Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 1 Review: El Gringo Loco
Lisa Babick
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Riggs and Murtaugh are back!
And with them, we get the resolution to a storyline left dangling from long, long ago.
The fate of Tito Flores was finally revealed on Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 1, marking a turning point for Riggs in more ways than one.
At the end of Lethal Weapon Season 1, Riggs traveled to Mexico to confront Flores and avenge Miranda's murder.
Murtaugh didn't want his partner making a huge mistake so followed him to Mexico. We pick up two weeks later and learn Murtaugh still hadn't found Riggs, but lucky for him, he happened to be at the right place at the right time this time.
The action picked up fairly quickly, and the partners were finally reunited. Murtaugh actually looked relieved to find Riggs, and Riggs was surprised to see Murtaugh but had no intention of stopping what he was planning to do.
He'd waited too long for his moment, and not even Murtaugh was going to stop him from putting a bullet in Tito's head. At least, not until Murtaugh told Riggs he loves him.
It showed just how far Murtaugh was willing to go to save his partner. And while it was awkward when Murtaugh blurted it out, there was no mistaking the way he feels about Riggs.
Riggs has been like a brother to him since they first met. Sure, Riggs got him into a lot of trouble, but the two built a bond together that is undeniable.
If Murtaugh didn't love him, he wouldn't have traveled all the way to Mexico to stop Riggs from killing Tito. He wouldn't have done a lot of what's he's done to protect Riggs from himself or to bring him into the Murtaugh family.
Murtaugh may do things in a weird way (asking Riggs to reciprocate the love was even more awkward), but it's always with good intentions.
And while Riggs may deny it, he feels the same way about Murtaugh. He'll never tell Murtaugh he loves him (although he did once after the bar fight last season), but his feelings for Roger and his family run deep.
They accepted him despite his flaws and welcomed him into their family after his was destroyed. How can Riggs not love Murtaugh?
Sometimes Riggs needs a voice of reason, and that's what Murtaugh provides. No matter how desperately Riggs wanted to kill Tito, he knew it would be the worst mistake he'd ever make.
Not only would he ruin his life and career, but he'd also be disappointing Miranda because she would not have approved of murder.
Riggs has a superb support system. He has the Murtaughs, but he also has Dr. Cahill and Captain Avery backing him up.
My heart exploded when Cahill visited him at his trailer. While I know Riggs and Cahill becoming a romantic couple is probably not going to happen, the chemistry between them is real. She cares about him.
Going to his trailer went above and beyond what she had to do. She knows what makes him tick, and he knows he can always count on her to get him through the rough times.
Avery is also a big supporter of Riggs and Murtaugh. He'll go to any lengths to protect them even if all they do is cause him trouble. He may have had a few doubts about a successful outcome to the Tito Flores situation, but he wasn't going to throw Riggs or Murtaugh under the bus.
He was willing to take the heat for them from the higher-ups. Not only is Avery a good Captain, but he is also a good friend. He cares about them as he does all of his team, but I think he has a particular affinity for his two troublemakers.
Like Riggs lights up Murtaugh's professional life, so Riggs and Murtaugh light up Avery's professional life.
Riggs was never going to give up the badge even if he pretended he was disappointed he wasn't the one who murdered Flores. If he were serious about it, he would've never gone back to Mexico to get the guy who did the deed.
Riggs also wanted to make sure Murtuagh's career wasn't ruined, but he knows that Murtaugh would have been crushed had he left. Besides, Riggs enjoys being a cop, and he loves being partnered up with Murtaugh.
The end of Tito Flores and the cartel closed a chapter in Riggs' life. All of his questions surrounding Miranda's death were answered, and it allows him to move forward. He knows that's what she would have wanted, making burying the ring especially poignant. It marked a turning point he never thought possible.
He'll always love Miranda, and she'll always have a piece of his heart, but he also knows it's time to move on. His life couldn't stand still forever. While it's sad to see that storyline fade into the background, it's exciting knowing better things are ahead for Riggs.
What did you think of the season premiere of Lethal Weapon? Were you surprised Riggs buried his ring? What was your favorite part of the episode?
Hit the comments and share your thoughts!
If you need to catch up, you can watch Lethal Weapon online right here via TV Fanatic!
