The show begins with young girls frolicking on the beach.

Kate Lawson (Kate Mulvany) sits alone in her prison cell.

Georgina Merrick (Brooke Satchwell) rushes to her car.

Kate is escorted by a prison guard through a hallway.

Georgina listens to a news segment about Kate’s murder trial while driving down the road.

Diane Spears (Jenni Baird) cuts white roses from her garden. She places pastries in a paper box before attaching the white roses.

Kate is placed in a police paddy wagon. She is escorted through a hallway and into a room.

Georgina drives past a news crew and bystanders.

A news reporter asks Nathan Spears (Matthew Nable) about the murder trial. Nathan tells the reporter that he thinks his daughter, Claire Spears (Coco Jack Gillies) will be viewed as an “innocent teenager.”

Diane takes two tablets.

Georgina changes her clothes and puts on her makeup in the parking lot. She goes through security upon entering the courthouse. She turns around just as Jarrod enters through the door. An officer informs him that his t-shirt is not permitted in the courtroom. He hurriedly turns it inside out before being permitted entrance.

As Brett Colby SC (Sam Neill) emerges from his vehicle, he is greeted by Ezekiel Aku (Mandela Mathia). Brett enters the courthouse, followed by Ezekiel who is carrying Diane’s pastry package, with white roses. They enter the room, where Kate is waiting. Ezekiel tells her the pastry package is from her sister. Ezekiel gives Kate her makeup. Brett suggests a softer shade of lipstick. Ignoring his suggestion, she continues to apply her own lipstick. He gives her beta-blockers and suggests it will help. She claims the psychiatrist at the prison administered medicine earlier. After asking if she ingested the medicine, he informs her of a report that suggested “self-harm.”  She complains about prison officials making her share a cell with “child murderers.”

He admits the pills are his son’s who suffers from stage fright. She refuses to take the medicine. He stresses the importance of how she will appear to the jury. She tells him that this is who she is. He suggests not going over with the emotion. She sarcastically says, “Boo.”

Judge Muir (James Lugton) asks Kate how she pleads. She says, “Not guilty.” The jury selection process begins. When Jarrod’s number is called, Prosecutor Lucy Bloom SC (Marta Dusseldorp) challenges him. The judge reminds her that she has utilized all her challenges. She points out Jarrod’s t-shirt. He claims to have forgotten but turned it inside out. The judge questions his willingness to respect the court throughout the trial. He assures him that he will. The judge orders him to join the other jurors.

The jurors enter the jury room for the first time. They ask each other a series of questions. Vanessa Young (Catherine Van-Davies) identifies herself first, followed by Simon Cavanaugh (Nicholas Cassim), Margaret Brown (Gennie Nevinson), Peter Broadsky (Daniel Mitchell), Corrie D’Souza (Pallavi Sharda), Garry Thorne (Brendan Cowell), Alexi Menelaus (Damien Strouthos), Farrad Jassim (Hazem Shammas), Jarrod Saunders (Ngali Shaw), Lily Powell (Bishanyia Vincent), Mai (Gabrielle Chan), and Georgina. Juror number 8 (Toby Blome) decides to stay anonymous. Garry makes a joke about being in a 12-step program. Corrie goes over the rules. Simon asks for jury foreman volunteers. Corrie is chosen to be the jury foreman.

Kate is escorted back to her cell. She has a flashback of Claire’s vigil.

Georgina, Marcus Merrick (Alastair Bradman), Oscar Merrick (Gilbert Bradman), and Alice Merrick (Victoria Bradman) return home. Jamie Meyrick (Hamish Michael) asks Georgina how the jury duty went. She tells him that she was dismissed.

Corrie is having sex when she pleads with her partner to stop. She complains about hating the house.

Alexi receives a call about his children going camping. The woman promises to do the exchange tomorrow. He enters the office to discover his brother (Ben Mingay) sitting in front of a laptop, surrounded by beer bottles. His brother isn’t happy when he discovers Alexi was chosen as a juror. Alexi asks his brother if someone knows he is getting drunk. He decides to give him a ride home.

Corrie streams the news on her laptop. The segment is regarding the missing 14-year-old Claire.

Diane watches a video of Claire explaining how her mother is still sleeping at 5pm. Tears come to Diane’s eyes as Claire refers to her behavior as “pathetic.”

Jenny (Amy Kersey) describes how it is a terrible feeling to believe Claire is still out there. She comforts Nathan when he breaks down weeping.

Jarrod informs an educator that he was picked for jury duty. She suggests he attend her night class two nights weekly to be considered a part-time student. He asks what will happen if it isn’t possible for him to attend the classes. She reminds him of his being awarded the Stewart Scholarship. He assures her that he is motivated. She warns him of her low tolerance level due to being let down in the past.

Georgina speaks to someone on the phone about arranging a school pickup for her children.

Vanessa suggests to another girl that they go to the beach instead of jury duty. The girl jokingly orders her out of her vehicle. She asks about the consequences if she doesn’t show up. The girl warns her of them finding her before kissing her on the lips.

Georgina tells someone on the phone what to do with her children after they are dropped off. Vanessa stops to speak with Georgina as they wait for court to start.

The prosecutor’s assistant informs Diane that she isn’t due to be called to the stand today. Diane says she feels the need to be there.

Kate is asked to stand while the jurors take their places. Bloom’s assistant gives her a manila folder, with a sticky note that reads “gum.” Bloom spits her gum into a paper before closing the folder.

The opening statements begin with Bloom. She informs the jurors that “vibrant,” “beautiful” Claire was strangled with the tie from her school uniform. She alleges that Claire was seduced to participate in sensual roleplay. Kate’s artwork portrayed the grooming of a child by an adult. Bloom assures the jury that the prosecution will provide evidence of Kate’s body was disposed of in Sydney Harbour at the hands of Kate. Nathan remains in the hallway. Judge Muir dismisses the jury.

The jurors discuss why they are dismissed when the judge speaks with the Crown and defense counsel. Jarrod tells the other jurors that he believes Kate lived a privileged life. Margaret describes the trial process as “intriguing.” Simon complains about the constant going back and from guilty to not guilty. She admits to having an idea but won’t share it with the others.

Colby and Bloom clear up a few details before the jury is brought back into the courtroom. The bailiff informs the jury of the judge’s decision to resume court after lunch.

Colby explains to Kate that her artwork is now evidence. With both hands in her, Kate screams in frustration. Frantic, she accuses the jurors of hating her. Ezekiel assures her that the jury doesn’t hate her.

The jurors have lunch. Garry tells Corry that he probably saw her at the horse races. She says probably before walking away. Lily tells others it just doesn’t make sense that Kate would murder her niece. Simon points out that the prosecution is acting like it was a “hotbed of lesbian sex.

Nathan is walking along the water when he sees Diane. He starts to turn around when Sonya encourages him to continue. Diane warns him that her testimony will include information about them. She reminds him about failing to pay child support. He accuses her of never listening to what others have to say. She tells him to blame her for everything. He refers to her as “damaged.”

Colby speaks to the jury about loving a “good story.” He accuses the prosecution and the police of devising a baseless story. He describes the prosecution’s case as weak without a body. He assures the jury that Kate is a “loving aunt.” He discredits the prosecution’s “angelic” portrayal of Claire. He says she was a “troubled” teen. Kate stares at a man (Shane Connor) as he takes a seat. Picking up on Kate’s strange behavior, Bloom turns around to look at the man.

Spencer reminds Corrie the jurors are discouraged from showing emotion. She asks him to point it out in the jury instructions. When suggests she needs to be an example for the other jurors, she thanks him for “mansplaining” it. Alexi realizes she leaves her keys on the table. He rushes over to catch up with her. She informs him that she is utilizing public transportation. He finds a parking ticket on his vehicle. They discuss their jobs and depart ways.

Sonia refuses to unlock the door for Nathan. After a brief discussion, she relents. She asks him about Diane’s claims of him failing to pay child support. He assures her that he paid Claire’s child support in single payments.

Jarrod meets up with another student at school. He informs the student of what the instructor said about being let down by students like him. The student suggests he file a complaint against the instructor because her comment was “racist.” When he walks into the classroom, the instructor says she didn’t think he was showing up. The other students laugh at her comment.

Georgina speaks to a lady who picked up her children at school. The woman asks why Jamie doesn’t pick the kids up. She only responds with a smile.

Alexi pushes his children on a swing when their mother arrives. He watches as his ex-wife and her new partner interact with the girls.

Corrie receives a visit from Michael, a real estate agent.

Garry talks to someone on the phone. He promises to have the money by next week. He warns the individual if his legs are broken, he will be useless to him. The driver of a semi, bearing the logo “D’Souza Freight First in Freight,” blows his horn while passing by. Garry removes his sunglasses to get a better look.

Corrie gives Michael a tour of the home.

Garry looks at a Daily Times article “D’Souza Freight Millionaire Killed in Bungled Robbery” on his phone.

Alexi prepares a meal while video chatting. A woman who appears to be his wife explains how to prepare the meal.

Peter is ironing clothes while watching a news segment about Kate’s murder case.

Jamie asks Georgina if she has another man because she returned home late. They make out until one of the kids yells for her. After she leaves, he flips on the TV to a news segment of Nathan talking about his daughter. He sees Georgina enter the courthouse behind a reporter. He asks if she was picked to be a jury.  She admits to being an extra. He accuses her of lying to him. She assures him that she was going to speak to him about it. He locks her in the bathroom.

Kate breaks down in her cell. She has a flashback of being in a darkroom. Back to the present, she frantically retries to remove her red lipstick. In the flashback, she burns her photos. A photo of Claire burns as the episode comes to an end.

 

 

The Twelve Review

There is a lot to like and dislike about the show. First of all, the slow pace is unbearable at times. The large cast, with big-name actors, make it seem as if budgeting wasn’t an issue. So, why the slow pace?

The belly shirt was inappropriate for a courtroom drama.

It is obvious what direction the show will take. The “mansplaining” and “racist” allegations explain it all. I believe most viewers catch the drift.

I view Matt Nable as a standout actor. It is unfortunate that the role of Nathan Spears will limit his ability to display his excellent acting skills. The large cast limits airtime for about 95 percent of the cast. While I understand the need for 12 jurors, the other characters should’ve been slimmed down.

I’m also a fan of Sam Neill. Unlike Nable, Neill will get sufficient airtime as the barrister of Kate Lawson. It is unclear if Kate is truly the killer. Regardless, the character is unlikeable.

Each juror has personal issues that are gradually surfacing. The show makes some interesting and not-so-interesting points. I fear the social issues will overshadow the court case. I enjoyed the peek into the jurors’ lives, but it may be a bit too much.

Character development is slowly progress. The acting is decent for the most part.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more The Twelve recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking on the link to learn more.