Instinct Review: Stay Gold (Season 2 Episode 1)
After nearly a year of hiatus, Instinct Season 2 Episode 1 “Stay Gold,” returns with some major changes.
I try not to get too bitter with networks over my shows—at least not before they get cancelled—but I can’t help feeling like Instinct is getting the short end of the promotions stick when it’s already in need of ratings.
After months on end without a word about the show, only a handful of ads about the premiere date, and another delay of two weeks, we are finally back, and I just hope people are watching. But that’s my bitterness out of the way.
For those who have been waiting patiently all this time, we are greeted by the characters we know and love acting much as they always have. It doesn’t take long to throw some major wrenches in the works, though.
I have mixed feelings about nearly all these changes. I don’t outright object to any of them, but they do all feel a bit sudden, at least all coming together in a single episode.
First, the very unsurprising: Dylan is readmitted to the squad after starting the season on suspension. I do wonder how he can be under Jaz’s control now when the reason for his return rests on a contract with the city, but this should at least me more fun.
Also to be expected: tensions between Lizzie and Julian in their budding relationship, due mostly to lies. This was a theme last season and I fear their happy point of acceptance at the end of the episode may not last.
More surprising is Jasmine’s annoyance with her fiancé that ultimately leads to a revelation of cheating and a breakup. Sure, the wedding planning was stressful last season, but where has this come from?
Finally, and perhaps most jarring given nearly everything we heard him say in season one, is the news that Andy may want to be a lawyer again, so long as it’s the “right kind”. What about the bar being his dream? Will we even see it again?
There’s also plenty that hasn’t changed. Dylan still probably isn’t as much of a comedian professor as he thinks he is. (Forgive me, but the line about “taking” narcissists? What’s next: “I just flew here from the NYPD and boy are my arms tired!”?) Thank goodness he definitely is as smart.
He and Andy, of course, still want a baby. You’d think it would be easier, considering Andy looks so trustworthy that total strangers literally hand over their adorable babies for him to watch while they get fingerprints taken.
The cases are still engagingly creepy. Do you know cryogenic capers exist and can be used for both therapy and murder? I did not. I do not want to know about freezing people to death inside one.
There are some fun conversations about narcissists and whether Dylan is one. (Answer: debatable, through he does have some tendencies. At least he’s not the killing kind.) Yes, the true murderer is one, but really he’s just a douche.
In short, our characters are back and as much themselves as ever, but we’ve already got a few bumps in the road to ensure things don’t run too smoothly. As Dylan says, happiness is technically abnormal. Doesn’t that put you in a good mood?
Finally, I must single out the single most important and game-changing revelation of the entire hour. No, not that Fucci wants to play Fortnite on his work computer. Julian’s real name is Ruben. We had so better get the payout for it that we deserve.
What did you think of this episode of Instinct? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Instinct airs Sundays at 9/8c on CBS.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.