the room was prohibited to keep his sister from staying as a resident. Nan Cox also never entered it. However, she recalls hearing A.B. arguing with Tripp Morgan.
Questioning Tripp leads to exploring his past. A target of the tabloids, President Morgan finally gave his younger brother an ultimatum: either live in the White House under strict supervision or be cut off. Tripp chose the former to live in luxury without any cost. However, his regular existence clashed with the White House’s prestige culture, thus clashing with A.B. As of late, Tripp had made strides to improve his behavior and attitude, but that all fell apart when his big brother didn’t invite him to the State Dinner. He retaliated by plugging up the toilet, which led Bruce the engineer to repair it that evening. Contrary to his earlier story, Tripp was not in his room all night, descending to the basement to collect some kangaroo desserts. While trying to defend himself from Cupp and Park, Tripp’s watch inadvertently flashes a blinking red light.
Thinking she found a significant break in the case, Cupp learns two guests have yet to be questioned. Valentina and her husband are two Washington socialites who crashed the party. While most called for them to be thrown out immediately, A.B. overruled everyone and followed security protocol: no one left the premises until after the event’s end. The modelesque couple spent the next hours inside a janitor’s closet until Cupp found them.
Retracing her list of interesting people, Cupp is forced to revisit Harry Hollinger when Assistant Usher Jasmine Haney reveals he not only had the opportunity but perhaps a strong motive to murder Wynter. Wynter may have overheard some sensitive information being exchanged between him, the CIA director, and an unsavory Australian industrialist, Walpole Bing. Haney professes White House staff mastered listening without hearing private information. However, Harry threatens A.B. not to run his mouth anyway.
With all evidence pointing toward Hollinger, Senator Bix makes a strong case framing him as the prime suspect in the murder of A.B. Wynter. However, she has a more pressing query for everyone at the congressional hearing: “Where is Cordelia Cupp?”
Episode five plays with fact and fiction in another solid episode. The writing again excels, especially with the little-known historical facts that add real-life comedy to the mix. Special kudos to the writers for paying homage to the infamous Michaele and Tareq Salahi, who invited themselves to a state dinner in 2009. Performances again are solid, with Jason Lee delivering his signature persona as the flailing everyman with a soft spot underneath a hardened underachiever exterior. It’s easy to see why Nan Cox doesn’t think fondly of her son-in-law. And I’m glad they addressed the elephant in the room: Cordelia Cupp has been missing from the present narrative this entire time. What has happened to the enthusiastic sleuth?
Rating: 8/10
