A very big, two part episode of Without A Trace that is ambitious in attempting to weave the very big theme of trauma from 9/11, into a kidnapping AND a separate siege, with Jack Malone (Anthony LaPaglia) and his FBI team heavily involved. It's worth watching for the amazing performance of Tom Irwin as the tortured and very angry recently unemployed and homeless man Barry Marshman, (Tom Irwin) whose wife died in 9/11 and who, in a botched ransom drop, takes customers in a bookshop hostage, including the undercover Agent Spade (Poppy Montgomery). Of course Jack has to be the chief negotiator, spiced up by his 'thing' with Spade. Here the writers do something interesting. While Barry blusters and waves his gun around, Jack's team, elsewhere in the city, piece together what brought Barry to this point. They talk to his family, workmates and even his kids. Jack works out the final piece, and it's quite moving. The episode was beautifully written, and both LaPaglia and Irwin are brilliant. Yes, it's over the top, but it's also the best episode I've seen of Without A Trace.
Review of Fallout: Part 2
