FBI Review: One Night Stand (Season 4 Episode 17)
On FBI Season 4 Episode 17, “One Night Stand,” Scola is finally granted a good storyline, and the case of the week keeps pace with everything going on around it.
This episode allows for transparency — and secrecy — within the bureau without making detrimental, life-ceasing decisions.
It is one of the best installments in a while, as Agent Scola is given a wide space to work with, and he utilizes it to make the episode feel like it goes by in a blink of an eye.
Someone Call D.A.R.E.
A drug trafficking case is a bit tame for what FBI usually gives us, even with the deaths.
However, this “tame” case is the perfect time to introduce Nina, played by special guest star Shantel VanSanten, a witty FBI agent who’s now inadvertently in the middle of Scola and Tiffany’s case.
The trafficking case is a high-risk, high reward situation given what the team ends up with, and I don’t just mean drugs off the streets.
Almost every time we see Nina interact with these men, her life is in danger. Yet, she persists — and persists, and persists.
Instead of introducing Nina as Scola’s former flame or even as Scola’s possible future girlfriend, Nina is introduced through the case as an Agent, not an object of desire.
Funny, Former Model, Notably Not Elise
When we figure out that Scola has jumped back into the dating world, and it’s not with Elise — someone I personally have been pushing for almost an entire season now — I am disappointed.
However, FBI uses both Scola’s prior lack of judgment (don’t ghost people, Scola! It’s rude!) and Nina’s ability to multitask to give us an episode filled to the brim with tension. Conflict tension, competitive tension, sexual tension. It’s all there.
The show gives us a chance to fall in love with Nina before we get the hint that Scola could fall in love with Nina.
While she’s no Elise, the history that Nina and Scola share is hugely beneficial for them, and I’m so glad the writers finally got things right when it comes to Scola.
Finally, Some Good F-ing Partnerships
Time and time again, we’ve witnessed FBI fumble handling partnerships that aren’t strictly OA/Maggie and Scola/Tiffany, yet this time the show lands the touchdown.
“One Night Stand” gives Tiffany just the right amount of space to be a partner while also allowing Scola a chance to work semi-independently.
The same goes for Maggie and OA. They keep a good distance from Scola and Nina but are quick to be next to them when necessary.
This episode is built from the ground up, starting with Nina and then Scola. As a result, it’s the first episode in a long time that feels character-driven, despite recent episodes attempting to center individually on people.
FBI, as a procedural show, does not need relationships. So personal life isn’t technically necessary for our characters, but it makes the show so much better.
Stray Thoughts:
- The royalty-free music that plays in club scenes on FBI cracks me up every time. I love it.
- We deserved to see more OA and Maggie in their club looks.
- I’m absolutely obsessed with Scola being ghosted and then being forced to come face-to-face with the woman he ghosted. Karma works in mysterious ways.
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What did you think of this episode of FBI? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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FBI airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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Laura Wanberg
Laura is a homebody who loves everything about TV. Some of her favorite shows include Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Parks and Recreation, and The Morning Show. With her ever-growing list of new shows to watch and books to read, her favorite thing to do is to cuddle up with her cat and get lost in someone else's world.