‘Defending Jacob’ Recap: ‘Damage Control’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

When crisis arrives in our lives, we tend to rely on routine to keep our sanity going. Because we need some sense of normalcy to hold onto while our world burns brightly and sticking to those everyday habits seems to help greatly with that. But while going about one’s day as though nothing has really changed works for a vast majority of us when the going gets tough, for some folks, finding a routine is seemingly impossible. Because their world has become so broken that even regular tasks remind them that their lives are forever changed and it just so happens that the next episode of Defending Jacob, takes the time to explore this notion in fascinating fashion.  
 
Because ‘Damage Control’ sees the Barber family working to find a routine that allows for them to find some sense and semblance of normalcy once again, with mixed results of course. For there really isn’t any way for them to find those things. After all, they’re still in the national spotlight, and anywhere they go, they’ll be instantly recognized and judged by the public, which forces them to alter their lives in dramatic fashion. Such as having to shop this side shy of daybreak in order to get the groceries, in essence making them shadows and afterthoughts and it was fascinating to see the series explore this particular struggle since few shows in this vein ever do. But while watching the family struggle with this ‘new normal’ was bleak in its own right, since it hammered home how tough this segment of their lives would be, there was some cause for celebration in this particular tale.
 
For Jacob at least found a silver lining by way of Sarah, since she took the time to visit him often and make him feel as though he was a fourteen-year old kid once again. Plus, Andy was able to work the case in his spare time and that allowed for him to learn a great deal about Leonard Patz. Such as where he works and what his daily routine looks like, and he even stumbled on a potential clue. For there was a young man named Matt who saw his assault complaint against Leonard Patz disappear and Andy wanted to know why, simply because something about the whole mess seemed suspicious and his concerns were reinforced by way of a conversation with the kid. Because Matt made it obvious, he is apparently hiding something about Patz and hopefully at some point he finally opens up about it.

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​But while it was nice to see the men in the Barber family find purpose and direction during this trying time, Laurie was not so fortunate. In fact, she felt completely isolated as the days went along and that impacted her mental health. To the point where she began with withdraw from her family and that led to an unfortunate moment that will likely backfire down the line. For an attempt to just ‘get away from it all’ by dropping by a diner for a quiet dinner, led to an encounter with a kind stranger. Which in turn led to an open and honest conversation about her situation since she had no one to talk to. But unfortunately, that stranger turned out to be a reporter for The Boston Globe and every word that Laurie said will likely be used to embarrass her and her struggles with isolation didn’t end there.
 
Because Laurie was also having grave concerns about Jacob’s behavior as a child. In fact, a particular memory where he appeared to want to violently harm a friend of his at a bowling party, kept playing in her head over and over again, leaving her to ponder more upon the possibility that her son was carrying the ‘murder gene’. Which is something she expressed aloud to their new behavior psychologist and that’s a huge deal. Because it is an expectation in society for parents to always back their kids regardless of the odds or the circumstance, so to see Laurie having doubts here is quite different and painfully realistic. Because who wouldn’t want definitive proof that their kid isn’t a murderer? And it would seem at this point the only way her doubts will be quelled completely is by way of a break in the case that points toward Jacob’s innocence, or if Andy is willing to do something that may seem impossible.
 
For in the closing moments of this tale, it is revealed that the doctors need one more DNA sample to properly understand what the family’s genetic sequence looks like. Which means they need a sample from Andy’s father Billy, and unfortunately, he’s not inclined to offer that up, until his son comes to visit him in prison and that’s quite the tall order. Because Andy has made it clear that he has zero desire to speak to him, leaving the audience to wonder if he will truly go the extra mile to exonerate his son. Time will in regard to that of course, so in the meantime, it’s best we take a moment to celebrate another solid episode in this harrowing story. Because it was downright brilliant to show us how folks in this situation suffer and struggle to find a sense of balance and that led to some powerful and poignant moments. The kind that motivate us to press on to see if this family can weather the storm and it should be interesting to see where this story takes us next, now that another incredible challenge awaits the Barber family. Until next time.

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