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Pretender Episode Review

In which Lyle is a little bitter about his car being stolen.

What Happened

Jarod steals sixty million of the Centre's money to fund his new stint as an arms dealer (plus Lyle's car to use a target practice while he impresses his new boss) and is on his way to Venezuela with sixty surface-to-air missiles.

It's a scam to get into the compound of Desmond Blake, who stole his children after his ex-wife was granted full custody. The children were told that their mother died in a car crash. Jarod knows how that feels: he was told by the Centre that his parents died in a plane crash - while they were on the way to visit him.

While he is trying to steal the kids back, Lyle and Miss Parker are tracking the stolen money to Blake. When he realizes that his wife is in the country, Blake cuts Jarod's schedule again and decides to leave with the children. Jarod volunteers to drive him to the airport, reunites Wendy with her children, and leaves Desmond for the authorities.

What We Learned

• Murder happens. Extortion is sometimes necessary. But theft - simply taking for the taking - has always escaped Lyle as an admirable criminal pursuit.
• Lyle is a little bitter about his car being stolen.
• There's no business like the arms business.
• It is not every day the Centre gets ripped off to the exact penny.
• Children shouldn't be stolen away from a mother who loves them.
• One doesn't replace a mother.
• Mr. Lyle made quite an impression the last time, but to his credit, very little scarring.
• Gravity's a bitch.
• Denial is a very human response to a devastating loss.
• Desmond has wonderful taste in weapons.

What Did I Think?

Surprisingly dull considering the set-up. I guess it's just hard to top Jarod blowing up Lyle's car in the teaser.