“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured: Tory Kittles as Detective Marcus Dante

The Equalizer Season 4 Episode 9 Review: The Big Take

Reviews

The Equalizer Season 4 Episode 9, “The Big Take,” is a huge episode for fans of Dante and Robyn, who have been waiting for something to happen between them since they first met.

Most of the episode keeps us believing the two will fall out. Dante is mad at how Robyn handled the case and lashes out at her with terrible words. Still, she forgives him.

The build-up of this relationship finally pays off when they meet in the last scene of the episode and discuss what happened while they worked together to catch Grayle.

“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall and Donal Logue as Fisk
“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall and Donal Logue as Fisk. Photo: Michael Greenberg/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

As happy as we are that Robyn and Dante finally kissed after teasing all season that they would go out for drinks, there is no excitement. Everything happens too fast.

They fight, Dante gets shot, and Robyn is afraid to lose him. The episode isn’t long enough for these moments to be appreciated as they should have been.

In all honesty, this is something that should have been saved for The Equalizer Season 4 finale. The tension and fighting between Dante and Robyn should have been explored a little more than it is on “The Big Take.”

The slow burn could have been dragged on for at least one more episode. But now that the cat is out of the bag, we wonder how this will change their work dynamic.

Since Dante continues putting his job on the line, will this affect his situation further? Hopefully, it will be explored during The Equalizer Season 5.

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“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured: Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani
“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured: Liza Lapira as Melody “Mel” Bayani. Photo: Michael Greenberg/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

One thing that needs to be discussed more about The Equalizer Season 4 is the presence of M.E.L. This AI assistant has definitely caused some problems and raised some eyebrows since Harry created it.

All of the issues, however, fall on Mel. She was the only person M.E.L. didn’t listen to when asking for help. Even though Harry solved that issue, new problems araise on “The Big Take.”

M.E.L. has decided to use Mel’s voice as her own, giving all the information in the same tone the woman would. After discovering this, Mel believes the AI also locked her out of her car and is trying to replace her.

These issues, combined with the fact that the AI stays ahead of Harry’s requests and guesses what he needs, make us believe that something will go wrong with this system. It has way too much power.

Could the AI turn against Harry and the team and purposely guide them in the wrong direction? Why does it insist on sidelining Mel?

“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian and Donal Logue as Fisk
“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Adam Goldberg as Harry Keshegian and Donal Logue as Fisk. Photo: Michael Greenberg/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

M.E.L. isn’t the only trouble in paradise. Harry confesses to Mel that he has lied to her while working with Fisk. He claims to have done it to protect her.

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That age-old excuse doesn’t make Mel happy. Even though she isn’t mad, she is hurt by Harry’s actions. Everyone in her life who has lied to her recently has claimed to do it to her benefit but hasn’t given her the chance to decide what’s good for her.

The two of them have always been a team. Not only as a married couple but also in how they help Robyn. Harry is the man behind the screen while Mel takes on the action.

Their fight happening so close to the finale, Harry leaving with Fisk, and Mel getting a text from a veteran asking for help makes us feel like something bigger will happen, and Mel might be in danger without Harry’s help.

“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah and Lorraine Toussaint as Viola “Vi” Marsette
“The Big Take” – THE EQUALIZER, Pictured (L-R): Laya DeLeon Hayes as Delilah and Lorraine Toussaint as Viola “Vi” Marsette. Photo: CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Highest quality screengrab available.

The episode is a mix of emotions. On the one hand, viewers are happy that Dante and Robyn have finally kissed. On the other hand, we are saddened by the fight between Mel and Harry.

There is also great excitement in going after Grayle. One of the best sequences on The Equalizer happens when Grayle is telling his team what the plan is.

We hear his voice as we watch every member of his team take on a task and place themselves where they should be for the heist. However, when we get to them stealing the necklace, Robyn and her team do it first.

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Once again, The Equalizer proves the action is the essence of the show and what keeps us coming back for more.

What did you think of this episode of The Equalizer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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The Equalizer airs Sundays at 8/7c on CBS.

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Lara Rosales is a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature. She works in PR, hosts a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things), and writes on the internet about TV and movies. Some of her articles can be found on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, and Flip Screened.

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