Burden of Truth Review: Salesman, Cheats and Liars (Season 2 Episode 1)
The lives of Joanna, Billy, and everyone involved in the Matheson Steel case has changed in the aftermath of the win as Burden of Truth Season 2 Episode 1, “Salesman, Cheats, and Liars,” picks up a year after the case.
Life may have gone on, but there are still remnants of the fallout in everyone’s lives, from Luna, Molly, and Taylor to Billy and Joanna.
Joanna’s living under a new last name in Winnipeg and seemingly working through her issues with her father and family in general. By working through, of course, I mean avoiding it at all costs and diving into her new client’s case.
It’s interesting that Joanna spends so much of Burden of Truth Season 1 keeping her father from getting inside her head, but all it takes is one conversation in the hour to set her off.
Considering what we’ve learned about Joanna over the first season, that part of her personality is to be expected. But with what her boss tells her, will she try to let people in or will she continue to fall back on old habits?
The data privacy angle to the case already captures my attention and shows a lot of promise, with a nice mix of grounded elements with the out-there conspiracy aspects that a story like this could entail.
After the cloak and dagger routine in the parking lot and the frightening loss of control Joanna faces as she’s driving her car, I’m very much intrigued with how that escalates and where the case goes against Lovand.
Is Noah marked for death or as big a target as he claims he is?
Meanwhile, Millwood’s in ruins after Matheson Steel closes, with crime seemingly going up and keeping Owen busy.
It’s difficult to see the small town dealing with the consequences of the largest employer closing and seeing those who want to try and help, even save Millwood, unable to do so given the circumstances.
But with Billy and Owen becoming disillusioned with what’s happening, the town’s rising crime, and no idea about how Millwood will bounce back, it will be interesting to see whether Millwood will bounce back at all this season.
Elsewhere, Luna and Molly’s adjustment to life post-Millwood has the veneer of happiness, but there’s an undertone of discomfort.
While Luna’s back from school and working, it seems like Molly is living off of her settlement, going to treatment, and partying with new friends in the city which looks like the crux of their problems.
Will the pair make it or will we see the emotional distance grow throughout the season?
Random Thoughts
- It’s nice to see Taylor adjusting to life outside of Millwood, away from her parents, and seemingly taken the chemo treatment well. I hope we get to see more of Taylor’s recovery and next steps.
- The work/life balance speech Joanna gets from her boss feels strange, in terms of receiving it from a superior at a seemingly large firm, but absolutely on point.
- I did not see the Shane reveal coming at all. How much trouble will Billy’s brother cause?
What did you think of this episode of Burden of Truth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Burden of Truth airs Sundays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.