I didn't find this episode that engaging. Even though the premiere wasn't as exciting as I'd have liked, it did have redeeming qualities like the acting by Abigail Breslin and the mild sense of urgency and engagement that landed. The latter was somewhat present in this episode, but I wasn't as engaged. This episode would've been better if the plot had been more exciting or had a quality similar to Abigail's acting been prominent.
Something important that was subtle and triggered a light bulb in my brain that I didn't notice until my second viewing was Caitlin's mention of Stockholm Syndrome at the end. That 100% had a double meaning; even the camera lingered on her. Sasha Alexander's line delivery also seemed to convey that double meaning. She would know all about Stockholm Syndrome: the interactions with her and Ari Haswari in the first season. It was subtle, and I could be wrong, but I think that double meaning was intentional. I can't believe I didn't notice it on the first viewing.
I feel like what most people got out of this episode was regarding Tony and his supposed views toward women; he's that kind of character. It seemed at its high in this episode, however. And I say 'supposed' because it's likely for comedic purposes: and this time, it was also a plot device to further this episode's plot by his similarities with the killer helping him to find a significant thing. But it is a bit much; his character needs more depth. It's 100% understandable if this episode's antics with that aspect of his character pissed people off the most out of every instance to this point.
My biggest takeaway was Barbara Swain. More specifically, the actress who played her. I know: that's an irrelevant thing to "care" most about; however, there isn't much else to say about the episode. I had a suspicion it was Betsy Brandt (who played Marie Schrader in Breaking Bad), but she looked different enough to where I wasn't sure, which I now realize was because she was a lot younger. Well, it was her. That was a surprise.
I preferred the premiere.
