FBI Season 5 Episode 6 Review: Double Blind
FBI Season 5 Episode 6, “Double Blind,” taken out of context is not a bad episode of television. When you know these characters, though, watching this episode feels like maybe you caught an episode of a spinoff without realizing it.
These characters are unrecognizable.
Case of the Week
For the first time in a while, this case is not a run-of-the-mill case, and it brings up some interesting logistics between what the FBI can and cannot access.
We’re dealing with CIA agents at the center of the case, and they bring a lot to the table to make this more than a typical kidnapping case.
FBI loves to tie in cases with how our characters are feeling and acting, and “Double Blind” is, unfortunately, no different.
As compelling as the case is, it eventually brings us to the real reason we’re dealing with a child abduction: Nina.
Theft and Wall Street and Sonograms, Oh My!
Not even halfway into season five, and missing Maggie for all of it so far, the show has obviously felt off.
Whether entirely because of Maggie’s absence or knowing that Nina won’t stick around forever, it leaves Nina in a bit of a limbo, no matter how well she connects with members of the team.
How FBI decides to rectify this by revealing that Nina, who we’ve never heard discuss long-term things like marriage, or kids, is pregnant.
Nina who didn’t even want to label what she and Scola are is now pregnant and she must leave to figure things out.
Will the Real Stuart Scola Please Stand Up?
Pregnancy and what is chosen to be done about it is completely up to the person carrying the baby. It’s kind to consider the other party, but they are not necessary for whatever the pregnant person decides to do.
To be clear, there is never a moment where Scola acts like this is any different for him — he is very open with Nina, stating that she can have the time she needs, and he’ll be here when she’s ready.
Nina will be gone next week, returning to just a recurring character as VanSanten started out. Maggie will be back full-time, finally, and we will be in the dark about Nina.
A child is not something we know Nina wants. She enjoys being in the field. It’s what she loves and what she’s good at. So why now is everyone suddenly accepting that she just wants to do a little less?
Shantel VanSanten, I Am So Sorry
FBI could take this story many different ways, but there’s a very good chance that we’ll never get to see it pan out the way Nina and Scola deserve.
Both of their characters, in getting to know Scola for years and Nina these past ten or so episodes, are important characters on this show and they deserve more than the most likely five minutes we’ll get of answers.
It’s also not fair in general to bring a woman in, state that she’s only here to replace another woman, and then usher her out by deliberately giving her something she’s never specifically requested with a man she doesn’t know she wants to be with.
FBI has done a disservice to Nina, and a disservice to Maggie, as this was somehow the only way they could think of bringing Maggie back.
Stray Thoughts
- I almost can’t believe we were this close to getting an inter-team relationship and it was just as quickly ripped away from us. Tragic.
- I’m here, sorry, I’m just remembering the times when FBI cared about Elise.
- “Double Blind” is the first episode this season where I didn’t feel the entire 42 minutes of the episode. Take from that what you’d like.
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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 Tuesday 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.