Line of Fire Season 1 Episode 2 “A Bigger Picture” continues to prove that this show knows how to juggle a mystery while putting family dynamics front and center. And that’s what made it hard to narrow down what I wanted to talk about in this review. Because there’s a lot of family dynamics here to break down and it’s just episode two. But this is a good thing.
Why? Because it means that Line of Fire is actually doing what they promised. Because even I was a little doubtful in the beginning when they pitched this show as being more about the family dynamics than their super serious government jobs. But they’re doing it, giving special attention to the bond between the siblings, the bond between the parents and siblings, and the bond between the parents.
With Clare moving into their family home, I have no doubt that by the end of Season 1, they’re all going to move back in. But until then, we have the aftermath of Logan’s death, the mystery of Jack, and the case of the week.
So without further ado, let’s talk about Line of Fire Season 1 Episode 2 “A Bigger Picture”!
MORE: Line of Fire Season 1 Episode 1 Review: The Best Procedural We’ve Watched in Years
The Sibling Bonds Feel So Real
In the middle of a big case with a bank robbery, everything that’s happening with Micah and the president’s daughter, the death of Logan, and the Jack mystery, I love how Line of Fire still finds small moments for the siblings to bond. Because yes, I’m invested in the show overall. But more than anything I’m invested in Clare, Russ, and Micah. And it’s because they feel like family down to the very small moments.
For example, the dining table scene. Clare has gone through something unimaginable. And what does Russ do? He whips out his phone, makes sure that Clare has her favorite foods, talks about making sure they cycle through and have lunch with her, and has a list of comfort shows ready. It’s a small moment. But it speaks to the kind of bond that they have. Also it shows how much Russ pays attention to the needs, likes, and wants of his sister. Not because he has to, but because he wants to. I also liked that small moment where Micah leaned over and said he’d watched some of the shows. Because he totally has every intention of watching them with his siblings.
Then there’s Russ fussing over Clare when it comes to the grief counselor. The fact that he thought of that was precious. And Clare using that to get some information for her case, I don’t see that as malicious. That’s sibling behavior. Also, she was grieving and he knew it. Then Clare tied it off with a nice little bow by talking to him at the end of the episode, apologizing, and then acknowledging the effort he put in. Again, this is in the middle of a bunch of things that are going on. But Line of Fire is making it very clear that this show is family first and mystery second.
Not everything is perfect with the siblings though. I’m not 100% sold on Micah yet. And it’s not because the actor isn’t doing a good job. He is. But I think he might be the brooder of the bunch who keeps his secrets close to his chest. And that’s why it’s taking me a little bit longer to connect to him and understand his motivations. But with so many different things that this show is juggling, I’m willing to invest the time in learning a little bit more about him and seeing where he fits into this. I also want to see how Clare and Russ react to what’s going on between him and the president’s daughter. That’s going to be a fun moment and I expect teasing.
What is Jack Up To?
So far I think Line of Fire is doing a great job teasing the Jack mystery of it all. In the beginning of the episode, the Jack info dump was a little heavy. But everything else felt like Jack is doing something bigger and more important than any of them can understand. And the fact that Mike and Jane think that it’s not Jack that left the folded crane, means the reunion is going to be all the sweeter or heartbreaking when it happens.
Continuing to point out the connection between Jack and his siblings is also important. In the previous episode, you could tell that the grief was still powerful. And while the parents are the main ones that know about the mystery surrounding him, he killed the CIA agent that was assigned to Clare. I also have to believe that even though he’s doing bad things, Jack’s doing it out of love for his family. And from the way that Clare reacted to that photo of Jack in this episode, the love is returned still.
Another thing that I wanted to note in “A Bigger Picture” is Jane’s love for Jack. A lot of times when we see blended families on TV, where children from a previous marriage come in, the child from the previous marriage and the new wife, they’re not given enough. And by enough, I mean not enough character development or not enough connections to show that they’re family even if not by blood. But Jane has no problem sharing how much she loves Jack and the pain of his loss.
All to say, I need some flashbacks that show how this family was with Jack. Because if I can feel the love between him and this family without them being on-screen at the same time, imagine when they are on-screen? I think it’s going to be seamless. And a flashback will also be a little safer. Because when they reunite in the present, considering everything that’s happening, it’s not going to be under happy circumstances.
The Mike and Jane of It All
On the surface, I’m not going to lie, I still see 9-1-1’s Bobby Nash when I look at Peter Krause. And when I think of Bobby Nash, I think of Angela Bassett’s Athena Grant-Nash. So it’s taking me a little bit to get used to a new on-screen wife with Krause. But I’m on this journey in Line of Fire and I’m dedicated to getting to know them and understanding whatever is happening between Mike and Jane. Because there is something happening there.
When it comes to Mike and Jane, there’s obvious tension from a marriage that has dissolved. But like we saw in the previous episode, they’ve started something back up again. And whatever they’ve started back up, it’s not something solely driven by passion if that “babe” was anything to go by. It’s driven by the fact they know each other down to their bones. So there’s no reason to hide or be someone they’re not. And there’s comfort in that, no matter how messy it may look on the outside.
But my favorite thing about Mike and Jane so far is the teasing. They talked about how Saturday night was their night and how “You’re going to go there” and “Oh, you’ll get me back.” That’s banter, people. And if there’s anything I love, it’s banter. Also, Mike and Jane are showing us that just because you’re married, or in their case, divorced, doesn’t mean that life doesn’t keep moving. You still have passions, you have interests, and you live dynamic and intriguing lives. The ride doesn’t stop just because the kids get older, your body gets slower, and the candles on your birthday have a bigger number.
And Mike and Jane are proof of that.
Line of Fire airs new episodes on Mondays at 10/9c on NBC, with episodes streaming the next day on Peacock.
