Ep 8. Old Wounds

In the eighth episode of Battle Creek's first season, entitled "Old Wounds," the focus is on the personal lives of the characters as they grapple with past traumas and hard truths about themselves and their loved ones.

Detective Russ Agnew (played by Dean Winters) is still reeling from the revelation that his father is not, in fact, dead as he had believed for most of his life. The man who Russ thought was his father was a stranger who had taken on that identity, leaving Russ with a sense of deep betrayal and confusion. As he tries to come to terms with this new reality, Russ finds himself drawn to another woman - Holly (played by Aubrey Dollar), the charming and vivacious sister of his partner, Milt (played by Josh Duhamel). Holly is in town for a job interview, and she and Russ strike up an unlikely friendship that leaves them both feeling vulnerable and uncertain about what might happen next.

Meanwhile, Milt is confronting his own demons as he prepares to testify in a high-profile case against a wealthy businessman accused of embezzling millions of dollars from his own company. Milt is nervous about taking the stand, and his anxiety is compounded by his own doubts about his motives for pursuing the case. As he and Russ investigate the suspect's shady dealings, Milt uncovers some unsettling truths about his own past that complicate his perception of right and wrong.

As Russ and Milt navigate their personal crises, they must also contend with a complicated case involving a retired police officer. The ex-cop, Tom (played by Eric Ladin), is a volatile and erratic figure who seems to be holding onto his past with a fierce sense of pride. When Tom's wife is found dead, the community is quick to assume that Tom is responsible - but Russ and Milt's investigation leads them down a path of twists and turns that challenge their assumptions and force them to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of justice and revenge.

As usual, Battle Creek combines sly humor with tense, engrossing drama in this episode. The show's writers continue to create rich, complex characters who feel like real people, with all the flaws and contradictions that entails. The performances are uniformly strong, with Winters and Duhamel displaying impressive chemistry and emotional depth. The case of the week is engaging and cleverly plotted, with plenty of surprises along the way.

"Old Wounds" is an excellent example of what makes Battle Creek such a distinctive and compelling show. It's grounded in reality, but it's also unafraid to push boundaries and challenge the audience's preconceptions. With its mix of sharp writing, top-notch performances, and inventive plots, Battle Creek remains one of the most underrated shows on television, and this episode is no exception.