Forever returned from hiatus with “The Wolves of Deep Brooklyn,” which was written by Zev Borow and directed by Rob Bailey. Borow’s last episode was “New York Kids,” and Bailey’s other credits include Criminal Minds, Grimm, Gotham, and CSI: NY. The episode contains the consistent writing I’ve come to expect and weaves its theme through the case and past and present storylines. For those waiting for Jo (Alana De La Garza) and Henry (Ioan Gruffudd) to grow closer, it seems you may have gotten your Christmas wish.
At the center of the case this week is Oliver Clarion (William Baldwin). Clarion is an obvious “Wolf of Wallstreet” type who thinks of no one but himself, and he provides a counterpoint to the main theme of this week’s episode: trying to keep those around you safe. Clarion has no real feelings for employees, in contrast to our familiar cast of characters. Clarion's motto of kill or be killed is exactly the dilemma that Henry is facing now and Jo faced earlier - though both were primarily trying to keep those closest to them safe.
The episode begins a little over 3 weeks since Henry was forced to kill an innocent man. Jo and Lucas (Joel David Moore) are concerned about him and missing him on the job, especially since his replacement Dr Washington (Martin Van Treuen) is clearly more interested in clearing the case than actually solving it. Meanwhile, Abe (Judd Hirsch) realizes that it’s time Henry stops “sherlocking rats” and gets back to actual work, especially once he learns that his Vietnam buddy Marco’s (Paul O’Brian) son Jason (David Shabtai) has been murdered.
The initial voice over tells us that “There is a risk any time we venture into the unknown whenever we are compelled for whatever reason to push away the safety of the familiar, of family and home. And there is the notion that this impulse is indeed for the best. That whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, unless of course it does (kill you!).” Of course, this plays out in relation to Jason’s leaving Brooklyn to go to work with Clarion and in Abe in the flashbacks leaving for Vietnam. It also pertains to Henry going back to work. Henry may not be risking death, but he could be risking exposing his secret.
In fact, in the flashbacks, Abe (Steven Kaplan) challenges Henry on not being able to understand his impulse to want to risk his life for something he believes in. Young Abe tells Henry that it’s not Henry’s job to protect him, which Henry, as a parent, vehemently objects to. It’s heartbreaking when Abe in the present says to Henry that Jason was Marco’s only kid – can you imagine what he’s going through? Of course Henry can imagine it! He’s already had to worry about Abe in Vietnam, but more importantly, Henry knows with absolute certainty that he will outlive Abe. Marco’s own pain at not having been able to protect his son also drives home this initial point.
The final voiceover returns to the need to protect your loved ones: “Committing fully to the protection of another can often engender a kind of paradox. In doing so, we are tempted to put ourselves at risk – the very thing most likely to cause pain in those we are desperately trying to keep pain from. Over time, however, one learns that the choices of those we love are impossible to control.” In going to war, Abe is protecting both his family and his country. But Jason also attempts to protect his family and friends in his own way. Henry is able to ease some of Marco’s pain over losing his son by telling him that Jason was trying to do the honorable thing and return Kevin’s (Michael Godere) money with his own.
Jo also puts herself at risk by covering for Henry with Lt Reece (Lorraine Toussaint). It’s interesting to see how much of an interest she now takes in Henry. She admits that Jo and Henry make “quite the team” by the end of the episode, but she is also astute enough to know that Henry hasn’t been trained to deal with killing someone in the field.
But when Reece asks if Henry has acted at all out of the ordinary, Jo doesn’t tell her about Henry’s stepping in front of both Kevin and Clarion’s cars. Which of course brings up the question of what he was attempting to do in both of these instances. We know he wouldn’t have been killed, but to Jo it looks like a bit of a death wish. However, if he was struck and killed, his secret would be exposed. Is this what Henry really wants? Is he ready to trust Jo with his secret?
The final scene between the two brings them closer than ever. I have to admit that I’ve like their on screen relationship, but I’ve never felt it really sizzle until this scene. I have to actually credit De La Garza for that! She’s played Jo very cut off up until now, and here she finally reaches out to Henry. Gruffudd’s performance is also excellent, but because you can easily see that Henry is still caught up in the trauma of having to kill a man. Yet, it’s this very trauma that has really brought them closer together – it’s something they share and understand.
When Jo tells Henry that he helps her by making it easier for her to deal with, he seems surprised and then very thoughtful when she says she wants to do the same for him. Both actors play the scene perfectly. Of course, they are saved by the bell – Jo’s phone – from having to take things any further. Instead, they go off to investigate another dead body… how romantic!
The episode also features some interesting insight into Abe’s past as we meet two of his army buddies. Was anybody surprised to see that Abe insisted on doing his duty to serve his country? It was interesting to get Henry’s longer perspective too, however. The scenes between Abe and Jerry (Clarke Peters) were particularly fun, so I really hope we’re going to see Peters again. I loved them lying their way onto Clarion’s boat and getting in the humidor. And of course, they hadn’t seen each other for years because Abe stole his girlfriend – once a womanizer, always a womanizer! Actually, given how much Abe respected his parents, I’m surprised that he didn’t have more respect for women because of Abigail (Mackenzie Mauzy).
The final flashback scene between Abigail, Henry and Abe was fantastic – and all three actors were terrific. Of course, Henry would never let Abe go off to war thinking he didn’t love him and without telling him how proud of him he is. It was a nice touch for Abe and Marco to meet in that very bus line – but is it possible that Marco might remember Henry from then? Perhaps unlikely as Marco would have had a lot of other things on his mind at that point.
It seems that every episode features an interesting shot of Henry through a clue, and in this instance it’s the Aston Martin steering wheel. There’s also a really great shot at Clarion’s office that reinforces his position – and how he really feels about his employees. When he gives his daily speech on the main floor of the company – where Jason’s office was – you can see a skyscraper under construction out of the window. The floor is about 2/3 of the way up that building. From Clarion’s office, however, you can see the top of the building under construction. His office is well above that of his employees. He looks down upon them in every way possible, and that’s reflected in his using them to cover his own misdeeds with no real regard for them as people.
Of course, the show is always fun to watch, simply to watch Jo and Henry work the case. I loved Henry eccentrically jumping around Jason’s apartment until he finds the hidden compartment – which also explains the white pine beneath his fingernails. It was also fun to watch Jo face off against Clarion. His uncaring and snobbish behavior - brilliantly played by Baldwin – is exactly the kind that has her seeing red. It was nice to see her help Melanie (Sepideh Moafi) avoid taking the fall for him. It was also hysterical to watch her taunt Clarion with “he’s going down” after Clarion told her he never went down. In the end, it’s when Clarion goes down to the garage that Henry and Jo nail him…down…
Once again
Forever delivered a solidly written and acted episode. I really do love how the themes are woven through the episodes. I’m betting it’s not going to be too long before Henry shares his secret with Jo. Will it be to alleviate her fear of getting close to someone she’ll only lose? Or will it simply be an accident – he dies in front of her and then reappears? What do you think? Is it time he tells her? What did you think of the episode? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
