Prodigal Son began with Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) losing his job at the FBI and being brought into the NYPD by someone from his past, Gil Arroyo (Lou Diamond Phillips). Bright brought a lot of baggage with him when he joined Gil's team, which affected the other two team members, JT (Frank Harts) and Dani (Aurora Perrineau).
TV Diehard had the opportunity to talk with Frank Harts about JT's reaction to Bright joining the team and the new team member being accepted into the fold, and the unusual killer they are chasing in tonight's episode, “All Souls And Sadists." While Bright searches down his own history with his father after finding a photo of them, the team investigates a gruesome stabbing.
Read on for edited excerpts from our conversation with Harts.
How do you think JT and Bright's relationship or his view of Bright has evolved over these first few episodes?
Franks: JT started off extremely skeptical of this guy that Gil brought into the fold of the police force with the background that he has coming from a family of serial killers and just being kicked out of the FBI, no official title, and no proof of his abilities at all. I think JT was rightfully skeptical and continues to be slightly, but over time he's definitely grown to appreciate Bright's abilities. Bright's proven himself and that's all JT asks. It's the same way, he treated his partners in the military when he was serving in Afghanistan, and the same way he treats anyone, which is he has to prove himself. He believes he has to do the same thing on a personal level. He comes to work every day and tries to do the best job that he can and he expects everyone else to do the same. When Gil brought Bright in, it really made him feel like things were turning upside down. Over time though, Bright seems to be an important asset. He helps us get the job done and that's all that JT really cares about. ... I don't know if he's fully on board yet, but he definitely sees his worth and starting to appreciate him more as the season goes on.
Is he still skeptical of Bright's motivation and his stability and ability to be part of the team?
I think JT suffers from his own bout of PTSD and he sees the same signs in Malcolm. He might not have it as badly as Malcolm does, but he knows how unstable that can make an individual, but he also knows how possible it is to deal with it and function on a daily basis if you have the right help and the right support system. He's worried about Malcolm's stability, because he doesn't have a really great support system outside of the NYPD, at the same time, with Gil, JT and Dani, he's got another family now that's starting to look out for him. I think that gives JT comfort on some level, but he's always keeping his eyes wide open for that chance that he snaps.
Can you preview this week's episode a little? What does the case involve that the team's investigating?
I'm not sure how much I can give away, but basically, I'll put it this way, there's a killer involved that is unlike anyone has ever seen kill. It's pretty unexpected. When I read the episode, I was like, "You really, really, have to be kidding me. This is impossible, but it's not." I don't want to spoil it, but just remember I said, "Your mind will be blown most likely." You just don't see this. I've never seen or heard of a killer like this. I'm sorry I can't give you more, but you'll be satisfied I'm sure or maybe a little moved in various directions, I don't know which, it's pretty freaky.
Prodigal Son airs Mondays at 9 pm ET/ 8 pm CT.
Photo Credit: David Giesbrecht/FOX
