It’s a new season and we have to admit that we’re a little terrified of what we’re diving into. The truth is that FBI: International is special because of its cast – the chemistry that they have on the screen and the investment that they make you have in their characters.
Last season, we lost some of our favorite characters – but the biggest hit to us as fans – was Scott Forrester. It felt very abrupt and very odd. It felt like something that we were being lied to about, even though we’re not really entitled to the truth. That’s between the production company, the studio, the actor, and God.
We’ll still be angry about some things though. We are who we are.
A new season brings a new leader and we didn’t expect that to come in the form of Jesse Lee Soffer. Having been big Chicago P.D. watchers for years, we know that he can deliver in a show like this. But we also know the fandom that he brings with them, and so that’s a little scary. But being honest here – we love this show so much that it’s going to be honesty first in our reviews.
And boy do we have a lot to say and be honest about after tonight’s season premiere.
Let me be honest with you, it is going to be a little bit of a struggle for me to get used to a new FBI: International, but it doesn’t mean that I am not going to try. I love this show so much – it’s the only show on these days that is appointment television for me.
New season, new leader, new experiences. Let’s dive in.
LOS ANGELES
A Hollywood opening, I am always here for that. Had to laugh immediately with clothes being tossed out onto the driveway over a dental appointment, but if your girlfriend can’t trust you that definitely tells you something. Had to laugh even more when Wes Mitchell’s partner immediately told him that he needed to let go of the relationship.
What I didn’t expect was that a tail and monitor would change into something so violent so fast. Have to admit that there was a lot of action that I didn’t expect and you know a shootout on the 101 says something. But I cried a bit when Wes’ partner was shot.
Nothing ever ends well or starts good for that point when it’s done out of losing those close to you. Wes said that he wasn’t good alone and that’s why he stayed with his girlfriend, but I could see just by the heartache that his face showed over his partner, that it affected him even more.
I would have destroyed my boss for this and I would do whatever it takes to avenge my partner. My best friend.
Including hoping on a plane to Budapest.
OLD FRIENDS
Cameron’s old training agent was Wes – we finally know how they met. How they know each other. Wes knows that he didn’t go easy on her and that Cameron didn’t like the way that he treated her. Cameron says no animosity and he made her the agent that she is.
It’s Wes meeting Tate that makes me see that he can be a little like Forrester was and yet is his own man. I am like the rest of the fly team – I want to know what makes Wes tick. I want to know what it is that everyone thinks of him.
Wes seems very abrasive and he wants people to know what he does means something. The team seems to have patience for him though as they figure him out. I happen to think that his no-hold-back, call it as you see it, snarky attitude isn’t such a bad thing.
Am I sure that I like Wes? No. But I am sure that his cockiness is something that I can get used to having around.
VISA FLAGS AND OLD HAGS
I don’t want to call anyone names – but Barany’s Mama is a tad bit cranky. And by a tad bit, I mean a lot.
Vo and Wes set out to the embassy to try and find out how the guy that Wes killed and the dude whose face he saw got a Visa. I about fell off my chair as he called out the Visa processor. Not everyone is perfect at their jobs, that is true. But if you think Wes is going to let you get away with it, you’re wrong.
Maybe that’s what I like about Wes from the beginning – he’s not this person who is going to sit back and just take it. He wants to know why things happened and he wants to bring people to justice. That’s endearing.
Going to visit Barany’s mama and ask about his son – I felt for Smitty and Raines. Mama is cranky and doesn’t like Americans. She wants to tell them how bad of a human being they are and look, I get it. You want to protect your son, so I do not really want to hate on you Mama of a criminal.
But when you are messing with the FBI, you should know they are going to try to figure out what you are hiding. And they will.
They’ve got a possible involvement from a guy who runs a youth center – some dude who lost his American citizenship and was deported. His name is Csonka and he looks like an overgrown meathead who was rejected from the Jersey Shore. The team can pull more teens that visited the USA and when they go to talk to Wes and tell him about it – he’s gone.
SOLO MISSIONS
The thing Wes doesn’t get from the beginning is that the team needs to trust each other. So – if you have a hunch, if you need to do something, you need to talk to the team. Europe has different rules. He needs to play by the rules.
Wes isn’t afraid to do what he needs to do, but a gun to his neck isn’t what he expected. Wes announces himself as FBI when he goes to the Youth Center. He doesn’t let it phase him as he’s had a gun pulled on him and Csonka says sorry, but that they had some threats against them lately.
Csonka tries to pull one over on Wes and Wes tries to play coy… but we’re embattled in a how big is your type match. I am impressed that Csonka tries to be calm and noble. Wes is charming and tries to match the tone that he’s getting. But I think that instantly they both know that they are hiding things.
When Wes returns to the Fly Team, he’s not sorry for what he did. He’s got answers for everything. Smitty is not afraid to call Wes out when he returns and tell him that he can’t do things on his own. Again, Wes reiterates that he’s going to be back in the States before anything happens that crosses Smitty’s desk.
By the look on Vo’s face, I think she sees that Wes is up to something, but I also think she’s wondering if he could be the leader they need. If he could replace Scott.
If there is anyone’s intuition that I believe in, it is Vo’s.
WE GOT SOMETHING
Ok, the smarty pants Visa processor that asked if they were perfect at their job – well, turns out that she bought a villa in Cyprus – in cash. Homie is on the payroll. Vo and Wes heading to talk to her… I am waiting for something to come.
And it does quickly – Darlene went home early and when Smitty and Raines go to her place, she’s dead. Turns out Darlene was murdered and whomever killed her tried to stage it. I don’t think that this is gonna go over well with Wes.
Wes and Vo visiting Csonka’s club makes me almost afraid of Wes. Wes sitting down to talk to him – not afraid in the least bit – I know a fight is about to happen. Csonka keeps asking him to leave and Wes is like not happening. Wes keeps trying to call Csonka out and tells him that he knows that he’s the one in charge.
I love that Wes doesn’t care that he’s being challenged. Soffer has taken this moment to show that he’s no longer Halstead. He’s this bada** FBI agent who is not going to stop until he gets the bad guy. Soffer is showing that he’s appreciative of where he came from but excited for the new show and the new opportunity. He’s not trying to replace anyone who has been on the show, but he’s trying to build his own map.
And I can respect that.
I see what Vo meant back at the beginning of the episode when she said Wes is willing to do whatever it takes to get the answers. Damn, dare I say it, I actually really like Wes and his not wanting to play by the rules attitude.
Look, I miss Forrester, I really do. But I also know that I am not getting him back so I am trying to bend with the new. Is it going to take a bit for me to get used to? Yes. But am I willing to try? Absolutely.
And right now, Wes Mitchell is charming the skepticism right off of me.
THE FALL GUY
Csonka is trying to serve Barany up as the fall guy. The team is trying to figure out what and how and what could be happening. The Hungarian Police call the team in to warn them that they can’t surveil Csonka.
Mitchell is peeved. His temper comes out and he thinks that he can just go around people to the next person to get answers. Vo has to be the one to have a come to Jesus moment, that there are different rules there. He needs to listen and he won’t make it in Europe if he doesn’t. He needs to respect their partners.
It’s funny to me how his attitude changes with Vo, but when he gets calmer, he gets a call from his girlfriend that his partner didn’t make it and that’s going to destroy him. The look on Wes’ face, the way he squats down – my heart broke for him.
Truly believe that Csonka has the police dude on his payroll, but if you think for a second that is going to stop Wes now, you would be mistaken. I am glad that Vo is there with Wes because he needs someone that he knows to be there for him. He’s broken.
Vo reminds him tht he’s not alone. That the team is there for him.
BACK AT THE LAIR
Amanda’s hunch about the trips to Los Angeles being about remittances, well its played out. And wouldn’t you know that one of the people who is getting all of this money is Barany’s Mama. Smitty and Raines are now mad. They go back to see her and she still wants to deny everything.
There is nothing better to me than a Raines that doesn’t want to mess around. There is nowhere that Barany can hide – because the thing is you killed an FBI agent. Luckily she decides to play ball and give them the information that they are asking for.
When Barany tries to run, Wes and Vo are able to grab him, and it takes all of the restraint that Wes has to not kill him. I honestly thought he was going to. But he stopped himself and I think it’s because he knows that Brooks wouldn’t want him to do that.
He wouldn’t want Wes to give up his life. He’d want him to get justice for his death. I feel like it’s important to see that he can have restraint.
IT’S WAR
Barany doesn’t want to speak, which I don’t blame him for. Csonka will kill him. Vo being like we’ll release your Mama and put her out there into the world and we’ll see what happens to her. I didn’t think that Vo would get that savage.
But here we are.
Barany joined the youth center that Csonka runs to get his life on track, but Csonka managed to make it so he owed him. What happened in Los Angeles should have never happened and Barany swears that he’s not that person.
Wes looks disgusted. It’s his reply to Barany that made me fall off my chair laughing. Wes, you savage little biotch, I adore you.
Barany admits that Csonka is in charge. The other two that were in LA were murdered to be silenced. Barany wants them to believe he’s not this person, but Wes can’t believe that. I don’t think it’s unfair for him to not believe that.
Vo and Wes go to Csonka’s club and arrest him. When he comes after Wes, Wes puts him on the ground. Csonka says he’ll come for him and Wes is like I ain’t hard to find. This was absolutely amazing.
STAY
Wes calls Ella to tell her what happened, that they got their person. It’s at this time that she decides to break up with him over the phone. She’s quoting her shrink and he tells her that if she’s done just say it. She says it. But it was the savage moment when Elle says ill always love you and he says good to know.
Wes doesn’t know what is next. Vo tells him that he gave her great advice one time – you can make your own plan or you can be a part of someone else’s plan. He made me LOL when he says he read it on a tea bag.
I hate to admit it, but it’s at this moment that I forgot for a hot second about Forrester. It was this seamless transition to a new leader. Now, do I think it would always be that easy? No. There will be comparisons, but as a viewer, they did everything that they could to make me forget what I was angry over.
Vo tells him that it’s time for a change and maybe he should run the Fly Team. She wants to learn from him and what they do matters. She would love for him to be there. she’s gotten everyone else on board.
What the team needs is a leader.
It’s what we need as a viewer also. Can Budapest be home for Wes? We hope so.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Wes needs to answer every time his GF’s calls…I mean does she not know you are working
- Doesn’t matter what show Jesse Lee Soffer is in, they like to dress him in a flannel
- Ella – I am not gonna be sorry you are gone
- I Love Wes and Vo’s relationship
- Smitty is on board for Wes staying, that’s a surprise.
FBI: International airs Tuesdays on CBS.
