The sleepy Sheriff Country is harboring a procedural gem that's as fine-tuned as it is familiar. Episode 5, "Expecting Trouble," serves as a prime example, weaving together the typical A, B, and C plots with a finesse that some shows—cough, Boston Blue—could only dream of.
In this episode, Mickey and Boone are tasked with escorting a heavily pregnant witness named Valerie to witness protection after her U.S. Marshals escort is killed by a hitman hired by notorious criminal Demir Boz. Valerie's journey to San Francisco to testify against Boz becomes a life-or-death race against time, forcing Mickey and Boone to navigate their own issues stemming from Skye's arrest and Boone's resignation.
The procedural elements are handled in their straightforward manner, but the story elevates beyond the basic format with the dynamic between Mickey and Boone. Their close proximity and Val's insistence on their optimal collaboration lead to a compelling exploration of their personal struggles. Their relationship feels lived-in, though I'm not entirely sure if it teeters on the edge of romance—a final event leaves this reviewer uncertain.
Meanwhile, Cassidy finds herself in charge at the station for the first time, facing seemingly insurmountable problems from recalcitrant civilians to deliberate sabotage from an abused wife seeking help from the authorities. Her arc is a coming-of-age moment as she figures out how to deal with these challenges in her own way.
This narrative also sheds light on Cass's personal history with domestic abuse, which is handled with a subtlety that only enhances its impact. It feels in line with her independent growth as a deputy, not just as Mickey's protege or Travis's squeeze. It endows her with a more individualized character and proves that she is perfectly capable on her own; she simply had to let go of her idealized wish to emulate Mickey and forge her own path. It's a delightful turn of events.
Of course, there's also Wes and Skye. In Sheriff Country Episode 5, both characters toy with the idea of leaving town - Wes to return to the mountains and Skye to pursue her academic future. Neither is particularly sure about it, which manifests in a jam session with Wes and his old grower buddies that quickly turns into a health emergency. Wes has a heart condition that he's medicated for, but he hasn't been taking his meds (something he's kept from Mickey). His buddies and Skye are able to save him, but she comes up with a plan to ensure he takes his medication regularly to avoid a similar incident in the future. She also decides to stay at home, not just to keep an eye on him - although that's probably part of it - but because she needs some time to figure out what she actually wants to do with her life, not just what she feels she should be doing. Wes, 40 years her senior, feels the same way, so there's no rush.
While all of this feels nice and conflict-averse, "Expecting Trouble" smartly pulls the rug at the very end. Mickey tears up Boone's resignation letter, thinking that's what she should have done in the first place and what Boone was expecting her to do. But no, it turns out he definitely is leaving. His wife even turns up to help him do so, and this comes as a major surprise to Mickey, who didn't even know he was married.
This is a bit peculiar to me. The fact that Mickey didn't know about this and her reaction to finding out the news implies that Boone has deliberately kept it from her. But why? Is he just unnecessarily secretive, or did something happen between Boone and Mickey that perhaps wouldn't have happened if she'd known he was married? At this point, who knows? I'm sure we'll get a better sense of that next week.
