All Rise Review: Merrily We Ride Along (Season 1 Episode 20)

Tough situations and complicated decisions hit in and around Courtroom 802 on All Rise Season 1 Episode 20, “Merrily We Ride Along.”

As the last episode filmed before coronavirus shutdowns, this installment of All Rise represents the last time we’ll see our characters—at least while sharing scenes within the courthouses of LA—for quite some time.

Understandably but somewhat unfortunately, this doesn’t have any feel of a season finale, though it may fill that role to some degree. It’s a solid episode, but not a huge amount happens in context for the future.

Still, it gives us several key aspects, including seeing Lola’s parents again, having Emily return to a stellar level of performance, and making progress in several relationships, for better and for worse.

Lola, when not lending support to her friends, spends most of the episode grappling with Roxy. For once, there’s no tension between mother and daughter. While there’s still a lot these two need to talk out personally, it’s nice to see.

The look at a more vulnerable Roxie is a big factor in that dynamic. Whenever we do get to see these two hash things out more, the questions she asks herself and the assurances Lola offers can and should come into play.

It’s a plot that feels like it’s building to something more. On a similar note, it feels a bit like Mark is just being given something to do here in anticipation for a bigger storyline to come, likely involving his father.

His forced perspective on questionable police behavior brings some important issues to the forefront and gives us a couple great scenes of the underused relationship between him and Luke. It also feels like the kind of plot that stays contained in a single episode.

I also personally find it a little strange that so much focus is placed on the officer’s initial tackle. Nobody can say for sure what happens, and so him taking down a suspect can at least feasibly be valid. To me, the bigger issue is finding an excuse for the tasing that follows.

On the bright side, the story ends with a resolution that seems inspired by Lola’s creative judgements. The suspect won’t be charged with a felony, but the questioning should make all involved think more in the future.

Though Emily’s case itself doesn’t have a huge amount of long-term impact, it does help in showing her story here as a stepping stone, landing between her resilience and how far she has to go.

From watching her breakdown shred so much of her personality as a lawyer, it’s wonderful to see the Emily we know back. This is the Emily who finds a thread in even the most seemingly hopeless of cases, following through where others wouldn’t or couldn’t try to.

Yet we must also acknowledge, as she must, that the Emily we’ve always seen on our screens has always been struggling with the scars or her abuse. The conversations about therapy and accepting help could be longer, but they matter so much.

And what of the world of relationships when nearly all the main characters are in at least a budding romance? Well, it’s complicated.

Luke and Emily are still going strong. Mark and Amy are acting as much like a “real couple” as they ever have. Sherri’s in a bit of hot water with Kevin, but she’s working on it. All in all, there’s plenty so ship.

I’d like to include Sara and Ben Benner in that group, but this is our first sign of trouble in paradise, and it’s a big one. If a mother is warning potential dates about her own son, there’s a reason, and this love may be doomed.

Then, again, we are left without the comfort we seek when it comes to Lola’s marriage. She’s determined to make things work, but also airs the idea of moving to Washington as a solution. Because this show must continue, we know she won’t.

Am I panicked? No. I still lean towards trusting that this show will give us a healthy marriage than kind find its way through issues like this. I am worried, though. Even as I think a divorce could be well handled, too, it would be such a shame for a show that does relationships so well.

The brightest note on this horizon, and a very pleasant surprise, is the return of Daphne from the very first episode. Free of her mom and happily taking care of her baby daughter, she’s proof of how the show remembers and cares for every character we see.

So no, this is no season finale, but it’s also not last episode we’ll see, thanks again the social-distancing installment awaiting us. I’m excited and curious about how this will work. But neither of these should have to serve as a series finale, so let’s keep hoping for renewal.

 

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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All Rise to Air a Virtually Shot Social Distancing Episode