Burden of Truth Review: Never Face The Hangman (Season 2 Episode 7)
The trial is looming closer, and Luna’s chances of acquittal rely on Billy and Joanna’s ability to flip their trial strategy script on Burden of Truth Season 2 Episode 7, “Never Face the Hangman” in another solid, emotional hour.
With the emotional build-up from Burden of Truth Season 2 Episode 6, “Manic Street Preacher,” this week’s hour is the pay off as Joanna comes to terms with her father’s death. It’s a heartwarming, quiet moment of growth as she confides in Billy about her feelings about her father, Luna’s trial, and proceeds to spread his ashes.
Joanna: You know, I hadn’t cried in years before I came back here, and now it’s like my eyes are permanently leaking.
I love that between moments of really heavy trial strategy and their deep conversations about their families and their issues with them, there are moments like Joanna’s self-deprecating joke about her emotions.
Paired with the more emotionally vulnerable moments and we’ve really gotten a chance to see a more open Joanna, and it’s elevated the personal arcs we’ve seen this season.
Meanwhile, Billy’s dealing with his own very heavy family troubles as he tries to figure out what to do with Shane and how to best get him help. Billy seemingly processes this slowly, culminating in that big moment of provocation, inevitably deciding that having Owen take Shane away is the best option.
It makes even more sense after seeing Shane set Billy’s car on fire. With only one episode left, it will be interesting to see what his next steps are when it comes to dealing with Shane and how this will end for the Crawford family.
“Never Face the Hangman” also has its fair share of suspense as evidence leads Joanna and Billy’s race to save Luna back to Noah and the Lovand case.
The slow build towards the big reveal at the end of the episode is done so well. The tension is palpable as Joanna reaches out to Noah in his new secret location with his girlfriend. You can almost feel the time running out, and we’re only given one point of view throughout Joanna’s.
Noah and Mara’s argument definitely raises some suspicions that things aren’t right and add to that unsettling feeling that something isn’t quite right. It’s only when you can make the connection between the American IDs and that one moment with Joanna making the chilling discovery that her potential lead was frighteningly close the entire time.
With this lead, will it be enough to save Luna? Moreover, did Noah figure it out when he and Mara were arguing before he made a run for it?
With only one episode left, will we get these answers?
Random Thoughts
- Luna discovering that her time awaiting trial in jail has hardened her is just another heartbreaking moment in Luna’s development this season. It’s sweet though when she decides to comfort her new cellmate the best way she can—by educating her about the messed up system.
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 Sunday 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.