NOTE: Season 2 Episode 1 review here. Spoilers, so read at your own risk.

Let me just get this out of the way–Shanola Hampton looked incredibly beautiful this episode. The shades of purple outfit, the ‘beat’ face… Her hair was on point, too (it usually is, but really popped this episode).

As for the case of the week, the culprit was obvious from the first scene, so I barely paid attention to the red herrings.

And since I’m here, I might as well get a few other minor aspects out of the way (not in implications, but in time spent and story development):

First up, Margaret: she can ease up now; she’s doing too much at this point. And what a liar—she swore to Gabi she’d be there for her the day she really needed someone, and instead, she’s blaming Gabi for her continued trauma and psychological abuse by her kidnapper. Dhan needed a minute when he first found out what Gabi did, and I expected all team members to also need a minute to process, but Margaret is going too far. Still, she didn’t quite deserve to have WWT lobbed at her; that felt misplaced. I’m always here for having WGT/WWT called out, but Margaret was being a legit ally in the moment. She was rightfully furious at the attitudes of the press.

The Kiddos

My goodness–Bella peed herself Sir scared her so much! Poor girl; horrified and humiliated. The little actress has been doing such a great job–she’s very sympathetic. The writers are also doing a great job in trying to make sure there’s no appeal to Sir. The bench scene still appealed, but by the end, the forbidden thrill disappeared (until further notice), so bravo? 

As for young Gabi, it was tough to see she already had to move into a nurturing/mother hen role and be there for others in a major way while still healing herself. And no one’s really there for Gabi; even her dad couldn’t be present for her when she returned home. No wonder Sir so easily fills the vacuum. There’s Dhan now, but outside of him, all she does is pour into others, and some of those others are now spitting in her face. Gabi needs help, y’all! When did she stop therapy?

And while Trent isn’t in the nurtured or kiddo category, and it’s understandable why he’s upset (I suspect he mostly just feels made a fool of), Gabi was right to call him out on the juvenile way he was operating. I mainly chuckled at sassy Trent, though. And at how mad at himself he was after he instinctively reached out to catch Gabi when it seemed she would collapse at Sir’s abandoned hideaway location.

Major Takeaway – Sir’s Brother

Yikes! What an intro. Chris Evans chilled me to the bone before saying a word, so great job, Casting! My suspicions are even stronger that he killed the mom, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The way Gabi paused with great alarm at the sight of him, the harsh lighting, the ominous music score, the casting of that face and voice–he’s bad news. The fact that he said, “It’s nice to finally meet you, Gabi.” Very bad news. And the way he flagrantly disrespected the boundaries at M&A; how his eyes coldly assessed and lingered on each person; the way he stood firmly despite being told to leave… No amount of I’m a grief counselor; I can help will misdirect me at this time. Sir’s little brother is probably worst than him.

The Future of Found

I am very much looking forward to this longer season. I overlook a lot, suspending copious disbelief; for example, I’ve accepted that Sir must have supernatural powers considering all he accomplishes, so pulling a Batman at the bench didn’t phase me. He had the magical Joe Goldberg hat of invisibility, after all. But I’m afraid there aren’t enough people like me, eager to devour whatever the show wants to feed me. The show is already at 10 on a work/school night, and even though streaming next-day is an option, it’s best to watch this show at night given its literal and figurative darkness. Otherwise, its issues become stark.

While I’m the perfect audience for a show like this, I recognize the flaws, and I can see where and why it’s losing some people. One major issue is that it lacks places to root for something. Yes, I know–it’s supposed to be all about the cases; we’re supposed to be rooting for them to be solved in satisfying ways, and that’s obvious, but there needs to be a core heart–something sustained.

I see the show is aiming to present the Found family sisterhood of Gabi and Bella/Lacey as the heart, but there’s a disconnect with some of the audience based on what I see in the forums. The bond and warmth of (and empathy for) the younger duo isn’t translating to present day.

Finding a Balance

Personally, I gave this show a shot because I’m willing to give nearly any show featuring a black woman a shot, and the show turning out to be far up my alley was a bonus. Unfortunately, I’m well aware how quickly a general audience can turn on black girls and women, and Gabi as a character was excessively abrasive in the first season. Intellectually, being kidnapped is a soft spot, but that happened to young Gabi; older Gabi was a bulldozer stringing along a lovesick cop. I don’t need romance in any show or movie, but I think for the general audience, having something to root for on an interpersonal level is important. The cases change week to week, so no longterm investment there. It’s part of why the Sir-Gabi relationship is so dominant and clouds everything; it’s the only relationship that has major developments, but we’re not supposed to root for it. The development between Huck Dhan and Gabi has been nice, but still not enough.

The show is missing a balance of softer human moments; drinking a shot at the end isn’t enough. Relentless brutality/coldness/stress is a tough watch.

A small part of me wishes the tables were turned in the Gabi-Trent situation; Gabi adorably trying very hard to work past her trauma and stunted romantic history to attempt a connection could’ve been interesting (with Trent liking her but keeping a distance). Do not get me wrong–I will always be here for love triangles with black women at the center of besotted men. I’m perfectly fine with how things are going so far and I can’t wait to see what’s in store. Hopefully, everyone tires of kicking Gabi while she’s down soon. Although based on the preview for next week, looks like they’ll have to since she literally won’t be there to kick.

Preview for Episode 3: Missing While Lonely (YouTube).

My review of the episode here.