He Rides Again – The show begins with Jerry Vincent walking to his car in a parking garage. He stops several times to take a look at his surroundings. A ticking noise can be heard in the background. He yells, “Hello” before getting in his car. Thinking he sees someone in his rearview mirror, he looks in the backseat. When he turns back around, an unknown suspect shoots him twice through the driver’s side window.

Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) sits quietly staring out at the ocean. He has a flashback of being swallowed up by a high tide. A phone ringing brings him back to reality. Lorna Taylor (Becki Newton) calls to check on him. He reminds her that they are no longer married. She assures him it is vital for their practice that she be able to access him. She informs him of an emergency meeting request from Judge Mary Holder (LisaGay Hamilton). She asks if he is having a fling with the judge. He denies the allegations. She suggests it might be his opportunity to get a pro bono case.

Mikey gets dressed for his meeting with Judge Holder. He opts to drive an older model, Lincoln. While driving down the road, Mikey receives a call from Maggie McPherson (Neve Campbell). She reminds him that it is his night to take care of Haley Haller (Krista Warner). He asks who is lucky enough to go out with her. Before she hangs up, he asks her to fill him on what she knows about Judge Holden. She says the judge has a bug up her backside.

After Mikey is processed through security, he encounters Lorna. He accuses her of checking upon him. Optimistic, she says this meeting could be a positive thing for him because Judge Holder is responsible for assigning cases. He walks away without saying responding.

Mikey looks around the courtroom. Judge Holder emerges from her chamber to greet Mikey. She asks how he got the nickname, Lincoln Lawyer. He contributes it to working out of his vehicle while traveling from one court to another. She asks about his connection with Jerry Vincent. He says they faced off when he prosecuted cases. She informs him that someone killed Jerry last night. He is stunned by the awful revelation. She assures him that Jerry’s murder is not the purpose of their meeting. He denies having a close relationship with Jerry. She tells him that he has just inherited Jerry’s law practice.

She says a motion was filed by Jerry to transfer his practice to him. Mikey denies having a conversation with Jerry about his practice. She tells him that when he inherited Jerry’s practice, he inherited the Trevor Elliott (Christopher Gorham) trial. He says Trevor has been accused of murdering his wife and her boyfriend. She reminds him that his new clients can change attorneys if they so choose to. She must decide if he is competent enough to handle the caseload. He fills her in about his surfing accident that resulted in several operations and painkiller addiction. He assures her that he is now clean after getting help.

When he mentions his reputation, she tells him that it is her reputation on the line. She questions why Jerry chose him to take over his practice. He claims to be the best criminal defense lawyer in the city when he is right. Judge Holder signs an order for him to take over Jerry’s cases how.

Lorna is waiting on Mikey when he emerges from the judge’s chambers. He informs her of his new cases, including Trevor. Smiling, he says this move may mean he is back. She suggests he keep thinking positively.

Officer Benz (Marion Correa) refuses to give Lorna and Mikey access to Jerry’s office until he shows him the judge’s order. Detective Raymond Griggs (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) informs them that they will need to return when the crime scene is cleared. Mikey reminds him that a parking garage is the crime scene, not Jerry’s practice. Handing him Judge Holder’s order, Mikey informs him that Jerry’s cases have been transferred to him. He accuses him of unlawfully looking through his client files.

Raymond points out that the files may contain pertinent information for Jerry’s murder case. Raymond adds Mikey to the suspect list. He demands to know where he was when Jerry was killed. Mikey sarcastically admits to being the killer. Tossing the judge’s order to the floor, Raymond orders his team to back it up. Loran is elated.

Mikey asks Loran’s opinion of him hiring Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski (Angus Sampson). She suggests hiring the boyfriend of his ex-wife is going too far. He assures her that Cisco is a great investigator. Mikey receives a call from Judge Canter’s office to alert him of Jerry’s trial scheduled for today.

Mikey enters the courtroom. He approaches DDA Sarah Shepard (Meera Rohib Kumbhani) to inform her that he is taking over for Jerry. He tells her the client is Izzy Letts (Jazz Raycole). She says it is a grand theft case. When he asks for a continuance, she instantly denies his request. Mikey finds her denial comical. He approaches the bench to update the judge on Jerry’s death. The judge asks how much time he would need to prepare for the trial. Susan warns him that her witnesses who reside out of town may refuse to testify if a continuance is granted.

The judge suggests he be ready tomorrow. A man in attendance voices his frustration with the delay. The judge explains that the delay is related to an emergency. The man points out that the defendant jerked his wife’s necklace off. Mikey looks at the woman’s necklace in evidence.

Mikey speaks with Izzy about her case. Izzy admits to stealing the victim’s necklace, not attacking her. He questions why Jerry didn’t plead her case. She angrily says the victims were asking for two years, which Jerry saw as being excessive. She tells him that Jerry figured her odds may be better with a trial. Mikey tells her that he was addicted to oxy. She admits to being addicted to oxy but later transitions to heroin.

Mikey contacts Lorna to alert her of Izzy’s trial scheduled for tomorrow. He asks her to contact Marvin Beedleman (Bernie Kopell) to recuperate a favor. Lorna fills him in on Trevor’s case. She says Jerry nearly exhausted a $625k retainer but is expected to get an additional non-refundable $450K retainer at trial. He questions if he is still Trevor’s lawyer. She assures him it is okay to not fret.

Mikey arrives to meet Trevor who refuses to stop shooting hoops. They discuss his murder trial that is scheduled to start next week. Trevor sarcastically asks if they will charge him with Jerry’s murder as well. He provides Mikey with a lesson on how to shoot free throws. He goes on a rant about what it is like being charged with a murder he didn’t commit. Mikey assures him that Jerry was good, but he is better. Trevor refuses to have his trial delayed for a day. Mikey promises if he retains him, there will be no delays. Before he leaves, Trevor tells him that the murder charge cost him everything.

Mikey tells Lorna about Trevor’s trial for next week. She assures him that it is impossible to prepare that soon. He tells her that he wants a driver to free up his hands for reviewing files while on the road. When Jerry pulls into the parking garage, he sees the police tape from Jerry’s crime scene. Focused on the scene, Cisco quietly sneaks up behind him. He is startled when he turns around to find him standing there. They discuss Trevor’s case. When Cisco says Maggie, Mikey remembers he forgets to pick up his daughter.

Hayley assures Maggie that she will be okay to wait on Mikey alone. She discourages her from scolding him for being late because it would ruin her night. Maggie tells him that if he ever expects to get joint custody of Hayley, he will need to be there.

Cisco tells Lorna that he believes Jerry knew something was up. She suggests they focus on Trevor’s trial, not Jerry. He reaches over to hold her hand. When she hesitates, he questions if Mikey knows about their relationship.

Hayley and Mikey discuss his recurring nightmare. He tells her that his dream is related to his fears of leaving her behind. She reminds him that what happened to him was an accident. They continue to discuss his addiction, divorce, and failed law practice. Mikey gets a visit from Raymond to discuss Jerry’s murder investigation. When Raymond offers him Jerry’s file, he refuses to look at it. He eventually convinces him to change his mind. He says Jerry was targeted because the suspect took his laptop. Mikey refuses to give him access to Jerry’s files. Raymond warns him that he could be the next target. Mikey turns to look at his daughter.

Mikey speaks with Cisco about Jerry. Cisco questions if Jerry was hooked up with the cartel. Mikey says he doesn’t think so. Cisco suggests the killer could have been someone Jerry got locked up. Mikey tells him to search through the files to see what he can come up with.

Mikey enters the courtroom, where he is greeted by Marvin. He asks the judge if they can approach the bench. He asks if Robert Holt (Turhan Troy Caylak) can be called to the sidebar. Susan demands to know what he is up to. The judge requests Robert to approach the bench. Mikey points out that the victim’s necklace is valued at about $400 while his client’s charge is grand theft, which means the stolen item is valued more than $950. He suggests bringing an expert, Marvin, up to assess the necklace. He assures Holt that he probably doesn’t want his wife to discover he bought her a replica. Susan says the suspect was positive it was genuine.

The judge asks Susan if she sought an appraisal for the necklace. She claims to have the insurer’s appraisal. Mikey warns her of the possibility of insurance fraud. Outside the courtroom, Izzy asks Mikey if she is really free to walk away. When she promises to pay the litigation fees, he orders her to pay up now.

Izzy is behind the wheel while Mikey is talking to Lorna on the phone. Lorna suggests he work at his office, not on the road. He assures her that it will not happen. Maggie speaks with Lorna about Mikey. She questions if it is safe for Mikey to take over cases belonging to a murdered attorney. Izzy suggests the law practice might help Mikey get back on his feet.

Izzy drops Mikey off at a mansion, which was the murder scene of a young married couple. Cisco says the prosecution believes Trevor watches the couple have sex from behind the door. Mikey questions what happened to the murder weapon. He suggests the gun is at the bottom of the ocean. Before he leaves, Cisco takes personal about his and Lorna’s relationship. He informs him that they are planning to get married. Mikey says, “Ah” before walking away. Cisco asks him to explain what he means by “ah.” Mikey assures him that he is okay with it as long as he truly loves Lorna. He receives a call from Trevor to request a meeting.

Mikey arrives to speak with Trevor who admits to knowing his story. He assures him that he no longer has a drug addiction. Trevor asks if he can win his case and restore his reputation. He guarantees him a not guilty verdict, nothing more. Trevor denies killing anyone. Mikey warns him that he can only win a case if he knows the specifics. Trevor describes himself as an uncool high schooler. Zelda was always willing to talk to him, not the other girls. He eventually met Lara Elliot (Katy Erin) who truly loved him. The video game industry was imploding after grad school. He goes on a rant about the “uncanny valley.” While working out of his garage, he successfully crossed the uncanny valley.

Mikey asks him about the female video game character. He admits she is Laura’s replica. Lara was having an affair without his knowledge. He claims to have discovered Laura lying dead on the bed. He describes Lara as his “best friend.” He tells him that he would’ve pleaded with Lara to come back home. He contributes his success to Lara. With Lara gone, his magic is gone. He asks Mikey if that is enough information to work his case. Mikey assures him that he can win his case with the information. Trevor retains Mikey.

Mikey contacts Lorna to alert her of Trevor’s retainer. Lorna is thrilled by the news. When Mikey gets in the vehicle, Izzy asks if he is doing okay. She points out that he looks like he is on the verge of crying. He orders her to keep an eye on the road as he wipes his eyes. She warns him that someone is following them as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Lincoln Lawyer Reviews

This is a product of lazy writing. The writers must have invested minimal resources into writing this cringeworthy, unfunny script. The female leads try desperately to be funny, which is impossible when working with such a lackluster script.

They need to put the brakes on the dialogue. Everything coming out of their mouths is a bunch of garble. On one hand, you have beautiful, peppy Maggie and Lauren, on the other, you have dull, boring Mikey. The lead character is miscast, with his thick Mexican accent. It isn’t even remotely possible for Garcia-Fulfo to fill Matthew McConaughey’s shoes.

Some actors sound hoarse probably from a repetition of reading their lines (being sarcastic).

The special effects, such as the tidal wave are laughable. In the book, Mickey has a near-death experience related to a shooting, not drowning. While I am under the impression, they were prohibited from utilizing the original content, surely, they could’ve come up with a better near-death scenario.

Some scenes are uncompelling. What attorney would agree to have a criminal client drive him around while he discusses the specifics of his cases?

Reputable attorneys would never discuss their drug dependency with their clients. Mikey and Izzy had a long conversation, swapping stories about their preferred drug of choice, oxy.

Mikey’s conversation with his daughter was inappropriate. They should have been discussing her, not his personal and professional issues.

Once the actors became comfortable with what they were doing, things began to settle down. If the show continues in this direction, there is still hope for a positive outcome.

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Lincoln Lawyer recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link.