Mickey and Boone budding heads in Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 3 ‘The Sixth Man’ was representative of a larger issue besides two cops discussing a bank robbery case. Sure, discussing whether it was Heather or Tom Franklin who stole the money was basic logistics and banter. But there was more weight to their back and forth. There was an underlying theme of gender stereotypes being put onto the women with a target on Mickey by her deputy, suspect, and town.
Boone didn’t believe Heather was capable of leading the robbery, instead choosing to detail the possibility of Tom being the main suspect. While Mickey was the one to believe it was Heather as she was more intelligent. It was small but the detail of Mickey correcting Boone on Franklin Motors belonging to the couple instead of just Tom was an ick. And that was when we grew a sour taste in our mouths about Boone. We don’t dislike Matt Lauria’s character. But he’s constantly on edge to prove that he’s better at his job than Mickey.
The minute he feels like he’s right when Mickey’s wrong, he takes the opportunity to make her look bad. It’s not purposeful yet, but he’s a part in shaking the town’s existing distaste and concern for Mickey’s leadership as he’s one of her doubters. There’s a tug of war for people’s approval and he’s winning. Consequently, the town has begun to loudly gossip about Mickey’s ability to lead as she deals with clearing Skye’s name.
If Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 3 “The Sixth Man” taught us anything, it’s that women have to do a lot more than men to gain respect and be seen as strong capable human beings.
MORE: Read our Sheriff Country Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Firewall’ Review here if you missed it!
Mickey Deserves to Be Trusted
Mickey’s the center point within her family and she’s also a pillar for Edgewater as the highest ranked officer. And yet, no matter how hard she’s worked during her twenty-year career as a cop for her small town, they still don’t want to root for her as Sheriff. That’s a big problem about small towns like Edgewater. They thrive on drama that has power to twist the narrative against people. Skye’s involvement with Brandon has made most people doubt Mickey’s innocence in the case. Where overall, this episode showed us just how tough and judgmental Edgewater are as a collective body of people.
Mickey has not had direct involvement with Skye’s legal or criminal case that Boone is running. But people still think she’s mishandling information. It’s endearing that the town would believe a mother would do anything for her daughter with no hesitation or regard for the law. However, the town thinks Mickey is abusing her power in Skye’s case and lying about her lack of involvement. While it’s not true, it just proves how people have trouble trusting women with an existing bad reputation.
We saw how Skye’s social media was blowing up with hate comments about her being guilty. And we heard how the town gossips about Mickey behind her back from Travis’s sister Miranda. Someone who openly didn’t approve of Mickey, who had a troubled upbringing, to be with her brother.
It’s an uphill battle for women to be seen past stereotypes and mistakes that damaged their image. Because growth to be more than that won’t be respected or valued. For Mickey, it’s worse as she’s an authority figure who feels unseen. As a result, the town don’t trust Mickey to care for Edgewater the same way she cares for Skye. Which is an unfair accusation to make.
MORE: Want to see more women in leading roles? Here are 7 Sherlock Holmes adaptations starring women to check out!
Women Have to Work Harder to Gain and Keep Respect
There’s a double standard being put onto Mickey for being a woman who is also a mother. Also, overcoming the odds of a troubled childhood is proof of how multi-layered Mickey is which is working against her right now. As there’s an added pressure to be neutral about family and civilians since Mickey is a mother with an important job. It feels a little unfair because her love for the town and her daughter are feelings that are big and unconditional.
We know Mickey won’t break the law just to protect Skye. Because she didn’t do it when Skye was suffering with drug use. Or when she became a suspect for Brandon’s murder. Mickey on rocky road with her daughter for a long time for doing the lawfully right thing. Because in following such rigid regulations led Skye to feel neglected. That way of thinking has changed within Mickey, who is learning to listen more and be present for Skye. Their relationship is just starting to improve which means a lot to both of them.
In the cliffhanger for Season 1, Episode 3 “The Sixth Man,” Mickey had encouraged Skye to find the receipt used to buy a gift for Brandon that turned into his murder weapon. After she did that, they were going to go to Boone so Skye would explain her innocence further. The plan may not have worked but it’s been important to see these moments because Mickey is getting better at balancing both jobs as a mother and cop.
Boone vs. Mickey
Mickey’s able to balance using her head and heart while on the job, which is something Boone hasn’t mastered yet. So, we side eyed Boone in their discussion in the car when watching Tom Franklin’s car. Because he said Mickey’s connecting to a victim or suspect’s emotions when handling cases was not important. Instead, following evidence and logic was more important. These two have been friends for a long time, and it’ll be awful if he would choose power over her, but we have to prepare for the worst. He may know how to mend disagreements with her by buying Mickey’s favorite frosted donut. But that doesn’t mean much to us. Not when Boone has jumped on any chance to prove he could also be in the Sheriff chair.
He was Mickey’s only other opponent for the Sheriff vote in Season 1, Episode 1 ‘Pilot’. Although he conceded and apologized for running against her, essentially having betrayed her trust, we could tell the loss has been in the back of his mind. Because he resigned from his position and is looking to move somewhere else. Boone wouldn’t have resigned from a comfortable post if he didn’t want more than a deputy title. Additionally, he’s enjoying the power that leading Skye’s criminal case is giving him as the second ranked officer under Mickey. He may not have liked how hostile it’s making her toward him. Without a doubt, he has taken pride in the case as he’s working hard to uncover the truth, no matter if the cost is their friendship.
Boone has one foot out the door, and it could be bad news for Mickey. Which is unfortunate because she hasn’t done anything to warrantee the judgement and lack of trust from her people.
Sheriff Country airs weekly on Fridays at 8 pm EST on CBS.
