Stumptown (1×08) The Other Woman Review

For our review of the last episode of Stumptown, click here.

Synopsis: Dex is confronted with unresolved feelings from her past when she is hired by Sue Lynn to investigate a case with the widow of Dex’s former flame. Meanwhile, Dex and Grey’s friendship is put to the test by his new romance with Liz. (IMDb)

This week’s Stumptown gave us one of the better episodes of the season so far as it saw Dex confront her past and its carryover on her current life. As the penultimate episode of this first half of the season, it does set up some interesting drama. The episode title of The Other Woman doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does as will become abundantly clear after watching the episode. Doesn’t hurt that Cobie Smulders was great as well.

The Other Woman starts with everybody chilling at the bar (Grey was helping out with Dex’s Yelp page and Ansel wanted to be a bartender). Dex was in need of some income but she would get that chance once Sue Lynn showed up to offer her a job to look into who was trying to destroy her. Dex was skeptical though all that would change once Sue Lynn’s vehicle blew up in front of everyone thanks to a car bomb. Suffice it to say that Sue Lynn wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the authorities. Hoffman wanted to keep a low profile with Dex (but the truth about their relationship had already come out). Either way, Sue Lynn gave Dex a list of potential suspects, however, Dex tried to sneak Liz’s name in there.

For Dex, going back to the Native American reservation brought back memories of her ex-fiancee Benny’s funeral 12 years prior that did not exactly end on the best of terms, already shunned by Sue Lynn and the community. She especially did not get along with Benny’s widow Naomi (the woman Sue Lynn chose over her). Meanwhile, Cosgrove and Sue Lynn did not have the best relationship (Cosgrove wasn’t too keen on sharing) and jurisdictional issues made things problematic for the police (Dex took the lead on the case). Due to this, Hoffman had to convince Dex to continue with the case.

Still on the case, Dex needed Sue Lynn and her tribe to be more cooperative (she was skeptical of Sue Lynn’s intentions) so she requested full access which was begrudgingly granted with a guide (who of course was Naomi). Over the course of Dex’s investigation, she and Naomi slowly ironed out their issues about Benny (which was compelling to watch) as she discovered that Sue Lynn’s right hand man Hollis Green’s (Gregory Zaragoza) nephew Leigh (Román Zaragoza) was working against the tribe behind their backs. When it was discovered that Leigh did not plant the car bomb, Dex used his impropriety against Hollis, he gave her information on disenrolled members who may have a grudge.

Hoffman and the authorities found the real bomber and arrested him but Sue Lynn found a way to put an end to that as she took them back to make up for what she did (which Cosgrove did not enjoy). After the dust settled, learning that Dex used him made Hoffman a little upset. Meanwhile, Ansel was growing closer to Liz which Dex obviously pretended to be comfortable with. However, Dex would get too close to Liz after taking her to the casino with the chips that Sue Lynn’s offered as payment for her services.

The episode ended with Dex waking up in a hotel room with Liz passed out right next to her, implying a wild night before for both women.

Dex is such an interesting character so it’s always better when we get to learn more about her and her tragic backstory. This season hasn’t done nearly enough of that so far. While it’s unclear where next week’s midseason finale will go, Grey will certainly not be happy.

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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.