Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 13 Review: Better Living Through Chemistry

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What was that all about?

It pains me to have to say this, but this show has lost its magic.

On Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 13, Riggs wound up in a mental institution as part of an investigation, and the experience gave us another look into his very dismal childhood.

Off The Rails - Lethal Weapon

There are several problems I had with this installment of Lethal Weapon, but let's get that horrible memory of his mother's suicide out of the way first.

Doesn't anyone else think enough is enough? We knew that Riggs' mom died and that it had to do with cancer. The idea that she actually killed herself because of it and that Riggs basically witnessed her death takes it way over the top.

Riggs' childhood was so messed up, it's almost unbelievable to me that he was able to become a Navy SEAL, let alone a cop. Wouldn't his past have been a factor and have prevented him from becoming either? 

He certainly didn't just start drinking after Miranda's death. 

It would have been better had the focus of Riggs' mental issues stayed related to his evil father instead of throwing something else into his mental fires. His father almost seemed compassionate when he was telling Riggs about his wife's decision to end it all.

But it also seemed rather cruel that he would bring Riggs back to the house just as the woman pulled the trigger. It's not that I believe he did it on purpose, but don't you think mom and dad would have talked about it and made sure Riggs wasn't around when she did it?

What a selfish and messy way to die. If she wanted to end the pain, wasn't there a better way to do it than shooting herself? Did she not realize she had a child to think about? I find it really hard to believe that a mother would be that insensitive and cruel to her own child.

The Chemistry is Gone - Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 13

But let's forget about the reasoning behind her suicide. What bothers me more is that Riggs has too much baggage to be believable. Some of his layers need to be removed because there's a line that is being crossed, and it's not fun anymore.

Riggs losing it with the mayor was one of the most obnoxious and unbelievable things I have ever seen on this show. In what world would Riggs ever be allowed back to work after pulling something like that? Especially being that he's a cop?

That incident would have been all over the news, and there is no way in hell he would NOT have been arrested. Instead, everyone just chuckled and looked away?

At the very least he would have been suspended. He doesn't get to get away with things because he's Riggs and had a tough childhood. It just doesn't work that way.

When is he going to be held accountable for everything he's done? There have to be consequences for his actions so that maybe it'll wake him up and help move him towards some sort of healing and closure.

And don't even get me started on the flippant way mental illness was handled. Making fun of crazy Riggs' is one thing, but delving into other areas of mental health should have been taken more seriously or not at all. 

About the only thing that was somewhat accurate and dealt with fairly in the show's portrayal of mental health was Roger's uncomfortableness with the idea that his son might actually be depressed. 

Scorsese's Cheese Tray - Lethal Weapon Season 2 Episode 13

There is still a huge stigma attached with any type of mental illness, and Roger's aversion to sending RJ to see a therapist was at least realistic. People don't want to admit to mental issues or that their loved ones, especially their kids, might have mental issues.

But if Lethal Weapon wanted to explore the issue of mental health, they should have handled it differently instead of making fun of it and using it as a plot device.

I'm also disappointed that Riggs and Murtaugh still haven't gotten back to their old bromantic ways. What is happening with that relationship? Riggs losing it with the mayor's car would have been a great opportunity for them to reunite in that way. 

The only entertaining part of this installment was Scorsese trying to woo Bailey in the lab. It was hilarious that he had a cheese tray ready as he shared information about the case with her. Too bad Bowman was there to ruin the moment. Will there ever be a possibility of a Scorsese/Bailey romance?

What did you think of "Better Living Through Chemistry"? Did you like seeing Cahill back in the field?

Is Lethal Weapon losing its magic?

Hit the comments and share your thoughts!

If you need to catch up, you can watch Lethal Weapon online right here via TV Fanatic!

Better Living Through Chemistry Review

Editor Rating: 2.0 / 5.0
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Rating: 3.3 / 5.0 (45 Votes)
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