As the team seeks answers amidst a string of unresolved crimes, Morgan suspects the Game Maker is responsible. Daphne and Oz set out to find Roman. Elliot prepares a surprise act for his school's talent show. When a man with a troubled past is killed under mysterious circumstances, Morgan and the LAPD uncover a tragic motive behind his death. Morgan opens up to Ava about her father, forcing Ava to confront truths she isn't ready to face.
"Checkmate" was written by Marc Halsey and directed by James Roday Rodriguez
In order to win, Morgan must admit defeat. She has to convince the Game Maker that she is conceding. He won their game. He revealed a lot. He stepped forward with his true identity. He playfully toyed with the police. He gave them just enough information to pursue. It was never with enough time to disrupt his plan. He needed to prove that he was smarter. Morgan was a worthy advisory. She prevails by provoking his ego. It was a mistake for him to provide her with the answers. He tells Morgan exactly where to find Maya. She is rescued with enough time to stop Derek from killing Jason. Some tragic backstory isn't given to explain why Michael targeted these people in the first place. He chose Maya because of her resemblance to Morgan. He wanted Jason dead as he was a stand-in for the abuses done by the wealthy. It was nothing more complicated than that. He was defined by his mother being falsely accused of a crime and dying in prison. He shares that story. Morgan doesn't particularly care. She already figured out how to beat him. He fell right into her trap. That allowed Oz to arrest the man who abducted him.
In order to win, Morgan must admit defeat. She has to convince the Game Maker that she is conceding. He won their game. He revealed a lot. He stepped forward with his true identity. He playfully toyed with the police. He gave them just enough information to pursue. It was never with enough time to disrupt his plan. He needed to prove that he was smarter. Morgan was a worthy advisory. She prevails by provoking his ego. It was a mistake for him to provide her with the answers. He tells Morgan exactly where to find Maya. She is rescued with enough time to stop Derek from killing Jason. Some tragic backstory isn't given to explain why Michael targeted these people in the first place. He chose Maya because of her resemblance to Morgan. He wanted Jason dead as he was a stand-in for the abuses done by the wealthy. It was nothing more complicated than that. He was defined by his mother being falsely accused of a crime and dying in prison. He shares that story. Morgan doesn't particularly care. She already figured out how to beat him. He fell right into her trap. That allowed Oz to arrest the man who abducted him.
All of this is satisfying payoff for a story that played out across three episodes. It required the audience to retain a lot of information. Michael was a worthy foe for Morgan to combat. It makes it possible for him to return at some point to cause further drama. He refused to be arrested. He wanted to jump to his death. Morgan was always in control. The true mystery comes in the side plot with Roman. Mekhi Phifer isn't playing Ava's missing father. Instead, he's a friend who presented with just enough of a trail for Morgan to find. Roman wanted Arthur to check in on his family. He doesn't trust the police. He's obviously hiding for a reason. It may not justify the harm inflicted on Morgan and Ava for years. Morgan is determined. She will get answers even though she's not sure what to think of Arthur right away. The audience is in the same boat.
Grade: B+
"Eleven Minutes" was written by Bob Goodman & Eric I. Lu and directed by Nancy Hower
With the Game Maker dealt with, the show returns to its episodic nature. Morgan is once again tasked to investigate a murder. She must determine how the killer did it and why. In this case, a man was suffocated to cause brain death. His organs needed to be preserved so they could be donated. The killer had a special connection to one of the beneficiaries. Nathan was even willing to go along with the plan. He was suicidal. All of that changed when he reconnected with his estranged daughter and found out she was pregnant. He was waiting for her when he was attacked. The killer couldn't let him go back on their deal. Nathan spent his life gambling. He wasn't good at all. He drove his family away. He saw no reason to keep living. He was being hunted down by loan sharks. He couldn't repay his debts. He thought he could do something honorable in death. He changed his mind. He found a reason to keep living. His daughter is surprised by all of this. She is tasked with making a huge decision. The police must ensure that all of this is handled with the respect and care it deserves.
With the Game Maker dealt with, the show returns to its episodic nature. Morgan is once again tasked to investigate a murder. She must determine how the killer did it and why. In this case, a man was suffocated to cause brain death. His organs needed to be preserved so they could be donated. The killer had a special connection to one of the beneficiaries. Nathan was even willing to go along with the plan. He was suicidal. All of that changed when he reconnected with his estranged daughter and found out she was pregnant. He was waiting for her when he was attacked. The killer couldn't let him go back on their deal. Nathan spent his life gambling. He wasn't good at all. He drove his family away. He saw no reason to keep living. He was being hunted down by loan sharks. He couldn't repay his debts. He thought he could do something honorable in death. He changed his mind. He found a reason to keep living. His daughter is surprised by all of this. She is tasked with making a huge decision. The police must ensure that all of this is handled with the respect and care it deserves.
That's not always Morgan's strong suit. She has a habit of making scenes. She goes off on an officer arresting Ava for vandalism. Mother and daughter spend some time in a holding cell together. That's a familiar sight for Morgan. It's different because Ava is involved. Morgan wants to keep her updated on her search for Roman. She doesn't have any answers. She has just enough clues that tease a reason to be hopeful and resentful at the same time. Roman is alive. He's choosing not to be with them. Morgan struggles with that. It's even more pronounced for Ava. Nothing too drastic ever comes between them. Their issues are almost always resolved by the conclusion of each episode. That's no different here. In fact, Morgan pivots their story back to the central investigation. Ava spots which of the hospital's donors is sick. That lead is a dead end. The instincts are correct. Eventually the team finds out who was responsible. A paramedic orchestrated it all. His presence was just frequent enough for him to be a viable suspect. The viewer could figure it out while still being impressed by the information Morgan carries in her brain. It's not revolutionary but still solid.
Grade: B-
