Lethal Weapon Review: Jesse’s Girl (Season 2 Episode 20)

It’s not easy being a parent, as Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 20, “Jesse’s Girl,” demonstrates. Thankfully, Murtaugh and Riggs going through parental woes makes for some entertaining television.

After the snoozefest that was Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 19, it’s a relief that we’re back to enjoying watching Murtaugh and Riggs do their banter-filled job. 

It’s really no surprise at this point that Riana being around instantly improves an episode. This time, we get to see her involved with a case. It’s like bring your daughter to work day, except not in the way Murtaugh would like.

Murtaugh involving himself in Riana’s personal life is always a good time — for us, not Riana.

The fact that Riana’s friend Phoebe is mixed up in this homicide is the best thing about the case. It makes you instantly more interested in all the suspects and involved parties in the case.

Murtaugh: And that’s how a family heirloom ended up in evidence.

Riana: Then why are you touching it? Shouldn’t it be in a bag or something?

It is a little disappointing that Murtaugh and Trish instantly jump to the “you’re lying” train of thought when Riana comes clean about where Murtaugh’s letterman jacket is, but they don’t go overboard.

There’s not too much unnecessary drama between them that it puts a damper on the rest of the hour. They trust Riana, but it’s hard not to be upset when she breaks curfew and sneaks out of the house when she’s grounded.

At this point, I don’t know if I ship Riggs and Molly, but I am definitely all for Riggs being a fatherly figure to Ben. Molly and Riggs, at least recently, only seem to work when Ben is involved.

If Ben’s not around, then their storylines tend to be about Riggs and/or Molly screwing something up in their relationship. We need to focus more on Molly and Riggs as a couple. Maybe they can go on a date night or something.

Molly encouraging Riggs when he worries about whether or not he’s doing right by Ben is a good step in the right direction. She supports him when he needs it, and when Riggs goes too far by arresting the coach, then she lets him have it, but it’s not a huge ordeal like it normally is with them.

The most surprising part of the entire hour is that Riggs opens up to Ben about how his dad used to hurt him. That’s a big deal. Riggs doesn’t open up to people often, especially about his childhood and his feelings.

No one prompted Riggs to share, but he does so that Ben will understand him a bit better.

It’s a huge moment.

Ben getting hurt because of Riggs is a trigger that takes Riggs back to his childhood, but Riggs doesn’t shut down because of it. He realizes what’s happening, and he takes a constructive step forward to make sure he’s being a good parent to Ben.

Cahill would be so proud.

Stray Thoughts

• As a Houstonian, I love that Riggs mentions Jose Altuve!
• I wonder what RJ is up to…
• Who walks off with someone else’s jacket that they literally just put on??

What did you think of this episode of Lethal Weapon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Lethal Weapon airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on FOX.

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