Stalker Episode 18 Thru 20 Review: The TAU Has Left The Building (Series Finale)

"Stalker" has reached the end of its run on CBS. I thought it was done when they stopped it's rotation after episode 17. But the cancellation was announced and then the last three were aired-- which is highly unusual.

"Stalker" is being shopped around and find may new life on another channel. It's not that "Stalker" is a horrible show (cause it's not). I do like the interaction of the core characters-- Beth/Michelle, Jack, Janice, Ben and Vicky. It's just in its current format, there's not enough to keep me coming back regularly. The stories are often very cookie cutter and the culprits are easy to determine.

Episode 18 "The Woods"
Ray has taken Beth to an isolated cabin in the woods. Meanwhile Ben fights for his life in the hospital. Jack and Janice do everything possible to find Beth even though they are told not to by Vicki (because the FBI has taken over the case). Jack and Janice rush to Ojai, CA. Beth has escaped and is running through the woods with Ray in hot pursuit. Jack finds Beth and takes her back to the cabin. Ray has captured Janice though. A fight ensues. There's a fire. Beth and Janice escape. Jack is of course rescued right before the house blows up (because on TV houses always blow up after there's a fire). The police find a body inside the house. However we dont know FOR SURE if it was Ray. Remember he killed the guy who was staying there earlier. Ray could have escaped out the back door-- thus setting him up to terrorize Beth another day.

Side Note: Why or why would a guy unlock his door to let Ray use his phone? Dude, that was a REALLY, REALLY stupid idea. Unfortunately you had to pay for that mistake with your life.

Vicki and Beth Have Stalkers In Common

Episode 19 "Love Hurts"
The main story in episode 19 stretches to the finale. Beth/Michelle eventually returns to the TAU. Ben has also recovered from his brush with death. A number of women with stalker boyfriends/husbands are popping up dead. The common element is eventually traced to a sex and love addict support group. The TAU has a serial killer on their hands. We also meet Vicki's soon to be ex-husband Will. She asks Beth to investigate Will in connection with the murder of Sharon Gardner. It turns out Will had an affair with Sharon while still married to Vicki. Vicki was his alibi at the time but she's not sure he didnt sneak out of the house while she was downstairs. Sharon's husband has been in jail all this time for Sharon's murder (which he says he's innocent of).

Side Note: What do all these women do for a living? Cause their houses could be in "Architectural Digest". Unrelated note, in hindsight I think the season should have ended with "The Woods" vs adding these last two episodes.

Episode 20 "Love Kills"
The team closes in on the killer as the body count rises. The boyfriends/husbands are ruled out so it has to be someone at the support group. Is it Nathan the group leader? Is it Will? In the end it turns out to be... wait for it... it's Nathan. No big surprise. We saw that coming a mile off. It is revealed when he tries to kill Vicky. Luckily Will also showed up, was stabbed and saved Vicki's life. Later Will goes back to Vicki's house. We think they're going to make up. Instead she notices his leather watch. This is a major clue that was previously reveled in Sharon's death. Will pulls a gun on her. Uh oh. Will Vicki survive? And does anyone really care?

In other news, Jack arrives at Beth's house. They try to discuss their relationship but end up kissing instead. Will they make a "stab" at a relationship? Haaa, see what I did there? Sorry. Nevermind.

Sidenote: We learned some about polyamorous relationships. It all seems like way too much to work to me. On a completely unrelated topic, Maggie Q (Beth) and Dylan McDermott (Jack) are a real life couple now. Let's hope those two love birds dont have any stalkers in their future.

The TAU Team

Grade: 3 /12 Monsters (out of 5). This may be the end of "Stalker". If it does get new life elsewhere, the story lines need to be tweaked in order to hold the audience's interest. I do think the actors did a good job with the material they were given. My main criticism is with the "case of the week" format. It might also benefit from a shorter season. Twenty plus episodes per season allows for far too much filler.