All Rise Review: Sweet Bird of Truth (Season 1 Episode 3)

All Rise Season 1 Episode 3 “Sweet Bird of Truth” balances more direct commentary on current life with…cybercrimes involving digitally murdered bird avatars?

Any kind of assault on a character we love is a gut punch. Seeing Luke targeted in the first moments of this episode by a fellow officer for “matching the description” of a suspect is something much more, especially as he prepares to accept a service award.

The other deputy’s complete indifference to the weight of this actions, his assumption that it could be dismissed as a mistake to joke about, is painfully cringeworthy. It’s also painfully accurate.

We see the effects on Luke as he stares at the uniform he’s been proud to wear. The duality of being a black person in law enforcement can be a touchy subject to address, but it’s handled very well here.

Toward the end of the episode, the discussion becomes a lot more direct with Luke first confronting his peer, and then making a poignant speech about flaws in the system before he accepts his award. If it makes us uncomfortable, it should.

He isn’t the only one targeted by race. Mark, against his boss’s judgement, takes the case of a young woman nearly run down by a man telling her to “go back where she came from”– another word-for-word callback to current events.

Said boss is saved from antagonist status by the fact he does have a point. The case is difficult to win and a loss could scar Soraya. She’s already too traumatized by her attacker to appear in court, further endangering the case.

Mark wears his heart on his sleeve to great effect, and his shock at this reality reflects both on that and on the privilege shared by many who haven’t directly faced systematic prejudices until the past few years have made them undeniable.

Lola, meanwhile, gets the storyline at least partially intended to lighten our emotional load. Soon enough, that involves inviting a young woman to testify in costume as an avatar that was “killed” online—a semi-literal bird.

We know well that Lola is thought of as “creative”, and that’s generally consisted of finding new ways to be compassionate. This certainly fits the bill, but it doesn’t reach quite the same level of smooth success as other points.

The balance between dramatic tones is a little shakier than it’s been in the first couple episodes. Everything is well told; there’s just a bit too much contrast between storylines.

To be fair, the show genuinely does the best it can to add heart to the cybercrime case, soon settling on a conflict between once-close friends. Still, the strangeness, even when it’s sweet, makes for some awkward transitions.

That said, by the end, we do genuinely feel for the dearly departed “Errk”, her human counterpart, and the friend who deleted Errk in a fit of vengeance. They make up, a fair sentence is agreed upon, and creativity saves the day again.

Once again, any blips in the plot are more than compensated by character relations. We meet Mark’s girlfriend Ria, Lola’s husband Robin, and get the tiniest of glimpses at Judge Benner’s yet-unnamed wife(!!)

The later two don’t get anywhere near the time I’d like. I’m a little nervous about what it could mean that the audience is largely distanced from Robin so far, but’s it’s still too early on for any dire predictions.

Friendships continue to carry the day. I understand Judge Brenner’s very logical suggestion that Lola mix with her fellow judges more, but I am fully biased here. I don’t want anything taken from her and Mark.

And those potential romances? Emily and Luke are well on their way to something wonderful, even if might take time to get there. Is there anyone who doesn’t ship this?

I also think we’re getting hints between Mark and Sarah. I love the potential down the line, but must reiterate my hopes for Robin with Ria- please treat all current love interests with the respect they deserve!

 

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

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All Rise airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.

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