I think cold open flashback worked because it gives a subtle foreshadow that his episode would be sans Elliot. As a side bonus it also sets up Mobley's text to Trenton: "Meet me where we first met."

Now Dan, you know you can't expect the show recapper to actually remember small details from previous episodes that were also reset in the show's "previously on" montage!!

Tess Trueheart or I'm burning this place down

Great review…Very minor quibble here but I think it's Alison Crowe, not Abigail

Way to bring it back to Wes Craven