Instinct Review: Finders Keepers (Season 2 Episode 3)

On Instinct Season 2 Episode 3 “Finders Keepers,” a kidnapping uncovers some painful family dynamics.

Child custody cases are always messy, particularly when all parties are family members. Add suspicion of murder to that, and you have a pot just waiting to boil over. So it does, to the detriment of all involved, in this episode.

Even without knowing the plot of this episode, we can guess what will happen from the first discussion of a boy and his father discussing the possibility of a judge having him live with his grandparents. Sure enough, Robbie is missing hours later.

It’s exhausting to witness the aggression between all involved even as an audience member. Nobody really comes off well except the godparents doing their best to remain neutral—a point that winds up being a key one.

Robbie’s father has been accused of murdering his wife, so we certainly understand the simmering rage of both grandparents; the grandfather especially. Yet it’s difficult to relate to what soon seems like a bias present since well before the death.

It’s not surprising when we learn the father really is innocent of any involvement here, though he’s far from being a perfect spouse and father figure. There’s a lot that gets swept under the rug once everything comes to light.

I do like that the revelation winds up being a novel one for such a typical crime drama storyline. Robbie has fled himself, aided by the daughters of his godparents—his own “part-time sisters,” as Lizzie describes them.

Even if it wraps up too neatly, this plot highlights the worst side of family feuds. Innocent children caught in grudges and infighting pushed to the extreme. I’m just glad this extreme has a happy ending for all involved.

Working on a case like this is difficult for everyone, as is any case involving a child. The effort of mitigating strong emotions and major human flaws helps make it personal for characters with their own imperfect families.

I do feel Lizzie’s connection is a bit forced. Her history caring for her sister with an often-negligent mother has something in common with questions of Robbie’s father, but her connection to child abduction is that of any caring human.

That said, I hope this is a sign we’re going to bring back more of that background, which has faded somewhat as Dylan and Andy’s adoption struggles get more screen time. Lizzie’s past has shaped her career choices, and that should come up more than once a season.

I’d also like to see her sister Katie again. Considering we only saw Katie (and really only even mentioned her) in a single episode—one where she was dealing with her own addictions—this is another storyline that shouldn’t cease to exist.

As to that adoption storyline, things seem status quo in this episode. At least, they do until we learn that a young bartender working for Andy is quitting because she’s pregnant and isn’t ready to be a mother yet.

I…am not going to get my hopes up just yet. Babies don’t just magically appear, and adoptions don’t just happen on a whim. Plenty of discussions need to happen first, including accounting for the possibility that Sam can still change her mind.

Still, I desperately hope these two get a kid this season one way or another. My feelings toward CBS aside, the ratings make me pessimistic about the chances of renewal. If nothing else, we at least need to see this happiness.

One last thing: in the season premiere, Andy was speaking of being a lawyer again in such a way I wondered if the bar still existed. Now it does but talk of a career reversion doesn’t. I’m happy if Andy’s happy, but was there even a point?

 

 

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Instinct airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.

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