Human Target Episode 5: Dead Head

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Human Target Episode 5: Dead Head
By Beth Davies-Stofka
December 16, 2010 - 19:16

Writer(s): Dan E. Fesman, Nora Zuckerman, Lilla Zuckerman, Tom Spezialy
Starring: Mark Valley, Chi McBride, Jackie Earle Haley, Indira Varma, Janet Montgomery
Directed by: Paul Edwards
Produced by: Peter Johnson, Brad Kern, McG
Running Time: 60 min
Release Date: 15 December 2010
Genre: Action/Adventure, Crime Drama

Human Target is all about second chances. (Christopher "Chance" anyone?) Episode five concerns a client who needs that second chance. But after he hires the team to protect him he suffers a traumatic accident that results in amnesia. Much of the fun in the episode hangs on this amnesia. The team has to figure out how to save the client, nicknamed J.D., from unknown assassins trying to kill him for unknown reasons. Meanwhile the client is preoccupied with trying to figure out who he is. We realize that amnesia can be an unexpected blessing. With a slate that clean, you can reinvent yourself from scratch – not that you have much choice!

Above all, this is an episode about Winston and his second chances. We learn a lot about this profoundly private man's former life, including a failed investigation into police corruption, and a lovely ex-wife living in a nice, homey house. We learn how much Winston lost when he left that life behind, and we learn how much he gained when he threw in his lot with Chance. It's great to see Winston suffer from doubt and frustration, and watch the bonds between the team members grow stronger.

Even Ilsa Pucci's naiveté made sense this time around. As soon as she had to depend on Guerrero, my interest in her shot up. Guerrero and Mrs. Pucci are the perfect odd couple: legendary criminal genius and pampered princess. Haley and Varma play it perfectly, layering their encounters with the energy and style of a 1970s caper and allowing the cold war between them to awkwardly relax. When Mrs. Pucci is in her element – say, manipulating a sycophantic banker – she is every bit as impressive as when Guerrero is in his element. I could watch those two working together as a team far more often.

Dead Head didn't inspire any particularly weighty thoughts. Instead, it simply entertained, with good characters and a growing sense of solidarity. Let's hope for a dazzling action scene next week!

Rating: 9/10