I do watch all of the FBI’s every Tuesday but only review one. It’s partly for a lack of time in my life, but mostly it’s because FBI: International is my favorite series on Tuesday nights. With such an eclectic team that has somehow found a way to work together seamlessly, it is interesting to watch. FBI: International Season 4, Episode 12 was one of the best this season for that reason.
And it’s interesting because the one thing that this show does differently – in my opinion – is that it’s somehow made the team feel like family. Their closeness is different than other teams – it is natural and not always so dramatic. They all just fit and during each episode, you can guarantee that they are going to work together to get things done.
This can be complicated when you’re working in a foreign country and you’re definitely trying to just get through. Ultimately people who come in may not understand the way that the Fly Team makes things happen. That is definitely apparent in this week’s episode when Special Agent Riley Quinn shows up in Budapest.
A CASE THAT MAKES US ILL
I know that some pretty disgusting and sick things happen in the world. I have seen my fair share and I have wanted to erase things from my memories. It’s part of the reason that I don’t watch horror movies. Real life is enough of a nightmare.
This episode is definitely a nightmare. A six-year-old boy was brutally abused and murdered by his mother and stepfather. By the time this little boy was found, his parents had fled the States with his brother.
No forgiveness can ever come with hurting a child. None. It makes me physically nauseated to even think about what that poor little boy had to go through.
We’re introduced to Agent Riley Quinn, who is very young, but very determined. She finds that the parents have fled to Turkey and that she’s going to be heading to Budapest to meet up with The Fly Team. It is hard to guess if Riley is excited to work with The Fly Team because she really doesn’t show any emotion. Instead, she’s stoic and just wants to get the job done.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
Before she can get on a plane to Budapest, she’s called into a meeting. A meeting with her and some bitter troll who is on a mission to just be miserable.
Riley has law enforcement in her blood. Her father, and her brothers – they were called to serve – but she was the only one in the FBI. Her brother is under investigation and she is told that if she gets some information while in Budapest, then her brother will be taken care of.
I am fully aware that I am watching a television show, but that doesn’t matter. I still am going to embrace my passion for this show and treat these characters like they are friends.
And I need to say this – Riley Quinn, use some common sense. It seems like it all went out the window here. I can understand anyone wanting to protect family, but that being said, she should have never agreed to this deal. She shouldn’t have agreed without talking to her brother.
Accepting this deal makes me think her brother is guilty or that Riley has no faith in the justice system. Not sure which one it is. Immediately, it makes me doubt her and I don’t like that. I also don’t like that she’s going to be a rat.
I know that she doesn’t know anyone on The Fly Team, but she should have gone straight to Mitchell the moment that she landed in Budapest. She doesn’t know him, except by reputation. The reality is that reputations aren’t reality.
She needs to learn that.
TRYING TO MENTOR
The team heads to Turkey. The step-monster that they are chasing is a Syrian American. The team knows that Turkey is probably just a stop on the way to Syria, but that tells them they need to be efficient to rescue this child.
Wes has asked Vo to “mentor” Riley, as this is her first big case.
Oh, I love the way that Vo and Mitchell play off each other. Their banter and their laughter make me appreciate their history. I think that their history is very important to the agents that they are today and the ones that they will be in the future.
This is why I can admit that I despise that Vo needs to mentor Riley. It makes me furious because Vo gives with all her heart and she’s been betrayed enough. It also bothers me because Mitchell only wanted to help this girl learn to be a better agent. She was just stabbing him in the back.
While the team is hunting down the family, I have to admit that I love the way that they are working together. They know that they have a job to do, but are looking out for everyone as they risk their lives. The spatial awareness is top tier.
SMILE, YOU ARE ON CAMERA
Nowadays everything is caught on camera, somewhere. You truly can’t outrun things, because someone is always watching. It’s just a matter of if you know where to look.
If you are someone that Amanda Tate and team are looking for – you can’t hide from them.
The team is able to find that the family took a taxi from the airport. Like I said before, you can count on this team to find everything. I just had to laugh when Vo and Quinn grabbed him to take him in.
Turns out he’s the dude on the runs family member. He doesn’t want to admit how it all has worked and where they’ve run to. But here’s the thing – the Fly Team has a way of getting things out of you.
The team isn’t about to turn their backs on this case – children deserve to be protected. When a child’s welfare is involved, everyone should do what they can to help them. I don’t understand how The Fly Team does what it does, but the whole Europol involvement does help.
The family is staying in a tower, one that is run by the Turkish mafia.
THE TOWER
It’s Turkish mafia territory, which sounds like a place that no one wants to go into. The Turkish police may not want to go in there, but if you think it’s going to stop The Fly Team, you would be wrong.
The Fly Team has always been willing to do whatever it takes to save people. The Turkish police may not be able to/want to get them inside, but they do give them an in.
We’ve figured out that the tower is not the place anyone wants to be. They’re in, well they don’t want to help. But there is something about Mitchell that can talk anyone into anything. I kinda love that about him. He’s like you can judge me, but I will always do what is right.
Wes is fearless, but I would also argue that he’s not fearless. He’s just lived through a lot and wants to protect others. His going into that tower was a possible suicide mission, but knowing a child’s life is at stake is all that matters.
It was hard for him to get to that second floor, but when he did, it was as if he didn’t care what happened to him. He wanted to make sure that little boy was saved. However, that being said, I loved nothing more than watching him kick ass. Mitchell, what you’ve given and how you inspire the team – love that.
The best thing about Mitchell though is that he also knows when he needs help and asks for it.
The team is there for Wes. They go in and are going to help Wes. The entire team working as one to get the child to safety, as well as themselves, is golden.
SEVENTH FLOOR
You know, I will never understand how a parent can not put their child first. The team made it to the seventh floor and rescued the little boy, I was on the edge of my seat. The team has done a lot of things together, but this felt extra important and extra dangerous.
Seeing that Liam’s mom left him behind – I wanted to hunt her down. That kid was traumatized by the things that his Mom and Stepdad did to him. Seeing Wes adapt to speaking to that child – I appreciated.
I also loved the fact that Wes was like we’re walking right out the front door. He’s letting them know he’s not afraid. The mafia has probably not seen anyone stand up to them that way.
Getting Liam out and making him feel comfortable was the only way that the team could find the kidnapping pieces of trash that were the parents. Calling Liam’s, Dad was such an important move. Liam wants to love his Mom and honor her, but the team needed for him to feel safe.
Getting his Dad on the phone and him telling Liam to help the FBI, I cried. His excitement over seeing his Dad – the way that Liam’s demeanor changed was perfect. Liam is afraid, but that kid – I am so proud of him. It just also broke me knowing that Liam doesn’t know about his brother.
The team is able to find the “cemetery” that the parents were going to for cash, but the evil stepfather has already left. They did find the Mom, and though she has her own issues, I don’t feel bad for her. I can’t.
She let her sons get abused and murdered. And yes, before you judge me, I know it is more complicated than that, but she’s still the worst.
She does get some reprieve because she is worried about Liam. But that even goes away when she tries to make excuses for how her other son died. I just don’t believe in her.
HELICOPTER FOR THE WIN
The thing about The Fly Team is to get justice they will do whatever is necessary for justice. The stepfather has made his way back into Syria and to many that would be the end of it for so many people.
For the team, it definitely isn’t. Yes, there are a bunch of protocols that they would have to follow. But I don’t even care. They landed a helicopter on the road to get the guy – I cheered.
I love this team. I love that this show has somewhat of a happy ending – Liam seeing his Dad. The way that kid ran into his Dad’s arms – I was a mess.
Riley was a mess too, but trying to hold it in. I loved that Vo reminded her that she can still be human and feel things. I think that it is so important to be human in any job.
A REALLY BITTER TROLL
Section chief Dave Zaleski is a jerk. The way that he calls and is so rude to Quinn because she can’t find anything on Mitchell – hate him. The fact that her brother’s freedom is hanging over her head is not okay.
Mitchell is a good agent – one of the best. Whatever this man’s issue with him is – Dave needs to get over it. He keeping Riley in Europe so she will find something is frustrating. She deserves better.
Personal vendettas are not a good thing and going down that road will never end well.
I do feel for Riley because this whole thing is a lot of pressure on anyone. I just hope that she comes clean before it is too late.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Amanda and the team are amazing – I love them
- I feel like the Fly Team has found a footing they hadn’t before
- Quinn makes me want to scream
FBI: International airs Tuesdays on CBS.
I love this season as well, like you said it is the connection the family like feeling the have that has made this team work well. I have loved this show from the beginning. I certainly hope this show will earn its renewal.