FBI Review: Trigger Effect (Season 3 Episode 14)
On FBI Season 3 Episode 14 “Trigger Effect,” three seemingly unrelated incidences become one very quickly.
Not to completely age myself, but when I was first getting on the internet 10 years ago, all we did to get back at each other was send a jump-scare or a Rick Roll hidden in a link. We never went so far as to ruin a man’s life.
The men in this episode absolutely cannot relate.
The case in “Trigger Effect,” which we at one point believe to be two or three separate cases, is absolutely riveting in that you never know who the bad guy is. As it turns out, and I know this is shocking, it’s almost all of them.
The concept of the faux website that started it all — FraudStir — is not a terrible idea when you really think about it. Being able to post cheating boyfriends or spouses so someone else doesn’t date them, or noting which companies scam you can be really helpful.
The way it’s managed, however, is the direct cause of how this domino effect begins. With no photo/video verification or law enforcement approving the listings, anyone can say anything at any time and certain people will believe it.
I absolutely understand not wanting law enforcement involved — you never know who from law enforcement will be put on the website — but the fact that nobody at that website is there to verify that a photo isn’t a deep fake?
Having multiple topics on this episode could’ve been overwhelming, but the writers found a way to make it work, and boy, did it work.
The topic they handle the best is the “good guy with a gun” myth. Yes, I say myth, because there are no statistics to back up the theory that good people with guns stop crime more than bad people with guns cause crime.
When FBI does episodes like this, that aren’t focused on hate crimes or something of the like, they are fantastic at allowing the audience to see everyone’s point of view. We’re meant to feel what everyone is feeling and why.
The worst part about this entire episode is knowing that it could’ve been entirely prevented. At one point you feel bad for almost all of the men, despite some of them deserving it.
The best thing about this episode was finally getting some more insight into Elise. How she’s been feeling since she had a bomb around her neck, and how she’s handling everyday work because of that.
Here’s my issue with it all: during the episode where Elise has the bomb around her neck, Scola sits with her through all of it, and at the end, asks her out for a drink. Or so I thought. We’ve yet to revisit that.
Elise should have been standing with and supporting Scola during FBI Season 3 Episode 13 “Short Squeeze,” when he was having a rough time, and Scola should have been the one to talk to Elise in “Trigger Effect.”
Maggie being there is what Elise needs so that clearly works better than anything else, but hopefully, in time we’ll get back to a proper Scola and Elise storyline.
Elise worries about telling Jubal that she’s not doing well and being afraid he’ll take her out of the JOC and it’s so incredibly sad. Elise should be worrying about her own mental health — not her job.
The writers handle this wonderfully by having Maggie talk to Elise about her memories and trauma. She lets Elise know that it’s okay to ask for help and that Maggie has been there too. It’s extremely refreshing to see women on TV who have issues but aren’t put down as weak or useless because of it. Asking for help is what makes them stronger.
In the end, Elise finally speaks to Jubal, and it’s good that she does. Clearly, she’s not okay and though Maggie keeps that to herself all day, there’s no way just Maggie noticed that Elise was feeling off.
The episodes of FBI that center around our favorite characters are some of the best — this one being no different. The case has extremely strong writing and pairing that with Elise’s struggles made for a well-balanced, enjoyable episode.
What did you think of this episode of FBI? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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FBI airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.
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Laura Wanberg
Laura is a homebody who loves everything about TV. Some of her favorite shows include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and The Morning Show. With her ever-growing list of new shows to watch and books to read, her favorite thing to do is to cuddle up with her cat and get lost in someone else's world.
One thought on “FBI Review: Trigger Effect (Season 3 Episode 14)”
That poor guy was driven utterly insane, and that should be his defense. NOT GUILTY by reasons of temporary insanity. The guy that drove him insane and ruined his life is the criminal and he should get steep jail time.
We know there are sites like that, social media – and there should be steep penalties for people ruining lives or trying to cancel people. I am surprised that MORE people are not shot dead from doing this kind of crap. If it takes tech that the FBI has to identify deep fakes, this is not good at all.
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