Burden of Truth Review: From Out of the Gloomy Rack (Season 4 Episode 3)

Joanna’s arrest leads to a Millwood reunion, a fight looming on the horizon, more questions, and possible hints at something from her past on a surprisingly thrilling and heartbreaking Burden of Truth Season 4 Episode 3, “From Out of the Gloomy Rack.”

With Joanna’s arrest, Billy and everyone within Joanna’s Millwood circle mobilize and work to find out what is going on and get their favorite tenacious attorney out, including a somewhat surprising face, Nevin, showing up to help Joanna’s defense.

From the jump, it feels like there might be ties to Elyse’s knowledge of Joanna’s work at the firm she used to work at with her father. The evidence continues to mount once there’s confirmation about who else would be able to access that information.

By the time the bail hearing comes around in the judge’s chambers, it’s abundantly clear that she’s being set up. The bail hearing also sets the stage for one of the most gripping chambers’ scenes Burden of Truth has had in a bit.

It’s not just the legal aspect of the scene and the potentially frustrating sense of injustice prevailing that makes it so enthralling, but also the feeling that we are seeing Joanna fall apart. We’ve been given a sense of something bubbling up inside Joanna from the season premiere that’s threatened to seep through her tough exterior.

The twitchiness, the incessant need to get the ink off her fingers, her outburst. It all feels like she’s coming apart at the seams, and it’s heartbreaking and concerning to see.

The threat of losing Helen causes Joanna to spiral further, with a manic sense of determination to talk to Elyse about Helen and the case. That determination takes Joanna to the point of no return, as she is dead set on delivering on her threat of taking everything from Elyse away.

It’s frightening to see Joanna this determined, and while she works on her own in different ways, this feels like she’s close to coming off the rails in a way that may make it difficult for her to come back from and remain the person she’s become since coming to Millwood.

Billy spends most of the hour trying to reach out to Joanna and get through to her in the face of their interrupted engagement and subsequent arrest. It culminates in a blowout that feels like his concerns are finally out in the open; Concerns not only about their family but about Joanna’s well-being as well.

Peter Mooney and Kristin Kreuk did an excellent job with the scene, conveying the pain and fear about the threats facing them externally and internally. Paired with their quiet moment outside of the police station as they finally open a bit more to each other and continue to build on their relationship’s foundation, “From Out of the Gloomy Rack” proves to be a highlight for the pair.

While Joanna and everyone try to confirm and figure out the setup job, Taylor’s dealing with the fallout of losing track of Dee and her boyfriend. Understandably, she’s got the aspects of her career and her personal beliefs warring with each other, but her partner does make some valid points about personal involvement in investigations.

As she uncovers the beds in the hotel room, they tracked Dee and her boyfriend to empty and a mess filled with makeshift beds; Taylor’s not the only one throughout the hour to make an emotional and frustrating discovery.

Luna is determined to prove her sister’s innocence while working with her prospective boss. Some moments between the pair feel odd and a bit uncomfortable, but I can’t quite point to an acting choice or the writing that lent itself to the tone.

The conversation about her reluctance to join his firm quickly takes a back seat when it’s discovered that Joanna knew about the fraud. Luna’s face when she reads the memo breaks your heart as she realizes her sister is guilty.

There’s no uncomplicated way out for Joanna when it comes to the past. How will it all end for her, and will Luna be able to forgive her?

Random Thoughts

• Taylor with baby Cassidy is a brief comedic moment before things quickly go sideways.
• Owen reaching out and taking Kip in and standing up for him is a great moment, and the moment he returns, the watch tugs at the heartstrings.
• We’re going to get Baby Chang-Crawford’s permanent name in the finale, aren’t we?

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

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Burden of Truth airs Fridays at 8/7c on The CW.

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