All Rise Review: Caught Up in Circles (Season 2 Episode 14)

The adage about not meeting your heroes comes to mind on All Rise Season 2 Episode 14, “Caught Up in Circles.” Lola oversees the case of Prudence Jenkins, whose ferocity has earned her a stellar reputation, but can also prove to cut both ways.

She throws out her own lawyer before Lola even enters the room and continues to spend her testimony cutting down everyone who goes against her. By the time she “forgets” repeatedly not to act like the judge herself, Lola knows just what she’s up against.

Played by Charlayne Woodard, Jenkins is a force. We’re torn between our admiration of her confidence, skill, and dedication to important causes and the times those first two qualities go too far, unapologetically taking down anyone in her wake.

In the end, Prudence falls into the mindset of so many powerful figures—that her reputation puts her above reproach and that she is above the very laws she upholds. This sense is clearest when Lola declares her guilty.

Lola gets little time to reflect on all this, but those moments see her torn by the chaotic and ethically ambiguous nature of the case. In the end, though, she proves what Jenkins can’t see. She may have been a judge for less time, but she’s no less adept or worthy.

The McCarty case is mostly stagnant here, stymied by the need to pick a new judge. Luke spends the time being recruited by Choi to hear a parole case of a convicted murderer who also happens to be a white supremacist.

Luke is knowingly thrown into a position to test him. His comment on the expectation of Black people to forgive crimes against them is especially poignant in these times. Yet for him to do his job, the case has to be about more than that, too.

While every aspect of the hearing puts more weight on his shoulders, Luke proves himself with grace. He sees and prioritizes the humanity of all involved. Though he doesn’t absolve Mr. Monroe, seeing hope for his rehabilitation shows us the kind of prosecutor he can be.

I love seeing more moments with Thomas here. We could be critical of Choi for asking Luke to take on such a personally painful role, but by supporting him throughout, we see instead that he is an advocate and mentor for Luke’s goals.

I’m even happier to see Emily support, both in offering sympathy and telling Luke what he needs to hear. Yet the real audience favorite is the fact they are finally (finally!) officially agreeing to take the first tentative steps back toward where they were.

There’s a similar long-awaited relief for Amy and Mark. At last, he shows the remorse missed in his initial defensive attitude. And at last she tells him her own secret, just after a second meeting with her nearly-ex-husband.

It’s the final scene of the episode, and it leaves them in a rough place. Though Mark is a bit hypocritical to take the news badly, it’s hard to blame him needing escape on top of everything else he faces. Amy can’t be surprised by this, but she needs love and support now.

At the same time, the overall arc of their interactions is a balm to the raw spots left by the drama of previous episode. At last they’re talking, being honest, and saying what needs to be said. The overwhelming sense is one of hope.

What of the McCarthy case? That work to pick a new judge brings about a great moment as the defense pushes for re-selection. That comes back to bite Connie when the next available judge turns out to be Judge Carmichael.

I still have questions about how we can see Mark in Lola’s court so easily given how taboo the idea was in season one. What I don’t doubt is that Lola will be fair. The very fact Mark doesn’t treat this as a win shows the upcoming trial is going to be riveting.

Last but not at all least, it’s a wrenchingly important episode for both Sara and Lisa. The latter is pushed to confront the reality of her friend’s behavior and the painful fact it means her behavior toward her daughter has turned abusive.

The scene where that really comes to light, Benner watching Whitney fray before her eyes, is moving and disturbing. There may be hope for Whitney to be a good mom again, but she does need serious help, and Sara is a hero for seeing it through.

Other Notes

• I love Sam in this episode. She—and her air high fives—are just the support Mark needs. Also, what happened to her case against the abusive professor? Hopefully it’s still coming.
• David Sanders makes another momentary appearance. The trouble he suggests is one plot I can do without.
• How will we ever survive without our LoMark stairwell/rooftop/office chats? Professional midtrial interactions just aren’t the same!

 

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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