Human Target comes out with one of the best episodes of the season, the most entertaining forty minutes in a long time with fantastic character chemistry and in-depth back-story. The show has been a bit wary in compelling plots, most of them have been entertaining but lacking depth, here we get genuine story that’s all sorts of fun. Again, one of the best installments of the season!
When Chance learns the infamous assassin Baptiste (Lennie James) is back in town to assassinate a group of foreign dignitaries he enlists the help of FBI Agent Barnes (Emmaunelle Vaguier) to help. Guerrero and Winston work with Layla (Autumn Reeser) and consider making her a new member of the team.
Finally an adversary worthy of Chance’s extensive fighting skills. The character of Baptiste was one that I hope returns very soon. He was a chameleon with the ability to become anyone and able to kill without being seen. As said by Barnes “He’s a ghost” and Baptiste was the only one Chance has come up against that truly was his equal as Chance trained him. Baptiste was also stone cold evil, a necessary contrast to Chance since Baptiste knew Chance would never murder in cold blood. The filming technique employed this episode, interspersing Chance and Baptiste talking and possibly alluding to Barnes’ death was creative and kept one riveted to the screen thinking certain things were set to play out. It was a rather unpredictable episode that was engaging and though-provoking. Normally I’m not a fan of the female side-kick as they’re usually relegated to being the eye candy or future love interest constantly in danger but there’s something different about Emma Barnes. Maybe it’s the way Emmanuelle Vaguier plays her with a fun, frisky sensibility and the genuine ability to kick ass. She’s a welcome addition to the series and doesn’t feel like a contrived character used to get Chance in bed. Guerrero was on-fire this week, and learning about his home life was just shocking. It’s unknown still what side of the fence Guerrero’s on but knowing he’s genuinely got something to lose, as evidenced by how he told Layla the job wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, makes him a character with a lot more going on then we know.
I’m still in awe of how fantastic this week’s episode was, a surprising feat as the show isn’t referenced by critics for the sharp storytelling. There was something about the characters and the situations this week that kept me rapt with interest. Hopefully this forward momentum continues because it proves this show isn’t a series strictly for guys looking for a fight, there’s something going on beneath the surface, just like Christopher Chance himself.
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