Prodigal Son Review: Q&A (Season 1 Episode 7)

Finally, an episode I can give some serious stars!

Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 7, “Q&A,” is a huge bright spot for the series. 

Dr. Whitly is the focus of the episode, rather than the case of the week. As a result, “Q&A,” is smooth, exciting, and powerful.

Michael Sheen as The Surgeon is stunning, as always. Every second he is on screen draws us into his psychotic world.

The detailed way Sheen embodies the character makes watching him so much fun. Even the way he checks in with Mr. David during his interview, turning his head towards the guard almost as a flinch, it’s masterful.

It feels so wrong to be laughing at the dad jokes (the New Jersey jab is my favorite) and growing fond of this killer. But, there it is!

Jessica’s “I told you so,” moment is earned. Dr. Whitly is terrifyingly good at manipulating all of us.

The vivid example we get at the mental hospital of his insidious duplicity ties in nicely with the mystery Bright is trying to uncover about his past. 

We learn that The Surgeon seeks out younger, more vulnerable people and then uses them to achieve his ends. Child Malcolm would have been the perfect mentor. 

Unlike on Prodigal Son Season 1 Episode 6, “All Saints and Sinners,” on “Q&A,” Bright’s memories are triggered by objects from his past. He experiences flashbacks while he is awake. 

This shift, from relying on dreams and discouraging unpacking trauma because it may trap Bright in his childhood to relying on artifacts from his childhood, increases the integrity and impact of the show. 

It also ushers in a truly fascinating idea: what if Bright killed while he was under the spell of his father?

Other questions arise on the aptly named, “Q&A.” What did Dr. Whitly teach his son on that camping trip? What memories is Bright’s mind protecting him from? 

I’m not going to lie, Bright is still insufferable. He is just not likable. 

The recently fired profiler talks down to his sister as if her job isn’t prestigious and important. Bright also is a huge liability to every case he works on. He flatly refuses help, even though he has an egregious case of complex PTSD. 

He’s a nightmare. 

But, nightmares are interesting. On “Q&A,” the other characters are present enough and have important enough development that it works.

In other words, the meaningful inclusion of the interior emotionality of Ainsley, Dr. Whitly, Jessica, Dani, and even Jin, tempers the impact of Bright’s overly entitled and whiny character.

The episode grinds into Ainsley a bit for her untamed desire to get the story. She films her killer dad performing emergency surgery on her lover.

But, I think (and hope!) that Ainsley is savvier than anyone gives her credit for.

Ainsley filming the surgery ensures that her father doesn’t do anything sneaky to kill Jin. It holds him accountable. 

It also seems that being an interrogator and journalist is a healthy coping mechanism she can use to deal with her own trauma. 

Ainsley has more story to tell and the show is wise to start unfolding more of her character. Now, if Bright would stop calling her Ains. It sounds too much like anus and it’s weird. 

Jessica and Gil are electric together. Every time their scenes end I’m left clawing at the TV for more. 

It doesn’t seem like there is a romantic history there, which is great. It would be a satisfying and thrilling journey to seem them fall for each other as they help Bright learn how to become part of a team. 

Case Notes

• More Dr. Edrisa!
• Jin is rad. Hopefully, he will be back once he’s recovered from his punctured lung. 
• The cliff hanger is SO good. 
• There is more sibling chemistry between Dani and Bright than Ainsley and Bright. 
• Being crushed to death is the worst method of killing so far. Just awful to imagine. 
• Lou Diamond Phillips can get it!

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

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Prodigal Son airs Mondays at 9/8c on Fox.

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