“Highway to Hell,” the latest episode of “FBI’s Most Wanted,” is carefully crafted and deftly ties together two stories of moral challenge and personal growth. That’s the way it is.
In this episode, Remy Scott’s (Dylan McDermott) character appears to be on a path to self-discovery this season, as he puts his friendship with Blake (Michael B. Silver) placed at the forefront. The story begins with Remy and his girlfriend Abby entertaining Remy’s old friend Blake. Always the villain, Blake brings his young, awkward date to Remy’s house, telling everyone stories about their colorful past as Wall Street traders. Later, Remy draws a mature line when she sees Abby refusing to join Blake and Remy for a second night of revelry. Remy realizes that his old friend is just a shadow of what a true friend should be – someone he no longer needs at all. The episode ends with Remy realizing this at Blake’s bar, where Blake reveals how terrible his life is. Blake slanders Abby’s motives for dating Remy. Remy told him, “My relationship with Abby is none of your business.” Blake apologized, “I offended you,” and begged Remy to “just have a drink for old times’ sake.” Remy agreed and began the process of liberation from this toxic relationship by ditching Blake.
Highway to Hell – FBI: Most Wanted, Pictured (LR): Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Agent Remy Scott, Susan Mee Susan Misner plays Abby Deaver.
Parallel to Remy’s personal story are the crazed motorcycle gangs, Wall Street and cryptocurrency money laundering crimes. It’s morning now. Two people are looking for a location. One of them is snorting coke, in an FBI Most Wanted fashion that shows how quickly things can get out of hand. Indeed. Clark Pasternak (Jorge Cordoba) executes three people while smoking Coke at gunpoint. The victims included the Queens District Attorney and her hedge fund husband, prompting the convening of the Fugitive Task Force. Hana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) identifies the vehicle and suspect through traffic cameras. They issued a BOLO (Be Alert) and sent Ray and Nina to track the vehicle. After speaking with the victim’s children, Remy and Sheryl discovered that his father had received a trade request on Sunday night. After investigating who made the deal, Raimi’s team looks for Jeff Scholes (Wayne Pell), the man who brokered the deal and caused a $3 million loss. Upon arriving at Scholes’ home, the team discovered that Scholes’ wife was dead and Scholes was missing. Luckily, the team encountered a nosy neighbor who took a photo of the suspect.
Highway to Hell – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured (LR): Dylan McDermott as Special Agent Remy Scott, Edwin Hodge as Special Agent Ray Cannon, Roxy… Sternberg plays agent Cheryl Barnes.
The suspects knew the FBI was following them, so they agreed to go their separate ways. The driver went to ditch the car and pick up the motorcycle. The team tracked the vehicle and discovered the driver was a law enforcement officer. This man is DEA agent Ash/Charlie (played by Adam Oldyx), who has been working undercover for the past two years in a motorcycle criminal gang called “The Exiles.” Remy objects to continuing the undercover operation because of Ashe’s close ties to the four murders his team is investigating. Unfortunately, Ash’s supervisor at the DEA is unwilling to sacrifice two years of work to arrest two mid-level criminals. The DEA overrides Remy, and Ashe is allowed to try to ensure Scholes’ safety. Remy made a visible effort to express his displeasure with the decision. So, as a viewer, you know something is going on. To his credit, I didn’t foresee the dark turn the DEA agent took. Ash walks into the room where Jeff Scholes is being beaten to reveal the identity of the “Rat” in their organization. The abuser almost immediately accuses Ash of being a rat. Ash pulls a gun and points it at the guy, surprisingly DEA agent Ash doesn’t arrest the guy. He stabbed him to death. Wow! Jeff gives Ash a removable drive hidden in his shoe that contains the stolen money. Clark spots Ash and Jeff. An FBI-style manhunt ensues, but what’s different about this one is the initial confusion as the team works to determine if Ash is friend or foe.
Highway to Hell – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured (LR): Keisha Castle-Hughes as Agent Hana Gibson, Isaiah Isaiah Johnson plays agent Shawn Odunze.
Eventually Ash ran out of time and options. Nina captures him and attempts to escape in a boat. She sympathizes with his identity confusion and has been calling him Charlie, which is Ash’s real name, since she herself has been deep undercover. Ash screams that Charlie is gone, which in his mind justifies his moral collapse. He’s had enough of dealing with criminals and police, all he wants is money to start over. Shhhh! Nina convinces him that his two years of sacrifice will mean nothing if he doesn’t surrender. She said, “Ash’s done. Charlie’s not. Do you agree with Nina? I don’t know. Ever since Agent Charlie stabbed a man, illegally detained an FBI agent, and tried to escape with evidence. Ash and Charlie both disappeared.
Highway to Hell – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured: Dylan McDermott as supervisory agent Remy Scott. 2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.
What’s really striking about this episode is how Remy and Ash’s narratives intersect and reflect on each other. Remy’s inner struggle with friendship mirrors the undercover agent’s struggle with loyalty and morality. A deft handling of both stories culminates in a satisfying and surprising ending that prompts viewers to consider moral boundaries and the nature of personal integrity.
Not only did this episode captivate me, but it made me reflect on the decisions we make and the people we choose to surround ourselves with during this holiday season. This is a must-see series for anyone who appreciates a thoughtful, well-crafted story about complex relationships and moral dilemmas.
What was your review of this episode? Do you see any connection between Ash and Remy’s respective predicaments, or am I completely baseless? Please tell me in the comments.
Overall rating:
9/10
Lynette Jones