'Bull' Season 4 Episode 16 Review: Show returns with a bang after 2 weeks and sheds light on domestic abuse
Spoiler alert for 'Bull' Season 4 Episode 16 'Missing'
It is safe to say that 'Bull' is back with a bang. With domestic physical and mental abuse as the theme, 'Missing' leaves you with a twinge of sadness. While the crime itself isn't something new, that it is still in existence is a disgrace and that's the end message the episode aims to say.
The case
The episode starts with two young girls arrested for shoplifting. The mother of one of the accused, Elena Smith (Marjan Neshat), is called to the precinct as her daughter Sarah/Chloe's (Salena Qureshi) identity doesn't match with the prints. Soon, the FBI arrests the mother for kidnapping her niece, whom she has proclaimed as her daughter for the last 12 years. In her defense, the mother says it was the only way she could protect the child from her abusive father Jim Cooper (Tarek Bishara), who had a history of meting out violent physical abuse. The young girl's custody battle begins.
Proceedings
As is the case in most 'Bull' episodes, Bull (Michael Weatherly) and Benny (Freddy Rodriguez) fight it out in court but are pegged on the backfoot as they do not have concrete evidence of the father abusing his family members. It is also revealed that he remarried and has a two-year-old son. Benny also puts the young girl on the stand who shares her thoughts about the father.
There are a few twists added, just to induce the element of challenge in the episode. One of them being Chloe's knowledge of her father. She remembers him as an army man who served in Afghanistan. Based on his behavior in court, she deduces he is a nice man and it might be nice to actually get to know her father. She also adds that her aunt was a wonderful parent who has never been violent or aggressive.
Meanwhile, team Bull is working relentlessly on finding a witness and Danny tracks down the man's second family. She realizes the new family is also a victim of his abusive behavior. She convinces his second wife to take the stand and in a shocking turn of events, the woman reveals the father has been severely violent to her and the two-year-old toddler.
The case ends on a victorious note for team Bull while Benny offers to take care of the mother and the child.
Review
Back after a two-week hiatus, 'Bull' makes a strong case for a Season 5 renewal with another scintillating episode. All the while, it also manages to weave in some minor storylines about Bull's personal life. His attempts to be a perfect dad is captured as there are some delightful scenes where he tries to get his newborn baby to burp. 'Missing' sticks to the pattern that 'Bull' has followed over the years. A strong case that involves crimes that happen in an everyday world, some teamwork and specks of humor that break the tension when things get too serious.
Rodriguez is the star of the episode. Each time the actor is on screen, he makes sure he has your rapt attention. Time and again, he's emerged as one of the trump cards of the season. After a bit of a wait, 'Bull' has given its fans a reason to rejoice with 'Missing'.
'Bull' airs on Mondays at 10 pm ET on CBS.