Marshals deals with some very touchy subjects where murder is involved more often than not.
Between domestic terror, kidnappings, human trafficking, and assassinations, these themes are not for the faint-hearted.
However, the darkest parts of the show exist in the characters, and for the first time, we’re exposed to them all within this hour.
The strength of Marshals Season 1 Episode 10 “Playing with Fire” is that it builds on arcs that have been developing in previous episodes.
Some, like Kayce’s family history, have been an open secret between us and the show, but others, like Belle’s history, have been a mystery.
Let’s start with Belle because that came out of left field.
We knew that she had a complicated family history, but no one could have guessed it was that complicated, with a dead father and an incarcerated mother.
In retrospect, the show has planted this mine seed in Marshals Season 1 Episode 2 when the marshals are tasked with de-escalating the conflict between the ranchers and Brocken Rock.
The hour also does something different and shuffles the pairings, and that Barbie instinct immediately clocks that something is wrong between Belle and this convict who keeps staring at her.
My first instinct when this started happening was that Belle came from a crime family and, in an act of rebellion, decided to become a marshal.
But the kind of crimes I expected were not what we see this hour.
It is the kind of immoral negligence that changes how children view their parents, and even all these years later, Belle has never forgiven her mother for what happened with the mines.
However, it felt like a bit of an overkill for her to be okay with watching her mother die.
And that’s one of my biggest concerns with how messy things are turning out to be between the members of this team.
What Belle feels in that moment is not a choice; it’s years of pent-up feelings that hit her at that moment.
She had lacked control in how her family saga unfolded, but at this moment, her mother needs her, and Belle’s never been more in control.
Things between Kayce and Pete are already fragile, but they could always get worse. If they do, there is no telling what could happen.
Will one of them have their Belle moment?
What happens when Pete is tired of trying to walk Kayce from the edge?
And given how dark everything turns out in this episode, Kayce might be becoming increasingly unstable.
Following a fire at the ranch that nearly claims Garrett’s life, Kayce’s emotions are all over the place.
The reappearance of someone familiar with the Dutton history he aims to escape so much is one less thing that he needs.
Now, Kayce needs to decide whether he’s leaving the darkness behind or leaning into it.
Because this fence-sitting is not doing him any favors. It’s not possible for someone to always be present to pull him from the edge.
And for the first time, I’m left wondering if he will ever be able to move on. Because is it moving on when you live in the same place where a lot of bad things have happened, sometimes with your involvement?
Kayce knows where all the bodies are buried, and he will almost always be pulled into some Dutton drama on another.
If he weren’t living on the same ranch, he would not have had the instinct to seek out the escaped convict because he could predict their behavior.
The first half of this two-part storyline leaves him wrestling with the choice of whether to take Neil Lamb on a trip to the train station to save the Dutton family name or carry the risk of secrets coming out.
His decision could further affect his relationship with Pete, which in turn affects the team.
And poor Pete has so much on his plate.
The pairings shuffle finds him and his future son-in-law trailing two of the escaped convicts, and what do two potential in-laws do when stuck in a car? Embrace the awkwardness or clear the air?
They decide to clear the air, and as I’ve said in the Marshals Season 1 Episode 8, I’m not a fan of personal issues becoming right front and center during cases. It affects the thrill of the chase when we have to hear constant arguments.
However, if it has to happen, I prefer it during the ride rather than in the middle of a hostage situation.
At least, Marshals has that going for it.
Gut Check
“Playing with Fire,” while not thrilling like some other episodes, is a welcome tone change. It feels like we’re learning even more about these characters and their dynamics, which fixes one of the major problems in the early episodes.
Intrusive Thoughts
- There’s no way that fire was an accident.
- Kayce and the rich man’s daughter are still in touch? After that dinner, I thought it was over.
- It was risky, but Pete and Miles’ move was really cool.
- Brenda Strong did such a great job on Desperate Housewives, despite her character’s fate in the pilot; I forever see her as Mary Alice.
- Where is Tate??
Over to you, Marshals fanatics. What did you think of the story this hour? Are you a fan of these two-parters, or do you prefer resolution within the hour?
Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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