The search for missing undocumented children sheds light on secrets from decades ago as M&A uncovers clues in their disappearances. Zeke grapples with expressing his feelings to someone close to him. Sir receives unwavering support from a visitor.
The Lost Seven were missing for decades. Sir drew Gabi and Trent's attention to the case because of the apparent corruption of Trent's father, James. He was the lead detective assigned to investigate each of these cases. They all occurred in the same year nearly forty years ago. Sir managed to figure out what happened. He laid out clues for Gabi to follow. He needed her to see the vitality he still provided to her work. He strived to do so by incriminating one of her trusted allies. Gabi and Trent have had their differences. They've arrived at a place where they can respect each other once more. They rely on each other for support in solving missing persons cases. It's beneficial for both sides. They had the potential of being more. That possibility has vanished. They reached different conclusions of how to handle Sir moving forward. Gabi wants to cut off all contact with him. Meanwhile, Trent is still willing to answer his calls. He needs the benefits of seeing these cases from the perspective of a criminal. Everyone is perfectly aware of exactly who Sir is. He is a monster. He reaches answers before anyone else because he only sees the darkness amongst humanity. Gabi is the only person he views as an equal. Everyone else isn't worthy. And so, he will always jadedly see them as capable of anything. He doesn't give anyone the benefit of the doubt.
Gabi and her team don't need Sir's help to be good at their jobs. They see families exploited and devastated. They strive to help. Trent wants answers. He needs clarity about what kind of cop his father was. He grew up with a pretty clear picture. But now, Sir has him questioning things. It's believable that James planted evidence in order to imprison someone he believed was guilty. He doesn't carry a guilty conscience. Instead, he's just keeping tabs on people who could jeopardize his reputation amongst law enforcement. That isn't Gabi's sole motivation. She sees these innocent children ripped away from their families. They were targeted because they were the children of undocumented immigrants. They were forever lost to the system because their parents were deported. These victims were told they weren't loved and wanted. They were abandoned. They were better off if they accepted new lives for themselves. At first, the M&A team feared the worst. They believed the Lost Seven were dead. They searched for the bodies in order to provide closure. What they actually discover is much more moving and emotionally satisfying. These kids survived. They were forced apart. And now, they get to receive the glory of reconnecting with those who never gave up looking.
All of these children were gifted. Their talents were recognized for the first time because public schools started accepted them. Lacey recognizes the importance of that Supreme Court ruling. However, the immigration status of their parents made these families vulnerable. The Lost Seven were largely members of the same after school community center. The husband and wife who ran the operation were convinced these children would be better off taken away from their families. They wouldn't thrive if they were deported back to their home countries. These drastic actions had to occur in order for them to live up to their potentials. Family members died not knowing what happened to their loved ones. Adam changed his last name to honor the brother taken from him. He was protected. He didn't get caught up in the same criminal scheme. He was still abandoned and forced to survive on his own. He grew up and devoted his life to helping people in similar circumstances. He practices immigration law to advocate for these families. None of these people felt lost. They went on to have families and lives of their own. However, a piece of them was always missing. The cruel bigotry of others forced all of this into happening. And now, that dignity is restored. The team provides that. Everyone gathers for one grand celebration. It's the happiest ending possible. It's so rewarding to the team. It affirms everything they strive to do in this work.
The M&A team must be honest about their feelings too. Gabi understands she easily could have been just like one of these victims. That would have happened if she believed Sir when he said her father gave up looking for her. She never accepted his worldview. She continues to fight it. Reality can easily be warped. That's especially true for those taken at an impressionable age. It took years for Jamie to return to Margaret. Even now, he still maintains contact with the woman who abducted him. That enrages Margaret. She was betrayed by a friend. She was made to feel foolish when her instincts were right. She still receives no clarity. She is motivated by a need to enact punishment. Her life was destroyed. She built herself back up with new purpose. Jamie helps the investigation as he proves to be an incredible sketch artist. He provides the links that connect everything. He can't bear the full truth of what his life has been like up to this point. Meanwhile, Trent is still left with questions about his family. Sir teases him with further darkness that must be explored. And then, he's surprised to learn Heather has become Sir's criminal defense lawyer. She asked for the job. She will defend him despite being shot due to his influence. Her wounds are still fresh. She steps up to take this responsibility. More dignity is shown to Sir than to the immigrant families decades ago. They were deported despite them being the victims of unsolved crimes. Everything comes to light now. It's not too late. That's beautiful. The show nails the execution. It also forges ahead with its overarching narrative teasing more to come with Sir and Jamie. Plus, it finally advances a romance between Zeke and Lacey. That's rewarding too.
