Lethal Weapon Season 1 Episode 11: Lawmen Review

If you would like to read my recap of the last episode, click here.

Synopsis: Murtaugh and Riggs suspect misuse of power in the LA Sheriff’s department when they investigate the killing of a Texas Ranger. (IMDB)

Writer: Andy Callahan

Director: Sylvain White

Rating: TV-14

Running Time: 60mins

Through the first 10 episodes of the series, the focus has been mostly on Riggs and sometimes Murtaugh but things began to change here as Avery got some much deserved attention here story-wise. This episode involved Murtaugh and Riggs uncovering corruption within the Sheriff’s department but little did we know, the story also had a connection to Avery’s past when he and Murtaugh were partners.

A prisoner transport which was supervised by a Texas Ranger was ambushed on route, causing the death of the Ranger while allowing the prisoner named Wade Davies (Jeff Davis) to escape. The fact that someone on the inside knew about the route, they believed to be corruption involved. Because their investigation involved another law enforcement agency, Avery warned Murtaugh and Riggs and asked them to approach it with caution. Of course that didn’t happen as we saw that the Sheriff’s department and the LAPD do not get along with one another to the point that fellow sheriffs would get back at anyone who would talk with the LAPD.

Avery preached caution because of his past involving the current leader of the Sheriff’s department, David Reed (Malcolm-Jamal Warner). Avery and Reed worked together in the past where Reed allowed Avery to collect evidence in order to frame a man who Avery thought was guilty for murder. Reed blackmailed Avery with this information by threatening to release it if he didn’t call Murtaugh and Riggs back.

Their investigation was a nice contrast as Avery wanted them to do things the right way unlike what he did. Their first lead took them to a bowling alley where Murtaugh’s bowling skills were being challenged and also to a corrupt sheriff named Jim Bracken (Scott William Winters). He always seemed to show up at the most opportune time while using his sheriff position as an excuse to get away with things. This was exciting as Bracken and Riggs were both similar yet also different. Bracken toyed with Murtaugh and Riggs but Riggs vowed to get back at him and he was going to probably do it.

This revelation worried Avery as guilt started to flow within him to the tune of him hiring Trish to represent him just in case things went bad. Despite that, he didn’t call off Murtaugh and Riggs. He even admitted to Murtaugh what he did but he knew better to ask for forgiveness that never came. To get ahead of it, Avery decided to resign. In order to get evidence of Reed’s guilt in what they did, Avery tried to record a conversation they had where Reed confessed. That didn’t last long as Bracken showed up and saved the day, destroying the recording and kidnapping Avery.

Murtaugh, Riggs, and everyone else inevitably figured things out and were able to find evidence connecting Bracken to everything and saving Avery. Everybody is safe, Bracken was arrested, but Reed, the mastermind behind all of it manages to get away unscathed. It is unclear whether or not Avery has or will resign.

To prove his bowling prowess, Murtaugh begins to play a game in front of the whole department and the sheriffs. Unfortunately, he admits to Riggs that he didn’t really get a complete game like the plaque on the wall said.

Overall, Murtaugh and Riggs still had their moments but it was nice to see more of a focus on another character for a change as the Avery stuff was compelling to watch. It would be nice to see more of it in the future for sure. I just hope Avery does not resign because the dynamic between the three is great.

Score: 8.5/10

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*Note: These may come later on certain weeks as this show airs on the same day where I attend advanced screenings*

Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.