RACHEL BILSON, KWESI AMEYAW on TAKE TWO Season 1 Episode 2 "The Smoking Gun" Take Two Review: The Smoking Gun (Season 1 Episode 2) TAKE TWO - "The Smoking Gun" - While working surveillance on a routine cheating spouse case, Sam and Eddie hear gunshots and race in to catch a Hollywood producer standing over the body of his mistress, clutching a smoking gun. It's case-closed as far as Eddie or any cop is concerned. But when the producer insists he's innocent, Sam agrees to take on his case, much to Eddie's chagrin. When their initial inquiries uncover that the producer's mistress isn't who she claimed to be, the pair are thrust into an investigation where not everything is as it seems, on "Take Two," THURSDAY, JUNE 28 (10:00 - 11:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/David Bukach) RACHEL BILSON, KWESI AMEYAW

Take Two Review: The Smoking Gun (Season 1 Episode 2)

Meagan McNicholas Reviews, Take Two

On Take Two Season 1 Episode 2, “Smoking Gun,” Eddie and Sam find their rhythm and start officially working together.

This partnership does not waste anytime establishing itself. Eddie hires Sam to work with him and help to bring in more clients. Eddie acts like having Sam around is a burden, but he seems to be having a lot of fun.

The case begins as a boring stake-out: Sam and Eddie just watching a cheating husband and taking pictures for his wife. Eddie laments that real PI work is boring and Sam is going to hate it. But of course, there are no boring cases on TV.

RACHEL BILSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN on TAKE TWO Season 1 Episode 2 "The Smoking Gun"
TAKE TWO – “The Smoking Gun” (ABC/David Bukach) RACHEL BILSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN

Gunshots light up the bedroom, and Eddie and Sam rush inside. They find the cheating husband literally holding the murder weapon, but Sam believes he is innocent. This is first example of Eddie secretly trusting Sam. He acts angry with her for taking the case, but pursues it anyway.

It becomes clear quickly that Sam is right, and there is way more to the case than meets the eye.

I have been wondering how Take Two was going to set itself apart from every other “unlikely partners” crime show on TV. This episode showed us just that.

This isn’t a show about cops, FBI agents, or any type of law enforcement. It’s about a private investigator — which means he doesn’t have resources or rules like the official guys.

The Take Two Series Premiere didn’t express that well. But in the show’s second outing, it is central to story. This is where Take Two can shine. Solving crimes is much more fun when you don’t have to play by the rules.

RACHEL BILSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN on TAKE TWO Season 1 Episode 2 "The Smoking Gun"
TAKE TWO – “The Smoking Gun” (ABC/David Bukach) RACHEL BILSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN

You can break into people’s houses! You can dress up in ridiculous costumes to distract guards!

Sam: It’s creepy. It’s like the house doesn’t know she’s dead.
Eddie: Hey, House! She’s dead.

But it poses its own challenges as well. Eddie and Sam have to get creative to get information. They also don’t have back-up, which could very well become a big problem one day.

Sam and Eddie are lucky they were just shoved in a closet. They could have been shot! No one knew where they were or what they were up to. However, the scene is gold.

We finally get a glimpse of the chemistry and banter between Eddie and Sam.

Sam: Well, you do seem pretty excited right now.
Eddie: That’s my gun.

Eddie and Sam work together to advance the case along and find the killer. This is a big improvement from the pilot. This partnership might be working a little too well too fast. I bet the bubble will pop soon.

However, the two are stuck together for the next six months. When a judge almost sentences Sam to six months in prison, Eddie steps up and defends her.

EDDIE CIBRIAN, KEN CAMROUX-TAYLOR, RACHEL BILSON on TAKE TWO Season 1 Episode 2 "The Smoking Gun"
TAKE TWO – “The Smoking Gun” (ABC/David Bukach) EDDIE CIBRIAN, KEN CAMROUX-TAYLOR, RACHEL BILSON

I don’t think Eddie did that just for the added work and money she brings to his business. He is starting to care about her… or at least doesn’t think she should go to jail.

I thought after her time in rehab, Sam’s punishment was fulfilled and her legal troubles were resolved. I’m now going to be concerned every time they break into a place or bend the rules. Sam’s on probation! She can’t get arrested!

It’s clear by the way Eddie speaks about her that he will protect her if he needs to.

He also gives her some pretty serious love-eyeballs at the end of episode, as she explains that Daria really did love Bradley.

I’m pleasantly surprised by this episode. I think it’s a big step up from the Take Two Series Premiere. Maybe there is hope for Eddie and Sam yet.

RACHEL BILSON, LAMONT THOMPSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN on TAKE TWO Season 1 Episode 2 "The Smoking Gun"
TAKE TWO – “The Smoking Gun” (ABC/David Bukach) RACHEL BILSON, LAMONT THOMPSON, EDDIE CIBRIAN

Other Thoughts:

  • Do we know why Eddie quit the force? The case gone wrong that Sam brings up on the Take Two Series Premiere happened while he was PI, right?
  • Zeus is awesome! I want him to plan more heists.
  • This episode feels a little less like Castle. It’s more like Rick Castle wrote it and less like a retelling of his life through different characters. I’m getting a Nikki Heat vibe.
  • I still need more Jordan Gavaris.

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

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Take Two airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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Meagan is a medical student by day and TV obsessive by night. While Lorelai Gilmore and Kate Beckett stole her heart, she has Jake Peralta and Leslie Knope to thank for keeping her laughing through the stressful times. Her knowledge of TV is unmatched, and she takes great pride in knowing her shows better than anyone else. Meagan has one year of school left before she attempts to be a better intern than Meredith Grey.