Burden of Truth Review: It Takes a Village (Season 3 Episode 6)
Crawford and Chang contemplate their next steps and a potential class-action lawsuit as Joanna works through her feelings on motherhood on Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 5, “It Takes the Village.”
Joanna’s still reeling from the news that she’s pregnant and dealing with it in a very Joanna kind of way: throwing herself entirely into the case as they face another hurdle in Kodie’s case.
The possibility of proceeding with a class action lawsuit causes Joanna some trepidation while Billy, Luna, and Kat are for it. Considering Joanna knows how much of a risk class certification could be when it comes to having a case survive, her reluctance kind of makes sense.
It takes seeing Kodie in the depths of her despair over the latest development that True and Madison will become wards of the state to make Joanna take the proactive approach to her friend’s case.
The class action meeting is the emotional highlight of the hour and adds a slight bit of clarity in terms of Joanna’s motherhood stance as a potential class member asks an honestly rude question—why should they listen to someone who isn’t a mother?
Joanna is one of those characters that feels, at times, hard to read because there’s so much she goes through in terms of emotions and can quickly go back to the slightly closed-off person we saw at the beginning of the series. So, seeing her come undone slightly during the meeting was necessary and highlights the anxiety her pregnancy induces.
Her answer and subsequent impassioned explanation offer some more insight into her emotions about pregnancy and impending motherhood. It’s honestly a little heartbreaking, but considering her upbringing and her family history, it feels like a logical conclusion in Joanna’s mind.
While it makes sense for Joanna to sidestep any attempt Billy makes at the big conversation hanging over them throughout the hour, it’s still a frustrating point when it comes to something this important.
I only hope that we get more of a one-on-one conversation between Billy and Joanna about children. It’s easy to understand the skittishness on both sides, considering the scars they carry from growing up with the people that surrounded them.
Communication is one of those things that I appreciate when watching relationships develop, so I’m hoping we see more of it.
When the season began, I didn’t think that the emotional crux that would connect the characters to the case of the season would be the concept of motherhood and parenting, but I am enjoying the ride so far and am curious to see where it goes down the line.
There’s, of course, also the matter of the broken system that has been the legal focal point up to this point that only further exposes itself as Joanna and Billy peel back more of the veil. How far will it go?
Random Thoughts
- Taylor’s dealing with the looming threat of the man she followed, so going to Diane makes perfect sense and leaves me hopeful that there’s positive resolution. Taylor’s decision to stay in town leads to a reconciliation with Luna, and honestly, it’s a relief.
- That class action commercial is sad but kind of hilarious in how true to life when it comes to those kinds of commercials.
- The young idealistic cop offering Owen that bit of a gut check in terms of morality is excellent, and he needs to hear it, especially as he spends the hour plotting against Sam Mercer, including planting drugs in his toolbox.
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 Thursdays 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.