All Rise Review: How to Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying

All Rise Season 1 Episode 9, “How to Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying,” is sadly not a musical episode, but at least gives us some flashbacks.  

With the friendship between Lola and Mark both firmly established and long-standing, fans have been eager to see what the two were like before today. We’re getting a taste now, albeit with a lot of drama attached.

We spend a lot of time exploring what Lola was like as the prosecutor we’ve only had a glimpse of so far. She’s everything we’ve expected, and maybe a little more. Things get intense and sometimes uncomfortable.

While judge!Lola must avoid bias, attorney!Lola is defined by her side in a case. With a client she hates—a racist accused of bombing a bookstore—she’s both passionate and aggressive. It wins the case but makes a few enemies.

One of those is Felice, the opposing lawyer, who insists on the “authentic” pronunciation of her name and does not hide her grudge. For most of the episode, her pain purpose is to irritate us, and I’m not sure it’s the right choice for the character.

For one thing, she does wind up at least somewhat sympathetic, but Felice also serves a greater purpose than as an annoyance: making Lola reflect. However brief the period in which she’s forced to question her convictions is, it’s enough to shake her and us.

There’s a spark of tension between Mark and Lola, too, as he takes over the case and it starts to fall apart. It’s not fun to see them unhappy, but it is a great way to highlight their stress levels and the fears they struggle with.

The case is saved with solid new evidence, and all is well for now, including another great end scene.  That “for now” stands out, though. Mark trusts Lola’s gut without doubt, but the hole is there for her, and I get the feeling it might grow.

Emily’s case is the one part of this episode disconnected from the rest. It’s also set apart from all her other cases in that,her client is mostly just unlikable. It’s strange to the point of feeling “wrong”, but I also kind of love it.

We’ve explored Mark having to prosecute people we like, and Emily defending people that annoy her (and us) is another side of that coin. Her job states she must stand with them, but it’s how she handles this that makes it work.

Wily is certainly not the only one of her clients to be guilty, but he is the only one to grate with his self-pity. His attempts at faking a psychological condition to get off on an insanity plea are frankly offensive.

Emily carries us through with grace and wit, soon outing her client’s strategy and getting him back to her reasonable terms. Her straight face as she speaks of his “complete recovery’ is a great moment, and a break from the cases that wear on her emotions, even if they still grate her nerves.

Luke’s not-always-completely-ethical advice goes a long way to advance a more lighthearted counterpoint to the main plot, too. He’s going to be an excellent lawyer for whatever side he takes on. (I’m still hoping it’ll be defense)

There is another story; a true “C plot” in that it almost feels shoehorned in, although it does serve as another way to highlight Lola’s doubts about her approach when accused of bias.

The lawyer who says this has a point, and its bold for a show to implant that seed of imperfection. We love Lola’s passion, and it’s one of the hardest but most important parts of her new job that she must sometimes table it. That isn’t easy for her or the audience.

Unfortunately, these scenes don’t get very much time, because it seems this may be a theme we run with in coming episodes. Lola’s already been threatened with complaints a couple times, so it’s only a matter of time before one goes through. Still, gulp.

Other Thoughts

• I often focus on Lola and Mark (with good reason) but Emily and Sara’s friendship is just as wonderful. I can’t wait to see them as roommates.
• That very quick moment between the new law clerk and Luke has me nervous. Not only do I want my ship safe, I don’t want a character as a threat for fans to dislike just for drama.
• Won’t someone get Lola her own coffee machine already?

 

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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