Better Part of Valor

Pretender Episode Review

In which what Miss Parker does for recreation is her business.

What Happened

Jarod makes himself at home at a Pittsburgh firehouse, investigating the death of Tamara Copeland. Every time he brings up Copeland, her best friend Nancy stalks out. Jarod suspicions center around Captain Harrigan, the local arson investigator Zimmerman, and a series of warehouse fires.

The Centre uses a savant to try and guess where Jarod will turn up next. Miss Parker doesn't have much interest in Angelo; she amuses herself with seducing her married ex-boyfriend. Sydney expresses concern over her "recreation," but she refuses to discuss it with him.

Zimmerman admits that he and Harrigan set the fires to collect insurance money and clear the way for mini-malls. When Zimmerman got caught in a blaze and Copeland showed up to rescue him, Harrigan silenced her in order to keep their secret.

Angelo pinpoints a possible location for Jarod, so Miss Parker tells her boy toy to go home to his family. The man at the Smokehouse says that Jarod was sitting in with the meat (in between setting up a dental plan and restructuring their business assets), and that he told the same to the man who arrived before them.

Jarod starts a fire inside Harrigan's house. While the man panics, his confession is broadcast to the others and they hang back and watch it go up in flames. The thug who got to Jarod before Miss Parker turns out to be the ex-boyfriend, who pulls a gun. Jarod takes it away from him and leaves him for Parker.

What We Learned

• Cousin It is the man for the job.
• His name is Angelo. He's very special.
• Miss Parker looks terrific.
• Despite the lack of good sex.
• Apparently... Sydney was just about to leave.
• Arson investigators talk to themselves.
• Dogs are amazingly loyal creatures.
• Miss Parker can fence.
• What Miss Parker does for recreation is her business.
• Miss Parker speaks Russian.

What Did I Think?

I wonder whether Miss Parker knew all along that he was up to no good and just wanted to know who, exactly, he was working for? I sincerely doubt that she would be the sort to put up with a less than stellar lover, so her telling Ex that she was faking it is either sour grapes or the last move in a game.

Of course, it could just be a writer who didn't particularly think things through; God forbid she just get laid and kick him out.