Baker's expression on hearing Frank's draft speech to the Police Academy near the start (at about 4:10) deserves to be preserved for posterity. From series one I have felt that both Abigails (Baker and Hawk) are shamefully misused/underused. The production couldn't even be bothered to get Baker's name right for a year! Abigail Baker is the perfect aide: efficient, detecting the Commissioner's needs sometimes before he does, self-effacing yet thick-skinned and tough enough to bat away the rodents who come to the Commissioner's office and see her as "the pretty secretary". Baker is a real secretary in the old meaning of the term - someone to whom you can safely entrust your secrets. And yet, in spite of her efficiency and diplomacy, her excellent fit in the job, we can all see that she yearns for the field. She is a detective in the NYPD. She doubtless has to keep her firearms certification up to scratch, and somehow I can't see Baker failing to keep up her training in any other aspect of the job. So, writers, give her more to do in keeping with her intelligence! Maybe an undercover role? Certainly a sight more fieldwork than she's been allowed until now! In parallel with that, please give Abigail Hawk room to spread her dramatic wings. She has the role of Principal Aide down to perfection, but clearly has far more to give. She and the series deserve that the audience see her full talents.
Apart from that, the episode was good with the plus that we got rid of Arbogast (I never liked him!). Jamie and Janko's side story of the dowdy woman marrying the Syrian comes to a satisfying conclusion, although perhaps not one that might be expected! Good, overall.
Apart from that, the episode was good with the plus that we got rid of Arbogast (I never liked him!). Jamie and Janko's side story of the dowdy woman marrying the Syrian comes to a satisfying conclusion, although perhaps not one that might be expected! Good, overall.
