FBI Review: Scar Tissue (Season 4 Episode 15)

A weak case paired with pacing issues leads to an off-kilter showing on FBI Season 4 Episode 15, “Scar Tissue.”

There is an upside, though: FBI finally remembers that gay people exist. 

Out of the gate, the agents are rounding up suspects almost back to back, with no concrete evidence against either of them. (Then, when they finally get proof, it’s questionable whether it would even hold up in court.)

A lot is going on between characters we don’t particularly care about. We get more backstory on some suspects than we’ve gotten on Elise. 

Siri, Play “Daddy Issues” by Demi Lovato

On “Scar Tissue,” we meet Isobel’s father: a standoffish presence who isn’t too keen on his daughter, and vice versa. 

Isobel and her father don’t see eye-to-eye on many things, but when it comes to a serial killer, the fact that he doesn’t budge for her is certainly a choice. 

Especially when Isobel says it’s because she didn’t go to his birthday dinner. It’s a level of petty you’d expect from a friend, an acquaintance, not your father. 

The episode ending with them beginning to repair their relationship is a much-needed Isobel moment. It feels like we haven’t seen nearly enough of her lately. If only we got to see the dinner, too, instead of wasting time on four (!) suspects.

Is It Over Yet?

Unfortunately, I found myself checking the time multiple times throughout this episode. Even though “Scar Tissue” is a good episode, it’s not living up to what FBI does.

This is a running theme in Season 4. This show has spent so much of its first few seasons establishing itself as an out-of-the-box crime drama, only to reach this season and become extremely lazy. 

OA breaking a vase in a room they were in (possibly) illegally certainly makes my ears tick up like a cat, but given the amount of action in this episode, it feels out of place for OA to make such a mistake.

Then there’s the ever-popular matter of agents only taking their partners to apprehend seriously violent suspects. With how often OA or Tiffany are knocked out as the suspect gets away, you’d think they’d have learned by now. 

Alas, “Scar Tissue.” 

We Want Some Romance, Some Mighty Mighty Romance

I know I sound like nails on a chalkboard with how much I’ve discussed this topic, but when will FBI give us a successful, enjoyable relationship? 

So, you will give Jubal a happy and loving relationship and then kill his girlfriend? Then, you will watch the chemistry between Elise and Scola episode after episode and do nothing about it? 

While crime dramas don’t need to have romances, especially intrateam romances, some of the best crime dramas are ones with successful relationships. 

I’m aghast! Dismayed! Stupified! 

Considering “Scar Tissue” as a whole, the episode isn’t bad. It’s just boring. Too much of the suspects and not nearly enough of our personal team, despite Isobel’s run-ins with her father. 

Stray Thoughts

• I respect that there’s a whole FBI-verse to follow and watch, but it seems absurd to throw in a line about an agent from another show without even giving a “previously on.” 
• Alana De La Garza is truly exceptional. Watching her face fall and light back up in conversation makes Isobel such a good character. 
• “I’m not shy. I’m gay.” Everyone give it up for one of FBI‘s only gay characters in several years!
• “If nothing else, he’s guilty of bad marketing.” I would go to a one-night-only show featuring Jubal doing standup. 

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FBI airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

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