Ep 4. Letting It Go

As the third season of Major Crimes continues, the team is faced with another complex case in episode four titled "Letting It Go." The episode begins with the discovery of a body in a dumpster. The victim, a young African-American girl, is soon identified as Marissa James, a high school student. The team learns that Marissa was involved in a local gang and was known to sell drugs, which leads them to believe her murder may be gang-related.

Detective Lieutenant Louie Provenza tricks Marissa's former boyfriend, Eric, into confessing to the murder. However, when the team investigates further, they realize that Eric is innocent and was coerced into confessing by Marissa's real killer, who is still at large. The team eventually identifies the killer as a white supremacist who has been targeting and murdering members of a local African-American gang.

Throughout the episode, the team struggles to deal with the sensitive and complex issues surrounding gang violence and racism in modern-day Los Angeles. They are forced to confront their own biases and prejudices as they work to solve the case. Some of the team members, including Lieutenant Andy Flynn and Detective Amy Sykes, also have personal connections to the case which add a layer of emotional complexity.

As the investigation unfolds, the team must navigate the political complexities of working with different community groups who have their own ideas about what justice should look like. In particular, they clash with a local activist who accuses the police of racial bias and favoritism towards the white perpetrators.

Despite the challenges, the team ultimately manages to solve the case and bring justice to Marissa's family. Along the way, they learn important lessons about the complexities of modern-day policing and the importance of listening to the voices of all members of the community. With its gripping storytelling, nuanced character development, and timely themes, "Letting It Go" is a standout episode of Major Crimes season 3 that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.