All Rise Review: Yeet (Season 2 Episode 17)

Against all odds, and though it’s clear there are more stories to tell, All Rise Season 2 Episode 17, “Yeet,” does work as a series finale. That also makes it an hour in we wish more than ever that we didn’t have to say goodbye.

We open back with the trial that has basically turned into a circus. There are even three rings—or at least three separate parties. It’s also the one part of the episode that makes us fear the show won’t go out as it should.

Alex, who is actually guilty of stabbing someone to death, nearly gets away with using his privilege to submit false testimony against an innocent Jack. For a few moments, there is a real possibility that this last trial will let a guilty person walk.

Thankfully, justice steps in as Amy and Rachel manage to get the video that proves their own client’s guilt submitted. I’m not totally on board with the measures used to delay that inevitability, but I sure feel the stress they create.

With this result, we get to see Emily stand again for a client pushed down by the system. We also get to see Amy and Rachel choose the right thing at considerable cost to themselves. All three represent the true justice the world needs and that this show has pushed so much.

The most important element of this and every trial is the heart and drive of the characters involved. We’re reminded in it and outside it of the diversity, representation, and relationships that have made All Rise so truly special.

And what of those relationships? Despite getting far less time than they deserve, they do all give us the happy endings we’ve longed for all season, even as characters across the board strike out on new paths in life.

First, the career moves: Luke departs the DA’s office to join public defense instead. It may not be the full-time team with August Fox that I’d love, but we can still dream about just how much he’ll be able to do to bring restorative justice to the forefront.

Don’t feel too bad for the prosecution. They’ll be gaining an essential new member in Sara. I’m fully on board with #Callaquin’s story now, but the part of me that saw a spark between Sara and Mark in the very beginning would be thrilled to see their friendship grow.

Ness, of course, is already well on her way to her own life in the legal system. She’s aided in that by Sam. As we turn to the relationships that make this show all it is, we celebrate this new and wonderful ship. At least we get to see their first kiss.

The established romances fare even better. Ideally, we’d get many more important conversations before Mark’s proposal. He and Amy are in a position to fight for their love and would be stronger for us getting to see that.

Sadly, there just isn’t time. What we do get is Mark bringing Amy to the ice rink where they had their first, ill-fated date and getting on one knee. We may have to fill in a lot of the gaps for ourselves, but it’s worth getting to see this moment.

Many of the same notions apply to Luke and Emily. For most of the episode, we believe that Emily is going to go to Miami with Joaquin after all. How can we end All Rise without the first couple so many of us shipped?

The answer is that we don’t, or at least not exactly. Emily is setting off for a while, but entirely on her own. She deserves this self-love after so much work, and at long long last, we’re given the promise of Luke waiting to rekindle the #Lemily love the moment she returns.

And, of course, there’s Lola. As much as this is an ensemble drama, it centers most often on this iconic character Simone Missick has brought to our screens. She deserves her best life, both in terms of career (I’m looking at you, Mr. Sanders,) and of love.

We get the wonderful and expected moments with her, her husband, and Bailey. We also get the less expected but even more welcome moments that see Robin choosing his family over his work. His choice is exactly why their marriage is the kind TV needs more of.

The series ends with a ceremony and a party. Lola and Robin renew their views, Amy catches the bouquet, and all the couple and friends get to simply be happy together, no matter what comes next. It’s all we can ask of the end.

Finally, how can we leave without one final conversation between Mark and Lola?  It’s not enough and we should be getting so many more. It’s a reflection of the show itself. We so long to see where they and everyone will go.

Still, even the minutes they’re allowed carry weight as Lola inspires Mark to propose in the first place. We’ve seen these best friends shape their lives for the better for two years. I like to think they’ll always do so, on screen or off.

Other Notes

• In case we’d had any doubts: yes, Lola having to save her job again would have been a part of season three. It may be the only things I’ll be happy not to have to slog through. Leave Judge Carmichael be!
• I’d honestly forgotten we still had to find how who was sending Mark all those envelopes, but having it be Tony Carver is a great twist.
• Bravo, too, turns out to be nice enough in the end. Still, in the season three of my mind, he leaves while Choi comes back. I need the DA to work toward active reform, too.
• Poor Sherri is stuck watching so many people leave her beloved office. At least she’ll always have Lola.
• The one love story we miss out on: Lisa and Georgia. Let’s all free to assume the proposal was accepted and they get their happy ending, too.

 

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

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All Rise aired Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.

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