Prodigal Son (2×04) Take Your Father to Work Day Review

For our review of the last episode of Prodigal Son, click here.

Synopsis: Martin is delighted when circumstances allow him to have direct involvement with one of Malcolm’s cases; Ainsley’s suspicion grows when she feels Malcolm may be hiding something from her. (TV Guide)

This fun and surprisingly intense episode finally saw Martin interact with the whole cast which is never a bad thing.

Take Your Father to Work Day began with Martin surviving. However, Jerry was shortly being released. Malcolm is still having to keep his secret, this time coming up with a story to explain a missing expensive rug (Jessica grew suspicious). In the end, Jerry didn’t make it as it appeared he jumped from the roof, coincidentally landing near Martin in the prison yard. Of course this was going to be the case of the episode (hence the title).

Suffice it to say that the investigation did not get off to the best start once Gil learned that Martin was a witness to the case (and that was only the start of his uneasiness). It was clear that a man that was happy about leaving the prison would not have committed suicide. Meanwhile, Ainsley needed work to take her mind off of things so she could keep moving forward. To keep an eye on her, Malcolm allowed her to tag along (that was before he knew about their father’s involvement). Jessica also managed to find the same rug which appeared to trigger a memory from that fateful night (that was only the beginning of those issues).

Edrisa’s involvement of Martin was kind of cute to see (despite the other stuff we know about him). That involvement continued as he further forced himself into the investigation, bringing Malcolm into his next group therapy session where their suspect inevitably was. Watching their dynamic trigger the issues within the group was compelling. Perhaps it was all part of Martin’s escape plan (for which Malcolm was suspicious of him having) as he and Malcolm’s theatrics revealed that the only way for Jerry to have gotten onto the roof was with a gold keycard that the group therapist, Dr. Brandon Marsh (Michael Potts), just happened to have.

Therefore, Marsh became a suspect and his actions certainly weren’t helping his case (letting Jerry borrow his old keycard). Evidence suggested Jerry used the card to go towards the female ward and one of those inmates could be the killer. Using his skills, Malcolm narrowed down the potential suspects to one. Rhonda Young (Sarah Hunt) pointed Malcolm towards Martin whom Jerry was afraid of. Martin denied that allegation but it came from anger out of the fact he cured Jerry which led to his release. Of course Rhonda had to escape her cell. Meanwhile, Jessica called Martin about her suspicions but he talked his way out of it.

Rhonda lured Malcolm and Martin to the basement, getting the upper hand on the former. This put Martin in a tough position. Finding the gold keycard he needed to escape, he had to choose between that escape and saving his son. He chose the latter and then they were all saved by Dani (Malcolm got the keycard back).

The end of the episode saw Jessica figure out what happened to Endicott. Malcolm missed a spot during his cleanup but nevertheless, he made his mother swear to not tell Ainsley. However, Jessica was not handling that knowledge very well so that’s looking to be a timebomb waiting to go off.

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, follow us on Instagram, and also like us on Facebook.

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.