Bull Review: Don’t Say a Word (Season 3 Episode 18)

Diana returns to Bull Season 3 Episode 18 “Don’t Say a Word,” and things are, as ever, very complicated.

When we last left the romance between Jason Bull and Diana Lindsay, things were not looking up. As such, a call out of the blue is not necessarily the lovely gesture if would be for couples with what we’ll call functional relationships.

Bull has a lot on his mind even before Diana re-emerges. I’m not sure how much we should read into a man who “isn’t good alone” being very much alone indeed, but what we can see isn’t a good sign.

That in mind, going to a woman who hasn’t forgiven him (“yet”) to have a critically confidential conversation (try saying that one three times fast) about a case he shouldn’t be helping with wouldn’t seem like the best idea.

But this isn’t how Jason and Diana’s relationship really works. Here, the idea that she wants help making sure the man she once defended for killing his wife doesn’t get custody of their children is all but one we should expect.

At this early point I feel like it takes too long to acknowledge why this case is difficult. For us as the audience, there’s no doubt: Derek did it, he knew what he was doing, and he seemed to have very few regrets.

Not everyone has this insight, though. Dismissing a child’s desire to live with her father simply because she’s so young lacks foresight. Or, at least, dismissing how the jury will see that child’s desire does.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take long for the seriousness to sink in. Unfortunately, that requires the revelation of a secret child from the past.

This is what’s generally considered a deal breaker. Even for TAC, it seems such an insurmountable obstacle as to drive a wedge between Bull and Diana. Even more that the one already present, that is.

From here, the story is a roller coaster not only in ups and downs but in how quickly we switch between them. In one surge, Derek can be identified as abusive. In the next drop, the evidence of that is thrown out.

Lets not forget that, at this point, Diana also confesses the very conversation she swears to secrecy, thus throwing the case, herself, and Bull into total tailspin.

All of this should have emotional impact, and to some degree, it does. But with a show that pulls Hail Marys in nearly every episode, it’s hard to really feel the devastation we’re meant to, since we’re still nearly sure everything will be okay.

Sure enough, proof of Derek’s murder comes through the witness of one of the daughters. Instantly, all is well. The grandparents who face losing custody forgive everything, and Diana won’t even be disbarred. As Bull says:

I could have done without the theatrics.

This isn’t to say there’s anything wrong with the impactful scenes of this episode. Independently, they work very well. In context, though, we know just where they’ll end up.

I’d also like to see more focus on some other emotional points. Specifically the young girl who sees her mother murdered. The case ends with the assumption that all is now well, but at the very least, there must still be some therapy involved.

Speaking of therapy, are Jason and Diana going to need it? Their future is certainly more optimistic now than before the episode starts, but this is still just another roller coaster for us to ride.

Other notes

• If the show is renewed, I wonder if we’ll see Bull keep his word about that internship for a judge’s son.
• It’s fun to see Taylor in Marissa’s usual role. We’ve barely gotten to know her since her arrival, and I hope that changes.
• As for Marissa herself, we get only the briefest glimpse of her and Greg, but it looks like we’ll see their story play out. I hope that doesn’t change.

 

What did you think of this episode of Bull? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Bull airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.

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