Scorpion, “Chernobyl Intentions,” was directed by Jeff T Thomas and written by the creative team of Nick Santora and Nicholas Wootton. They will also write the next episode, which really comprises the two part finale to season two. Once again the title is punny, working on the literal level but also on the play on ‘noble’ intentions. I’m curious to see how incensed Waige fans are by the ending of the episode…
The episode begins with Toby (Eddie Kaye Thomas) testifying at a competency hearing for Mark Collins (Joshua Leonard). Collins and Toby hate each other as much as ever – and Collins is just as mentally unstable! Collins accuses Toby of simply being jealous of Collins and Walter’s (Elyes Gabel) friendship. When Collins makes threats, you just know it isn’t going to end well, and the episode doesn’t disappoint as it ends with Collins kidnapping Toby! Setting up what promises to be another terrific season finale.
Back at the garage, Sylvester (Ari Stidham) and Happy (Jadyn Wong) are betting over what kind of chocolates the individual chocolates are in the box that Tim sent Paige (Katharine McPhee). I loved this bit because they guess correctly based on the evidence and their superior analytical skills – a genius is better than the chocolate map that comes with a box of chocolates! Happy is concerned about finishing their bets before Toby gets back – she hilariously doesn’t want him to see her betting! Naturally, the taste-tester is Ralph (Riley B Smith), which Paige isn’t too happy about…
I loved when Walter comes in and says he loves chocolate, and pops one in his mouth, only to spit it out again when Happy says they’re from Tim for Paige. Even better, he starts muttering that they are terrible and low quality! Oh Walter. Jealous much? I wonder if the triangle between Walter, Toby and Collins will give Walter any insight into the one between him, Paige and Tim?
Paige objects when Happy says the chocolates were for her – and she provides lots of evidence! Clearly the team has rubbed off on her! She points out the box was square, not heart-shaped, and it was addressed to her because she is the one who signs for the packages! Tim is hard not to like, but it’s very clear that Paige is still primarily interested in Walter.
Happy sees Walter with tickets to a jazz festival that he was going to take Linda to. She tells him that he’s screwing up by letting Paige go. She knows that he’s afraid because every time he connects with someone, he loses them. Wong is excellent in this scene. In fact, Gabel and McPhee are also excellent in this storyline as we see their emotions far more on their faces than in the words they are saying.
Happy and Walter are interrupted by Cabe’s (Robert Patrick) arrival with Oksana Nastrova (Kathleen Munroe) and their latest job – to contain the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl. I have to say that while this case provided lots of tense situation, it mostly involved a LOT of hand waving at how ridiculous some of it was. But let’s set that aside… Although, also on the ridiculous side? Monroe’s Russian accent. Otherwise she turned in a solid performance.
Here’s what I did like about this week’s case – the fact that Cabe hands Sylvester a stress grip before they even get started with the briefing! I liked them fighting over what to name the drone and Happy just stating it’s called Randy. No discussion necessary!
Even though it was also utterly ridiculous – especially from that distance – I did like them using the merry-go-round to pull the plane out of the rubble. I also liked how adept Paige was at keeping Oksana focused. Paige has really stepped into her role. There is, of course, a nice parallel to Oksana’s romantic tale about marrying the nerdy guy at work to Page and Walter’s own situation. Oksana was attracted to the nerdy file clerk because he loved her even if he wasn’t good at wining and dining like her boss.
I did like that Walter goes in to save Paige and refuses to leave her behind because she can’t move as quickly with her injured knee and they are running out of oxygen. More hand waving over the entire holding of the breath scene – though totally worth it for the kiss of life! Also more hand waving for how Walter gets them off the building… But definite kudos for lots of terrific special effects in this episode, including the plane crash, elephant’s foot, and blowing up Chernobyl. Also some great stunt work. It might not be plausible, but it is exciting.
Back at the garage, the team all have to drink disgusting green smoothies to help with their radiation exposure – so hand waving worth it for that – but as a point of comparison, I refer you to the
Madam Secretary episode in which her husband is exposed. Still funny watching them choke down those disgusting looking things!
Once again, Happy approaches Walter about Paige and tells him to ask her already. Walter is clearly terrified. There’s risk involved. She means too much to him, and he just doesn’t feel that he can take the risk. I loved Happy telling him that no one likes jazz! It’s about spending time together. I admit it. I went on a date once to listen to jazz – and I hate it!
Once again, Wong is simply fabulous in this scene. She points out to him how uncomfortable it make her to talk about Walter’s personal life – but that’s also a real indication of how much she has grown as a person – both through Paige’s influence and her relationship with Toby. Happy tells Walter she would only bring it up if she saw it causing real harm – and she does. But Walter agrees to ask her.
Walter starts off by thanking Paige for that breath of air and for trusting him enough to jump off that building. He then asks her if she likes jazz, but before she can really answer, her phone rings and it’s Tim. And here’s the part that really proves she’s not that into Tim. She doesn’t interrupt her conversation with Walter to take the call. But of course, Walter totally misses that.
And then Walter makes the “noble” gesture and offers her the tickets for her and Tim. It’s abundantly clear that Paige was expecting and wanted Walter to ask her to go with him. She takes the tickets, however, and seems to see it as Walter rejecting her… again.
Aargh! Enough show! If these two don’t end the season together, I don’t think I’ll be the only one put out. And of course, the final scene is Toby running about getting everything ready – including a very special ring – to propose to Happy. I adored that the ring is shaped like a bolt. But his plan is completely thwarted when Collins kidnaps him!!
What did you think of the episode? Are you more than ready for Walter to get over himself? What do you think Collins has in store for Toby? For the team? 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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
