Minority Report Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Hawk-Eye
Henry A. Otero
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Again, it's the precogs that have captured my interest. The cases, not so much.
While I was expecting to learn more about Hawk-Eye, the fact Dash is now an analyst means this was just the tip of the iceberg. Minority Report Season 1 Episode 3 wasted no time getting the precog into Metro, which should prove interesting moving forward.
I'm intrigued by Agatha's vision, and curious to learn more about the overarching story. I'll be honest, the procedural elements feel like a distraction more than anything else. The show is trying to figure out what it wants to be. I've got my fingers crossed for a serialized mythology.
The visual effects in the cold open were pretty snazzy. Though to nitpick, the cityscapes tend to remind me of the Star Wars prequels from time to time. I realize this is a TV budget, but there were moments where the virtual sets pulled me out of the show.
The TV series is definitely not as polished as the feature film, at least not yet. The Hawk-Eye screens looked great though, so let's start there.
Big Brother was definitely watching, and boy were the implications scary. It's interesting that in an effort to protect the public, good cops like Blake don't see the moral dilemma. Naturally, Vega was skeptical about the program, but it was a great way to get Dash "legally" involved with Metro.
I'm glad the writers dealt with the "confidential informant" issue early on. Otherwise, what kind of detectives are we dealing with here?
I liked that Blake defended PreCrime. Maybe he's not so bad after all.
Blake: Laura, this is gonna be big. Maybe as big as PreCrime.
Vega: PreCrime failed, catastrophically.
Blake: And before that it saved thousands.
My favorite scenes always involve the precogs. Brother bonding time was fun stuff. Wasn't it great when Dash hit the brakes knowing a runner was coming? Arthur did get the girl's name and number, so that's something. Then came the name, Massero, and Dash got his murder vision afterwards.
I had a feeling Arthur's involvement would feel more organic after the pilot and this scene worked well. Time to visit Wally for some brain torture.
Again, the case of the week wasn't terribly interesting, but the installment did have a few nice twists. Massero and Maloney didn't even know each other, though we were led to believe Massero's wife had an affair with the victim. Then there was Agatha, blackmailing the baddie from LOST into helping her. She was pretty aggressive, but I got the feeling Agatha is going to get in over her head.
Anyway, Arthur hooked his brother up with a new identity.
Arthur: Finally get a job?
Dash: Yes, I'll be working for the police.
Arthur: I'm sorry. Again?
Dash: You heard me right.
Arthur: Are you trying to get us caught?
Vega: This is the best way to keep that from happening.
Arthur: No, the best way would be for you to disappear from both of our lives.
I loved that Akeela was let in on the big secret. Her enthusiasm was sweet, but I worry that too many people knowing the truth will lead the siblings back to the milk bath. Dash and Akeela's meeting was amusing, but it was his face to face with Lt. Blake that was truly awkward. Does the lieutenant suspect Dash is the informant? Did the golf thing give him away?
So Massero was down on his luck after a product failure, and he went to see a shrink. I can't recall if it was Continuum or Almost Human, but this mind-control storyline sounded all too familiar. Once we met the therapist and he began talking "neurological fine-tuning," I knew this was our guy. of course, the why of it all wasn't nearly as obvious.
Our heroes questioned Massero's wife, changing the outcome... Or did they?
Vega: Massero's going to hang himself.
Dash: A suicide? That's not possible. Is it?
Wally: Dr. Hineman always said it wasn't death you three picked up on, but the quantum fallout of two forces clashing. A murderer. A victim.
Vega: And in English that means?
Dash: Precogs don't see suicides, someone has to be responsible.
Though I had a feeling Dr. Emory was involved, the way things played out wasn't as predictable. I liked that I didn't see that final twist coming. While it was a little anticlimactic that Dr. Emory wasn't the true villain, the fact Eli Winford paid him off made sense.
The way the series has been rushing to solve cases is becoming a bit of a pattern. The writers need to work on pacing, don't wrap everything up in the last few minutes. Then again, this is only the third episode so I'll cut them some slack. The hour was entertaining enough and didn't drag.
Arthur came clean and warned Dash about Agatha's vision. I don't want to believe that Vega is involved, but perhaps she is. It's always possible Dash agrees to re-enter the milk bath of his own free will. Vega is almost smiling in the vision, right? She doesn't seem to be forcing anyone into the thing. What event would be important enough for the siblings to reconnect as a hive mind?
What did you think of "Hawk-Eye"? Doesn't the program sound too controversial? Is Blake on to Dash? Is Agatha working against her vision, or inadvertently making it take shape? It's your turn guys, share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to check that case out again? Go ahead and Watch Minority Report online via TV Fanatic.
NOTE: Minority Report Season 1 Episode 4 is titled "Fredi" and airs on Monday, October 12.
