To summarize the plot, BF and RV, having chosen to dine in Chinatown happen onto a kidnapping - because OFM 'happens' to hear it and 'happens' out another window to pursue and render aid. In spite of using his favorite foot pursuit method of fire escapes and rooftops he can only confirm the incident happened to HIS satisfaction as no one else will admit to having 'heard' or seen anything. BF persists in spite of RV's exasperated laments and they leave Chinatown, BF having said enough to convince the victim's family to come to the police and reveal the pressure of organized crime 'assistance' they have been trying to refuse. It then changes from a non-case the Duck Boys ridiculed to an 'FBI only' matter leaving our diligent duo to go ahead themselves, do the 'real work' (because the "FBI couldn't find Waldo if they had the book") and bring the case to a successful end.
There are some nice little dialogue moments for the entire cast in this ep that helped pave the way (for future eps) about where they stand on crime-solving issues and their fellow officers. Moments firm yet fun like Lt. Welsh's affirmation that the FBI guy is "an idiot" (firm because he was, and fun because it made me yell "you GO leftenant!"), the Duck Boys describing their competition as "a Mountie and a badly dressed Italian", and RV's almost shtick exclamation (accompanied with a requisite choreographed pose) that he's "FINE!" in the middle of a shoot-out and brawl. And of course interspersed throughout is OFM and everyone's eye-rolling reactions to his repertoire of crime-solving methodology and suggestions, like hiding in a quiet closet to 're-hear the kidnapping in his mind' and 'tasting things again', to proposing that all the branches of law enforcement present work together and politely (how else?!) putting up with the FBI comment that the very suggestion infers BF "knows nothing about police work". And here is when the customary dS wrinkle deepens to a more serious crease. In spite of BF's deep belief that his consistent treatment of his fellow man and methods of observation will prove that he and his unofficial colleagues are more similar than dissimilar (if they would just take the time to take in the 'wealth of info at the local library') and will thus save the day, he must accept the fact that there are actions he cannot sway with his Inuit-influenced, Mountie-honed magic. And this time the life of an innocent young man may be the price of his good intentions, which brings me to the part of the ep that blew me away.
A round of applause to The Three J's for their amazing musical work in composition and 'cover' selection to accompany the story. (I have been scrambling to used/music stores ever since I started watching this series to play catch-up; hard to find some of the Canadian here in the USA!) From the opening of the ep when some Asian musical chant is heard to the visually Sousa-esque ending, this ep is a wonderful blend of media and sound engineering. After BF is assailed with an emotional chastisement from the victim's father, he affirms to RV that he's "done this", as in caused the situation. The opportunity for our pair to fix it comes in the form of the victim's mother who overheard a conversation between her husband and the kidnapper and shares it with our duo. In the following scene (during which I almost all but hold my breath each time I watch it) we hear the opening strains of Loreena McKennitt's "PROSPERO'S SPEECH". We see the victim's father appear to acquiesce to the villain's demands by preparing a "humbling tribute" and BF and RV coursing in the Riv to the victim's location near the meeting place. The haunting melody travels along with the characters during the entire scene as the father walks (as instructed by the gang lord) down the sidewalk past his neighbors who brusquely turn away and shun him, and as BF grimly contemplates the situation as scenery blurs by. As BF and RV arrive in a dark alley, quiet the Riv and its headlights, and gently close its doors upon exiting to seek a dark observation point, the ethereal tune ends then is shortly reprised as the father arrives at the meeting place. Extraordinary use of an affecting song that sounds both angelic and ghostly, and that used organ pipes in its musical arrangement so that my nervous system wouldn't stand a chance. Bravo, Mr. Music Supervisor and Friends! (And Ms. McKennitt!)
The "tribute" scene aside there are many more gems of sound and sight to behold in this ep from OFM trying to re-create verbally the sound of the kidnapping, to the last scene where no really important words are spoken (no need) but the special effects folks had a blast (ahem). If you haven't, watch and see for yourself how many wonderful elements made this ep so choice. The bottom line for me, each character's character got a little more defined - and Loreena McK sold one more album.