On The Irrational Season 1 Episode 10, fans learn just how far Matthias is willing to go to keep his identity a secret.
The episode focuses largely on Wes Banning, the initial bombing suspect who flubbed his parole after a visit from Matthias, after he took Alec Mercer and his assistants hostage.
Turns out, Wes didn’t just believe he was a victim, he was, in part, one. While he played a role in the church bombing 20 years ago–and contributed to other bombings when he fell on hard times—he also wasn’t given much choice if he wanted to protect his daughter, Dahlia.
All of his actions have been to keep her safe and sound from Matthias’ threats, which allows us and Alec to see him in a new light. He’s not the soulless psychopath he’s been made out to be.
And after realizing that Matthias, the real orchestrator of the church bombing, wanted him dead, he escaped from prison and showed up at Alec’s door asking for help.
Alec didn’t just dismiss him—he does what he’s skilled at and gets him talking, learning plenty about Wes’ life and even bonding with the man who left him with permanent burns.
Eventually, the plot takes quite a turn when Matthias calls Alec’s office, using Wes’ cloned voice, and threatens his daughter yet again if Wes doesn’t blow himself up.
Where one person sees no option—or things in black and white—Alec always sees the shade of gray, and realizes that there’s another way. With the help of Rizwan and Phoebe, they are able to pinpoint Dahlia’s location and get to her mere moments before Matthias arrives.
You might be wondering how they managed to get out of the building surrounded by the FBI—as Alec’s perceptive sister realized that everyone’s phones were turned off and knew they were in danger—but Alec had a plan for that as well.
Wes made the bombs go off in the office, allowing them to escape without notice, while Rizwan and Phoebe fled to safety.
It wasn’t as easy convincing Dahlia that she was in danger, especially as she’d seen the news and knew her dad was a wanted man, but Alec was eventually able to reason with her, and she allowed them inside.
There wasn’t much time, but Wes was able to apologize to his daughter for not being in her life, and even had a tender moment with her daughter, his granddaughter, before taking a bullet for Dahlia and dying moments after he told her she was his “one good thing.”
THE IRRATIONAL — “Bombshell” Episode 110 — Pictured: (l-r) Jesse L. Martin as Alec Mercer, Ben Cotton as Wes Banning — (Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)
The moment had to be very shocking to her, but thankfully, Alec was on hand to provide some clarity behind her father’s disappearing actions all these years—and in the end, Wes made amends and got closure with the only person who’s ever mattered, proving that he’s only ever cared about her and protected her.
As for Matthias, he’s very trying to tie up old ends and loose ends, all while seemingly silencing any new theories that may arise. It’s evident that he’s aware of the FBI’s investigation into him, and the fact that Jace ended up unconscious (possibly dead) on Marisa’s living room floor isn’t a coincidence—it means that he got too close to the truth and took him out before he could tell her what he found in the critical break in the case.
That, however, means that Matthias may be hiding in plain sight. Or he’s got them all bugged somehow. The man (or woman, let’s be honest) is skilled, but Marisa’s determination just shot through the roof now that he’s targeted not one but two men that she’s ever loved.
What do you think Matthias’ deal is? Who is it? And what are they actually covering up? What happened the night of the bombing?
Did you enjoy Wes’ redemption arc? And we all have to agree that there’s no denying that Kylie’s calling is in law enforcement, right?