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Pearson Season 1 Episode 10 Review: The Fixer

Critic's Rating: 3.7 / 5.0
3.7

Pearson needs to be renewed. It has so much going for it.

We have Gina Torres, the beautful complexity of Jessica Pearson, and an intriguing look at the political genre. There is also Gina Torres, the adorable chemistry between Yoli and Derrick, and Simon Kassianides' killer performance as Nick D'Amato. Oh yeah, and did I mention Gina Torres?

We need a second season for many reasons. One reason is that Pearson Season 1 Episode 10 felt unfinished, and the series has more stories to tell.

The Biggest, Baddest Operator - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 9
(Scott Everett White/USA Network)

The hour was anti-climactic, which made it a bit underwhelming. We barely scratched the surface with many of the most interesting arcs.

When you think about a season finale for a series, you think "everything all season was building up to this" and also "this is why you need to come back for more."

Will I be coming back for more? No doubt, but is it because the finale did its job? Not necessairly.

A Rock and A Hard Place - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 1
(Scott Everett White/USA Network)

Distinctive moments in Pearson Season 1 Episode 1 hooked us into the series. Someone was barreling at Jessica like she had a hit out on her, and she was destroying evidence.

Related: Pearson Season 1 Episode 9 Review: The Rival

The van gunning for her was a fluke and Jessica shredding that file was left unresolved.

Her issues with the FBI are what's supposed to hook us for the next season, but maybe if the FBI portion of the series was peppered more throughout the season, it wouldn't feel so frustrating that we were left hanging.

The Fixer - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 2
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network))

As an overview:

  • Jessica is under investigation by the FBI. She knows this, but she hasn't spoken to them yet. For reasons.
  • Nick is still guilt-ridden and armed with no concrete plan for what to do about the Diehl thing. He's in the wind again. 
  • Keri accepted a new position elsewhere, but now the Feds are talking to her. 
  • Angela maybe has a job as alderman. 
  • Pat is still alive, and the battle for control between him and Bobby isn't resolved. 
  • Yoli and Derrick are dancing around each other. Yoli's mother's case is open, active, and unresolved. 
  • Jessica and Jeff don't see eye to eye on their relationship that might be over?? 
  • Bobby's still the worst.

There were so many ways the FBI could've gotten involved, but it was because of Jeff giving Jessica that file on Carl Jefferies. He took it when he wasn't supposed to, and it spiraled from there.

Jeff: Don’t you get it, Jess! You are under investigation. They’re watching everything you do!

🔗 permalink: Don’t you get it, Jess! You are under investigation. They’re watching everything you do!

Jeff doesn't know the full extent of what the FBI has on Jessica and everyone else as a result of this. They've been following Jessica and Nick too, apparently.

The FBI remains a looming threat, and now there's no way of knowing how they're getting from beneath this. If they bugged phones and Jessica's apartment, does that mean they know about Nick's confession?

Jeff Warns Jess
(USA Network (Official Pearson Twitter))

Diehl was on their board. How much do they know about McGann? What kind of charges could they be looking at? Who can be facing charges?

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What prompted them to go to Keri? Is it because of her role in disbarring Jessica, or is it because she's the city attorney? Is it because she's Bobby's mistress? Why go to her first?

There are so many questions about this.

Fiery Keri - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 2
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network))

Of course, as per usual, the hour was at it's best with those Jessica and Nick scenes. Torres and Kassianides have intoxicating chemistry, and their scenes keep you glued to the screen.

Nick confided in Keri because of her being an active lawyer. Every time the man discusses his childhood in any way, it's heartbreaking.

Nick: They used to call me psycho. Like, in a loving way, like psycho because I nearly killed a kid when I was 14, bashed his head in with a brick. After I saw what I did to that kid, I swore I wouldn’t hurt anyone again. But he knew people were scared of me, and he used it. That’s why when he wanted to get rid of Diehl, he told his buddy Pete to have his flunky son do it. But he knew it would go sideways. He didn’t care, and now I find out he’s got a tape. I should have killed him years ago.

🔗 permalink: They used to call me psycho. Like, in a loving way, like psycho because I nearly killed a kid…

He gained the reputation of being a "psycho" after he beat up another kid when he was a young teen. It didn't matter that he promised himself he would never be that person again or harm anyone again.

He gained this reputation, other people were scared of him, it stuck, and Pat exploited it.

Nick's Guilt  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 4
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

Nick, despite his flaws, is a decent guy now. He was probably a good kid then, but he got dealt a crappy hand. His father treated him like the bastard he didn't want, and he didn't live the life of privilege.

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It's crazy to think because of him being more passionate or appearing more imposing he gets the reputation of the lowlife psycho brother when Bobby has held onto the truth all these years and carried on as nothing happened like a sociopath.

But more on that in a second.

Tearful Keri - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 3
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

Keri wanted out, but Nick dragged her back in confessing to her like that. He scared her too. We discussed it a bit in the comments before, but it did seem like Keri wanted no parts of Nick.

He had to appeal to her by mentioning Bobby. It did leave a girl feeling a certain way, but at least she called Jessica right away.

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Nick likes to act as though Jessica is the reason their lives are falling apart, but it's been 15 years of the brothers being under Pat's thumb. Jessica or no Jessica they were never free.

Jessica: If you still don’t trust me in the morning, there’s the door. But there’s one thing I need tonight. You can’t be in my home with a gun.

Nick: Fuck you!

Jessica: If that’s how you feel, you can leave right now. 

Nick: I’m not gonna hurt you, Jessica.

Jessica: It’s not my safety I’m worried about.

🔗 permalink:  It’s not my safety I’m worried about.

Nick having possession of a gun and being in a dark place was disturbing, and again, I cannot gush about Simon Kassianides enough.

He brings an incredible range to this complicated character. Nick could've been a one-note, terrible stereotype, but he's the best character of the bunch.

Nick & Jess
(USA Network (Official Pearson Twitter))

Nick was looking rough, and his anguish and misery were visceral. He reveals a lot about himself by offering little. His response to Jessica noting he doesn't trust anyone was hard-hitting.

Everyone he's known has let him down or screwed him over. He claims Bobby isn't one of them, but it's untrue from what we've seen.

Related: Pearson Season 1 Episode 8 Review: The Political Wife

Jessica stood by what she was offering to do to help him and in what she expected from him. I'm glad he relinquished his gun for the night because his behavior was disconcerting, and he admitted to it later.

Jessica: You really don’t trust anybody do you? 

Nick: It’s because everybody I’ve known has either turned against me or let me down

🔗 permalink:  It’s because everybody I’ve known has either turned against me or let me down

However, while it's noble and admirable that he would go to such great lengths to protect his brother –something he has made clear since the beginning — it's frustrating that no one tells Jessica the full truth.

Getting to the Truth  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 4
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

She can't help or fix anything without the truth. If Bobby and Nick were forthcoming in the first place, she could've handled some of their issues.

They teased the barest hint of that love triangle fun that some fans have latched onto. Didn't it seem like Jeff was going to walk in on a freshly showered Nick in Jessica's apartment?

It would've been cliche but who cares?

Jessica Questions Nick  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 4
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

Instead, we got Jeff and Jessica at an impasse in their relationship while sitting in the car. Their differences are what drove them apart once before.

Jeff can't understand Jessica's position, what's driving her, and the risks she's taking. He can't understand any of it. They came to Chicago for a fresh start and walked right into more trouble.

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In this case, Jessica has run into trouble and dragged him along for the ride. Jeff never said the words, neither of them did, but his "the last thing I ever ask of you" felt like a breakup to me.

Concerned Beau - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 6
(Tyler Golden/USA Network)

It's sad because of how cute they are, but Jeff isn't the same guy here as he was during Suits. They've never come across as incompatible as they are now.

I loved Jessica's moment where she confessed that she likes the adrenaline rush — the high — that comes with immersing herself into problems and conflict.

A happy, average life is boring for her. It isn't enough for her. She can't change that for anyone, even Jeff. She likes living on the edge in the fast lane.

Jeffica - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 6
(Tyler Golden/USA Network)

Chicago has afforded her that.

It was always about more than her family and atoning for what her father did.

Speaking of family, should we congratulate Angela?

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For some reason, Jessica wanted to reward Angela's boneheadedness with the coveted alderman seat that hasn't been filled.

Jessica: You want to set an example for the boys? Do more than protest. Take a seat at the table.

🔗 permalink: You want to set an example for the boys? Do more than protest. Take a seat at the table.

So does this mean Yoli was wrong about Carlos? He barely served a purpose other than dragging the strike on longer.

It remains hard to determine what Angela wanted from all of this. Every deal she was presented with wasn't good enough, and she was angling for things that weren't realistic.

Assertive Angela  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 9
(Scott Everett White/USA Network)

If politics were easy and simple, we wouldn't have so many issues or be this divisive.

Angela lost her home and her job, and she had her family out in the street in protest. She was standing for something, but what was the solution she wanted?

Related: Pearson Season 1 Episode 7 Review: The Immigration Lawyer

It's hard to say if she and Jessica are on good terms now or what, but she might be getting the position Jessica promised to Carlos.

That means Jessica promised this position to two people without speaking to Bobby about it, but if Jessica gets them out of trouble, then he'll owe her.

Angela's Kids - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 3
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

Angela, Derrick, Jessica, Pat, and Stephanie were all getting to Bobby during the hour.

Angela and Derrick called him out on not appearing to give a damn about the south side. He likes to act like he's above McGann's good old boy bleak and racist views, but he hasn't proven himself.

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Derrick called him out on straddling the fence and not wanting to upset his white/moderate voters by offering any support to the predominately black residents he displaced.

Derrick: I’m trying to be loyal to you without falling off a moral cliff.

Bobby: Well don’t. Pick a fucking side!

Derrick: I just did.

🔗 permalink: I’m trying to be loyal to you without falling off a moral cliff.

Bobby tried to call Derrick out too, but it was laughable. Derrick isn't in a position to do much, unlike Bobby. A balancing act of serving two worlds is just another day of Derrick being a black man in a white environment.

Bobby let the situation get out of control by assuming it wouldn't escalate and then put himself in a position where he had to risk siccing the cops on a bunch of unarmed black protestors.

Underrated Derrick  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 9
(Scott Everett White/USA Network)

He's lucky he could get them to disperse with a self-deprecating speech demanding they hold him accountable. It was anti-climactic though.

It's also hard to tell what rings true for Bobby.

He backed Pat into a corner by publicly declaring Pat would provide temporary housing for "those people" who probably won't "fit in" with that neighborhood.

Pat McGann Plots - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 6
(Eddy Chen/USA Network)

Stephanie's ultimatum seemed to light a fire under Bobby but was it genuine?

He was a total asshole with Stephanie about the potential divorce. He let McGann manipulate him for over a decade, but Stephanie not wanting to remain with her cheating husband was too much? The nerve of that man!

Bobby: Are you filing for divorce?

Stephanie: I said we could talk about that later.

Bobby: Goddamn it! If you’re going to play games —

Stephanie: Games?

Bobby: That’s right, Steph. File or don’t file. I’m not going to let you use it to lead me around by the balls.

Stephanie: You’re lashing out at the wrong person. I am not the one who has been neutering you all these years

🔗 permalink: You’re lashing out at the wrong person. I’m not the one who has been neutering you all these yea

But then, he responded to Stephanie wanting the man she fell in love with back. It seemed like his actions with the protest and McGann were in response to that, but I don't know what's real with Bobby.

He used to be this great man, but Stephanie might have to face the fact that he's gone. Have we ever seen that guy everyone spoke about?

In Over His Head? - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 2
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network))

It wasn't so much a surprise that Bobby is the one who killed Diehl because of Nick's nature for protecting his family.

It's surprising how little Bobby seems to care about Nick, though. He cares about how what Nick does reflects on or affects him, but does he care for Nick?

Doubtful.

Jessica: We’re here because Nick wants to confess to killing Tommy Diehl, and the FBI has both of us under surveillance.

Bobby: Jesus Christ!

Jessica: I take it that’s a reaction to the

survelliance since you knew about Diehl.

Bobby: Where is he?

Jessica: He’s ready to turn himself in, Mr. Mayor.

Bobby: Goddamnit! He can’t do that!

Jessica: Why not? Because you’re the one who killed him? Your brother is ready to go to prison for you.

Bobby: I heard you.

Jessica: Well then do something about it!

🔗 permalink: Why not? Because you’re the one who killed him? Your brother is ready to go to prison for you.

Bobby killed Diehl and went on with his life and his plans like it was nothing, but Nick is the one who carries the weight and guilt.

Bobby wasn't thinking about what a confession means for Nick or how his brother will take the fall for him. He only cares about how it will affect him.

When you consider how callous Bobby seemed in that final moment with Jessica versus all this talk about wanting to do good, I have no better idea of who Bobby is now than I did in the beginning.

Allies or Enemies?
(USA Network (Official Pearson Twitter))

Are we supposed to hate him less or more? It has tipped toward the latter.

McGann isn't the only problem here. Bobby is too, and there is no resolution for either of them. We end where we began with them.

Jessica: You brought me in to fix your McGann problem, and now that I know what it is, I’m ready to get to work. But let me be perfectly clear. I fix this mess for you, I’m done being your errand girl.

🔗 permalink: You brought me in to fix your McGann problem, and now that I know what it is, I’m ready to…

When we get a second season, let's hope Derrick and Yoli have a heck of a lot more to do. They're great characters, and they've done a fine job this season, but if they had more action, it would be even better.

Yoli and Derrick  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 4
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

They're adorable together. Yoli should reconsider her workplace rule.

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She tried to act like the peck she gave him didn't matter, but she made a bigger deal out of it, which drew more attention.

Your feelings are showing, Yoli!

Double Team  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 5
(Jack Zeman/USA Network)

They have similarities, but different approaches that give them opposites attract vibes. They talk about their stances, but it'll be even better when we see their stances more — when they become more pronounced and defined.

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From the sound of it, things are going well with Yoli's mom. For such a moving storyline that is timely and relevant, it's unfortunate we didn't get a definitive conclusion on it.

As moving as it was, by the end, it felt like filler and touching on an important, real issue aimlessly.

New Assistant  - Tall  - Pearson Season 1 Episode 3
(Isabella Vosmikova/USA Network)

It seems like a harsh review. The finale didn't wow as much as one would hope.Jessica ended the hour professing to do what we already thought she was doing the whole time. 

However, Pearson is such an enjoyable series.

With some tweaks, it could be perfect. It remains the strongest when it centers around Jessica, and it's been refreshing to learn so much about this character many of us thought we already knew.

Jessica is such a force of nature, and so is Gina Torres. Hopefully, there's more to come!

Power Strut
(USA Network (Official Pearson Twitter))

Over to you, Pearson Fanatics! Were you surprised that Bobby killed Diehl? What did you think about the FBI investigation?

Should Angela be alderman? Can Keri ever get away from the mayor's office? Did Jessica and Jeff breakup?

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What did you think of this season finale? What would you rate the season overall? Are you also eager for a renewal? Hit the comments below!

If you missed anything or would like to relive the series all over again, you can watch Pearson online here via TV Fanatic!

19 Reasons Why You Should Be Watching Pearson!

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