FBI episode 4 review: The search for a sniper

FBI

Tonight, FBI episode 4 delivered what may have been one of the more powerful stories of the entire season, mostly in terms of giving us a formidable opponent to the Bureau and also showcasing an emotional crisis.

For most of the hour, we saw Maggie and OA doing what they could in order to take down a sniper after a string of killings all over the city. This was someone who was acting out of heartbreak mostly; we saw some of his pain, and how much of it was manifested through much of the conversation that he had with Maggie before the final shot was delivered on him.

You could certainly sense that this was a decision that Maggie did not want to make, mostly because on some level she related to some of the demons or at least the feeling that much of your world was crashing down. That relatability was useful in profiling the shooter, but it also did hit a little closer to her than we’ve seen from some other cases through these first four episodes.

Now, could the writers have done a little bit more to establish some more of Maggie’s backstory along the way? Sure, but it does feel clear at this point that FBI wants you to become attached to Maggie thanks mostly to some of her actions, and not so much some of what she went through before becoming a part of the bureau. It wants to live in the present with its characters, much in the same way that any other show from Dick Wolf does.

The way that the writers are delivering backstory for these characters is more based on in-the-moment conversations than anything else. Take, for example, what OA was willing to do behind the scenes of this case, understanding the plight of a young man and trying to get through to him on some level.

 CarterMatt Verdict

FBI remains compelling, and we do think that the cast has done an excellent job of delivering based on the material. With that being said, we would be interested in seeing a little more of a structural shakeup four episodes in, whether that be a case that allows a supporting character to have more of the limelight or one that features the hunt for a bad guy told in a slightly-different way.

Related Be sure to check out some more news when it comes to the next new episode

What did you think about FBI episode 4 overall? Be sure to share right now in the attached comments! (Photo: CBS.)

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