As the team uncovers links to the Pearlman case, they focus on Mike Garrison, whose van was tied to multiple crime scenes. The John Doe investigation reaches a boiling point when Ballard and her team discover the dark truth about Driscoll's involvement. Ballard's investigation takes a high-stakes turn when a stash of macabre trophies tied to the Pearlman case and the related unsolved murders are discovered in a storage unit.
"What's Done in the Dark" was written by Brandi Nicole and directed by Tori Garrett
The team had deduced they were searching for a serial killer. They were operating with three cases that were similar. Two had blue vans spotted near the crime scenes. That was their sole piece of evidence driving their investigation. They were running out of leads to pursue. And then, Colleen's hutch proved to be correct. Her instincts are just as valid as those actually on the job. She remains positive despite the harsh realities of this work. Rawls refuses to get his hopes up until something concrete actually occurs. To his amazement, it does. They travel from a junk yard to a storage unit. Inside rests the mementos of every life the killer has claimed. It's far more extensive than the unit realized. They pursued the evidence no matter where it led. The search for Sarah's killer was the sole purpose behind this unit. The results may prove just how consequential this work can be. They haven't tracked down a current location for Mike Garrison. They don't know the identities of all of his victims. He has left multiple distraught families behind in his wake. But now, law enforcement is closer than ever to catching him and holding him accountable. This is real progress. It showcases the strength of this work even when others are quick to dismiss the seriousness of each investigation.
The team had deduced they were searching for a serial killer. They were operating with three cases that were similar. Two had blue vans spotted near the crime scenes. That was their sole piece of evidence driving their investigation. They were running out of leads to pursue. And then, Colleen's hutch proved to be correct. Her instincts are just as valid as those actually on the job. She remains positive despite the harsh realities of this work. Rawls refuses to get his hopes up until something concrete actually occurs. To his amazement, it does. They travel from a junk yard to a storage unit. Inside rests the mementos of every life the killer has claimed. It's far more extensive than the unit realized. They pursued the evidence no matter where it led. The search for Sarah's killer was the sole purpose behind this unit. The results may prove just how consequential this work can be. They haven't tracked down a current location for Mike Garrison. They don't know the identities of all of his victims. He has left multiple distraught families behind in his wake. But now, law enforcement is closer than ever to catching him and holding him accountable. This is real progress. It showcases the strength of this work even when others are quick to dismiss the seriousness of each investigation.
Manny is confident Driscoll has nothing to worry about. That's far from the truth. He targeted Martina to gain access. She doesn't know the extent of the investigation. She's proud of her ideas. She only sees a dead end. She is in the dark about the current state of the investigation. Ballard and Laffont confirm that Driscoll was responsible for Luis' murder. He can't pass the blame along to the cartel bosses he is working for. He is happy to be their contact in the United States to provide various resources. He is part of the violence. He inflicts it just as easily. He presented himself as an integral part of a task force with the DEA. The former lead agent still sings his praises. He cultivated Luis as an informant. Then, he killed him to prevent the arrests of the cartel bosses. Despite multiple complaints, nothing derailed Driscoll's career. He still operates in good standing. Meanwhile, Ballard and Parker are left devastated over what Olivas did to them. They share similar stories. When Ballard heard Olivas assaulted his partner, she instinctively knew that's what caused Parker to leave the force. She offered space for Parker to share her story. It changes her perspective. They paid the consequences for the abuses of a man who exists in a system set on protecting him. He brags about it. They still do honest and rewarding work. They've lost so much too.
Grade: B+
"Beneath the Surface" was written by Liz Hsiao Lan Alper and directed by Nefertite Nguvu
Ballard is exhausted. Whenever she falls asleep, she's plagued by dreams about her father's death. She is unable to save him. That adds to the atmospheric pressure she faces. She is given 72 hours to arrest a serial killer before the case is transferred to RHD. She's running on fumes. She doesn't wake up until she is being strangled by Driscoll. That resembles the manner of death inflicted by the serial killer. It isn't Mike Garrison. He was one of the earliest victims. The DNA from his daughter allows the police to identify a John Doe from the late 1990s. The team continues to find more victims. They don't have any leads to the identity of the killer. He assumed a new identity. He's still active too. Martina discovers that the most recent victim was killed in the last few months. The trinkets mean something significant to him. The team is still searching for a greater meaning. They know he stalked his victims. He selected them for a reason. They don't know the connection just yet. In fact, they feel like they are constantly running into dead ends. It's frustrating. Ballard refuses to give up the case. It's too important. She is always having to show her worth. Berchem is willing to give her some leeway. His kindness is limited. Ballard finds just enough to keep it. She never escapes from danger. Moreover, every story is going back to square one. Confronting the various suspects doesn't provide any resolution. It only adds to the misery and drama.
Ballard is exhausted. Whenever she falls asleep, she's plagued by dreams about her father's death. She is unable to save him. That adds to the atmospheric pressure she faces. She is given 72 hours to arrest a serial killer before the case is transferred to RHD. She's running on fumes. She doesn't wake up until she is being strangled by Driscoll. That resembles the manner of death inflicted by the serial killer. It isn't Mike Garrison. He was one of the earliest victims. The DNA from his daughter allows the police to identify a John Doe from the late 1990s. The team continues to find more victims. They don't have any leads to the identity of the killer. He assumed a new identity. He's still active too. Martina discovers that the most recent victim was killed in the last few months. The trinkets mean something significant to him. The team is still searching for a greater meaning. They know he stalked his victims. He selected them for a reason. They don't know the connection just yet. In fact, they feel like they are constantly running into dead ends. It's frustrating. Ballard refuses to give up the case. It's too important. She is always having to show her worth. Berchem is willing to give her some leeway. His kindness is limited. Ballard finds just enough to keep it. She never escapes from danger. Moreover, every story is going back to square one. Confronting the various suspects doesn't provide any resolution. It only adds to the misery and drama.
Ballard knows the perils of stalking Olivas. It won't provide any peace to Parker. She has to experience that for herself. He feels protected. An allegation against him wouldn't stick because he destroyed Ballard's credibility amongst the force. He will pretend that Ballard coerced Parker into coming forward with more lies. It's heinous. She can't escape. She's trapped. She has power within the unit. She provides solace to Ballard while delivering bad news. Laffont also views the pressure to provide answers. He can't return to the mother of Luis' missing child with more bad news. She is desperate for any glimpse the detectives can provide of her family. And now, their target has been killed. Driscoll grew more reckless due to drugs. That resulted in him getting kicked off the force. He maintained his connections. Plenty of officers are still aligned with him. He exploits them. He chooses to die after Ballard fights him off. She tried to save his life. She needed all the information he carried. He refused to betray the cartel. That was simpler. He was defeated. Ballard is as well. She never has a moment of peace. It's impossible.
Grade: B
