
This week’s episode of FBI: Most Wanted, “Starman,” is a misstep, failing to live up to its eerie atmospheric opening that briefly felt like a proper horror flick. The chilling premise—Mennonite mechanic Jacob Miller (James Andrew O’Connor) turning vigilante—had potential, but uneven pacing and lackluster subplots about the Fugitive Task Force’s personal lives kept it from fully launching. Let’s review.
“Starman” begins with an unsettling scene: a hulking figure lumbering across a lawn, his labored breathing heavy in the silence of night. Inside, a group of middle-aged men play poker. One steps into the garage for beer, unaware of the danger lurking. In an instant, he’s thrown around like a rag doll before being kidnapped and driven away in his own car.
Perhaps it’s due to the shock factor of Colvin’s death where his genitals were removed and placed in his mouth, which was grisly to the point of excess. While shocking moments can be powerful in storytelling, they need purpose beyond mere spectacle. Here, it felt more like an attempt to grab attention rather than deepen the narrative.
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“Starman” – FBI: MOST WANTED, Pictured: Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
Miller’s motivation stems from discovering his teenage daughter, Leah (Olivia Reis), had been drawn into a dark world, manipulated by her drama teacher and dorm mother, Meghan (Arie Thompson). Meghan, entangled in her own mess of exploitation, allowed Leah to work in the digital space called Fans Allowed to pay off an extortionist boyfriend. The story explores the troubling relationship between Leah and Meghan, but the execution fails to give Leah a real emotional arc.
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“Starman” – FBI: MOST WANTED, Pictured: Shantel VanSanten as Special Agent Nina Chase. Photo: Mark Schafer/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
The subplot featuring Remy and Abby Deaver (Susan Misner) bickering about bar renovations lacked impact. Likewise, Hana romantic and Sheryll’s career crossroads should have been more compelling. In a procedural drama, personal stories need emotional stakes—whether through deep conflicts or meaningful connections. Here, they felt stalled.
What did you think of “Starman”? Have the writers lost steam? Let me know in the comments!
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