Burden of Truth Review: No Fathers or Sons (Season 3 Episode 3)
In the aftermath of Kodie’s custody hearing, Joanna and Billy continue their investigation into her case, leading to a familiar face and an explosive discovery on Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 3, “No Father or Sons.”
Joanna and Billy’s investigation into what caused Kodie’s custody battle to blow up in the middle of the courtroom continues and winds into some fascinating personal territory for both.
There is no shortage of tough moments to watch throughout the hour. Each moment continues to build on what we know about Joanna and Billy, while intricately building on the foundation of what we know about Kodie, even if she spends most of the hour away from Millwood in anticipation of a second drug test.
Joanna’s unrelenting dig further into her childhood friend’s life unearths information about her friend’s relationship with her mother-in-law; Information that could have helped them early on.
Learning about that relationship was surprising on its own, the added shock of Marlene trying to buy her biological grandchild, True, takes the story down a darker road.
It’s sad to see these aspects of Madison and True’s story come to light, for them to be treated as chattel and bargaining chips in this disagreement between adults. The system this whole fight happens makes it so much worse when Joanna brings this information to the judge and then chooses to put both girls in the foster system.
Joanna: This is how the system works.
Kodie: The system doesn’t work.
You can’t help but feel terribly for Madison, True, and Kodie through it all. Burden of Truth has done an admirable job showing the clear limitations and flaws within the systems they examine each season. This season is no different.
It’s these flaws within the system and how seemingly overburdened it is that makes Kodie’s decision to kidnap her own children to keep them safe.
What happens when they find the three of them? How badly will the consequences be? This show is painfully realistic in their portrayals of the system and its effects, so this is a big question.
While Joanna digs deeper, Billy takes the day with his father, which quickly takes a turn for the disastrous as the pair end up in a fight at the racetrack.
Seeing the pair together is painful to watch, but makes you understand at least some of the unresolved angst and anger Billy has towards his father. His father is loud, brash, dismissive, and believes he knows what’s best or that he’s right.
What happens in the face of Billy’s confrontation with his father?
Random Thoughts
- Luna’s visible discomfort at the police doing body searches is heartbreaking to watch, especially after everything she went through last season with her prison arc. The way the camera hyper focuses on her throughout the scene makes you uncomfortable in a way that elevates the moment.
- Taylor resurfaces and finds herself right in the middle of a dangerous threat that somehow connects to Sam Mercer. What is going on, and how much danger is Taylor in?
- Seeing Joanna work through the negative pregnancy test adds another layer of depth to her. The hints of sadness or disappointment in the results offer an interesting change in Joanna’s perspective leading up to this moment. Is this a topic of conversation that will come up with Billy at some point this season?
- The hedge fund proposal adds another wrench in the Crawford Chang arc. But will this proposal lead to more tension between Joanna and Billy or potential relief at a new source of income for the struggling firm?
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.