FBI Review: Trauma (Season 4 Episode 3)

On FBI Season 4 Episode 3, “Trauma,” Rina becomes more abrasive, and OA debates the effects of disobeying authority directly. 

“Trauma” gives us a good look into where OA is at right now, specifically in his job. He’s aware of the complications of being a former vet FBI agent, and of being a Muslim FBI agent. I say “complications” because that’s what we’ve seen OA face in the past, not something that should be a standard. 

This episode contains a lot of factors. We’re introduced to several men who are seemingly part of the same crusade but throughout the episode, their “brotherhood” and thus, their crusade, are lost in the mix.

The same, unfortunately, rings true for OA and his friend Chris, played by Cleveland Berto. OA establishes that they’re friends, fairly close friends, but when they’re together there’s a lack of connection that demonstrates that. 

Despite this, we’re forced to stare into the faces of people who need our help as civilians; the FBI’s help, the military’s help. We’re forced to watch as, throughout the episode, it’s clear they’re not receiving any help.

Once we reach the end of the episode, OA isn’t afraid to let us know how he feels. He goes to Isobel as a mentor and a boss, whereas Isobel, and consequently Rina, see him solely as their employee. 

The most disappointing part of the episode is that we don’t get to see Maggie and OA connect like we usually do. The end of the episode would’ve been a perfect time for Maggie to comfort OA, and to offer words of encouragement but we don’t get that.

While I would’ve liked to see that, I understand it’s more impactful if we simply see OA in his anger, his frustration, even his confusion towards why Isobel is suddenly not offering any empathy. 

The storyline the writers are giving Rina is… interesting. It’s certainly not the way they should be going, but alas. 

Where Rina could be an ally to Isobel and the team, it’s clear that she wants to remain above them. On “Trauma,” Rina isn’t willing to help OA and his friend, even after we’ve seen that Chris is very much in pain. 

On FBI Season 4 Episode 2, “Hacktivist,” though, Rina is quick to forgive Jubal when he quite literally threatened a man on the job. 

Isobel clearly isn’t happy with Rina, and we can only hope that this leads to some sort of exposure of Rina that shows her biased ways. 

Kathleen Munroe, who plays Rina, is a wonderful actress and it would be beneficial to FBI were she to stay on as a compassionate regular. 

She’s instead falling into the trope of “powerful female must be mean” and it’s upsetting that this has to happen at all. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Jubal’s “assuming young Evan is not a five-year-old terrorist with an axe to grind” line is easily one of the best from this episode. Maybe the show. 
• Maggie asking OA, “did you see that?” as they’re both watching a surveillance video… cringe. This is such an unnecessary line during what should’ve been an intense scene. 
• Let Isobel and Rina kiss. That is all.
• Did we ever get an update on the child who was injured in the bombing? 
• Zeeko Zaki better have role after role after role waiting for him when this show ends. He is fantastic.

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FBI airs Tuesday at 8/7c on CBS.

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