'Pearson' episode 4 review: Things are back to sixth gear and Jessica proves she has more than enough spunk to spare
This review contains spoilers for 'Pearson' episode 4: The Deputy Mayor
Episode 4 explains why 'Pearson' started off on a pacy note and then simmered down. The USA Network show has managed to cement itself as a political thriller and by the end of 'The Deputy Mayor', it is evident that things are not the way they're supposed to be in Chicago.
With Mayor Bobby Novak (Morgan Spector) taking some time off work to tend to his sick wife, Stephanie Novak (Betsy Brandt), Jessica (Gina Torres) concentrates on investigating Karl Jefferies (Coier Amerson) murder, only to realize that Jefferies was just the start of more grittier and darker secrets.
Picking from the last episode, 'The Union Leader', the series continues to explore the intriguing relationship between Jessica and her driver, Nick D'Amaato (Simon Kassianides).
The final few minutes of the episode reveals that Nick is involved with McGann and had a hand in Jefferies' murder by paying him off. He confesses his sins to a priest.
While it is unknown at the moment if Nick was directly responsible for the murder, the episode also establishes that he has a conscience. And, this element, sees Jessica deduce that while he may have had a part in the murder, he wouldn't have slain someone in cold blood. It is revealed that Jefferies was killed soon after being paid off. While he was suing the city for the right reasons, the man was in deep with loan sharks and McGann realizes that he could be bought.
Investigating the murder throws out enough for Jessica to work with. She realizes that Jefferies was a man with shady connections and with some help from Keri, Nick, she comes to know of his murder at the hands of the dealers.
The series also sheds light on Jessica's attempts to make amends with her family. It is heartening to see her make the move and the offer to buy the family a good piece of property to stay after the community housing debacle. Her teaming up with Angela Cook (Chantel Riley), her cousin sister, to extract more info on the murder discreetly pays dividends and it's quite pleasant to see them work together.
Running parallel, there is a story about Deputy Mayor Lloyd (Uncredited) petitioning for his friend, Fred Hampton, to have a street named after him. Only for Bobby to pay a deaf ear to his earnest requests.
At the moment, 'Pearson' is yet to establish Keri's role in the series. From the four episodes, it is clear that the DA wants to do certain things and there is a moral compass to her, but for reasons unknown, we still see her dial back on making moves towards solving issues in the city. Our best guess? Jessica might be the one to help her break free.
'The Deputy Mayor' is a major improvement compared to the previous episode. It has a bit of a murder mystery, baby steps for Jessica in terms of her relationship with Angela and some light on the mysterious Nick.
For now, it looks like things are back on the sixth gear in 'Pearson', but it still has some loose ends to tie up, some plot points that could have been resolved well within three episodes. Nonetheless, 'Pearson' still continues to go strong and if you are a Torres fan, then episode 4 is a bit of a treat as it shows Jessica prove that there's more than enough spunk to spare.
'Pearson' airs on Wednesdays at 10 pm on the USA Network.
