I'm glad you remember that from canon. If pheromones can sharpen his senses (like with safe-cracker gal) or hijack his libido (like with safe-cracker gal AND Alex), it makes sense to connect that ability and that danger to his guide who would be less likely to abuse a Sentinel (well, except for Thomas who tried to force a bonding with Jim in this universe). So, Blair does affect Jim's *cough* potency.

And you're right that this is the first time he's taken Blair into a dangerous situation. The police work we saw in the other episodes was the old boring knock on doors type of police work. This is the dangerous part. Jim would rather die than watch another guide hurt, but Blair can't guide Jim from the sidelines. And I'm glad you liked the forensics stuff.