All Rise Review: Bette Davis Eyes (Season 2 Episode 8)

In one hour, All Rise Season 2 Episode 8, “Bette Davis Eyes,” gives us the returns of Mark’s father Vic and celebrity lawyer Adam Pryce as well as Lesley Ann Warren playing an actress accused of killing her husband. It’s just as chaotic as you might expect.

The whole episode seems to fly by, particularly the drama-laden central narrative. Even knowing Samara Strong will ultimately be found guilty of having killed her husband, the devastation that wreaks on her and especially on her daughter is effective.

There are many great elements at play. Samara and Kelsey are both loaded with baggage and the scenes where all that baggage is spilled are a series of emotional gut punches. Their fraught relationship is meant to reflect that between Mark and his own dad.

Conveniently and randomly, Vic arrives back in town, but much of his reappearance feels a bit wasted. Mark and Kelsey share complicated and troubling connections to their parents, but it’s hard to cement those when one parent has literally killed her spouse.

There is a callback to Vic’s own murder trial, but, though we certainly see tones of angst and resentment, many of the most problematic elements of the man as a father figure are downplayed here—and then he leaves as soon as he arrives.

After Vic’s long absence, it would be nice to really explore the sentiments we’re shown, but there just isn’t time. Both this storyline and the messy, heartbreaking case it ties into join a group of storylines that could easily have run for multiple episodes.

Another downside to packing so much story into an hour is that the subplots can feel wedged in wherever they fit. Lola gets little to do besides comment on the upheaval in her courtroom, though we do get a couple adorable scenes with Baily and Roxie.

By “upheaval,” I’m largely referring to Judge Laski’s presence in 802, sticking a deer head on Lola’s office wall and leaving Sherri, Ness, and Sara frantic as Benner again throws around scary words like “downsizing”.

This is largely a rehash of their concern that Benner would separate them. It’s still awesome to see their squad goal status, but I’d also like to see the three strike out on their own with a plot not involving job security fears.

There’s also only time for a brief glimpse of Luke’s restorative justice saga, but here we at least get a positive development after Luke is taken advantage of when Choi at first seems to dissuade him from the work and then jumps onboard himself.

As Luke’s boss, Thomas will likely have more weight to throw around. Major changes in the justice department will take time, but his influence is a great step, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of his character.

Also worth the wait is Luke and Emily’s slow path to being as close as they once were. Though Emily is still with Joaquin and Luke and Sam’s status is currently undetermined, a rekindled Lemily romance feels more inevitable with every episode.

With Lola at home, Robin away, and everyone so busy, most romance is on the backburner apart from some nice ending moments for Mark and Amy. As ever, relationships are the backbone of All Rise, and I hope we get quickly back to giving them more screen time.

Other Notes

• Can I have one of those totally not voodoo stress dolls, too? And should I be concerned that figures of Laski look quite like ones of Voldemort?
• Between Laski’s antics and Delgado and Benner unsympathetically overwhelming Emily (on her birthday!) judges aren’t coming off on their best note here. Hopefully Lola’s return will steady the boat.
• Love, love, love Mark stealing the deer head, though I do wonder just what he expects to do with it now.
• Finally, Adam Pryce is an a**hole and I hate him. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. (No offense to Jere Burns, who does a great job of making Pryce so infuriating.)

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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