Stumptown Review: November Surprise (Season 1 Episode 7)

Previews for Stumptown Season 1 Episode 7, “November Surprise,” suggested an episode focused on a political case of the week and an awkward friendsgiving with Dex and Grey. As it turns out, “November Surprise” is more focused on the former than the later and it’s probably for the best.

“November Surprise” highlights what’s great about the show and underscores where it continues to struggle.

Stumptown consistently gives viewers cases of the week that are interesting, challenge Dex in different ways, and help viewers learn who Dex is. It’s without a doubt been the strongest part of the show.

As with past cases Dex has taken, the cases basic plot feels familiar. We’ve all seen stories about inspirational politicians that have some sort of secret or who aren’t quite what they seem.

But also like past episodes, this particular version of the story is told with just enough ambiguity and nuance that you aren’t quite sure which way the story will actually go. Dex is clearly going to face some sort of moral quandary when she finds what she’s been looking for but it’s not obvious if she is going to find something that proves the candidate she is investigating is a fraud or or not. 

“November Surprise” relies on our own cynicism about politicians to create that uncertainty.

Dan Gibson, the politician in question, seems too good to be true, particularly in the tradition of film noir. The references we have to draw on from in the noir genre, and too often in real life, are of politicians who set themselves up as above the moral fray only to turn out to be no different than the corruption that surrounds them. 

To be clear, having an affair with a student as a professor is super problematic and that alone makes it fair that Gibson has to drop out of the race. But, in the end, Gibson didn’t know about his son and does the right thing for him even though it costs him the election.

It also turns out that, at least since coming out of the closet, Gibson has been exactly what he appears. He is actually a politician trying his best to do what’s right for his community and run an honest campaign.

It’s not the first time that Stumptown has chosen a more optimistic ending over a more cynical one. It’s quickly becoming apparent that where for others being a PI makes them more cynical, Dex may have the opposite experience.

As well crafted and interesting as the cases of the week have been so far, the most important part is not what actually happens in the cases but what they either reveal about Dex or the ways they challenge her to decide who she wants to be. 

What makes the case of the week on “November Surprise” as compelling as it is, is watching Dex struggle with what the right thing to do is and what it says about her in the process. Also, just as in past episode it’s Cobie Smulders’s performance that elevates the story and Dex’s journey to something truly special. 

The episode also underscores the biggest shortcoming of the series, namely the development of Dex’s relationships with other characters, especially Grey. 

So far the series has focused on Dex’s relationship with Grey, and to a lesser extent Miles. Neither of which seem to have real emotional resonance, particularly when compared to what we see from the cases of the week.

It’s hard to pinpoint why these stories aren’t clicking. All the actors involved are good in their parts and there is nothing on paper specifically wrong with the plot. There have been plenty of other similar stories that do have the emotional buy-in that remains elusive for Stumptown.

The best I can offer is that the show seems to rely too much on telling us that we are supposed to care about these relationships rather than earning that investment. Maybe it’s because the stories have progressed too fast and haven’t allowed enough time for viewers to go on that journey with the characters. 

What’s frustrating about this is that there are other characters like Sue Lynn and Lt. Cosgrove, that have shown sparks of really interesting possibilities, that continue to get sidelined as the show centers the love triangle between Miles, Grey, and Dex (I guess it’s a square now that Liz is in the mix?).

Even Dex’s relationship with Ansel gets short shifted. We keep getting told how important their relationship is but they have yet to really develop or explore this central relationship on the show. 

The lackluster progression of the show’s love-triangle keeps “November Surprise” from being as good as it could be, but because the episode centers around a really wonderful case of the week it is still a strong episode and one of the most engaging of the season.

In the bigger picture, beyond this particular episode, I’m hopeful that as the show progresses, adjustments will be made and we will start to get stronger stories that involve Dex’s life outside of her work as a PI.

First seasons are full of ups and downs as shows figure out what they really are. There is still time for Stumptown to be everything it can be and I’m optimistic it will get there.

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

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Stumptown airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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