FBI Review: Grief (Season 4 Episode 11)

Jubal and the gang face a heartbreaking reality on FBI Season 4 Episode 11, “Grief.” 

Following weeks of Rina being in the hospital due to multiple gunshot wounds, at the beginning of “Grief,” we learn that Rina’s parents have pulled her life support, and she’s succumbed to her injuries.

While this will surely hit everyone hard — as Isobel says, she was family — Jubal has known her for the longest and had the closest relationship to her.

Of course, this means Jubal projects all of his feelings onto the current case because that’s who Jubal is.

Gone Girl

“Grief” is oddly reminiscent of a Criminal Minds episode, but not in a wrong way. The victimology of it all, if you will, makes this feel like a different kind of FBI installment because it is.

This case of the week is tricky because our two suspects have neither phones nor addresses they can be found or traced back to. It makes for an exciting game of cat-and-mouse in the JOC.

Maggie and OA in the interrogation room are on fire, back to themselves as they try to reason with a suspect and, in the next second, let her know she’ll be spending the rest of her life in prison.

I am once again asking if this show is aware that, although I may be the only person to think this, I do still want Maggie and OA to date. Please.

Missed Opportunities 

Our team pairs with their usual partners on the ensemble’s best episode of FBI in weeks, and they work seamlessly. Nothing happening during this episode feels forced — especially Rina’s business.

This is coming from someone who didn’t even like Rina. While I should have done this proper research a while ago, I recently discovered that Kathleen Munroe identifies as queer. So, now she’s on FBI, and the show had her date… Jubal. 

Maggie was right there, and so was Isobel! I am shocked & upset. 

Sigh, maybe Season 5 (if there is one) will be the season where this show remembers that gay people do, in fact, exist. 

Revenge Is a Dish Best Served with Hospital Food 

Jubal finds the part of himself that is ready to break down about Rina, and he channels it into helping the father of a recently deceased girl that went missing months ago.

Despite the father looking to kill our suspect, Doyle, Jubal tells him in a heartfelt speech that he understands where he’s coming from. He has thought of revenge, but he’s not sure that that will fill the hole left inside of him.

It’s a very profound point of growth for Jubal, as we witnessed at the beginning of the season how far he’s willing to go to help those he loves. 

Stray Thoughts:

• Maggie’s beanie once again stole the show on “Grief.”
• Jubal breaking down at Rina’s desk after he held it together for Rina’s mother is truly saddening. I hope he will seek comfort in those at the JOC as he continues to heal. 
• FBI is at its best when it focuses on our main characters as humans, not just agents.

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FBI airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

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