Stitchers 3X04 “Mind Palace” has us creating a codex to reveal our love for this case

Now that Kirsten and Cameron have agreed to remain mostly platonic in their relationship, things are a little tense. With him continuing to act as team leader this week, the pressure was at an all time high. Kirsten decides to recruit Camille in her plan to map more of the brain. She hopes it will improve the technology faster to help save her mother. Their first chance to do so comes during their stitch into a mysterious John Doe. When they try to stay in the memory too long. Cameron catches on. He is furious at Camille and then Kirsten, but the latter makes amends and the couple makes up. They quickly identify the man as being an MI6 agent, and confront his boss, Agent Abbott about it. He in turn asks for quid pro quo – help release one of his other agents.

RELATED | STITCHERS 3X04 “MIND PALACE” REVIEW

Cameron pulls strings through Fisher, and they find themselves staring at beautiful MI6 Agent Chloe Marks. When she asks for a moment to pull herself together, he offers her his apartment to clean up in. Kirsten is understandably jealous, especially when the woman walks out of the shower completely naked. Cameron leaves to negotiate with Abbott for more information, and Chloe charms Kirsten into relaxing. While Linus is working on a codex for the symbols Kirsten saw, the blonde agent shows back up with a black eye. She accuses Abbott, but when the team goes to question him he is found shot. Camsten finally cracks the language and they stitch into Agent Harrington, only to discover that Chloe is in fact, Belinda Lindsey, his presumed dead wife.

Stitchers is on a roll with its complex stitch cases, and we’re loving every minute of it. Shall we check in with our roundtable and see what they have to say?

Heather (@xoheatherkw) – Quality control scientist

Lauren (@laurensloves13) – Australian made, Stitchers enthusiast, cat mom.

Bruce (@bruceeaton88) – Sci-fi, mac n’ cheese; yells at TV; usually polite, frequently lost.

Manuel (@Make_The_Bounce) – Web designer & consumer of entirely TOO much caffeine. Unabashed Sci-Fi nerd!

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1. Well! We went from love doll to MI6 spy this week. What were our overall impressions of this episode?

Heather (@xoheatherkw): I loved this week’s episode. I’m always a fan of a good complicated stitch case, so I thought that aspect was really interesting to decode the victim’s language to interpret what the items represented and unlock his memories. I also don’t know how it’s possible, but I feel that every week the episodes keep getting better and better. Then for the relationships, I love how Camsten learned to trust each other even more, and that Camille and Linus went all mama bear on the other’s new love interest. We also got the tiniest look into Fisher and Stephanie, which was one of the relationships I wanted to see more of this season.

Lauren (@laurensloves13): So last week was full of jokes and references that you could tell had the writers giggling like naughty schoolboys, and this week was super intense and did a lot for building the relationships between the characters and also improving and expanding how the Stitchers program works. I do love that the writers and cast have that versatility, because it keeps this amazing show fresh. Both episodes are impressive for vastly different reasons and it’s great that we get to see such a broad range.

Bruce (@bruceeaton88): “Mind Palace” strikes a well-balanced blend of intrigue, humor, and romance with a dash of conspiracy and mystery. More Camsten tension bubbles to the surface, simmers, then cools. I’ll likely be in the minority on this, but I’m relieved Camsten got toned down some allowing some vital focus on other threads. This episode moved the canon narrative along nicely I thought. ‘Codex’ and ‘symbols’? Somebody’s been reading too many Dan Brown novels. I would’ve gone with ‘mnemonic’.

Manuel (@Make_The_Bounce): I have become a big fan of episodes written by Lynne Litt and this episode really delivered! No matter what aspect of Stitchers you like the most, it was on full display last night! There was plenty of playful banter, a TON of geek references (I caught some from Star Wars, Superman, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond & The Sixth Sense!!) and fun Camsten moments. But when it came down to it this was a seriously tense and intriguing episode! Camsten had some tough moments, the stitches/mind palace was REALLY well done, the lab spat, the double date and the final fight scene all had me absolutely glued to the screen!

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2. That confrontation in the lab between Cameron, Kirsten, and Camille was intense! Do we like how it turned out?

Heather: I am happy with how it turned out. I get both Cameron and Kirsten’s perspective, but I am glad that they both opened up to each other throughout this episode. And hopefully no more trust issues for them! I think tensions were still high between Camille and Cameron, and I’m not sure how he can get back to trusting her. I’d like to see more interactions between them moving forward, to try to build that trust back up.

Lauren: Personally, I wasn’t so thrilled that Kirsten just immediately admitted to Cameron what she and Camille were up to, when she seemed to think just minutes earlier that keeping it a secret from Cameron was the only way they’d get anywhere in regards to the brain mapping. It was great that she jumped to Camille’s defense and took responsibility for the idea, but if she thought that Cameron was going to be fine with the plan, why didn’t she just go to him immediately? And seriously, are Cameron and Camille ever going to be friends again, because I severely miss the comradery between them.

Bruce: Despite a streaming blackout during part of this critical scene, it’s clear this was a seminal, series-defining moment. And I couldn’t be happier. Generally a quiet and cooperative team, tempers erupt to new, uncharacteristic levels. I was relieved to see Cameron finally asserting himself. Through adversity the team will grow stronger. Wonderful stuff.

Manuel: It was intense but I think it was needed in order to ultimately help smooth the road for Cameron. Kirsten and Camille knew that they would get an ear full if their scheme was found out so I think they were expecting to be in some sort of “trouble.” But for Cameron, his outburst directly lead to some real communication between him and Kirsten in the elevator. It’s a new dynamic for everyone and hopefully this helps the squad function better going forward.

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3. Speaking of tense…that double date dinner was something else! Do we think Ivy and Amanda suspect there was a past between Linus and Camille?

Heather: The double date was interesting, to say the least! I don’t think they suspected there was a past between Camille and Linus. I’m curious to see if we’ll get more double dates in this season. Although they both went a little too “mama bear” on Ivy and Amanda, so maybe there was some suspicion.

Lauren: I feel like this is something Linus would have disclosed to Ivy without even thinking about it. It’s not like he was ever ashamed of his relationship with Camille, and he loves his family so much that surely at the very least he would have mentioned in passing how much his mother and father loved Camille. As for Amanda, that girl is wicked smart so if Camille hadn’t already told her that Linus was once much more than a friend, I’m sure she figured it out when he laid down the law on what would happen to her if Camille got hurt. On a sidebar, that conversation between Linus and Amanda did absolutely nothing to improve my views on Amanda. I know last time I said I just didn’t like the introduction of her character, but now I really think she’s up to something or at the very least not emotionally invested, and I’m actually not prepared for Camille to be shattered emotionally if/when this ends.

Bruce: Well, with Camille’s and Linus’ overly aggressive confrontations, Amanda is likely to make the jealous ex-boyfriend connection. Ivy couldn’t quite pull off the game face as the four met back in the living room. I don’t think Ivy will be suspicious, at least overtly. She has grander, more nefarious designs.

Manuel: I sure would if I was Ivy or Amanda! I love the fact that it was Ivy and Amanda getting grilled a bit because at this stage I really feel like one of these two has a secret agenda. So it was interesting to gauge their reactions. It’s noteworthy to me that Ivy reacted to Camille in a purely “I would never hurt Linus” fashion, while I felt that Amanda reacted to Linus in a more “Let me show you all the ways I can kill you” kinda way. Perhaps it means something, perhaps it doesn’t…time will tell.

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4. We had a chance to see Kirsten experience another new emotion this week: jealousy. Were we the only ones laughing at her reaction to Chloe?

Heather: Oh, you were not alone in watching Kirsten’s reactions! Just the interactions between Kirsten, Cameron, and Chloe were very entertaining. I wasn’t trusting of Chloe to begin with, then the way she acted around Cameron, I wasn’t a fan. But Cameron handled it as best he could, so he gets some boyfriend points for that 😉

Lauren: Emma Ishta’s comic timing is subtly brilliant, and there was definitely laughter from the residents on my couch at her face and mocking delivery. It’s so great that Kirsten is meeting new emotions head on, and embracing them as she goes. It’s a tribute to her brilliant mind that she still takes the time to analyze and comprehend the feelings she’s experiencing.

Bruce: Cameron’s certainly amused and flattered but the best policy will be to keep it private. I can see him cracking a wry smile to himself. Great humor here.

Manuel: May the GIFs associated with this scene live on FOREVER! Kirsten’s face was priceless and I was cracking up while watching her process a bit of jealousy.

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5. We love a good mind palace! Without giving away your codex, what would be your symbols?

Heather: Oh, I have no idea how to answer this one! Umm… a dog, microscope, a mermaid, lilies, and penguins.

Lauren: This is like one of those times when people ask you to describe yourself in five words and your mind immediately goes blank as you realise how incredibly boring you are. After much pondering…there would definitely be a pen, and a palm tree, a Taylor Swift CD, and an Easter egg. Take from that what you will, future NSA agents.

Bruce: My symbols would be a large shuttered window and a triquetra interlaced with a circle floating just beyond.

Manuel: A large city floating in a blue sky surrounded by flying pizza boxes that try but can never get into the city…..I have issues, I know.

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6. It looks like Quincy isn’t the only Fisher recruited to work for a secret government agency. If Stephanie gets the DOJ job, do you think that could take him away from the Stitchers program?

Heather: I’m hoping it won’t take Quincy away from the Stitchers program. I think if Stephanie does get the DOJ job, that she knows pushing him to choose between his work and her hadn’t worked out in her favor previously. So keeping that in mind, I would hope that they would respect each other’s work while also keeping their relationship a priority.

Lauren: Fisher looks so freakin happy right now with Stephanie, and she looks really comfortable with where they are too, but wasn’t it Fisher’s dedication to his job that broke them up in the first place? Surely if he was to follow her for her job, eventually that same old resentment would resurface. The problem is, I do honestly believe that if Stephanie asked Fisher to follow her, he would go… I just don’t think that he would stay gone for long.

Bruce: Just as their relationship is on the mend, Stephanie gets the DOJ job with the possibility of having to move to DC? Yikes! That would be a bit tumultuous. This has huge potential to pull Fisher away from the program. I love Fisher. He has to stay!

Manuel: Ugh…why do you always pose these horrible questions! It better not! I really don’t think so. But I have to admit I love seeing Fisher and Stephanie together. They were adorable this episode which, of course, makes me feel like the whole relationship is doomed in some way, shape or form. As the saying goes: “The writers giveth and the writers taketh away.”

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7. Time to play “Guess What’s in the Box!” How do you think the cases are picked?

Heather: Ooh, that’s probably the most intriguing part of this episode. With the understanding that the purpose of the stitchers program is to map all areas of the brain, I’m guessing the cases are picked for a combination of complexity of the stitch victim’s brain (the brain washing subconscious in 2×05, the spy in 3×04, Leslie Turner in 2×01, etc) plus if the victim might somehow have knowledge of the program (1×05, 2×10) or if they have a specific knowledge or unique way of thinking (other languages, the psychic in 1×09). Then also to solve murders that are less likely to be solved with the initial clues/evidence.

Lauren: It was pitched originally the cases were picked (be it through some sort of algorithm or from data gained from medical examiners or police reports) based on how they how well they assisted with the testing of the Stitchers technology, but it was easy to see that as the cases progressed they became more and more about solving problems and cases that were part of a personal agenda for those higher up in the NSA/Stitchers food chain. With Maggie now at the helm, surely the cases are returning to the betterment of the program and the technology, but we can’t rule out a hidden agenda now, can we?

Bruce: A telepathic chimp typing on a refurbished Speak & Spell? Or somebody on a quantum computer sipping premium tequila at pool side lounge somewhere? That’s all I got.

Manuel: Okay I have two WAY OUT THERE theories that are more than likely completely wrong….humor me on these:

Theory #1 – It’s Kirsten’s MOM….dun dun duuuunnnnnn – I know right?!? I really have absolutely nothing to prove this other than a gut feeling. But there is a reason that box was locked away. We know the government has been in “possession” of Kirsten’s mom for some time. Is it possible that they figured out a way to use Kirsten’s mom’s abilities to find these cases. To what end…I don’t know yet. I never believed Blair’s suggestion that Jacqueline Stinger is fully comatose/inert. I believe this was confirmed when she seemingly reached out to Kirsten in the season premier. If Jacqueline is literally wired into the Stitchers program via the machine she is hooked up to it might help explain how that box works.

Theory #2 – I also can’t help but wonder IF the NSA even knows about the box at all? Like I said there was a reason that box was locked away in Maggie’s office. Cameron said that he heard the box buzz first, THEN he got the assignment thru official channels. What if the box IS tapped into Jacqueline Stinger somehow AND…wait for it….Maggie, being a mother herself, is helping Jacqueline reunite with / protect her daughter in someway! ***cue the shivers, tears & more dun dun dunnnnnnnnns***

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Final Verdict: We don’t need a “Mind Palace” to hide our love for Stitchers 3X04!

We thought that last week’s episode was quite the mindbender, but then we saw “Mind Palace!” From the geeky title reference (we love Sherlock too!) to the team’s growing pains, there was a lot to take in. Camsten may still be facing challenges, but they both seem dedicated to making it work. We might have aww’ed a little watching Camille and Linus warning their respective new loves off. Camille finally showed off those moves she’s been working on – against an MI6 agent, no less! There was so much to be impressed by in this episode, and we haven’t even reached the halfway point of the season yet! So much kudos to Jeffrey Schechter and the writers this week, and we’re insanely excited to see what is coming next!

Stitchers returns next Monday, July 10th at 9/8C on Freeform.