Graceland - Episode 7 - Recap - Goodbye High

We find out the why of Graceland (the titular house) head honcho Paul Briggs (Daniel Sunjata) after his partner Mike Warren (Aaron Tveit) discovered his addiction in last week's cliffhanger. Earlier in Briggs's FBI career, he chased a cartel lead to Mexico against orders and off the clock. He chased the lead right into a trap, and instead of chopping him up into bits, they addict him to heroin and let him go. Which... is odd, for an international drugs-and-murder club. Anyhow, Mike assumes this is the reason for Briggs' suspicious behavior, and begins to feel hopeful that his time in Graceland will soon be over.

Back at Graceland, Charlie and Johnny chat a bit of worry concerning Charlie, uh... well her newfound heroin habit. She insists it won't be a habit; Johnny isn't convinced. While working the episode's A-Plot case, Charlie decides to tell the house she used heroin in the last two episodes. They offer her hugs and support and other feel-good sentiments. When Mike (obviously concerned about Paul potentially having access to drugs) asks her where she got the stuff, Charlie says she doesn't have any more and Mike gives her a comforting embrace. Awwww.

DJ delivers a toy robot to some woman that we learn is the mom of his son! The estranged mom of his estranged seven-year-old son! Turns out, DJ had to leave them because of his job as a federal drug cop. Later, at the bar, he "runs into" some guy who we don't know. DJ sure knows him though. This is the mom's new boyfriend. DJ buys him a drink and they share a few stories. DJ gets to see a picture of his son and learn a bit about the man who is helping to raise the boy. DJ gets wind that Paige and Johnny see things between Mike and his new flame Abby getting serious, and are demanding they break up so Mike can maintain cover. DJ's advice to Mike is different, of course. He says Mike should stay with her. With Mike's investigation of Briggs possibly coming to an end soon, and with Abby heading back east after the summer as well, the two make plans to stay together.

Charlie insists she get back out on the streets working a case, so she does (despite looks really deep in the third circle of Hell). She's in search of a supplier named Oden, but her junkie cover is no good; this guy won't talk to just anyone. That in mind, Charlie cooks up a plan to pull in the other characters and their subplots. Bello and Mike butt heads a bit over the quality of Bello's product, but it's heroin, so I don't see what the big deal is if the dude wants to cut it with other kinds of poison. It's... still super bad to put in your body. Anyway! Charlie enlists Mike and Paul to get Bello seeking a new supplier, hoping that the new supplier will be Oden. Paul sets up a meet. At the meet, the team keep eyes on camera screens, taking bets on which fat tourist or tanned housewife will end up being Oden. Spoilers: Paul is Oden! Paul is Oden. Whether he's deep cover as a druglord, or faking it, or actually a druglord isn't clear, but the next episode sure is going to be fun.

This installment was weak. Just... a lot of treading water and set up without any pay off. The show has a short season, the new trend in hour-long cable dramas, but it doesn't take advantage of the format. The only tense part of the episode comes when Mike goes to his secret superior at the FBI to ask for help for Briggs, and that scene didn't involve any punching or guns at all! This time slot will probably see more action and intrigue next week when a Law & Order: SVU re-run is on instead of Graceland (Ooh, sick burn, Graceland, how's that feel??). Anyway, check out the preview for this episode below and tune in next-next Thursday for another recap!