Turner & Hooch Review: To Serve and Pawtect (Season 1 Episode 7)
Scott jumps the line on Turner & Hooch Season 1 Episode 7, “To Serve and Pawtect,” and snags himself a case where he gets to be the Deputy in Charge.
I love how this storyline ties back into Turner & Hooch Season 1 Episode 1, “Forever and A Dog,” where Scott and Jessica have a conversation about how he’s new on the job. “To Serve and Pawtect” shows that Scott still has a lot to learn, but thankfully, he comes to that conclusion on his own.
This shows that Scott is a great deputy who does the job for all the right reasons. He wants to do the work and earn awards and recognitions, not be handed them. Scott asking for Xavier for help is such a good character moment for him, and it highlights their newfound partnership/mentorship.
Now, the case itself is a little lackluster. I kept waiting for something more nefarious to happen, such as the Senator’s chief of staff admitting that he concocted all the threats to help raise her ranks in the polls. It doesn’t feel as if the guy Scott arrested is the one behind the threats.
However, the threats are barely mentioned in one meeting, and then the focus is shifted to protection detail. So, we don’t get the time to have Scott (or anyone) profile the type of person who wrote those notes or even spend a bit more time on the context of them.
This case is set up for more detective work to be done, but Turner & Hooch glosses right over it, hurting the case overall.
The case also sets up some tension between Scott and Brooke, not that Brooke has picked up on it at all. It’s a relief that we’re quickly transitioning to reasons why they don’t work as a couple after Scott had his Erica flashback while dancing with Brooke on Turner & Hooch Season 1 Episode 6, “The Fur-gitive.”
I’ve given up hope that we’ll see some sparks between Brooke and Scott, so it’s better that the show doesn’t drag on their relationship, forcing us to pretend to care about them.
The tension makes sense too — Scott and Brooke have different beliefs when it comes to how to succeed at the workplace. Brooke probably had to fight her way to get to the job she has whereas Scott’s work is more collaborative with his fellow deputies. Brooke’s also used to having connections to wield to her benefit due to her family’s social standing.
Best of all, it has nothing to do with Erica. Scott’s potential feelings for her being the reason he and Brooke break up would have soured things for when he gets with Erica. Plus, it would have made the show feel more like it is set in a high school.
Hopefully, we get to see Scott asking Xavier and/or Jessica for advice on his relationship with Brooke. Xavier will offer some strange but wise words, and Jessica will be helpful while also trying to get Scott to realize how wonderful Erica is.
“To Serve and Pawtect” also expands the Turner & Hooch world a bit. We spend some time with Jessica, Erica, Xavier, and Olivia when Scott isn’t around.
We’ve gotten to know all four of them pretty well, so it doesn’t feel weird to spend time with them without Scott nor Hooch around. Their scenes are also short enough that we don’t find ourselves getting bored like we did with Laura’s investigation on Turner & Hooch Season 1 Episode 5, “Road to Smell Dorado.”
Plus, both of those scenes are about Scott. Erica and Jessica allow us to check in with Erica about her feelings about him, and Xavier’s chat with Olivia shows that he’s worried about Scott.
Turner & Hooch is slowly but surely proving that it has longevity. I don’t know about you, but I’ve fallen in love with all of these characters enough that I want to see the show continue. Yes, there are some kinks Turner & Hooch needs to work out, but I have faith that it will.
Stray Thoughts
- Hooch deserves all the awards.
- I’m still pretty bored by the investigation into their dad’s old case.
- Grady continues to be the absolute worst.
What did you think of this episode of Turner & Hooch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New episodes of Turner & Hooch premiere Wednesdays on Disney+
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).