Change Of Use – As the episode opens, a battered Driver (Vincent Riotta) races out of a house to a sports car when he is shot. As the Devil (Ned Dennehy) approaches, Driver scoots his body in the opposite direction. He denies knowing where Rouge Agent Dianne Harewood/Brain (Gemma Arterton) is before the Devil shoots him in the head.

Washington State – Muscle/Joe Petrus/David Marking (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) drops Bud (Baeyen Hoffman) and Frankie (Maria Nash) off at school. He notices Councilman Kyle Bedrosian (Morgan Kelly) on his phone and his son, Taylor Bedrosian (Jayden Kirton) throwing stones. Later, Joe is inside a former hardware store when he is confronted by a cop (Thomas Mitchell). Identifying himself, Joe claims to own the store. The officer checks his ID before leaving. Later, Harry Metcalf (Grant Masters) tells Joe that he was acquainted with the previous owner, Bill Campfer. Joe explains his plan to turn the old hardware store into a bistro. Metcalf says the area is historical. Joe argues that the block as three abandoned stores. Metcalf warns that his request for a liquor license may not be taken lightly by everyone. Upon leaving the meeting, Joe sees a notice for a bypass extension through Bellevue Wood on a board. Joe drives out to Bellevue Wood where the clearance is ongoing.

Joe picks up Bud and Frankie from school. At home, Jules (Kevin Vidal) shows Joe “The Poems Of Langston Hughes” that he chose for his book club. Later, Joe leaves the house while Jules sleeps.

3 Years Earlier In London, England – Go-Between (Hermione Gulliford) greets Don Bardwell (Colin Salmon) as he emerges from his car. The Elderly Crime Head (Michael Culkin) tells Bardwell that it has been decided that his business will be taken without his consent. He accuses Bardwell of breaking the rules. Bardwell says no rules exist, only chaos. Seeing the floor covered in plastic, David shoves Bardwell before a man shoots at him. A shootout ensues. David and Bardwell climb into a chute that takes them outside where they take a woman’s car at gunpoint.

Washington State – At the Bellevue Wood clearance, Joe climbs a tree and cuts out a hole to access a heavy black bag. He drags the bag across the ground and over the security gate. The strap gets stuck on chain link fencing as a vehicle approaches. After cutting the strap, he falls to the ground and the heavy bag lands on top of him. Once the bag is in his vehicle, he opens it to reveal a lot of cash. At an intersection, he tries to alert an oncoming driver of a speeding vehicle before all three vehicles collide. The driver of the speeding vehicle leaves the scene. Joe sees the other driver hanging on for life. He puts his bag of money into a dumpster and calls 911. An EMT (Amy Keating) accesses Joe for a concussion. Officer Halliday (Mike Taylor) gives him a breathalyzer. Joe is forced to go to the police station to give a statement.

Before – David is out for a run when he is approached by the Fixer (Karl Collins). The Fixer escorts David to an art museum where he meets Dianne. She asks why he saved Bardwell in Chelsea. He denies knowing Bardwell. He says when someone accepts a job, they agree to the terms. She offers him a one-time risky job that would require him to leave his present-day life and never look back. She adds that he would receive a new identity. He is interested.

Washington State – At the police station, Joe signs his statement. An officer drops him off at his house. Grabbing another set of car keys, Joe drives back to the accident scene. He opens the dumpster to find it empty. After finding another dumpster empty, he spots a garbage truck nearby. Parking his vehicle on the street, he races into the alley where he climbs into a full dumpster. The garbage truck lifts the dumpster spilling all the contents, including Joe into the hopper. The packer blade barely misses him. Locating the bag, Joe climbs up on top of the hopper before jumping with the back to the ground. He drags the bag into an alley.

Before – David is working out in a gym when he is approached by Right Hand (Tom Mothersdale) posing as Detective Sergeant Mike Salinger. Right Hand drives him to a safe house where he meets Soldier (Laura Morgan) posing as DI Kerry Darge. Soldier asks him about his meeting with Dianne which he denies. Showing him a photo of them together, she orders him to accept the offer to help them take Dianne down for full immunity. David claims to be a personal trainer. Righttells him that they are aware of what happened in Chelsea involving him and Bardwell. David demands to be taken back to the gym.

Washington State – Joe puts the back of money underneath the floor inside the former hardware store. He cleans up before returning home. After a shower, he falls asleep. Later, Frankie and Bud wake them up. Joe tells Jules that he got into a crash when he went to the store.

Before – David is attacked after leaving the gym. Two assailants force him into the trunk before driving to a building where he meets Diane. She confronts him about his meeting with the police. He warns that the police know she has something planned. He claims they wanted him to snitch on her. After cutting his restraints, the assailant removes his mask to reveal he is Right Hand. Soldier greets him. Dianne announces he passed the recruitment test. Fixer takes David to his house to collect his personal items. David stuffs “The Poems Of Langston Hughes” into his bag.

Washington State – Joe drops Bud and Frankie off at school. Bud says Taylor’s father is in jail. Frankie says he got arrested. He claims his teachers said Kyle was involved in a hit-and-run. In his car, Joe conducts an online search to learn Kyle was charged with a hit-and-run. He reads another article about Marcello Bari’s murder.

Before – Diane stresses the importance of the plan. She tells Driver (Vincent Riotta), Officer (Kirby), David, Right Hand, and Soldier to never give up their true identity or past. She gives David the alias, Muscle. The episode ends.

 

Culprits Cast

• David Marking/Joe Petrus/ Muscle (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett)
• Brain/Dianne Harewood (Gemma Arterton)
• Kyle Bedrosian (Morgan Kelly)
• Bud (Baeyen Hoffman)
• Frankie (Maria Nash)
• Jules (Kevin Vidal)
• Go-Between (Hermoine Gulliford)
• Fixer (Karl Collins)
• Right Hand (Tom Mothersdale)
• Soldier (Laura Morgan)

Culprits Review

The plot is interesting enough. The execution is decent but the pace is unbearably slow. I found myself bored at times. There just isn’t enough going on to hold my attention.

The main cast, even young Maria Nash and Baeyen Hoffman do a great job bringing their characters to life. The acting is mostly believable. Glad to see Ned Dennehy, one of my favorite Irish actors, back on the screen after his short role in “The Winter King”.

So far, so good but I’m still waiting for the action. The episode deserves a 6. Get more Culprits Recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more. Join our newly established forum to discuss Culprits and other latest releases.