Take Two Review: Taken (Season 1 Episode 3)

Sam and Eddie each have a history with this episode’s client. Their relationships with him are very different, though.

Sam: Aram is your “cool, fun” mobster, not “kill you, bury you in cement” mobster.
Eddie: You’d be surprised what kind of mobster he could be.

The fancy club and charming appearance don’t fool Eddie. This sets Sam on her mission to discover what kind of history Eddie and Aram have.

Of course Sam trusts Aram. She just sees him as a charming club owner. Even if Eddie didn’t have a personal history with him, there’s no way Eddie would trust a mobster. He’s a former cop. Sam seems way too eager to discover some big secret here.

Eddie may not give anything up, but his good buddy Zeus sings like a bird.

It turns out Eddie had worked a case investigating Aram back when he was a cop. Eddie discovered a group of cops illegally interfering with investigations to convict more mobsters. Eddie couldn’t stand by as the cops broke the law. He outed them, and because of him, a lot of criminals (including Aram) were set free.

I have to say, I’m surprised by Eddie’s backstory. I didn’t expect to hear about it so early in the show, and I thought it would be way more tragic.

It’s refreshing to hear a cop/law enforcement officer’s backstory that isn’t simply a tragic death. I had assumed Eddie quit the force after the death of a loved one or partner — a fairly common trope in these sorts of stories. I do wish we would have heard it from Eddie himself, though.

It makes sense now that Eddie only wants to run his investigations himself. The LAPD screwed him over, and he became a PI so that couldn’t happen again. He is a firm believer in the truth and won’t let politics get in the way of that.

Sam gets her first solo mission during this case. She seems relaxed and capable throughout her whole job. Eddie, however, is not.

Eddie has never had to worry about a partner in this way before. Sam can’t protect herself the way a cop could.

When Aram pulls his gun on Sam, it becomes painfully obvious that she isn’t prepared for the realities of solving crimes. Sam is terrified. I’m glad they don’t show her being all strong and tough. After all, she’s an actress. She should be afraid.

Sam rallies quickly after the danger has passed and doesn’t let it interfere with her work.

Sam: It’s not necessary? You stuck a gun in my face. I think I deserve to know.

Sam and Eddie both have the same drive for the truth. Sam is not willing to give up on this case and Eric any more than Eddie is. Eddie quit the LAPD because they were willing to bend the truth when it was convenient. He isn’t going to do that with his own cases.

Eddie: It’s part of the job… Any choice you make, you lose.

Eddie and Sam work together to find a solution that can get as close as possible to winning. I’m not sure I believe that the vicious mobster would give in so easily, but I’ll let it slide.

While Eddie’s secret from Sam is serious and personal, her secret is just silly.

Sam is still trying to get back to acting. She isn’t planning on being a PI forever, no matter how well it’s going.

She books a job for a pizza commercial for Italian TV. Sorry, Sam, you know that thing is going to hit the internet. People in the US will see it.

Eddie ends up seeing it too.

The scene where he sees it really showcases Eddie and Sam’s potential as more than co-workers. It’s fun and playful. They both had a hard week and were able to relax and tease each other.

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

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

 

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

Follow us on Twitter @telltaleTV_

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!