St. Louis begins with Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) on his way to South Dakota for a little ‘R & R.’ This is interrupted by a call from Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) who pique his interest with details of Stephanie (Kudakwashe Rutendo) and Clay Porter (Martin Roach). After learning that at only 16 years of age, Stephanie has raised $20,000 to aid in the search for a witness who might be able to exonerate her father, he quickly changes his plans. He also agrees to Teddi’s suggestion to bring Reenie Green (Fiona Rene) to help with the potential legal hurdles.
Colter’s meeting with the Porters doesn’t reveal much more than the fact that Deborah Porter (Dana L. Wilson) doesn’t share her daughter’s belief in Clay’s innocence. After learning more about the anonymous message, indicating there is a witness that can exonerate Clay, Colter agrees to take the case.
Colter returns to the Airstream where Reenie immediately makes it known that she doesn’t share Stephanie’s belief of Clay’s innocence either. Despite a fistfight, verbal threats, and the extremely low odds of his innocence, Coltar maintains his belief that Clay is innocent, using the argument that no one saw Clay murder Avery Engram. Reenie seemingly becomes frustrated and accuses Colter of taking the case because of his own issues with his father, Ashton Shaw (Lee Tergesen).
Colter’s next visit is with Clay at the prison where he admits to losing his temper and making threats after catching Avery hosting an illegal poker tournament on one of their sites. He tells Colter that Avery was always involved in something illegal, but he went too far that night. Clay is unable to shine any light on the witness and claims that he and Avery had reconciled their relationship that very night.
At the Airstream a video chat with Teddi and Velma not only reveals that Bobby Exley (Eric Graise) is helping his mother move into a retirement center in Palm Beach, but it provides Colter with his next clue. Apparently, the burner that made the anonymous ‘witness’ tip to Stephanie received a text with what appears to be cryptic directions and instructions for a poker game. Colter claims he’s got it covered but asks them to make a call for him at 8 pm that night.
The directions lead Colter to an underground parking garage where it doesn’t take him long to uncover where the poker game is and how people are getting in. When he sees a slender man wearing a top hat (Jacob Tazelaar), he distracts the man with meaningless conversation so he can steal his gold coin. Seconds later he gives it to the guard (Mike Veal) to gain access to the game.
After what appears to be several hands, the other players (Ali Tarhouni) fold, and Colter finds himself facing off one cocky player (Steve Eddy James). After a quick check of Colter’s watch reveals that it’s well after 8 pm, he appears to be stalling for time. When he eventually goes all in, the game is raided by the cops.
When Reenie bails Colter out of jail, it not only becomes clear that he staged the raid, but a quick conversation with Leila Kent (Bree Woodill) reveals her as the anonymous tipper and the identity of the witness, Mallory Banks (Katharine Isabelle). He shares the discovery with Reenie as well as his plans to ask Clay about Mallory. She convinces him to bring her along for the benefit of attorney/client privilege.
Colter returns to the prison with Reenie and despite the benefit of a face-to-face meeting and attorney/client privilege, they only learn that Mallory is Avery’s girlfriend and drives a green Dodge Challenge.
With the help of Velma and Teddi, Colter learns that Mallory recently sold the Challenger for cash at McCabe’s Car Zone on the outskirts of Kansas City. Colter’s trip is put on hold when Clay is assaulted by another prisoner (Paul Tryl) in the prison library. While he visits the hospital, Reenie meets with Clay’s public defender, Grant Loutreau (David Jams Lewis). Reenie immediately picks up on Loutraeu’s laidback approach to Clay’s case. She practically has to demand he file for protective custody. Despite his lackluster approach, he appears to be extremely well-informed thanks to Stephanie’s incessant nagging. Their meeting ends with him promising to keep her apprised of any updates while requesting she do the same.
Colter’s meeting with the used car dealer proves futile until he locks him in the bed of a truck with a camper top and raids his filing cabinet. While staking out the address, he and Reenie trade updates until Mallory returns home. Before Colter can even introduce himself, he is knocked unconscious from behind by a man later revealed to be Max Banks (Jason Burkart).
Colter wakes bloodied and tied to a chair where he is interrogated by Mallory and Max. After dropping Leila’s name and his conversations with Stephanie, it doesn’t take him long to convince Mallory that he’s who he claims to be. In turn, she reveals the truth about Avery’s murder. According to her, Avery was killed by a man named, Caesar Ashford (Charles Zuckermann), who accused Avery of stealing from him. Colter ultimately convinces her to share her story with authorities and promises the protect her.
Colter gets the chance to make good on his promises later that night when Caesars attempts to stop them from going to the cops. Colter scares him off stopping in the middle of the road and firing several rifle rounds into his grille. A call from Reenie reveals Loutreau as Caesar’s informant.
Although Reenie’s call is abruptly ended when Loutreau shows up, he returns the call and offers to trade Reenie for Mallory. Colter claims he’s not going to make the trade, but Loutreau gives him the address to a warehouse. Quickly thinking things over, Colter realizes that Loutreau is tracking his phone and convinces Mallory to help him use that knowledge to save Reenie. She reluctantly agrees.
When they arrive at the warehouse, Colter uses the phone to lure them out of hiding. Caesar becomes furious when he discovers the diversion, but makes the huge mistake of putting all his attention on Mallory. Colter uses the distraction to save Reenie and then goes after Caesar, who ends up being thrown off the warehouse.
Colter collects the reward money at the hospital while sharing the good news about Clay being exonerated. The episode ends with a somewhat awkward yet sentimental meeting between Colter and Reenie.
Tracker Review
Despite all the buildup about this being a different type of case, it honestly did feel that much different. The stakes didn’t appear that much higher and Caesar certainly didn’t appear any more threatening than anyone else Colter has faced off with thus far. I did appreciate the fact that there seemed to be less interaction with the family and Colter, but in turn, I think that was replaced by more time with Colter and Reenie. I’m not so sure that I’d consider that a positive. All in all, a very typical episode with a somewhat different case! I’d give it a 5 out of 10.
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