Nooch.13: A Rushed Exit for Our Beloved Barba

The #42 Minutes

As Jack McCoy gives Ben Stone a final encomium to a chapel full of  mourners, Aaron Householder has fled to Sheepshead Bay with his very ill and very-in-pain son. Aaron and his wife are at odds about ending baby Drew's life, so he takes off, but he doesn't really have an end game because what's a guy to do in Brooklyn with a paintball gun and a little one who needs round-the-clock care? Either Benson knew the weapon was harmless and not one of the dozens of law enforcement personnel missed that or she's temporarily nuts because she disarms herself (even the gloves!) and heads inside. Aaron and his wife tell their ten-month-old's story separately to Benson and Barba and we all agree their dilemma absolutely sucks and nobody should ever have to agonize over this and also that baby was beautiful, I mean...those eyelashes...was it even a real baby? If not, fooled me.

Anyway, perhaps seeking redemption for what he didn't do for his father (we'll forgive the continuity flub for now), Barba pulls the plug and...

"You killed the baby?"
"I expedited his passing."
"That's gonna be a tough hair to split in the courtroom."

I'm chagrined to admit it, but I had to chuckle a little at Benson. Her incredulity is always so endearing.

Jury of One:

Thank you Mr. Nooch for not drowning us with Benson sanctimony and agony over babies and breathing and kidnapping and parenthood and, for that, I'm willing to let you slide on the do you have kids line because Benson's had that in her quiver for a while now and I suppose she deserves to use it. ONCE. ONCE IS ENOUGH.

This could have/should have been a two-parter. Everything felt hurried. Barba needed more heart-to-heart convos with Maggie and he definitely needed one last scene with Benson at the bar perhaps to spill more about his guilt/deets about his father's illness. Though Maggie's desperation was palpable, Barba's decision seemed abrupt and a little, uh, capricious, for he doesn't actually know this family, but what's done is done and and I'm surprised they didn't show him being perp-walked and damn he looked super uncomfortable and a little annoyed at the defense table...

Despite the compacted plot, this was a logical culmination for the ADA's run on the show. With Benson's urging, Barba has grown to appreciate the various "colors" of people and cases and circumstances. Taking care to consider all those nuances would undoubtedly tax the most durable of prosecutors, and, as he walked away and left Benson alone (don't worry, she's used to it and fuck forehead kisses), I was happy for him.

Quotable:

"A man shouldn't do what he can, he should do what he must without regard for consequence or repercussion." Barba certainly took that to heart. BTW....

Hate to gossip at a funeral, but...is he yacht guy? Is he?

"The law...the law...the law..." Oh boy, back to the drawing board on that black-and-white thing, OMB.

Also, they looked very cold. Winchester doesn't freeze well.

"I'll take that as a compliment." So I'm gradually inching to the edge of my couch cushion as Benson's in the house with Aaron, and she's sitting down, and WHY IS SHE SO RELAXED? and OMG she's WALKING TOWARD THE GUN. WHAT ARE YOU--oh, paintball...alright, alright, that's the last time I doubt you, OMB, but Tucker may not let ya off so easily.

#Badass

Appearances

I need the story on this new ring RIGHT NOW!

Tracking Tucker

In addition to grumbling about her going into the house, I'm sure would have lovvvved to find out she ordered everyone to stand down and everyone actually followed the order because remember when Captain Reese all but laughed in Tucker's face outside the Crivello townhouse when the Captain suggested ESU do the same thing?

#BringBackBobby

I miss that smirk.

Head Scratchers

There are too many loose threads hanging with regards to Stone--rocky relationship with father, no family, played baseball--just enough for folks to latch on and ship him with Benson and please let's not make that happen. They don't look good together and he's also like 20 years younger and "Cougar" doesn't exactly fit her character and she's with Tucker anyway.

Is It Next Wednesday Yet?

I already miss Barba because who's gonna thump Liv on the head when she helps Cassidy? I cringe at the thought of Bensidy III and I also nearly choked on my IPA when I saw them hug in the promo, but, hopefully OMB's not yet through the wringer and if the next ep follows the pattern, Cassidy's presence will not have a happy ending. And I am SO OKAY  WITH THAT.

Iiiiiiit's Olympics time!