The young actor who played Jamal doesn't seem to have a credit yet. We will probably see him on more law enforcement procedural dramas in the future, and he probably has credits I don't know about already. He has a strong, serious expression and had a moment when he says he wasn't at the scene then accepts responsibiity after he is shown the camera footage from the jewelry store robberies. He showed some emotional guarding while he thought he had an alibi, then upset at being told there is a murder connected to the robbery scene that was part of Jamal's black market watch sales, and he lost a friend.
I just started reading Common's memoir One Day It Will All Make Sense, in which he talks about having a hustler attitude and growing up around people who have both legal and illegal hustles. That seems to be the tone of this week's FBI episode. We don't want teenagers to be involved in crime; yet in a big city it is possible to find oneself closer to the illegal hustles or worse than parents or friends want. Youth surrounded by poverty, desperation, and strong personalities may think they found shortcuts or loopholes to make a leap to better finances or fame. I believe television shows us perspectives we aren't necessarily living or experiencing and can inform our personal approach to safety. I don't think we got a clear exit strategy from illegal leaps in Jamal's case, but he portrayed a kid who strives for a better life from a disadvantageous starting position. I had empathy for him and thought he had a strong presence.
I just started reading Common's memoir One Day It Will All Make Sense, in which he talks about having a hustler attitude and growing up around people who have both legal and illegal hustles. That seems to be the tone of this week's FBI episode. We don't want teenagers to be involved in crime; yet in a big city it is possible to find oneself closer to the illegal hustles or worse than parents or friends want. Youth surrounded by poverty, desperation, and strong personalities may think they found shortcuts or loopholes to make a leap to better finances or fame. I believe television shows us perspectives we aren't necessarily living or experiencing and can inform our personal approach to safety. I don't think we got a clear exit strategy from illegal leaps in Jamal's case, but he portrayed a kid who strives for a better life from a disadvantageous starting position. I had empathy for him and thought he had a strong presence.
