FBI Review: Hard Decisions (Season 2 Episode 12)

Kristen is back, so all is well, right? Wrong. A hacker pushes the team to their limits on FBI Season 2 Episode 12, “Hard Decisions.”

The episode’s theme is stated right there in the title. Everyone faces the undesirable task throughout the hour. Kristen courageously returns, Jubal chooses to keep her in the bullpen, and Isobel gambles it all to keep her unit intact.

A hard decision the viewers have to make is whether to accept that new addition Emily is sticking around. Kristen’s “replacement” is not a one-off like we thought; she’s around until Kristen fully recovers.

A full recovery in TV terms is typically a week — two if the injury is particularly gruesome — but FBI does a good job of showing that there may be more that needs healing than the scar on Kristen’s neck.

So far, Emily is pretty bland. She even seems slightly out of place, like she comes to the FBI on loan from another cop show. Hopefully, her character is further developed in the next few weeks. I’m sure she’s wonderful — it’s just that much like Kristen — coping with change is hard.

Jubal makes the right call in keeping Kristen in the bullpen. It’s her old stomping grounds and practically her second home. Behind the keyboard with the other analysts is familiar and safe. Kristen may be too mad to realize it, but familiar and safe are exactly what she needs right now.

Plus, it’s just really fun to watch her work. While the team is scrambling to solve the case (and unknowingly save their jobs), Kristen casually teaches herself how to make deep fake videos. I’m not sure who is more dangerous: Kristen or our hacker, Sentinel.

FBI is not typically known for villains, as OA and Maggie put them away too quickly to get to know them. With that said, however, the second half of the episode gets a good jolt of energy with the introduction of our hacker. He’s unhinged; he’s sinister; he’s like the network television version of the Joker.

He talks a big game, too. OA and Maggie make a tough choice not to believe his “bomb in the New York Stock Exchange” story — as does Isobel when she agrees to his request for a plane.

The MVP of the tough choice, however, goes to Jubal in protecting her. There’s no way that deep fake was his idea (again, Kristen is the smartest character on the show), but it’s completely genius. It’s only taken two and a half seasons, but this squad is finally resembling a family. Better late than never.

The case is wrapped up with a bow per usual, but don’t forget about Isobel’s tidbit that the FBI paid two million dollars to protect their dirty laundry. That needs to come back up at some point — because I have a lot of questions.

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

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FBI airs Tuesday at 9/8c on CBS.

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