Accused Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Jack’s Story

Accused, Season 1 Episode 9, “Jack’s Story,” attempts to tell an important story and ends up getting lost in the multiple threads the episode pulls at.

Several important issues are brought up on “Jack’s Story,” including safe access to abortion, sexual abuse, and false accusations. None of them manage to conclude wholly by the end of the episode. 

The episode tries to juggle far too many intricacies to make a meaningful impact, and, as a result, it becomes an episode of the show that I suggest passing on. 

Michael Chiklis, the episode’s writer, plays leapfrog with traditionally taboo subjects, jumping from inappropriate relationships between students to abortion in a matter of minutes. 

Season one of Accused takes its time exploring the subjects it brings to the forefront in different episodes: immigration, LGBTQ hate crimes, and racism, amongst others. The show treats these issues delicately, taking them apart and putting them back together through the eyes of survivors — people who’ve been through it. 

Which raises the question, why is “Jack’s Story” so convoluted?

Had the show started at point A: a teenage student needing an abortion in Texas, and ended at point Z: a teacher inappropriately drives her across state lines to do so, this episode would’ve pieced together a lot more seamlessly. 

What Accused Season 1 Episode 9, “Jack’s Story” fails to do is keep the story straightforward and simple. Instead of a straight line, the story zigzags all over the map.

The beginning thread — creating safe and secure environments for people who need abortions — is combined with multiple lesser threads to create a muddy mess by the end.

Jason Ritter and Wrenn Schmidt deliver stunning performances; despite the script needing some work. The two take this story into their own hands and create something that matters, if only in terms of their acting. 

The episode’s breakout star is Emma Nelson who gives nuance to our central character, Clara. From sadness to heartbreak to stability, Nelson brings Clara to life with a clear understanding of who she is and what she’s lost.

Hopefully, this leads Nelson to other roles that are just as layered. 

In 2021, 660 abortion restrictions were introduced as part of nearly 400 bills. Then, in 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned, opening the door for this episode to be more meaningful.

“Jack’s Story” plays it on the safe side, never deliberately picking a side between pro-life or pro-choice, which isn’t as shocking as exhausting. Network television shows will always go by the book — never being too forward on choosing a side in their storylines. 

Which is very unfortunate when it comes to creating impactful stories on shows such as Accused.

TV shows are scared to take a stand, which is understandable considering to do so means alienating half your audience. However, this show promises to take us into stories that matter, introducing us to people who actively make changes and efforts to improve the world. 

To not go all in is cowardly and diminishes the episode. 

The episode has potential, especially in how it starts only surrounding Clara and her pregnancy story. Unfortunately, it quickly becomes the trauma Olympics. 

If we could spend more time with all the issues presented on this episode the story could carry more weight. With this being an anthology series, we are stuck wading through this convoluted mess instead.

Stray Thoughts:

• Showing the importance of teachers in children’s lives is incredibly important. Still, it needs to be clear that once an adult becomes physical with a teenager — whether it’s platonic or not — a line is crossed, and boundaries need to be placed.
• Finding out an abortion costs $750 out of pocket is one of the most ridiculous parts of this entire episode. Good grief. 
• The fact that after an accusation of statutory rape — and proof that he crossed an invisible line between his students — he’s allowed to be alone in a room with any student, much less Clara herself, is truly bonkers.

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Accused airs Tuesday at 9/8c on FOX.

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