The Equalizer Season 5 Premiere Recap: Robyn Fights Alone… Forever? Plus, Grade It!
The courageous core four has been whittled down to two in the Season 5 premiere of CBS’ The Equalizer.
Near the top of the hour, we learn that Dante has pulled up stakes for a federal job in Los Angeles — just after he and Robyn finally kissed. And Mel has traded equalizing for yoga as she deals with past trauma. But crime doesn’t stop, as illustrated by the episode’s opening scene: An 11-year-old girl is being chased through the streets and ultimately captured by a menacing man.
More from TVLine
We then find Robyn waking up from a recurring nightmare, where she has been tied up by a frightening captor: herself. “No one’s coming for you,” her evil doppelg?nger says. At breakfast, Aunt Vi suggests Robyn take a break and inquires about Dante. Robyn admits they still speak, but not as much as they once did.
The ladies are then joined by Delilah and Robyn’s ex-husband, Miles, who has become a more constant presence in their lives. When he offers to return later to fix a leaky faucet, Aunt Vi warns Robyn that he may have intentions to reignite their romance.
At headquarters, Robyn runs into Mel, who says she’s doing better. However, Robyn learns from Harry that Mel may not be ready to return to work. Robyn is then approached by Sarah, the guardian of the 11-year-old girl who was kidnapped. Robyn visits Sarah’s home, where she has taken in several former foster kids, including the girl’s older brother.
The boy reveals he stole a grocery truck in hopes of scoring some food. His sister served as the lookout. But the truck had been filled with guns by goons, who captured the girl. They then called the boy to demand he return the truck at 8 p.m. in exchange for his sister. Only problem? The truck has gone missing.
As Harry searches for leads, he calls Dante, who is in the midst of tracking down a child-predator ring. He also happened to tell Dante that Robyn misses him. Eventually, Harry identifies the girl’s kidnapper as Paco Alvarez, lieutenant for drug dealer Diego Sue?o.
Robyn heads to the criminals’ hangout and fights her way inside to confront Paco. She learns that the girl is with Diego, who is now demanding the guns three hours earlier (!) than the original deadline.
Harry discovers that the truck is in custody at a New York Police Department’s impound lot. He suggests Robyn call Dante for guidance, and slyly mentions that Dante misses her. Robyn follows Harry’s advice, and she and Dante share a brief, but touching moment on the phone. He tells her the name of the officer guarding the impound lot, but gets pulled away from the call before he can assist further.
Back at Robyn’s house, Miles turns up unannounced and is confronted by Aunt Vi. He admits he has become a better person and wants to get Robyn and his family back. Meanwhile, Robyn gains entry to the impound lot by bribing the officer, and takes off with the truck.
Instead of waiting for Robyn to save the day, the boy makes a deal with Diego to trade himself for his sister. But Diego reneges and threatens to keep them both. When Robyn discovers both children are now missing, she heads to the criminals’ warehouse hideout. Harry expresses concern about Robyn going alone, but she counters: “It’s not like I have much of a choice.”
Following a yoga session, Delilah joins Mel at her bar. Upon seeing a gun in a drawer, Mel has a panic attack. Harry runs upstairs to assist, abandoning his post monitoring Robyn on camera. He also misses a call from Dante, who leaves a voicemail warning that the goons work for an extremely dangerous cartel boss named Angel Salazar.
At the warehouse, Robyn witnesses Angel kill Paco and Diego. After helping the kids escape, Robyn is captured by Angel, who enlists a henchman to torture her. Finally returning to his station, Harry calls the police to help Robyn.
Robyn subdues her tormentor and narrowly escapes the building after a grenade is thrown her way. Just before she is cornered by Angel outside, the boy and girl drive up in Robyn’s car, coming to her rescue. As they drive away, Angel vows to deal with Robyn later.
When Mel learns what happened to Robyn, she tells Harry it was her fault. Later, a wounded Robyn returns home, where Miles turns up, yet again. As he tends to her injuries, he asks why her team allowed her to get hurt.
“The only person I can trust to be there is myself,” she says.
Now it’s your turn. What did you think of the premiere? Grade it via the poll below, then hit the comments with your thoughts!
Best of TVLine
Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
