Ep 3. Follow the Leader

In "Follow the Leader," the third episode of Flashpoint's third season, the Strategic Response Unit (SRU) is called to respond to a volatile situation at a women's prison. A group of prisoners has taken several hostages, including one of their own, and is demanding better living conditions. The team is led by Constable Sam Braddock (played by David Paetkau) and includes Sergeant Gregory Parker (Enrico Colantoni), Jules Callaghan (Amy Jo Johnson), Ed Lane (Hugh Dillon), and Spike Scarlatti (Sergio Di Zio).

The team arrives on the scene and quickly realizes that they are dealing with a particularly dangerous group of inmates. They are led by a charismatic woman named Jamie (played by Sarah Podemski), who has a history of violence and has been in and out of prison for most of her life. Jamie is using the hostages, including a young prison guard named Selena (played by Hannah Lochner), as leverage to try to negotiate with the prison authorities. She is also using her position of authority to manipulate the other inmates and keep them in line.

As the team tries to assess the situation and negotiate with Jamie and her group, they are forced to confront some difficult ethical issues. On the one hand, they are committed to resolving the situation peacefully and ensuring that no one gets hurt. On the other hand, they are aware that the conditions at the prison are deplorable and that the inmates have legitimate grievances. They also know that if they give in to Jamie's demands, it could set a dangerous precedent and encourage other inmates to take similar actions in the future.

As the situation unfolds, the team must balance all of these competing concerns while also dealing with their own personal issues and conflicts. For example, Braddock is struggling with his feelings for Jules, who is dealing with her own family issues and trying to stay focused on the job. Meanwhile, Parker is dealing with some unresolved issues from his past and is forced to confront some difficult truths about himself and his relationships with his colleagues.

Despite these challenges, the team remains focused on their mission and works tirelessly to find a way to resolve the situation peacefully. They use their training and expertise to try to talk to Jamie and her group, and they also work behind the scenes to gather intelligence and try to figure out the best course of action. Along the way, they face numerous setbacks and obstacles, but they never give up and continue to push forward no matter what.

In the end, the team is able to resolve the situation without anyone getting hurt, and they are praised for their bravery and expertise. However, they are also left to grapple with some difficult questions and moral dilemmas about the role of law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the treatment of prisoners. They also realize that, despite their success, they are just one small part of a much larger system that is in need of significant reform.

Overall, "Follow the Leader" is a compelling and thought-provoking episode that explores some of the complex issues facing law enforcement and the criminal justice system in our society today. It showcases the skills and expertise of the SRU team while also highlighting some of the challenges and obstacles they face on a daily basis. Fans of the show will no doubt appreciate the depth and complexity of the characters and the high-stakes drama that unfolds in this intense and engaging episode.