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Scorpion, “True Colors,” was written by Elizabeth Beall and directed by Dwight H Little, who also collaborated on “Shorthanded.” This was an interesting case, and the episode unfolded in flashback, adding yet another layer to the story telling. I liked that the title refers both to the central object of the case – a painting – and the secondary plot of showing emotions – what you’re truly feeling, showing your true colors. The episode also features a cameo from Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt) of NCIS: LA. I had to wonder if this is laying the ground work for some real crossover episodes.
The episode begins at what seems to be the disastrous ending to a case. We learn about the case mainly through the team’s recounting of it to the psychiatrist, Dr Davis (Shohreh Aghdashloo), whom Merrick (David Fabrizio) sends them to. He tells them they have to prove that they are stable enough to continue working for the government. It’s a nice plot device to allow some further character development, but we can be sure that they aren’t telling the good doctor the whole story about the case. It is always lovely to see Aghdashloo, however.
The episode also centers around Paige’s (Katharine McPhee) request that Walter (Elyes Gabel) learn – and mimic – how normal people work and interact. I really like how they are integrating Paige into the group. She isn’t cowed by Walter’s intellect and insists among other things that he greet her politely. She is able to make the experiment worth his while, by pointing out it can net them more business. I’m curious as to whether the EQ can really be developed like any other muscle. Paige almost despairs – I loved how their lack of humor simply solidified to her how much work she had to do to make them “normal.” Gabel does a wonderful job in the episode in conveying Walter’s development, however.
Walter begins the episode by insisting that both Halloween and art are ascribed values. However, Walter does see that while he may not share that value, it doesn’t mean the value isn’t there to others. He’s able to see the injustice behind not returning the painting to Mrs Mueller (Gisela Kovach) and masterminds the sting to get it back to her. In the end, he also comes through for Paige to help make Halloween better for Ralph (Riley B Smith). I loved that they dressed him as a giant brain. I also loved the team’s costumes – Walter and Happy (Jadyn Wong) put as little effort into their costumes as possible. Toby (Eddie Kaye Thomas) goes as that hack, Sigmund Freud, but Sylvester puts the most into his costume as Super Fun Guy because, unlike the others, he is super-emotionally invested in it.
I loved what the sessions with Dr Davis told us about each of the team members too. We see that overly emotional side to Sylvester as he fusses over her bookshelf falling on her in an earthquake and has to create a layer of tissues before he can sit on her couch. But he is fully aware that Walter is the reason he can function in the world – Walter gets him to focus on the work, not his emotional stimuli.
Toby trying to turn the psycho-analytic tables on the Doctor was hilarious. I loved when she called him on gaming her. Toby actually does admit that Walter is smarter than he is. And he also tells her that he does have a gambling problem, but points out that before Walter, he gambled every night and spent a lot of time in jail. Again, it’s the focus that Walter provides that helps Toby to function too.
Likewise, Happy points out that they’re always thinking – they’re geniuses remember? However, most importantly, there’s always a plan, and Walter is the one responsible for that. Dr Davis tries to ignore what Paige has to say. After all Paige isn’t really one of them, she’s just trying to save her job. Paige clearly demonstrates that she’s developed an attachment for these seeming misfits, declaring them brilliant, brave and special. Again, the Doctor tries to dismiss her saying they only remind Paige of her own son. Paige smiles sweetly and takes the insult as a compliment for her special son.
The scene in the art gallery is brilliantly shot as we get progressively closer to the edge of our seats – along with Cabe (Robert Patrick) – as Walter gets closer and closer to the painting and then slashes it! I also adored the chase scene. Sylvester is joyously happy as he bolts for Galactic Toys and Walter is hilarious as he chases Daniels (Josh Keaton). I loved that he was so inept at it. I still have no idea, however, why we focused on Walter cutting his hand – and then sporting a bandage for the rest of the episode. Cut scene perhaps? The new super van getting its first major dent and covered in feathers was amusing. But the best part of the entire scene was Cabe coming out of nowhere to clothesline Daniels effortlessly.
It was nice to see Toby put his psycho-analysis technique to good use to get Daniels to talk. But none of them are perfect, and the show does a good job in balancing their successes with failures. Toby is convinced that Labeaux (Mike Powers) has a stolen art room that is climate controlled while Happy insists that it’s a wine cellar. In the end, Happy is right.
A recurring theme in the episode is Walter’s insistence that he does things the way he does because they are efficient. He gets right to business when Paige comes in – he doesn’t waste time on Hi. How are you? He cuts the painting because it’s the most efficient way to examine the back of the canvas. He doesn’t waste time getting permission from Cabe because it’s better in the long run, legally, if they are acting as private citizens. And Walter doesn’t waste time stating the obvious – he just says yes in response to Paige’s question about whether she looks alright in Hetty’s dress. But most tellingly of all, Walter needlessly wastes time by resetting the cloning device so that he could dance with Paige longer.
I liked that the Doctor called Walter on wanting to dance longer with Paige and that Cabe wasn’t fooled by their scam – but that he also didn’t expose them. Gabel does an excellent job at maintaining a minimal emotional response, but his eyes say volumes when he looks at Paige in the dress at Hetty’s and when he is watching her dancing with Labeaux. The Doctor also points out what we also already know – Walter has great empathy for his team, and they’ve become his purpose. I also like that while Paige is getting to know Walter and is not intimidated by him, she’s also not drawn to him. The chemistry between Gabel and McPhee isn’t sizzling for me. But I think that works better for Paige as a character. She is always going to put Ralph first. Walter and the team are great mentors for him, but bringing someone into a more intimate circle feels like it should take longer.
What did you think of the episode? Did you see the twist coming at the end? Do you think art and Halloween are a waste of time? Do you think it’s just a matter of time before Walter and Paige are a couple? Do you think that will be a problem for the rest of the team? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
