FBI Review: Fostered (Season 4 Episode 10)

On FBI Season 4 Episode 10, “Fostered,” it becomes increasingly clear that the writers of this show do not know their characters, and it’s taking a massive toll on the series as a whole. 

Usually, on FBI, even with a heavy case or a particularly upsetting turn of events, there are parts of the episode that remain a little bit fun. Small jokes. Quirky looks.

“Fostered” completely lacks in that — not because those moments were not present, but because the tone of the episode took everything down with it. 

The Ol’ Partner Switcheroo

Having Maggie and Tiffany work together is a great idea. We’ve seen Tiffany and Scola’s partnership grow, and it only makes sense if they’re considered a family that everyone knows each other pretty well. 

Unfortunately, it’s painfully clear that the characters are out of their elements. 

What’s unclear is where, exactly, this direction is coming from. While she has a tough exterior, Maggie is always sympathetic. She always tries to connect with the suspects. 

On “Fostered,” Maggie is completely unpredictable. She’s soft in the beginning, but as the episode goes on she becomes more abrasive towards Jamal, the 16-year-old boy at the center of this case.

The worst part of her abrasiveness is that by the end of the episode, we’re supposed to still relate to her and understand her anger.

While, yes, Jamal lied and people were hurt because of it, I think someone needs to remind Maggie (and Isobel, at this point) that Jamal is sixteen years old. He is a child. A child who grew up with a lack of leadership, at that. 

The entirety of “Fostered” is incredibly upsetting. Every time you think Jamal catches a break, Maggie or his brothers are back at him. 

In short, this episode is bleak. There’s no happy ending for anyone involved. Jamal ends up without a family, with said family going to jail. 

Toeing the Tightrope

Then, FBI takes it a step further. The episode makes it even worse because there’s nothing this show seems to love more than alienating the Black cop every chance it gets. 

In a twisted turn of events, it turns out Tiffany is the cop who shot and killed Jamal’s father — sending him to foster care and making him an orphan. 

On FBI Season 4 Episode 6, “Allegiance,” the show forces Tiffany, the only Black woman on the show, to discuss and express empathy for cops. On “Fostered” Tiffany becomes the one who shoots and kills an unarmed Black man, and it makes me wonder what the show would’ve done had it put Maggie in her shoes instead.

Would the series even have had the storyline? Doubtful.

The thing about shows making these kinds of subtle, non-answering statements is that as a cop procedural, in 2022, it’s your job to pick a side. You either make it obvious that you stand with the Black community, or you side with the cops. 

In the early seasons of FBI, there were comments almost every other episode about needing to be careful in how the FBI monitors the BIPOC community. What happened?

All in all, Season 4 of FBI is falling short compared to previous seasons. Characters acting strangely, and storylines that never would have been done in Season 1. It’s genuinely disconcerting. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Who else forgot Rina got shot? My bad, girl. You good?
• Scola knowing immediately what’s wrong with Tiffany is *chefs kiss*
• Maggie’s beanie saved this episode.

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FBI airs Tuesday at 8/7c on CBS.

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