'Defending Jacob' Episode 4: Did the show introduce a new suspect in Derek Yoo in the Ben Rifkin murder case?
Spoilers for 'Defending Jacob' Episode 4 'Damage Control'
'Damage Control' walks on the tight rope that has isolation at one end and a shard of normalcy at the other. While the majority of the first half sees the members of the family attempt to cope with isolation in their own ways, and one of it presents a potential change in plotline— Derek Yoo (Ben Taylor) as the new murder suspect.
One of the storylines involves Jacob Barber (Jaeden Martell) visited by his classmate, Sarah Grohl (Jordan Alexa Davis), and the duo is seen getting a little close following the events that unfold.
When Andy Barber (Chris Evans) realizes that Sarah is hanging out with Jacob, he seems relieved as it implied the feeling of normalcy trickling back in Jacob's life. However, one of the nights where the father-son have a pizza and movie moment brings that discussion of how Sarah thought that Derek was the murderer.
While it is quite premature to jump the gun, the theory stems from the fact that the police interrogated Derek and his mother. This probably is one of the show's way of introducing a twist in the tale which already has Leonard Patz (Daniel Henshall), a sex offender as one of the suspects that Andy is keen on investigating upon.
The earlier hint of Derek coming under the radar comes from Jacob himself telling Joanna Klein (Cherry Jones), his lawyer that "maybe Derek did it".
It was a straight-up accusation that even had Andy in a state of surprise. However, the two hints may actually see Derek play a role in the case while not actually have committed the murder himself. Adding to the fact that Sarah was now building a new friendship with Jacob, it's only a matter of time before new details trickle in.
The episode also sees some part of Jacob struggling. Now whether this has anything to do with him committing the murder, or maybe pure shock is yet to be ascertained.
Multiple instances where he fails to recollect the events of that fateful day, the behavioral pattern changes during sessions with the psychologist Elizabeth Vogel (Poorna Jagannathan) and these perhaps just show that Jacob still might be hiding something. Only time will tell how it pans out for the Barbers.
'Defending Jacob' is available for streaming on AppleTV+.
