All Rise Season 3 Episode 16 Review: Passionfruit

On All Rise Season 3 Episode 15, “Passionfruit,” we see scenes of chaos much like the last time the courtroom hosted a celebrity accused of murder. In this case, only some of that chaos is directly tied to the crime.

Camilla Kahlo is the center of Courtroom 802’s circus, a fitness influencer accused of murder when someone dies after using her wellness products. She claims her work is all about love even as she uses her own trial to gain media attention.

This is another trial that divides our characters. Maggie is the lead prosecutor with Teddy acting as second chair. Amy defends Camilla while aided by Ness, who is in court (and back on the show) for the first time after almost losing her life.

Though there are plenty of scenes of Camilla acting the part of a TikTok star, the real meat of this storyline is seeing Ness navigate her first case and deal with the stress of leaping into the deep end of something so high profile.

Her growth is notable even over this short span and even though she considers the eventual split verdict to be a loss. She even manages to encourage Camilla’s own growth beyond her façade, offering a shoulder to cry on when reality becomes overwhelming.

She’s not the only one moving up in her career. Mark is stunned when Bravo at last announces that he will be the new Head Deputy DA. He may be the only one who doesn’t see it coming apart from Maggie, who clearly expects the title to go to her.

Despite a party in his name, Mark is not in a celebratory mood. Maggie is bitter about getting passed over, but Mark is disgruntled about much more than the additional workload and it’s not entirely clear what that “more” is.

Whether we’ll explore that is anyone’s guess, given that Mark also must deal with his dad coming back into the picture. At first, it seems just a point of mild irritation. By the closing scenes, it’s clear that Vic is going to stir up a much higher level of trouble.

Along the way, Vic apologizes to his son for…well, a lot. It’s a weighty moment for a father-son relationship that’s been complex and borderline toxic. In dramatic television, it also gives us a feeling of dread for what it could foreshadow.

Mark finds his father on his doorstep after the party, beaten half to death. When Vic reveals his ties to the Russian mob and insists Mark not get involved (no matter what happens to him), we know we’re on the verge of something very dark.

Again, the remainder of the episode is handed to relationship drama. Sara’s new romance is already slowing down, which is a bummer, but not nearly as much of one as knowing Luke and Emily have barely talked since she said she doesn’t want kids.

By the end of the episode, shippers rejoice. Luke tells Emily that being with her matters more than his desire to be a father. Much as I celebrate this, I can’t help thinking it’s too easy: however you feel about wanting kids, the feeling can rarely be put aside.

What can be put aside? Any lingering feelings Lola might have for Dre—at least in his own mind. I don’t love that the writing suggests we should feel sorry for the man in this moment, but I sure hope Lola letting him down is at last the final word.

Dre also tries to lure Luke away from the public defender’s office, briefly causing more tension between him and Emily. We’re at the point where he could work as a villain, but we already have plenty of those. Can’t he just go away instead?

Whatever happens to any of these characters, whether we like them or not, it must now occur within just four episodes. I’d like to think that’s not enough time for anyone to get in too much more trouble, but I already know that’s just wishful thinking.

 

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

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All Rise airs Saturdays at 9/8c on OWN.

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