FBI Review: All That Glitters (Season 4 Episode 1)

On FBI Season 4 Episode 1, “All That Glitters,” we jump right back into the action of the show when confronted with traffickers, pimps, and billionaires. 

There are a few enjoyable things on this episode, however, there’s more to dislike. 

Unfortunately and obviously, “All That Glitters” is much more case-based than a regular case on FBI because it’s part of a three-part crossover with FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.

I don’t watch FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International, and though it’s intriguing, this episode of FBI isn’t enough to watch two hours of TV that I wouldn’t regularly watch. 

This episode is a lot heavier than a normal episode. The agents deal with sex trafficking of minors, billionaires in on it, and an (almost ridiculous) chain of command that just goes up and up and up. 

Each time the agents think they find someone, it becomes immediately clear that they need to be looking for someone else. It’s almost exhausting at points. It is extremely clear why this is done, but it still feels a little far-fetched. 

The directing of “All That Glitters” is lacking. It is very jumpy and almost hard to focus on at times. 

There’s a section of this episode where Agent Kenny Crosby, who is originally from FBI: Most Wanted, is chasing a suspect through a heavily wooded area in a car while the suspect is on a dirt bike.

It’s supposed to be taken seriously; it’s supposed to be intense and have you guessing when they’ll stop, but it ends up just looking like a rejected Jeep ad. 

Unfortunately, the dialogue feels just a tad out of character as well. Agent Scola is a fantastic agent and he’s got a quip for whenever necessary, but the thought of him outright telling a possible suspect that he wants him to be guilty? 

That feels wrong. For multiple reasons. 

OA and Maggie are as connected as ever; silently communicating, encouraging each other to be better, to focus, and to lean on each other. 

Again, it’s understandable that the episode is a crossover so it has to be a more general episode. However, the lack of Elise, finding out where she is in her recovery, and speaking to her is seriously disappointing.

There’s a good chance the show will touch on it during the next episode. It is just upsetting to see the lack of care for something the writers specifically wrote. Kind of like Maggie and her sister’s addiction. I wonder how she’s doing?

FBI has a problem with using storylines, making them big, and then immediately forgetting about them. 

How is Jubal’s son? How did Elise’s recovery go? Is Maggie’s sister doing well? How about OA and his girlfriend? 

There are too many questions that still haven’t been answered, which leads to new storylines coming into play such as OA blaming himself for a tip line call he received not mattering as much as the show would like. 

Overall, this episode is one of their weaker premieres. Hopefully, once this series detaches from FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, it can find its way back to the core: our characters. 

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FBI airs Tuesday at 8/7c on CBS.

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