024 - The Bus
Summary
A full school bus disappears. A couple troublemaker kids are the initial suspects, and the suspicions seem confirmed when one boy is left behind with a message about a ransom. However, it turns out he lied and it was someone else the boy knew who told him to lie to the FBI. And then it turns out his mother was behind it all, and thought it would somehow (inexplicably) be to her son’s benefit.
Rating
Kind of a boring episode, but the twist at the end is unexpected. The mother’s motivations aren’t too clear, though, and that weakens the story. How did she think this would be of any help to her son?
Discussion
Notes
Jack has moved back in with his family.
Quotes
Samantha: You really think their father’s in on it with them?
Martin: Doesn’t look like he needs any more money. He’s probably just protecting his kids.
Samantha: Yeah, remind me not to have any.
Martin: They don’t all turn out to be psychopathic kidnappers, you know.
Samantha: Let me guess, 2.2, white picket fence, golden retriever.
Martin: Yeah, maybe, something like that.
Samantha: Not for me. Not in this world.
Mr. Carrol: I was just trying to do the right thing.
Jack: So, what, you decide to go there with half the money and bargain with them?
Mr. Carrol: I don’t give a damn about the money. I was… I just want to get some of those kids out of there.
Jack: And it was a great plan.
Mr. Carrol: So what the hell would you have done?
Jack: Well, considering that there 12 kids’ lives at risk, I would have consulted with the FBI, who have some experience in this area.