19-2: Burying cops and bad memories

To say last week’s episode of 19-2 was shocking would be an understatement. I think we all knew, as loyal viewers, that J.M. was headed for a bad end, but I never imagined it would be in a hail of gunfire at the station, defending his fellow cops. That climactic finale capped off one hell of an instalment that had begun with the squad letting off steam at a rented cottage.

Appropriately, Monday’s newest episode, “Flowers,” dealt largely with the aftermath of the events at the station with a funeral for J.M. 19-2 will always rank among my favourite television shows not just because of the dialogue and action, but the quiet moments. Bruce M. Smith’s spare script and Louis Choquette’s direction was stellar in Monday’s opening moments as Ben prepped in his dress blues, the ghost of J.M. standing, reflected, in the mirror. Usually, when Ben sees something ghostly he turns away and it disappears; in the case of J.M. the dead cop was still there, a spectre over Ben’s shoulder. It was an incredible piece of drama and symbolism.

It was good to see Suarez attending the funeral, back on his feet and recovering from being shot, as well as J.M.’s wife, Justine. It’s been awhile since viewers have seen her and Justine looked healthy; kudos to Nick for sitting with her, lending support and holding her hand. Bear’s speech was heartbreaking and heartfelt, presenting J.M.—at that moment—as a hero who saved lives by engaging a suspect armed with an assault rifle with a mere handgun. The camera panned to Ben and Nick, two men who spurned J.M. and shut him out. Were they feeling guilty for the way they’d treated him in the days before J.M.’s death? And who would Audrey turn to now that the one person she could relate to was no longer there? (The music and camera work during the moving of the casket was spectacular.)

The moments of quiet reflection on 19-2 are always brief. The funeral over, Ben was approached by an ex-cop who shook his hand and then wondered where the items were that Ben stole. He was, of course, referring to the drugs and guns Ben secreted out of the car of the dealer he was doing surveillance on. The drugs and guns he dropped off a bridge into the river. (Reeling from that information, Audrey poured more pressure on Ben, demanding he recognize J.M.’s heroics.) Ben then told Nick he was reporting the incident to Internal Affairs and planned to inform them he’d stolen from the dealer and very likely gotten the man killed. I understand Ben wanting to get it all out in the open but—paired with him saying he ran down the student—it was going to be bad news. Would Ben choose justice or the truth?

The meeting with Internal did not go well. The suits weren’t interested in the threat against Ben but whether or not he did steal the items and why his partner left him that night. In fact, because Ben had killed a boy (he hadn’t) and of Nick’s history with Internal, the detectives didn’t want to work with Ben at all. Their advice? Take a year off patrol, work a desk, and get the stink off. Speaking of stink, Ben and Nick’s next call—trespassing—uncovered illicit goings-on at a homeless shelter being used for gambling, drinking and drugs. Gendron, smelling the opportunity to get even more support of the city behind them following J.M.’s death, ordered a public display of ousting the biker gang who’d taken up residence inside and ensuring the homeless had beds.

Dulac, who had been surprisingly quiet for most of the episode because he was internalizing everything, vented his frustrations on a mouthy ex-con who was trying to get into the shelter. The man shoved Dulac, who retaliated and broke the man’s leg; not good for public perception. Luckily, one idle threat from Tyler later and things had been smoothed over, but Dulac is acting out in a dangerous way that may jeopardize his career. That said, Dulac’s actions did have a positive outcome for Audrey. Delivering the man to the hospital personally meant she met a hunky doctor named Liam. Soooo … are things looking up for Audrey?

Nick appeared to be headed for some romance as well. He met up with Farah and a long walk ensued where the pair discussed kids, life and careers. Yes, it’s an unorthodox pairing, but both deserve happiness and it looks like they’re finding it in each other.

19-2 airs Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on CTV.

Images courtesy of Bell Media.

 

 

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7 thoughts on “19-2: Burying cops and bad memories”

  1. Thanks for this!

    Well, I’m worried. ha Ben has a bullseye on his forehead and I don’t think it’s outside forces.

    I’m suspecting that Mob-Former-Cop (sorry, cannot recall his name) is working for Internal Affairs. Oh Ben, you just took his word that he was working for the mob? Did you see his car? Classic undercover cop car you see parked behind every cop shop–complete with missing hub cap plates to avoid them being stolen so cops won’t have to out themelves when cops are out on surveillance!

    Did everybody catch how calm and change-of-personality the “Bad Cop” projected for a moment when he picked up the mobile phone to call in? He was very professional and his acting sense of menace was completely gone. For a second, he just looked like he was a guy calmly making a phone call. (It’s the little hints I love about this show the way it’s written and acted–you have to pay attention to catch them).

    And oh dear. Martine. I do fear she has gone over to the dark side. She might be in with the mob too, since I doubted witness protection would last long with her. haha The way she blew off Chartier on his call to her seemed as though she couldn’t talk because she might have been with some bad guys.

    Or…did Chartier’s letter to her delivered to the witness protection office cop/administrator give Internal Affairs the idea of using Martine to try to get a confession from Ben, since they are such good buddies? Ben helped her for sure, but I think she still blames him for her uncle, so might be playing Ben.

    And I think Nick is also in the poo with his new romantic interest. I think before the season is out her former hubby is going to take out his son’s death on Nick by trying to do something to Nick’s son at college. I think “Junior” is going to be a major problem for Nick.

    Just cannot figure out why of WHY Ben ran his mouth to Bad-Cop-Possibly-IA guy about disposing of the drugs. What a moron! (Is Ben so naive that if this IS a gang representative they’ll just say “Okay then. Never mind?”)

    And oh no. The minute one of our fave coppers starts showing everybody his Bucket List, he’s a goner for sure. Please don’t let Tyler be killed. Please. Not before he meets the dispatcher whose voice he’s in love with!

    I think Dulac is going to be the death of Tyler–the little idiot.

  2. This is uncharted territory as the original French version of the show ended after 3 seasons, with a very different outcome . It’s interesting to see some more francophone stars show up on the series (Patrick Labbe as the new guy threatening Ben) and the doctor who Audrey will undoubtedly see again (forget his name but he played a doctor on the series Trauma, I believe). I have no idea how this will end!! But man I’m glad JM is dead.

  3. It’s amazing how this episode was going. From the start, the funeral for J.M. was moving, as every cop in Canada including the RCMP attended. The procession which included the bagpipe version of Amazing Grace, as well as carrying the casket to the hearse and the movements to the hearse was tight. When the officer ordered everyone to salute, the arms snapped uniformly to the brim, and the service was reminiscent of a cop funeral.

    As the show continued, Nick Barron and Ben Chartier, helped a homeless vet get into a shelter who was denied a bed because the shelter was run by a prison gang. The officers managed to be heroes of the community by kicking out the gang members. Alexander De Jordy (Richard Dulac), the Rook (Rookie), was your typical rookie who lost his head after a man insulted him, but it was Tyler Joseph (Benz Antoine) who came to his rescue. Joseph used his years of experience to get the Rook out of trouble…and a Jacket

    This episode was spectacular, as the acting as well as the environment up in Québec gave the feeling of coldness, as snow covered the dinjy streets. The snow gave the graveyard the emotion of emptiness as J.M. was going to get buried.

    Born, raised and still living in Los Angeles, Ca., the city, Montreal , seemed rough. Though, comparing cities like Watts, Compton, East L.A. and other gang-ridden streets, the lack of graffiti is surprising. Google East L.A. graffiti, one can see the “rough” part of town, while Montreal seems cleaner. Googling Montreal graffiti may prove otherwise, the contrast between the white snow and dirtied buildings made this episode more believable. Even at night as the melted-snow-turned-puddle extols a loneliness that seems to haunt Chartier, a rural cop working in an urban setting.

    Great epsiode

    1. I just returned from a 4-day visit to Mtl, and yes there is grafitti in too many places, which is so annoying to my eye. But watching the scene I also wondered why the RCAF was at the funeral. Thought I missed something…

    2. Also if you liked this ep/scene, you should see this incredible moment from the original version – in Season 1 when the squad goes after the guy who beat up Audrey – way better than the English version (imho) as Theo laments to Amelie that Audrey is the only adult he can relate to and they should bring her dog to the hospital to help her get better. The look on Nicks face is priceless. (The next video in the loop is pretty good too feat. the shows composer). https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MtrKOQC4Sjk

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