The Equalizer Season 5 Episode 18 Review: Decisions
Even though fans found out a few short days before The Equalizer Season 5 Episode 18, “Decisions,” it is clear the episode is written as a series finale because our favorite characters receive the happy ending they deserve. While we didn’t get enough time to mourn their loss, the episode leaves us with the certainty that wherever they go next, they will be good.
Certain things happen too quickly, but they make sense in the grand scheme of things. Others come together perfectly after being discussed all season long.
In the end, The Equalizer does the best it can to guarantee every fan is happy with where things end.
The one thing we had been waiting to find out all season long was where Delilah would ultimately go to college. While Howard rejected her because of her arrest and UCLA accepted her, Dee wasn’t happy with this result.
However, “Decisions” reopens the door for Howard as she meets her favorite author, who happens to be on the acceptance board. Given the opportunity to stand up for herself again, Dee does so exactly as she was taught by all the amazing women in her life.
She talks from the heart, explaining her family’s experience and the reason why social justice and that program at Howard mean so much to her. Every defining character moment Dee went through on The Equalizer prepared her for that conversation and for her to take a chance at her dreams.
Even though we won’t see Dee go off to college, her story comes full circle now that we know where she is going and how happy she is about it. A social justice program is the perfect fit for the young woman Delilah is, and the way her mother and aunt raised her.
Aunt Vi has spent the entire show taking care of Robyn and Delilah. It is clear that she has sacrificed a lot of her happiness and her passion to be there for the two women who needed her the most. Even though she never recriminated them for it, we knew at some point her happiness would come first.
It might seem quick of Curtis to ask her to move in, but for two people of their age and with the past they have, it makes sense. But it also makes sense that Aunt Vi hesitates whether this is the right next step for them.
Truthfully, and even though she doesn’t say it, viewers can understand her hesitation comes from not knowing if Robyn and Delilah are ready for her to move out. She is the rock that keeps the home together, and she needs to be sure that her girls can be without her before she makes her choice.
The answer comes to her when Dee tells her about Howard, and Robyn gets engaged to Dante. Now that she knows her girls are going to be okay, Aunt Vi can move out and put her happiness first for once.
The Equalizer Season 5 focused heavily on Mel’s PTSD. While the ball was dropped more than once, this final episode shows how far Mel has come. But it also shows Harry’s perspective.
Up until now, Harry had been Mel’s biggest supporter, making sure she was okay and putting her needs first. On “Decisions,” he dares to voice his own concerns when it comes to their safety and how long they can keep putting their lives in danger to equalize. When Mel asks if this has anything to do with her PTSD, he tells her it’s about their survival.
While it feels weird that Harry is worried because he has never shown this part of himself before, it makes sense that he doesn’t want to keep risking his wife’s life when he mostly stays behind a computer. But the truth is, as Mel’s put it, they wouldn’t have other things to do if they weren’t equalizing. This job is their life, just like it’s Robyn’s.
Even though there is a tiny moment of fear, they will leave Robyn when he mentions they have been thinking about it, Harry trusts Mel’s instinct, and they both decide to keep working with Robyn and Dante. It is good to know that the OG trio stands together even if the show ends.
Dante and Robyn took their sweet time to get together, and they talk about it on “Decisions” as they think back on the first time they met. From enemies to friends and co-workers to finally ending up as lovers.
Even though their relationship didn’t always have the chemistry fans look for in the main couple of a show, their bond makes sense because the lives they lead match perfectly. While Robyn is afraid this might backfire on them, Dante trusts that the risk they put themselves in is worth it all.
A marriage proposal may seem too fast for a relationship that has just started, but it makes sense for a series finale. After all, we all want to see our hero happy, thriving, and in love. And it seems Robyn thrives the most when she is with Dante.
The only thing that makes absolutely no sense is the sudden (and off-screen) change in Dante’s sons. The last we knew about them, Dante was afraid to introduce Robyn into their lives because one of them still thought he could get back with his mother. Now, we find out they are happy about the engagement, and they helped Dante pick the ring.
It would have been nice to see that change of heart happening onscreen. Other than that, The Equalizer ends the best way possible. While we will miss the equalizing team and their family, we’re happy to know we leave them in their own world with a happy ending.
What did you think of this episode of The Equalizer? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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The Equalizer is available to stream on Paramount+.
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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature who works in PR. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.