This week’s Equalizer traded in its usual procedural structure for something more personal, more visceral. A surge in gun violence, culminating in the tragic death of a young girl named Jessie, pulled Robyn McCall into a battle not just for justice, but for the very soul of her neighborhood. And as these things tend to go in Robyn’s world, this fight led her straight back to a ghost from her past.
The episode opens with a gut-punch, immediately establishing the stakes. Jessie, caught in the crossfire of a senseless shootout, becomes a symbol of the pervasive fear gripping the community. For Robyn, it’s more than a case; it’s a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present threat of violence.
Her investigation quickly uncovers a familiar face pulling the strings: Angel Salazar, a cartel boss with a score to settle and a ruthless ambition. Salazar’s back in town, and he’s not here for a reunion tour. He’s flooding the streets with stolen weapons, fueling a bloody gang war and expanding his criminal empire through the Iron Pipeline.
Enter Detective Dante, Robyn’s sometimes-partner, sometimes-something-more, now working with the feds. Their uneasy alliance becomes a necessity, as they join forces to take down Salazar. The resulting raid, while successful in intercepting a massive gun shipment, leaves a sour taste. Salazar, as slippery as ever, manages to escape, setting the stage for a future showdown.
But Salazar’s escape isn’t the episode’s most chilling moment. That distinction belongs to the murder of his girlfriend, Celeste Nolan. Suspecting Celeste might betray him to Robyn, Salazar eliminates her, a brutal act witnessed by Robyn through a listening device she’d cleverly planted on Celeste. It’s a grim reminder of the cost of crossing Robyn, and the lengths to which her enemies will go to protect themselves.
Amid the carnage and chaos, the episode finds room for some personal developments. Dante, tired of the ATF’s bureaucratic machinations, decides to stay in New York, partly to pursue a rekindled romance with Robyn. She seems receptive, but their history is complicated, and whether they can truly find common ground remains an open question.
Meanwhile, on a lighter note, both Aunt Vi and Delilah embark on their own romantic misadventures. Delilah’s attempt to impress her date by borrowing her grandfather’s car ends predictably, with a wrecked vehicle and a grounded teenager.
While the gun trafficking operation suffers a significant blow, Salazar’s escape leaves a loose end, a simmering threat that guarantees future fireworks. “Guns and Roses” ends not with a sense of closure, but with the promise of more conflict to come. It’s clear that Robyn’s battle against injustice is far from over.
The Equalizer airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.
