This week’s FBI episode: Most people who want it offer an emotional storyline, but work hard to go beyond mediocrity. The premise of a female serial killer is fascinating, but the execution feels cliché that makes the plot competent but memorable. Let’s review it.
The plot revolves around Mia Travis (Mackenzie Lansing), a young woman who was unable to cope with the trauma of Marcus Everett (Douglas Goodhart) guitar teacher Marcus Everett (Douglas Goodhart) at the age of 15. The decision put her into a court felony transfer program in a facility called Bridgewater’s anger management.
“Four Bodies” – FBI: Most Wanted, Picture (LR): Roxy Sternberg serves as Agent Sheryll Barnes, Edwin Hodge serves as Agent Ray Cannon, Shantel Vansanten serves as Agent Nina Chase and Dylan McDermott serves as Agent Remy Scott. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.
She sought a new beginning, moving from Boston to New York City, where she lived with her elderly aunt Eleanor Cheswick (Peggy J. Scott). To her credit, Mia continued her treatment and she paid for her aunt’s money. While viewers don’t want to wonder if Mia stole her aunt’s cash, they see her stealing Eleanor’s knitting needles.
In New York, Mia’s “treatment” takes a dark turn. She murdered a man she felt was predatory, in line with an extreme feminist movement called four B. agents Sheryll Barnes (Roxy Sternberg) explained that the movement originated in South Korea and advocated against dating, intercourse, marriage and dating with men.
Four B movements echoed when Spartan and Greek women stopped sleeping with men in protest of the Peloponnese War. MIA specifically targets the effects of drugs or alcohol, exploiting its vulnerability. Her weapon of choice—the knitting needles of her aunt and the scarf given by the rapist—was symbolically shocking. In her antipsychotic medication, Mia has further pierced the anger killing for months, embodying the epitome of “mismanagement of anger.”
“Four Bodies” – FBI: Most Wanted, Pictures (LR): Edwin Hodge (LR), Agent Ray Cannon and Roxy Sternberg as Agent Sheryll Barnes. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.
In a therapy course with Dr. Conrad Kagan (Sebastian Arcelus), MIA participated in four B exercises. When asked how the exercise resonates with her, Mia escapes. Dr. Kagan challenged her and pointed out the contradiction between her alleged anger control and her connection to radical anti-male ideology.
In a follow-up class, Dr. Kagan convinces Mia to reveal a shocking truth: her rapist Marcus has become an associate music professor. This revelation rekinds the angry Mia has been hiding for years. Mia decides to make Marcus her next victim. The police intervened in time, thwarting her attempt to murder his wife, children and her aunt. Mia was arrested and mercilessly declared: “I did nothing but let him tell the truth,” Remy retorted: “Where are the other four men?”
“Four Corpses” – FBI: What I want most, as pictured: Dylan McDermott serves as Supervisory Agent Remy Scott. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.
The subpicture focuses on agent Nina Chase (Shantel Vansanten) and her abused sister Tina (Hanah Adrian), whose destructive decisions have exacerbated tensions. Tina chose to secretly borrow $36,000 from Nina’s partner, Stuart Scola (John Boyd), and had a ripple of betrayal without Nina’s consent. This move not only deepens Nina’s anger, but also intensifies her relationship with Stewart, adding emotional complexity to the narrative. Tina’s actions, though tragically portrayed a grim portrait of self-destruction, give viewers a lasting premonition about her future.
“Four Bodies” – FBI: Most Wanted, Picture (LR): Shantel Vansanten as Agent Nina Chase and Hannah Adrian as Tink Chase. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.
As usual, the FBI: Most of the trauma, justice and moral themes that want to be addressed, but this episode lacks the depth and sophistication needed to fully engage the audience. Remy’s trademark humor returns like his ridicule back to Mia’s psychiatrist: “Are you a doctor or a patient?” Feeling disconnected from the tone of the plot. Meanwhile, the guest performances, such as Simon Fowler’s portrayal of the first victim of drug use, are related to the comics. Even Mia’s depiction cannot lift the material, predictable twists dilute any real tension.
Eventually, the episode lands directly in the middle, which is neither a disaster nor a victory. Although it is the purpose of a functional program TV, it cannot provide the emotional resonance or unique qualities that define the FBI: the most wanted.
Overall rating:
Lynette Jones6:10
