Critic’s Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
3.5
Marshal Season 1 Episode 9, “In Low Places,” is the conclusion of a storyline that began in the preceding episode.
As such, it’s a bit different from other episodes in the show, which usually feature a Kayce-centric cold open, some marshal drama, a twisty case, and a shootout at the end.
Instead of a Kayce-centric cold open, we begin with a shootout, picking up immediately after Marshals Season 1 Episode 8, “Blowback.”
It’s a high-energy start to the episode that’s hard to sustain, and it struggles once the team realizes they’re outmanned and outgunned, so they retreat.
Remember when I said that the recent shift in team dynamics could mess up the show? It shows up this hour in the worst ways.
Of late, I’ve started to see flaws in Fire Country’s storytelling — the arguments in the middle of rescues, recklessness, etc. — and these qualities have started to show up among marshals.
The hour addresses some concerns while dialing up others.
A Slog of a Middle Section
Once the team retreats and starts casing out the compound where Andrea is being held, there is not much to do, really.
In other episodes, everyone is usually investigating one thing or another, but there is nothing to figure out in this one other than where Andrea is being held.
So the team is left with a lot of time on their hands to revisit past conflicts, and most of the episode is spent with two or more people huddled in a corner, hashing out some issue or another.
It’s better than when Fire Country has characters resolving their problems while someone is at risk, but it can also have a similar effect.
The constant arguments and huddling become repetitive and boring.
It’s broken up by the occasional interjection from Marshal Gifford, who always calls things out as he sees them.
So, apart from Kayce and Garrett’s recon, everything else is drama that takes up deeper into the developing sides of this team.
Miles and Belle continue to feel sidelined while Kayce and Pete’s battle for dominance rages for another hour, taking them back to Afghanistan.
We’ve heard so much of this history during war, yet we haven’t seen it — like really seen it.
It shows up occasionally in terse exchanges, but we need the details.
This is where a flashback would be very useful. We need to experience the moment things changed among the three of them, because this passive aggression is getting old.
And if Garrett is going to be a consistent figure in the stories going forward, this is no longer a plot device; it’s the main story.
We need to understand how the show aims to navigate this complex history, and why they think having a vet with severe PTSD as a law enforcement officer is a good idea.
The man has nightmares while asleep, yet he’s tagging a lot in life-or-death situations and is being handed a gun at some point?
Yeah, that’s not a good idea in any universe.
Eventually, the show does leave the middle part as the efforts to save Andrea heat up, but does she really need saving?
Don’t Underestimate Andrea
Despite being the victim, she’s the episode’s MVP, using every weapon in her arsenal to gain her freedom.
Seeing her try to flee was more exciting than the team’s takedown of Randall’s militia. She puts her very sharp mouth to good use and her agility to take down men twice her size.
That’s more exciting than shooting the team’s biggest gun.
Meanwhile, the writers have settled on where they stand regarding Kayce’s off-book behavior and have labeled it courage.
And you know what? I agree.
Unlike Bode from Fire Country, who exhibits similar behaviors, Kayce has a history that supports this assessment.
It doesn’t mean that similar risks to Bode’s recklessness aren’t involved, but it’s much more grounded in reality and history.
If Gifford were to lay off Kayce, it wouldn’t feel like a retreat — more like an informed maneuver.
Gut Check
“In Low Places” is an okay hour of Marshals. It lacks many of the show’s defining features, but it still does a great job of developing the major character arcs.
It’s all in the subtle details like Pete’s wince when he tries to burst the door open and betrays his injury to Belle.
The duo seems to have moved on from the kiss, but instead of acting like it didn’t happen, they have grown closer. That’s an interesting direction.
Meanwhile, separating Barbie and Cowboy brings up something I noticed on Marshals Season 1 Episode 1, but that seemed to vanish in the last few episodes: a possible romantic connection.
The way they care about each other goes beyond what is expected of team members, and the worst part is that I see the vision and support it.
While team members dating is a bad idea, sometimes I’m willing to give it a pass if the chemistry is strong enough.
Intrusive Thoughts
- By the time this show ends, everyone will have dated everyone.
- Please keep Gifford around.
- While the characters’ accents can be a liability in dialogue, Garrett’s sounds excellent while singing.
- Once again, where’s Tate?
Over to you, Marshals fanatics. What did you think of this hour? Am I reading the characters’ relationships wrong? What was the best part of the episode, in your opinion? Belle seems to have a hidden past that she can’t contain. What’s that about?
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 do so, and keep reading.
Independent voices need readers like you.
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Marshals Season 1 Episode 9 concludes the two-parter that has Andrea abducted by Randall Clegg. Our deep dive review!
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In Marshals Season 1 Episode 8, the team deals with blowback that could take this show in a new direction. Our deep dive review!
