Burden of Truth Review: Scorched Earth (Season 4 Episode 4)
Joanna’s running out of time to prove her innocence, and with only two options presented to her, she’s determined to forge a third on Burden of Truth Season 4 Episode 4, “Scorched Earth.”
Joanna’s forced to choose between her life as a lawyer, sacrificing her reputation and livelihood to plead guilty to the case, or run the risk of serving the maximum term and missing out on her daughter’s life.
An unenviable decision, to be sure. And because she is Joanna, she is initially unwilling to make either choice. It’s precisely on-brand for her, but the feelings of anxiety and doubt skyrocket as the case takes on a frenetic pace, and each potential lead ends up pointing towards culpability.
It’s excruciating to see Billy, Joanna, Luna, and Nevin going over the emails from her time at CTS and hearing what Joanna’s father said to her in their exchange on the NFI deal. Even after all this time, she’s still running from the shadows of both her mother and father.
Luna and Joanna’s sibling bonding time on their way to North Falls is adorable and offers an excellent chance to bring a moment of levity to the whole situation. It was nice that Luna got to talk about her career options by an uninterested party…however short-lived that is.
The Letter of Intent divides the sisters, and in a moment of hurt and broken trust between Luna and Joanna, seemingly long-buried emotions from the past are brought up. From Luna’s time for the murder of their father to her forgetting baby Crawford-Chang, things are said, and feelings are most definitely hurt.
Ultimately, though Nevin gets Joanna’s request for dropped charges granted, it comes at a hefty price, and the judge inadvertently gives Joanna a fourth option: referral to the bar association for disbarment.
Even though it was a logical next step after the dismissal, it’s shocking to get that decision from the judge, nonetheless.
Between potential disbarment, Joanna’s guardianship duties and Helen’s case, an interrupted proposal, and newly unnamed Baby Crawford-Chang having trouble sleeping, to say Billy and Joanna are dealing with a lot would be an understatement.
But just as we are getting to see the cracks in Joanna’s façade, Billy gets an opportunity to do the same as he and Hank search for the truck that ran Helen off the road. I’m glad we see more of that relationship, especially since Hank is anxious to fix it.
Amid their investigation, we get more vulnerability from Billy while also gaining more insight into his insecurities about his relationship and his need for it to work out.
It provides the perfect build-up to his moment with Joanna, where he opens up about his fears about their currently fragile future for their family and uses the most accurate phrasing that feels much more loaded than anticipated.
Billy: I think we’re in trouble.
Matheson and Thorpe continue their search for Dee and evidence of the missing trafficked girls. The hotel owner isn’t much help, and there’s a sinking suspicion from the moment they ask her to open the room that she’s hiding something from them.
I love how Matheson and Thorpe’s thread throughout the hour, Owen’s story, and his search for Kip lead to the answer they’re both looking for. Much like the referral for disbarment for Joanna, this development feels predictable but executed so well that it shocks.
It’s impressive how everyone’s arcs have been consistently tight and flow so well from scene to scene and episode to episode, keeping you hooked throughout each hour.
Random Thoughts
- Nevin and Luna’s camaraderie built over the past few episodes made their conversation outside of chambers that much of a natural progression. Admittedly, it’s surprising to see how willing he was to let Luna go and choose the Legal Centre.
- Luna and Taylor collectively realizing that the legal and criminal justice system at large is completely messed up is honestly the best (and most relatable).
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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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.