Television Review: Blood Ties: Part III (Homicide: Life on the Street, S6X03, 1997)

Blood Ties: Part III (S06E03)

Airdate: 31 October 1997

Written by: David Simon & Anya Epstein
Directed by: Mark Pellington

Running Time: 47 minutes

The conclusion of the three-part Season 6 premiere of "Homicide: Life on the Street," titled "Blood Ties: Part III," presents a slightly more polished narrative compared to its predecessors. However, it fails to significantly elevate the overall impression left by the series thus far. The episode, while attempting to tie up loose ends, still struggles with the same issues of pacing and character development that have plagued the season's opening.

The primary storyline continues to revolve around the convoluted and frustrating investigation into the murder of Malia Briere. The lack of progress in the case has not gone unnoticed, with the Baltimore Sun applying pressure and Giardello, under the scrutiny of his superiors, demanding that the Homicide Unit resolve the case within a day. Pembleton, ever the diligent detective, manages to secure a search warrant for the home of the Wilsons. The subsequent discovery of a trove of love letters that Hal Wilson had written but never delivered to Malia provides a glimmer of hope. However, the absence of concrete physical evidence forces Giardello to authorise Pembleton to attempt an informal confrontation with Hal and his father, Felix, in hopes of extracting a confession. During this tense discussion, Hal admits to killing Malia out of jealousy over her affair with Felix. The moment is abruptly halted when Felix intervenes, preventing Pembleton from invoking Miranda rights. The detectives later learn that Assistant State Attorney Danvers refuses to prosecute due to the lack of evidence. Despite the legal setback, the scandal has irreparably damaged the Wilsons' standing in the city, prompting their decision to relocate to San Diego. Pembleton, acknowledging his oversight, apologises to Ballard for not considering the Wilsons as suspects earlier and disregarding her sensible suggestion to rule them out via a blood test. He later informs Giardello that he has contacted the San Diego police, warning them to keep an eye on the Wilsons, as a similar incident is likely to occur again.

The side storyline focuses on Wilkie Collins, a drug dealer who informed on Junior Bunk, leading to his arrest. Collins is found murdered in his home alongside his wife, with their young son Jack hiding nearby after witnessing the crime. The investigation is handled by Lewis and Falsone, who discover Jack's presence and take steps to ensure his safety before social services arrive. Falsone, in particular, forms a bond with the traumatised child, which proves instrumental in identifying the killer. Jack can recognise the voice of his parents' murderer, which is traced back to Castleman, a former Narcotics detective. Castleman later confesses to the killings, revealing that they were carried out on the orders of Junior Bunk's vengeful mother, Georgia Ray Mahoney.

Tom Fontana, the showrunner, appears to have made a concerted effort to make Falsone, a new addition to the cast, more likable. However, this attempt seems somewhat forced. Falsone's interaction with Jack, while well-intentioned, feels contrived. Nevertheless, the segment is not without its merits. When Falsone discusses his own divorce and child with Dr. Cox, his quasi-parental feelings towards Jack become more relatable. Child actor Marc John Jefferies delivers a commendable performance, and director Mark Pellington's work is particularly noteworthy. The scene where the routine sights of the police station are depicted through the eyes of a traumatised child is both chilling and effective.

"Blood Ties: Part III" will likely be remembered for its main storyline, despite the script by David Simon and Anya Epstein making it slightly overlong, much like the first two instalments. With Felix Wilson's admission in the previous episode, the mystery of Malia's killer is narrowed down to two suspects. The resolution comes in a tense discussion where James Earl Jones, with his regal presence, is paired beautifully with Jeffrey Wright and Andre Braugher, adding depth to the scene.

What sets this episode apart is its refusal to provide a conventional "happy ending." In a nod to reality, some crimes go unpunished. Pembleton knows that Hal Wilson is the killer but is aware that justice will not be served. His confident assertion that justice will prevail and that he will keep an eye on Wilson, even if they are in San Diego, feels like a somewhat artificial attempt to add a silver lining to an otherwise grim narrative. This lack of resolution underscores the show's commitment to realism, even if it leaves viewers with a sense of unease.

At the end of the day, "Blood Ties: Part III" is a mixed bag. While it successfully ties up the main storyline and offers some compelling moments, it struggles with pacing and character development. The side storyline, though well-acted and directed, feels forced in its attempts to humanise Falsone. The episode's refusal to provide a neat resolution is both its strength and its weakness, adding a layer of realism that is both refreshing and frustrating. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and frustrations inherent in real-life investigations, even if it doesn't always hit the mark in its execution.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
InLeo blog https://inleo.io/@drax.leo

LeoDex: https://leodex.io/?ref=drax
Hiveonboard: https://hiveonboard.com?ref=drax
Rising Star game: https://www.risingstargame.com?referrer=drax
1Inch: https://1inch.exchange/#/r/0x83823d8CCB74F828148258BB4457642124b1328e

BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7
BCH donations: qpvxw0jax79lhmvlgcldkzpqanf03r9cjv8y6gtmk9