‘Clarice’ Recap: ‘Hard Truth’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Clarice’.
​
Thus far, the inaugural season of Clarice on CBS, has focused heavily on the power of trauma and what it takes to pull away from it and it is understandable as to why this has been such a focus for the series. Because not only is this particular direction a brave and bold one to take in an era where mental health issues are still stigmatized, but also because… Clarice Starling and the incredible amount of trauma she’s been through over the course of her fascinating life, makes her ripe for a journey of healing and slowly and steadily, she’s been working on finding internal peace so that she can finally move forward as a true hero of the FBI. 

But while that alone makes this series worthwhile, it also deserves credit for breaking up that journey from time to time with a palate cleansing story. One that allows for us to process what Clarice is going through and to enjoy the core of her story, which is solving incredible crimes with her amazing intuition and empathy and it just so happens, that the next episode in this storied saga, does just that. For ‘Hard Truth’ is a tale that features quite the ugly case for Clarice and the team to solve, one involving the horrific discovery of a dead child. One that the killer took the time to gently place inside of a wall, as if to offer the body care after the horrific act of murder was committed, and the disturbing nature of this crime, pushed the team hard to find the offending party quickly and well, what they found once they started digging was equally as disturbing.

Because eventually, Clarice and Ardelia came to discover that this exact murder happened before and that the victims lived on the same street and that pointed all signs toward the reality that both kids died at the hands of someone they knew and well, that forced the duo to use every ounce of evidence possible to narrow it down to an unlikely family friend. Because it just seemed outright impossible for an elderly widow, named Marybeth, to commit such a crime, especially when it comes to the force that was exerted upon these innocent lives and well, as it turns out… a strange twist involving incest and loneliness and shame, is what motivated the Marybeth’s husband/son, Gerry, to commit this heinous crime. And thankfully, this dynamic duo was able to stop Gerry before he could cause any further harm and justice was indeed brought to fruition at last.

But what’s truly amazing about this particular episode, is that it still managed to work in the conspiracy plot line that’s been hovering heavy over this season arc, by offering up quite the twist. Because while the majority of the team was hunting for a killer, Paul Krendler had to wrestle with the fact that his attorney was the stranger that assaulted Clarice while she was fighting for her life and he had to figure out how to creatively bring Joe down and end this now. But alas, the craftiness of Joe and the evil people that he works with, allowed for him get leverage over Paul. To the point where Krendler shut down the conspiracy investigation, leaving that mess in an uncertain and unwholesome place. One that hopefully the team will quietly go after in the final few weeks of this season. 

In the end however, this was simply… a twisted tale for certain. One that is worthy of the franchise as a whole since Thomas Harris’ dynamic world has always been filled to the brim with taboo cases and villains and Gerry and his mother/wife fit that bill to a tee. Because it doesn’t get more twisted than their sorted and unwholesome affair and kudos to the series for taking the time to break things up with his particularly unsettling plot line, one that really did let Clarice and Ardelia shine in a manner they haven’t yet and hopefully we get more of their combined mental power in the weeks to come. Because it would serve the FBI well to have both of them looking at this conspiracy case from behind the scenes, before Krendler finds himself in too deep with an organization that is eager to wreak havoc on the innocent. Until next time.

---