Reasonable Doubt: Season 2 Episode 5 – Review & Recap
Despite Shanelle’s trial finally beginning, only one moment of it is worth taking note of as Lewis’ deals with what was revealed in the last episode.
Storyline Recap
That’s A Theory You Better Not Pursue – Jax, Krystal, Shanelle, Corey
Jax’s theory that Shanelle is protecting Adrian and that he is the one who really killed JT isn’t entertained by those who would need to support that case. Krystal may enjoy it, as she shows the enthusiasm of someone who enjoys a good murder podcast, but as for Shanelle and Corey? They both tell her to drop it and focus on what is, not alternative facts or theories.
What’s Happening At Home – Jax, Spenser, Lewis, Toni
As the trial begins to ramp up, thankfully for Jax, her home life is pretty stable. Yes, Lewis is worried that he got Toni pregnant, but after having her government name in a now-viral interview, she wants to lay low and doesn’t want anything from any man. She chose to keep the baby and is okay with raising it alone.
Lewis, being who he is, isn’t able to just let it go and wipe his brow, for if that is his kid, he wants to be responsible for it. However, with things being good with Jax and her praising his honesty, Toni’s situation weighs heavy on him.
But while there is notable drama there, thankfully, things with Spenser have calmed down. While speaking to Spenser before Jax about Spenser going to an art school ruffles feathers, everyone gets on board, and Spenser gets in!
The Trial Begins – Shanelle, Mavis, Jax, Lucy, Corey
While the interview was a hit and got people on Shanelle’s side more, this doesn’t mean the case will be easy by any means. Sadly, jury selection is skipped, and we get straight to the trial. We watch as the lead detective and forensic pathologist are cross-examined, with nothing notable said. However, when Mavis, JT’s mother, gets on the stand? Oh, things get dramatic.
Lucy helps the woman paint a rosy picture of how bad Shanelle is and how good of a person JT was, partly due to his mother. She even has the audacity to say JT never harmed Shanelle, which gets a rise out of her. This leads Jax and Corey to need to ask for a recess.
This is when the fun part happens: Shanelle reveals that Mavis was abusive towards JT. When this is brought up, you can see Mavis fuming, but Shanelle smiles, for she got her lick back.
Power Dyamics – Evan, Adrian, Daniel, Jax
Evan and Adrian’s dynamic continues to be very push and pull as Evan asserts himself as someone who isn’t talking to a client but someone who owes him, should respect him, and even fear him. Especially since the 30 million that apparently JT owed, Adrian has been tasked with getting it and has failed. Then, to make matters worse, Daniel sniffs around, Jax visits the office, and with all that happening, Evan expects Adrian to handle the situation.
Naturally, Adrian doesn’t want to but has no choice, so Adrian lures Jax to Shanelle’s home, and Jax, realizing the situation is a bit suspect, has Daniel wait outside just in case. Which, considering Adrian has a gun hidden behind his back, was probably a good idea.
Review
Highlights
Lewis’ Conundrum
With Lewis and Jax’s progress in their relationship, the complication of Toni being pregnant strangely doesn’t fit the usual drama we often see on shows like this. Part of the reason is that Toni isn’t trying to blow up Lewis’ spot. She didn’t fall in love, didn’t expect to become his new wife, she just got what Jax didn’t want for a little bit and seemingly was thankful.
So her being pregnant, him potentially being the father, and how him likely stepping up would affect his progress with Jax is something of interest. Add in how his children could react? While it could take away from Jax’s cases, to be frank, that may not be the show’s strong suit so that’s fine.
On The Fence
The Adrian Drama
Because JT has been dead this whole season, and the only thing that can be remembered from the first season is the abuse, I feel like the Adrian drama doesn’t have the weight it needs. Evan’s soap opera-style acting comes off as corny, and Adrian doesn’t give what I need him to.
You don’t get a sense of Adrian being someone who was in a complicated situation, is conniving, or any of that. Even when he stands up to Evan, something about it feels funny. So I hope with him having a gun and eyes on Jax, they can better his standing.
The Trial
So, they skip over jury selection, which could have been fun, especially after Shanelle’s prime time interview. The detective who is lead on Shanelle’s case we met once, and is generic so he doesn’t add much to this. Mavis is of interest, but like Adrian, she was just thrown into the show, so while she is deliciously wicked, she is a short-lived highlight.
Is this going to be what we’re stuck with for the rest of the season? The main storyline feeling a bit lackluster, even if it originally seemed like it would lead this show to having a top-level sophomore season?
I understand I don’t really watch and review with much of a grading curve, but I feel like all the expected benefits of a show like “Reasonable Doubt” spending an entire season on one case aren’t coming to fruition. This is a huge surprise since Shanelle isn’t some random client but part of Jax’s friend group, so you’d think they would be going all out since it isn’t like Shanelle is just going to disappear or be some seldom mentioned name in the future.
The Gist
The TLDR Recap/ Review
- With Jax’s gut leading her to believe there is more to the story, she confronts Shanelle about the potential of her lying, and she doesn’t take kindly to that at all.
- But she isn’t alone in not being happy with Jax. The more Jax pushes her theory, the more she undermines Corey and the more she has Daniel look into Evan, the more people start looking at her sideways.
- Now, with the trial officially going, Jax and Corey make peace, for Shanelle needs them to win, and they’d like to put culture over petty differences.
- However, with Evan feeling like he is being drawn into this nonsense and Adrien trying to change the power dynamics, those two repeatedly threaten mutually assured destruction.
- Thankfully for Jax, though, while Adrien is dangerous, at least the situation between Toni and Lewis isn’t about to blow up yet. The biggest issue is Lewis approaching Spenser about an art school without talking to her first.
- The start of the trial isn’t that interesting, and a part of me is disappointed. From skipping jury selection to rushing the one interesting cross-examination of Mavis, it has been lackluster so far.
- Beyond that, the Evan and Adrian thing is kind of lame, and even with Adrian tasked with threatening or harming Jax, because of the tone of this show, I’m not worried.
- Which, in many ways, might be the problem. Jax has so much she is up against, but you don’t get the sense that she is in trouble professionally or personally. I’d even say that with Lewis’ situation with Toni, you don’t get a sense that he messed up badly.
General Information
Where To Buy, Rent or Subscribe To Watch This:
- Previous Episode: Season 2/ Episode 4
- Series Page
| Episode Title | Guilty Until Proven Innocent |
| Release Date (Hulu) | September 12, 2024 |
| Director(s) | Mo Marable |
| Writer(s) | Loy A. Webb |
| Noted Character | Name of Actor |
| Jax | Emayatzy Corinealdi |
| Krystal | Angela Grovey |
| Shanelle | Shannon Kane |
| Corey | Morris Chestnut |
| Spenser | Thaddeus J. Mixson |
| Lewis | McKinley Freeman |
| Toni | Tristan Cunningham |
| Evan | Nathan Anderson |
| Adrian | Vaughn W. Hebron |
| Daniel | Tim Jo |
| Mavis | Donna Biscoe |
