“The Power Company” from “FBI: Most Wanted” is an exciting drama about the Fugitive Task Force (FTG) taking on a gang of corrupt small-town law enforcement officers. I’ve been critical of the show in recent weeks for succumbing to predictable cliches about mindless escalations of violence. Instead, the episode addresses the disturbing reality of racism and systemic brutality when police target non-white citizens. The author’s exploration of the adverse impact the case had on FTG’s black agents Cheryl Barnes (Roxie Sternberg) and Ray Cannon (Edwin Hodge) is Commendable, although this only scratches the surface. Let’s get started.
“The Electric Company” – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured (left): Roxy Sternberg as Agent Sheryll Barnes and Edwin Hodge as Agent Ray Cannon.
The episode centers on the systemic violence that has plagued communities in Archer County, Maryland for decades. Manny Birdsong (Apollo Levine) is beaten and trampled in front of his family. The FTF became involved when Archer County, Maryland, resident Manny was found dead in another Virginia swamp, where two other victims were also found with injuries consistent with electrocution. Ray mentioned that Archer County was known as a “sunset town,” meaning nonwhite residents had to leave the city’s borders before sunset. Despite suspicions that local law enforcement was still enforcing this racial policy, Ray and Shirley volunteered to go there to look for clues.
The team tracks down Manny’s partner, Jolen Schafer (Casey Waterman), who confirms that two masked white men electrocuted Manny and dragged him into the yard. The Taser was a key piece of evidence in the case. The team traces the Taser cartridges to a bulk purchase from disabled Deputy Sheriff Elias Nelson (Christopher Thornton). Elias has a son, Eli (Andy Favreau), who, he explains, “followed in his footsteps” with the Sheriff’s Department. Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott) quickly identifies Eli as the prime suspect and leads him to Sheriff Blake (John Bedford Lloyd).
“The Electric Company” – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured (left): Christopher Thornton as Elias and Dylan McDermott as Supervisor Remy Remy Scott.
The dialogue between Blake and Remy is riveting, revealing how deep-rooted bias and corruption influence the actions of local law enforcement. For example, Black laughed off Raimi’s investigation of his deputy, Eli Nelson, saying, “I don’t recall ever seeing a Taser hoarder on the wanted list.” “No,” Raimi responded. “There is evidence that the man who killed Manny Birdsong shot him with one of Eli’s bullets.” Black continued to joke about his anti-crime unit, the Power Company, mentioning that his deputies captured a A murderer executed by the electric chair. However, Remy knows the Sheriff is lying and tells Nina, “No one ever gets a chair in Maryland.” The name could mean the Sheriff’s gang acts as judge, jury, and executioner.
Convinced he’s dealing with lawless, rebellious police, Remy alerts county District Attorney Barbara Evers (Samantha Steinmetz). She immediately refused to follow up. Meanwhile, two members of the power company plant a Taser in the car of citizen Ronnie McCaffrey (RA Guirand), charging him with the murder of Manny Birdsong. The pair then blackmailed several teenagers into reporting anonymous fraud reports against him.
“The Electric Company” – FBI: Most Wanted (LR): Dylan McDermott as Special Agent Remy Scott, Shantel Van Santen as Special Agent Nina Chase, Roxy Sternberg as Special Agent Cheryl Barnes and Edwin Hodge as Agent Ray Cannon.
Following a divide-and-conquer strategy, Remy sent his team to spy on members of the power company. The Sheriff and a deputy pulled over Ray and Shirley for speeding. The situation escalated. Ray and Sheryl experienced firsthand how Archer County police treated non-white citizens. The deputy used a Taser to shock Ray. He and Cheryl found themselves in custody, awaiting arraignment. When Remy tries to help them in court, Judge Winters (Mark Zimmerman) tells him, “Sit down and shut up.” The team learned that legal agencies throughout the county were working against them. However, the district attorney dropped the charges, telling the FBI they had no authority. As they leave the courtroom, they discover that Ronnie McCaffrey has been charged with the murder of Manny Birdsong.
Remy and Nina speak with McCaffrey’s son, James (Denzel Rodriguez), to confirm that his father, Ronnie, is innocent. The FTF expedited investigations to get threatening power company members off the streets. However, U.S. prosecutors need James’ confirmation. Ray and Sheryl head to his workplace. James was scared and refused to speak. When he started the car, it exploded. Ray was deeply moved and shouted, “He (James) was innocent, they lynched him!” When Sheriff Black showed up, Raymy threatened to arrest him for obstruction of justice, calling him a “racist pig.” , and ejected him from the crime scene.
Remy, Nina (Shantelle VanSanten) and Hana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) track down the officer who previously tased Ray. The man chose suicide rather than be arrested. Ray and Sheryl follow officers Eli Nelson and Logan Dobbs (Sean Patrick) on a dangerous chase that ultimately leads to an armed standoff between them and federal officers. Although racism is at the heart of the story, the plot centers on father-son conflict. The root of Eli’s moral dilemma and near redemption lies in his deep disappointment in his father. Eli reveals that his actions were motivated by a desire for revenge against the person who caused his father’s paralysis. Elias did not believe his son’s excuses and tried to leave. Eli pulls out his gun to stop him. A struggle broke out between the two officers and Elias was knocked from his wheelchair to the floor. Elias asked, “Oh my gosh, didn’t I teach you anything?” “I’m ashamed of you, Eli.” Eventually, the officers surrendered without a shot being fired, and Ray was more than happy to make the arrest. Sheriff Blake, who conspired to murder James McCaffrey.
“The Electric Company” – FBI: Most Wanted, pictured (LR): Shantel VanSanten as Agent Nina Chase, Andy Favreau Deputy Eli Nelson. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved
I apologize for my comments last week about Remy’s personal life, where I incorrectly assumed that Remy was not drinking with his friend Blake. He did, and he seemed a little defensive with Abby in this episode. When Abby stays in town for an extended period, Remy offers her his place to stay. She said no and I think he was confused as to why. I think this is because Abby isn’t sure about Remy’s motives. Is he “harassing” her, giving her the smallest concessions to keep her interested? Does he feel pressured to show her that he’s “nothing like that guy (Blake)?” Is Abby just not that into him? What do you think?
What are your thoughts on the show’s decision to divide the team by race during the investigation? What are your thoughts on how Remy and Abby’s relationship develops?
Overall rating
9/10
Lynette Jones