All Rise Review: Chasing Waterfalls (Season 2 Episode 12)
We come into All Rise Season 2 Episode 12, “Chasing Waterfalls,” just after Lola has accidentally told Amy about a certain kiss. What follows is…well, at least we get to see it coming.
I’ll be focusing most of my time on everything but the Amy/Mark drama. What could have been a good way to have a real conversation and push Mark to admit and address his issues instead develops into a plethora of cliches and Mark suddenly downplaying his guilt.
I do appreciate the effort to right the whole mess at the end, even if we’re missing a few important steps in between. He can’t, of course, just ignore the work he needs to do, but I’m looking forward to the steps toward something better and healthier.
Apart from stereotypical male behavior and all the worst parts of love triangles, though, we’re given a good balance of casework and progression in ongoing stories, both for the couples we still root for and the enemies we want taken down.
In a Russian mobster version of both Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story, Mark and Sam work to put away a frankly terrifying man after he kills his sister’s brother-in-law. It’s as complicated as it sounds and then some.
Perhaps because of how much else is going on, this plot does feel detached from the rest of the episode. Like other cases, it would benefit from being stretched out, because it’s nearly as emotional as it the works it borrows from and is quite a bit more unnerving.
Though it comes only in the wake of Luke’s assault-instigated absence, I do like to see Sam proving herself in the courtroom and walking step for step with Mark through the case. There are so many great teams in this department, and that’ll come in handy soon.
Speaking of Luke, he shows us the kind of honesty we’re lacking in certain other areas as he copes with his attack in ways that move from not dealing with it at all to opening up to Emily more than we’ve seen since the season began.
Right now, the writers seem to be trying to use Emily’s very inspiring new outlook on life to put Lemily’s return on hold. It doesn’t exactly ring true, but I still can’t fault it. Emily is with Joaquin and we know what happens with a romantic issue not properly addressed.
As a bonus, we also get to see Sam and Emily sharing nothing more or less than concern for someone they care about. Healthy ongoing relationships are already rare, but seeing things be this functional even after romance has ended is wonderfully refreshing.
In the meantime, the stakes involved in the fight against McCarthy and Luke’s former deputies become painfully clear. The man himself tries to instigate yet another violent confrontation with Luke. Emily sending him away at gunpoint is traumatic for all involved.
Over the course of the hour, Luke moves from angrily pushing back against Mark for trying to involve him to wanting to be an active participant. Bring in Sam and consider how many people are at least aware, and the Avengers theme is a strong as ever.
Sherri gets a plot that gives us a bit of a lighthearted break from everything else. It totally fits that her version of flirting could come as a sort of hostage negotiation with a man who has “stolen” her air purifier.
After Sherri’s last romance unceremoniously disappeared into thin air, I’m cautious about getting on board a ship again. Still, these first steps are a good sign. So is the fact that, by her standards, this flirtation is already moving fast.
To close out on our long-absent lead, it seems as though this is finally the last episode that will see Lola away from 802. I adore Bailey, but it has been too long. Getting to see Robin act like “Mr. Mom” does make things a bit easier, though.
Other Notes
- Please tell me we’re going to get to see Mark babysitting (His reference to having a “niece” definitely threw me for a minute).
- Though we only get a moment of Emily facetiming with Nikki, I’m happy to see the evidence this storyline will continue.
- Robin and Mark teaming up was a bit rushed but interesting. I’m curious if we’ll get to the follow up as tied to the case.
What did you think of this episode of All Rise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
All Rise airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.