Perry Mason Review: Chapter Eight (Season 1 Episode 8)

This was never a case that was meant to have a simple ending. 

Perry Mason Season 1 Episode 8 concludes the first season of the prequel to the classic series with a surprising end to Emily Dodson’s trial, a little justice, and some new beginnings. 

As desperately as Perry wants to skewer Ennis on the stand, he realizes, with a little help, that it’s not the right move. Because even though he knows the answers, he doesn’t have the proof he needs. 

He takes Della’s advice instead and puts Emily on the stand — a risky move that could easily backfire and that he hesitates to do. And yes, it puts her in a difficult position because the DA pushes the point that if she hadn’t been having an affair, her child would ultimately still be alive. It’s certainly tough to watch.

Perry’s closing statement is a highlight of the season finale. He is impassioned and is so clearly now the Perry Mason he was meant to become. He’s vulnerable in his statement, which makes him all the more convincing. It’s honestly quite hard to believe that not every juror believed Emily was innocent after listening to Perry in that courtroom. 

It is decidedly more satisfying for the jury to be unable to come to an agreement. In any procedural, we expect one of two findings at the end of a case: guilty or not guilty. With this series in particular, with the case having been the central arc of the short first season, you’d expect that answer even more.

But instead, the judge is forced to declare a mistrial, offering an ending that’s messy but still a win, and one that feels more satisfying to see on screen, if you ask me.

Tying this all up with a nice bow, after all, wouldn’t be nearly as interesting to watch. 

While it’s a win in that it keeps Emily out of prison, it’s grim that the truth isn’t exposed. There is some justice from an unexpected source — Ennis’s partner, who sees to it that he’s killed. 

Then there’s still the matter of the baby that Birdie found in the road and declared to be Charlie Dodson. She gives him to Emily, who can obviously tell it isn’t her child, but who makes the decision to let him become Charlie anyway. It’s a haunting end to a haunting story for this mother, and it’s not surprising that she’d take that leap. 

Sister Alice, meanwhile, is still missing. With the help of Drake, Perry at least gets us some conclusion, finding Alice working now in a diner and having left her old life altogether.

We’re supposed to be left with some mystery from her, that’s clear, but as is the case with much of the storytelling in this first season, we could have benefitted from just a little more detail and time with this character to flesh out her story. 

The case aside, what’s really important is that we’ve learned of Perry’s messy origin story. It’s pretty remarkable that in eight episodes, we’ve seen his character evolve so drastically.

The Dodson case shook him and forced him to find his talents in his pursuit of justice. He always had it in him — that passion and that quest for the truth — but he never quite had it in him to get it together until this. 

Yet with all he’s learned and the person he’s become, he’s still quite flawed — and he’s nothing without the people he has by his side. Pete breaks ties with him, in part because of Perry’s newfound ego and in part because he simply needs a better job. He hurts Della in the way he reveals he knows about her relationship with Hazel, but thankfully, she’s quick to forgive.

She’s also quick to demand what she deserves. She wants to keep working with Perry and tells him exactly what she expects and what she plans to do — including a declaration that she’s going to become a lawyer as well. And not a “lady lawyer,” a “lawyer.” No modifier needed. 

Say it louder for the people in the back, Della Street! 

Perry also now has Drake by his side, which is another really satisfying detail. Drake quits the force because he wants to do something meaningful and he wants to be treated like an equal. I love the idea of Perry, Della, and Drake all working together, and it makes me excited that this series has been renewed for a second season. 

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

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Perry Mason will return to HBO for Season 2 at a date to be announced.

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