Recap of Season 3, Episode 1 of Lincoln Lawyer
The cliffhanger ending of Season 3 had me on the edge of my seat. Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) finds himself in a tight spot, stripped of his usual lawyerly tricks just as he’s contemplating a vacation in Mexico, following a victory in the Julien La Cosse case. Suddenly, the Los Angeles Police Department shows up and takes him away. “You can’t do that,” and “This investigation is illegal,” echo in desperation from a criminal defense attorney, but it’s all for naught. Almost immediately, Mickey is arrested for the murder of Sam Scales (Christopher Thornton), whose body, quite conveniently, is discovered in the trunk of his 1963 Lincoln Continental. That trunk could hold a lot, but it’s a twist of fate that leaves Mickey in serious trouble.
Sam was quite the trickster, managing to deceive Mickey and working for lawyers under the radar. This connection gives insight into the motives of Sam’s killer. Haller, who built his reputation in the gray areas of law, now finds himself cornered as the system he usually outsmarts seems to be turning against him. By the time we meet Mickey again in Season 4, he’s been through a lot. He’s sporting a beard and hiding beneath a prison cot with nothing but a stack of case files. It’s quite a change from the life he once led, where his biggest worry was a tricky case instead of survival behind bars.
Meanwhile, Lorna Crane (Becky Newton) is keeping things afloat at Haller & Associates. Taking over the caseload from her ex-husband, she’s trying to convince potential clients that Mickey’s predicament shouldn’t deter them. Alongside investigator Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski (Angus Sampson) and office manager Izzy Letts (Jaz Raycole), she spends a good bit of time strategizing. They create a whiteboard labeled “Who Hates Mickey?” that includes disgruntled former clients who all have solid alibis on the night of Sam’s murder. Another list focuses on Sam himself. Could he have orchestrated a plot to frame Mickey? It’s frustratingly unclear.
As if dealing with this wasn’t enough, courtroom battles loom. Lorna and Cisco scramble to bring Mickey a suit and other essentials, only for Judge Lionel Stone (Scott Lawrence) to remark on Mickey’s disheveled appearance. The courtroom showdown introduces Dana Berg (Constance Zimmer), nicknamed “Death Row Dana,” who is a formidable opponent. Lorna is further disheartened when she crosses paths with Maggie McPherson (Neve Campbell), Mickey’s other ex-wife and a district attorney. Her less-than-flattering impressions of Lorna only add to the tension, especially as they’re stuck dealing with the implications of Mickey’s arrest.
With bail set at a staggering $5 million, Mickey is resolute. He refuses to deplete his daughter Haley’s (Krista Warner) college fund for his freedom. His confidence seems unwavering, a hallmark of who he used to be as he navigated tricky legal waters. But he’s not the same man anymore. Now, he finds himself confronting a relentless prosecutor while feeling increasingly isolated. A ballistics report indicates that the bullet that killed Sam ended up embedded in the floor of Mickey’s garage, tightening the noose around him.
Though Mickey reassures Haley that he’s got things under control, the reality is stark. Back in his cell, as darkness envelops him and the sounds of prison become a haunting chorus, his bravado crumbles. There, alone with his thoughts, he whispers to himself, “I’m the man with the ax…”
Summary of Season 2, Episode 1 of Lincoln Lawyer (“7211956”)
- Izzy is enrolled in a paralegal course and begins to bond with her classmate Grace (Gigi Zumbado). Despite trying to explain her chaotic life, Grace insists on meeting up at a local spot with vintage arcade games.
- Angelica Maria returns, portraying a lighter role as Elena, Mickey’s mother. During a phone call, she exclaims that Mickey is “missing out on life,” suggesting he could find a daughter or a future wife. Mickey’s not exactly in a position to choose his circumstances.
- Great location shots! The meeting between Lorna and Maggie takes place in the stunning atrium of the Bradbury Building in downtown Los Angeles, adding a touch of elegance to their serious discussion.
