Pineapples & Puzzles

This episode is literally all I've been wanting since I started watching this show. I remember when I first watched the pilot thinking how odd of a choice it was to launch a show that's whole premise is based around the relationship of the two titular characters by making an episode in which those two characters barely interact, and dropping their backstory in a quick scene where it's just told to another character. (First time I saw that scene, my immediate thought was "why didn't they just do THAT story as the pilot episode??") And then as I got more invested in the show and their friendship I was even more disappointed I didn't get to actually see their first meeting.

So when the title and first few scenes of this episode made it clear that that's exactly what they were doing, I nearly jumped out of my seat in excitement. And it definitely didn't disappoint.

As a person who obsesses over continuity (I currently have a file on my computer where I document every bit of backstory and lore they drop so I can reference it for fic writing purposes lol) I deeply appreciate that this actually lines up with everything preestablished in the show. On top of that, it also further confirmed several of my own headcanons and assumptions.

Didn't think this kind of episode could make me cry, but watching Rex grieving his previous partner was heartbreaking. Absolutely LOVE the scene with him and Charlie first meeting though. That almost immediate emotional connection and them bonding over both grieving the people/relationships they lost... ugh, it was so sweet and sad.

On a side note, kudos to the actor playing Charlie for that moment after Rex climbs into the car when he pets him for the first time. The hesitancy and uncertainty in the quick gesture was so noticeable because of how naturally they usually interact with each other. And it just further drove home how far out of his depth Charlie was here. Such a quick moment, but it meant so much.

On that topic, I appreciate they didn't retcon it as Charlie just instantly knowing how to handle Rex from a dog ownership perspective. The early episodes made it pretty clear that he had no clue what to do with a dog half the time, and I like that this episode actually confirmed it. Imo it makes his immediate connection with Rex and the desire to help him a lot more meaningful. He's diving in with no clue what he's doing -- he just sees Rex in trouble and wants to help.

Thankfully not all angst though. I love a good angsty story, but it needs some levity thrown in too. My favorite lighthearted moments were them trying to figure out how to make Rex track a scent, the dive into the river ("You didn't tell me you could swim" 😂), and them getting reprimanded by Joe for being reckless. Just look at their expressions lmao:

Poor Joe has no clue what he's in for with these two in the coming years.

Loved the glimpse into the pre-canon version of the Major Crimes team. The fact that Charlie and Jesse have the exact same friendly easy banter with each other in the flashback as they do in the present makes me happy. They've obviously been friends for a while prior to the start of the show. And the relationship between Joe and Charlie here also continues to validate my belief that those two have known each other and been close friends for a very long time. (My personal headcanon is that Joe mentored Charlie when he was still new on the force, and I'll probably cling to that belief even if they establish otherwise in canon lol.)

Speaking of which, this story slots rather nicely into the established timeline they set up at the beginning of the series. In 1x03, Sarah comments that Charlie and Rex were teamed up for about six months at that point. Assuming the first few episodes cover a few weeks, that would mean the pilot takes place a little over five months after their first meeting. Which also tracks with them stating here that their head of forensics is retiring in four months. Sarah most likely joined the SJPD a few weeks before the start of the show, which tracks with how she was written in those early episodes as very much the new person in the group.

Oh, also it was nice that they gave some additional context to the animosity between Charlie and Renley in the first season. Her waiting several months to try to get Rex off the Major Crimes team makes more sense with how they set things up here, especially her comment at the end about this being a trial run. And it explains why Charlie had obvious pre-existing issues with her in S1, since he probably still had some resentment over the situation with fighting to keep them from putting Rex down. (Also, I was just very happy to see Renley again. I was always disappointed we didn't get to see more of her teaching Charlie dog handling skills after their conversation in 1x02.)

Normally, the main thing I focus on when watching a new episode is the mystery plot. That is the main thing (outside of Charlie and Rex's friendship) I'm here for. I think this is one of the few episodes where I loved it enough that I wouldn't actually care if the mystery stunk. Thankfully, it didn't though. I really enjoyed the whole kidnapping plot and all the different twists and turns it took. Not their best mystery story at all, but definitely good.

Overall, 10/10 episode. Genuinely, there wasn't a single thing about it that I didn't like. (My one and only complaint is that this absolutely should have been the pilot for the show.)

OH MY GOSH THIS EPISODE!! Absolutely adding to the favorites list. I was on board pretty much immediately, with the intense reveal about the returning villain. I remember when I watched the pilot episode thinking how intriguing the interactions between Mankiewicz and Charlie were, and just desperately hoping he'd be coming back so I could see more of that. I never actually thought it would really happen though. And man it was good. Loved all of their back and forth throughout the episode.

This one really broke from the established format I'd gotten used to with Hudson & Rex episodes, but I don't mind at all. I think it can be very fun when shows step outside their usual formula and try something different.

LOVED how protective Charlie was over Rex. Figuratively, and a few times literally, putting himself between Mankiewicz and Rex. The pure panic when that second in command guy almost shot Rex at the beginning. And the fear and relief during that stand off where they threatened to shoot Rex if he didn't give up the information. I feel like Charlie would absolutely lose it if anything ever did happen to Rex.

Really loved their coordinated efforts during the escape attempt. They're so in sync with each other. And then Charlie evading the bad guys around the station. It was very much the classic "base under siege" type of plot, and as a sci-fi fanatic that is a trope I adore.

Genuinely got me emotional with Charlie telling Rex to go without him at the end. Even though he had a plan and wasn't really intending to let Mankiewicz leave with Rex, there was no way for him to tell the dog that, and seeing the pain in Charlie's eyes as he had to send him away just hurt. (On a side note, this is at least the second episode in which Charlie has been shown picking locks. I want to know where and why he learned that skill. I feel like there has to be some interesting backstory on that.)

Finally taking down the bad guys was such a satisfying moment. Charlie and Rex taking a moment to gloat (even if he denied it lol) felt very earned considering everything that happened. ALSO, that last exchange between them!! Mankiewicz offering begrudging admiration towards Charlie and then talking about how, in a different life, they might have been able to be friends or partners. Agh, I love a good nemesis, and this one was played out so well. Plus Charlie's immediate response of "Rex is my only partner" ❤️