At the beginning of the episode, Aliyah Shadid (Regina King) attends church. Aubry attends a group counseling session for her drug problem, but exits early. Barb returns to the salon again and attempts to get her hair fixed. She receives a head massage, while answering questions about her situation. Once she has finished, she heads to the airport and picks up her son, Mark Skokie (David Hoflin). She breaks the news about Russ suing her regarding Matt’s funeral. Mark agrees to speak to his father. Mark pays a visit to Gwen in the hospital, while Barb waits outside.

Eve Carlin (Penelope Ann Miller) enters and insists Gwen is improving. Eve reveals Gwen is going to be removed from the ventilator. Next, Carter Nix (Elvis Nolasco) is shown at the jail meeting with his sister and new lawyer. They insist the case against Carter is growing weaker and Brother Timothy is trying to get him a bail hearing. Carter grows a little hope, when he realizes Aubry will be able to attend. Of course, Aliyah doesn’t think it is a good idea.

Alonzo Gutierrez (Benito Martinez) discovers his shop has been hit with graffiti. Tony (Johnny Ortiz) and Edgar (Julian Works) clean up the juvenile detention center. Edgar talks about getting hookups and gaining respect. Russ (Timothy Hutton) continues working at the garden center, where he talks to Mark. Russ admits he plans on staying in Modesto, at least until the trial is over, before Mark brings up the burial. Next, Shadid meets with the DA. She is blown off and given information regarding DDA Soderbergh (Joe Nemmers).

Aubry is encouraged to enter rehab, by her mother. She is shown scoring drugs from a fellow addict at one of her counseling sessions. She receives a call from Carter, who informs her of the bail hearing. Next, Hector Tonz (Richard Cabral) continues trying to rehab his leg, before he is stopped by a fellow inmate and questioned about the medication. Hector insists he is out of the gang, before he is allowed to leave.  Tom Carlin (W. Earl Brown) learns that the cops have spoken to Gwen’s two lovers and both have been ruled out as suspects. Tom pleads with the detective to be allowed to read their statements. When he allowed to do so, he learns that Gwen enjoyed rough sex and choking.

Tony meets with her probation officer and plays it smart this time. He is given his discharge, but receives a note from Edgar, before he leaves. His father picks him up in the lobby. Next, the victim’s families learn about the bail hearing. Tom reveals Gwen’s infidelity to everyone, which causes a little argument. Eve confirms that Matt was doing and selling drugs. Of course, the two families argue back and forth, before Tom insists Gwen was loose.

Aliyah Shadid speaks to the congregation. She preaches about greed and freedom. Meanwhile, Barb meets with Nancy Straumberg (Lili Taylor) and learns how to properly dress for the bail hearing. Nancy speaks about her daughter’s killer and his trial. She describes how the defense and press turned her into a cold individual and used it again the prosecution. Next, the family meet up at the courthouse, before entering together. Timothy speaks about the evidence, while Carter eyeballs Aubry.

The judge refuses to dismiss the charges, but she gives Carter bail at one million dollars. Barb confronts Shadid and the others outside and tells them where to go. Eve and Tom return to Gwen. Tom tells his wife about the police interviews from Gwen’s men. He insists Gwen has issues of a sexual nature. Gwen’s heart rate begins to race. At the jail, Hector walks down the hall, before he is sliced across the race. Shadid speaks to Carter and insists she can help get the bail money. Shadid tells Carter he needs to stay away from Aubry, but he refuses.

Tom speaks with Mark and tells him about Gwen’s unhappiness. Mark admits his brother signing up after 911 and being a hero was a lie. He insists Barb made him sign up, because he was getting into drugs. Gwen is taken off the ventilator and she opens her eyes.

Review


The fourth episode was certainly an improvement over the previous, but it still feels like there is simply too much going on. Sadly, much of the story is painfully predictable. Tony’s release, Carter getting bail and Hector getting attacked were all very foreseeable. Gwen waking up was also very obvious. Still, the mystery of everything is intriguing enough to keep me interested, even if all other aspects fall far short of being great. A 7.5 should suffice.