Ben Mercer didn't just ruin Arthur's plans on this week's Covert Affairs.

He almost ruined the best episode of the season.

I'm still willing to be patient and to see where all this goes, but the show simply doesn't need an overriding, lingering storyline such as this right now. It's clicking so well on its own that any flashbacks or references to Ben feel more distracting than interesting.

That was especially the case throughout "In the Light." For the first time, Annie questions CIA tactics and realized her job would entail a lot more than mere undercover missions. She was getting herself in very deep and, as Christopher McCauley told her, there was mud all around her.

Could she sort through it enough to differentiate between the necessary dirt and the dangerous, over-the-top kind? And was such an effort even worth it? Those were the questions she had for Auggie during a nice heart-to-heart between the friends and co-workers.

The series is mostly based on action and quickly moving developments, but it does a solid job of slowing down once and awhile and showing us the sensitive, vulnerable, scared side of Annie.

We also learned that Jil Wlcox isn't just a douche. As Sendhil Ramamurthy told us this week, he's actually very good at his job - and also seems to have a firm grasp on his father. While this individual's reputation may be that he rode those parental coattails, it's clear that he has no interest in doing so.

His father, former CIA director Henry Wilcox, is played by Gregory Itzin. My only complaint about this great casting choice is that Itzin is playing a character almost exactly like the one he earned an Emmy for on 24. Both are government authority figures who talk about "grey areas" and taking extreme, often unpopular measures to ensure America's safety.

Still, this is a role perfectly suited for Itzin and he's a terrific, recurring addition to the show.

What did you think of the episode? Are you intrigued by the inclusion of Ben - or, like me, do you think this storyline is extraneous and slows down an otherwise fast-paced action series?

And does Jai really have a shot with Annie? Do you want him to have one? Or should we all send Auggie a brail text message and tell him to up his game?

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.