A Stand-Up Guy

Pretender Episode Review

In which nothing's impossible, merely dependent of the vagaries of plot mechanics.

What Happened

Jarod joins a group of wise-guys, trying to figure out why an FBI agent was accused of killing his partner while they were undercover. Setting himself up as a counterfeiter, it doesn't take Jarod long to get Joey to cop to the murder. Then, he starts playing his new pals against each other. Joey plans to turn a local restaurant into his print shop, then kill the owner and torch the place. Jarod turns the tables on him, as well as exposing the leak at the DA's office being paid off by Joey. Then, he pays off Joey's somewhat girlfriend so that she can go be happy in Hawaii. Because the mob will never think to look for her there, apparently.

Mr. Parker sends Miss Parker to clean up a massacre at the a Centre office; Lyle shot his way in and Parker wants to know what the disgruntled ex-employee was after. When it turns out that Lyle has gotten his paws on some sensitive data, Mr. Parker asks his daughter to take care of him. She's unnerved that he wants her to become an assassin. Miss Parker nearly lets Lyle walk away, but when he pulls a gun on her, she fires. Later, Broots tells her that there were genetic codes on the chip Lyle stole and wonders if they had anything to do with Jarod.

What We Learned

• The Centre doesn't have slumps.
• Jarod has an answer to everything.
• If you can bluff your way past the gun-to-the-head moment, you're golden.
• Nothing's impossible, merely dependent of the vagaries of plot mechanics.
• First impressions can be so misguiding.
• Miss Parker would be a lot more intimidating in a different hat.
• Might makes right. The strong can do whatever they want. Etc. Etc.

Best Lines

Jarod: "How is life treating you?"
Miss Parker: "Like he found me in bed with his wife."

What Did I Think?

Another of Jarod's repetitive "stings" can't compete with the fireworks between Miss Parker and her father, even if they did fake Lyle's death - again.

And if you thought he was really dead, you aren't allowed to watch television anymore.