Ep 6. To Serve and Protect

Jarod takes on one of his riskiest pretends yet in "To Serve and Protect," the sixth episode of The Pretender's first season. This time, he becomes a rookie cop and is tasked with infiltrating the Albuquerque Police Department. His mission is to uncover how the department's experienced and well-respected leader, Captain Russell, handles a difficult hostage situation.

The episode opens with a tense situation at a local bank, where a group of robbers have taken hostages. The Albuquerque Police Department has been called to the scene, and Captain Russell is in charge. However, things quickly spiral out of control when one of the hostages is killed, and the robbers threaten to do the same to others if their demands are not met.

Enter Jarod, who has taken on the identity of rookie cop Nick Taylor. He's the newest member of Captain Russell's team, having been recruited straight out of the police academy. Jarod has spent weeks studying and preparing for this undercover operation, but he quickly realizes that his training can only take him so far. The pressure is on as he's thrust into the middle of a dangerous situation with lives on the line.

As the episode progresses, Jarod gets deeper and deeper into his pretend as a cop. He has to not only convince his fellow officers that he's a legitimate member of the team but also make sure he doesn't slip up and give himself away. The stakes are high, and one false move could blow his cover.

The tense hostage situation is the main focus of the episode, but there are also some intriguing side plots. We get to see more of Jarod's backstory and how he ended up with The Centre, the shadowy organization that trained him to be a pretend in the first place. We also see some of the aftermath of Jarod's previous pretends, including the effect they've had on the people he's left behind.

"To Serve and Protect" is a well-crafted episode that keeps the tension high from start to finish. The hostage situation provides plenty of nail-biting moments, and watching Jarod navigate his way through the police department is fascinating. But it's the quieter moments that really make the episode shine. Seeing Jarod struggle with his past and struggle to find a place in the world is compelling, and the episode does a great job of hinting at the larger story that's unfolding with each new pretend.

Overall, "To Serve and Protect" is a standout episode in the first season of The Pretender. It features a strong central plot, interesting side plots, and some fantastic performances from the show's cast. It's a must-watch for fans of the series and a great example of what makes The Pretender such a unique and engaging show.