Perry Mason Review: Chapter Six (Season 1 Episode 6)

This is the Perry Mason I’ve been waiting for. 

Perry’s origin story is darker than we might have imagined — though perhaps the way this series opened should have been a clue all along that something dark would cause Perry to become a lawyer. On Perry Mason Season 1 Episode 6, we see him in action for the first time.

And he doesn’t have a clue what he’s doing, at least not technically. He’s not clear on all of the rules and he fumbles quite a bit, but he’s spent enough time in the courtroom to know his way around. Add to that, he has the passion he needs to become an excellent attorney. 

His transformation is notable, with his clean-shaven face and better-fitting attire. Even as he fumbles, it’s so obvious that he was supposed to be a lawyer all along. It’s a thrill to see him gain his footing in the trial.

As he takes the steps to prove Drake wrong about that blood trail, demonstrating exactly how long it would be if Drake was telling the truth, he’s really stepping into the Perry Mason we know from the original series. Everything just clicks, and it’s incredibly satisfying. 

The thing is, how he’s gotten here isn’t typical. It does feel just a little convoluted that he becomes a lawyer so quickly. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of his journey there.  

What I do appreciate is that we see the emotional toll it takes. The pressure is on Perry now, and he resents E.B. for taking the way out that he chose. He has this conversation with himself as E.B. where he lets all that rage and sadness out, and you can just feel everything he feels.

It’s redundant to say this again because I’ve said it so much in previous reviews, but Matthew Rhys is stellar in this role. 

With E.B. gone, Perry didn’t really have a choice but to step in. Now it all rests on his shoulders, and the justice system sure isn’t doing him any favors.

Even with Drake’s help — which is one of the best parts of the episode. Drake lies on the stand, and Perry doesn’t technically break his promise to him. He almost does, but that’s not the kind of man Perry is.

Drake not only respects that, but he’s tired of the system too. Because he’s Black, he’s not treated as an equal — he can’t even put handcuffs on white men. He’s becoming more and more disheartened by the way the system works, and so he now he wants to help Perry and Emily Dodson by helping him get that denture into evidence.

Perry: That’s not exactly legal, Officer Drake.

Drake: No, Mr. Mason. It’s not. But it is something I can live with.

The denture doesn’t wind up being as useful as it should be because of chain of evidence, but it’s still there. And meanwhile, Della has been doing her own bit of work, and there’s still some hope for the underdogs to help Emily Dodson.

Unfortunately, Emily Dodson is now focused on believing Sister Alice will be able to raise her son from the dead. 

This is a level of the story that gets right into your bones. The power of religion and this almost cult-like following runs deep. Sister Alice is a fascinating character, and it’s honestly not hard to see how she’d have the influence she has over people. That almost makes her services hard to watch.

Now Emily thinks her son will live again, and it’s just profoundly heartbreaking. 

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

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Perry Mason airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

Watch Perry Mason Season 1 Episode 6, “Chapter Six.”

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Perry Mason: Cast Members and EPs Talk Complex Characters and Perry’s Origin Story | ATX Television Festival