Review: Red vs Blue “Rigged”

Should you trust the reporter?

Spoilers Below:

Andrews and Jax interview a very reluctant Sarge. Sarge says that he’s not interested in giving any details, but Andrews says she only wants to know what Sarge’s real name is. Sarge lets it slip that Temple and Surge don’t trust Andrews, and have sent him to spy on her.

Temple calls Tucker in for a chat and flatters him before casting doubt on Andrews. He asks why she didn’t bother warning them about the bounty hunter, and Tucker slowly becomes doubtful.

Doc and Tucker meet up, and Doc explains that he knew the Blues and Reds before. When Simmons expresses his discomfort in the other team being exactly the same as them, Doc explains that the Blues and Reds actually came before the main team. They were prototypes— for something, but neither he or Andrews knows what for. When Andrews says she found the information on Sidewinder, Tucker expresses his newfound mistrust in her, and storms off.

The Blues and Reds’ cloaking generator has begun to malfunction, so they set off to try to find parts to repair them. In the meantime, the Blues and Reds have changed their visors to blue, to make the teams more distinguishable. As they scavenge for parts, the foils on each team bond with each other, or at least attempt to. Temple suggests that the team warn Carolina and Washington, but Tucker says they’re probably off having some adventure.

Instead, the two Freelancers have ended up on a tropical island, and they comment that the change of scenery isn’t so bad.

Overview:

Temple is definitely hiding something. We’re still not exactly sure what the Blues and Reds’ original purpose was, but it’s something that has left him extremely distrustful of the UNSC, and of journalists overall. He tries to, and succeeds, at winning Tucker over, at casting doubt on Andrews and her drive. The episode title, Rigged, doesn’t allude to anything good, either.

While Andrews is seeking the truth, she doesn’t seem to largely be in it for fame. She is more interested in finding out what really happened, rather than reap any benefits she could gain as a result. However, she is not personally invested in the fates of the main team but is more of an observer. This ambiguity is something Temple uses to drive a wedge between Tucker and Andrews.

Not exactly sure why Temple is trying to ease Andrews away, but it’s likely crucial to whatever he has planned.