FBI: Straight Flush (Season 3 Episode 15)

On FBI Season 3 Episode 14 “Straight Flush,” season three goes out with a bang. Technically, it ends on a kiss, and there are no explosions, but the possibility is there!

Bringing back Vargas (David Vargas), especially for the finale, is such a good choice. Charming and witty, we have to be reminded that he’s a murderous head of a cartel that funnels in 25% of all cocaine products in the United States. 

Vargas reveals that there are three bombs under Grand Central Station, which, according to Vargas is one of NYC’s most famous landmarks. Y’all.

I texted two friends asking what the most famous NYC landmarks are. One lives in NYC, and one doesn’t. Neither of them said Grand Central Station. That line is so funny.

This case is so exciting. There are consistent ups and downs, and there’s a real possibility that these bombs will go off, decimating the station and possibly surrounding pedestrians.

Rina is also consistently upset with Isobel for not telling her everything about the case, which is exhausting. Just because Rina thinks Isobel will do anything to get her reputation steady again doesn’t mean she actually will.  

Isobel always puts the public first. No matter how much flack she’ll get, or how much extra work, she’s always doing things for other people. Rina doesn’t know this because Rina doesn’t know Isobel, and here, she never even tries to.

It’s cliche to dislike a character for being mean, but I felt off about her the second we met Rina earlier this season. I’m not actually sure what it is — whether it’s that she’s not a team player, or that she’s quite possibly using Jubal for the nostalgia, but she just rubs me the wrong way.

We’re sure to see her more next season given that she’s now ADIC (Assistant Director in Charge) and possibly with Jubal, so I’m hoping that feeling will go away.

The tension between Rina and Isobel comes with good reason, but it’s frustrating to see firsthand how little faith the ADIC has in her own SAC (Special Agent in Charge). 

Almost every step of the way, Rina acts like she’s better than Isobel. Yes, Rina is currently in a higher position, but Isobel didn’t get to where she is by screwing around. She got there by being a great agent and boss.

Of course, there’s a lot at risk, too many unnerving possibilities that can come to fruition, but Isobel knows what she’s doing. Though she especially wants this one man, Rina, it doesn’t mean that she isn’t thinking big picture. 

OA and Maggie in Mexico make sense given the story, but you’re telling me that Maggie is filming two people less than ten feet away and they don’t see her? They don’t see her move even once? That’s a bit hard to believe.

Along with Vargas must come trauma.

It’s so nice to see Elise’s reaction to what’s going on because often, after something dramatic happens to a character, it’s for the episode and the show forgets about it. 

But Maggie checks in on Elise, multiple times in this episode, and though I wish they’d expand on how she’s really feeling and why, I appreciate that they even acknowledge the effect it has on Elise. 

I want nothing more than for Jubal to be happy, just… not with Rina. They have chemistry, don’t get me wrong, but it’s everything else that’s lacking. They seem mildly interested in each other, but only because they knew each other once upon a time.

They’re both not the same people they were all those years ago. We barely even know who Rina is. It’s worrying to think about Jubal getting hurt again.

If I had one complaint about “Straight Flush,” and the latter half of season three, it would be that we still (!) haven’t seen a date between Scola and Elise.

And maybe I’m reading this wrong. Maybe the talk of drinks, and Scola’s concern, and their look at the end of the finale is all just them being friendly friends, but I sure hope not.

It seems like they’re taking the Criminal Minds route with not having team members date, but do the writers understand that at this point I will pay money for OA/Maggie, Scola/Elise, even Scola/Tiffany? 

You can’t put this many people who have chemistry together and not have one couple!

“Straight Flush” was a fantastic finale. There’s a great balance of character vs. story that leaves us satisfied (for now) with where we’re heading on season three. 

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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