Scott Speedman says Beau Bridges’ story on R.J. Decker is “not over yet.”
Bridges made his debut as Reggie Decker, the father of Speedman’s private investigator, in the ABC drama’s Oct. 6 episode, “The Angler,” the fourth installment of season 2.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Speedman called Bridges “a very easy fit” and credited the writers with giving the actors a relationship they could develop through arguments and moments of understanding.
The second season has also introduced Shantel VanSanten as Gertrude “Trudy” Harris, a crime-lab technician.
Reggie’s Latest Scheme Makes Him a Suspect
A murder investigation at Florida’s Everglades Bass Classic brings R.J. into contact with his father’s latest attempt to strike it rich. Reggie’s involvement in the fishing tournament is suspicious enough to put him on his son’s suspect list.
“I know I wasn’t the greatest father,” Reggie tells him. R.J. responds, “You weren’t any kind of father; you left!”
Reggie helps with the investigation, and the episode ends with father and son fishing together.
Bridges told TVLine that he once enjoyed fishing with his own children but stopped after becoming vegan about 30 years ago. He also objected to hooking fish for catch-and-release, so performing the scene meant returning to an activity he had long since given up.
Bridges Draws on Raising Five Children
Bridges told TV Insider that Reggie believes becoming successful will allow him to give his son something worthwhile. His pursuit of that success repeatedly took him away from the family he wanted to provide for. Bridges also said Reggie supported R.J. during his imprisonment.
The actor, who has five children, called being a good father “probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever tried to do.” He said memories of his own failures still encourage him to try to improve.
Bridges said Reggie becomes fascinated by R.J.’s detective work and starts imagining himself in the same profession, even as his attempts to help leave his son unimpressed.
Trudy Complicates R.J. and Emi’s Future
After missing the previous episode, Trudy returns to help with the fisherman’s murder investigation. R.J.’s ex-wife, Catherine, suggests inviting her to his conditional-release party, while Catherine’s wife, detective Mel, notices his flirting.
Speedman praised VanSanten’s quickness and ease as a scene partner, saying their chemistry came naturally. He told EW that he could see the connection developing beyond the current season.
Speedman said he would bet “a pretty good number of dollars” that R.J.’s romance with Emi Ochoa, played by Jaina Lee Ortiz, had not reached its end, although he acknowledged that he did not know for certain.
Emi is currently focused on her family’s problems, and Speedman said he would like the show to keep exploring the triangle in a third season. ABC has not announced a renewal for season 3.
R.J. and His Father Take Another Case Next Week
ABC pairs R.J. and his father again in “Better Luck Tomorrow,” scheduled for Oct. 13.
Their client is a caretaker at a senior-living community who believes he keeps experiencing the same day. The two must uncover who is manipulating him and unravel the murder scheme behind his apparent time loop.
The episode airs at 10 p.m. ET on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu.