Reasonable Doubt: Season 3 Episode 3 – Recap and Review

As Ozzie’s troubled past gets developed further, Jax tries to navigate potentially forgiving her father, despite the consistent letdowns.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on
Jax checking the room - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Episode 3 “Run This Town” Details

Episode 3 “Run This Town” Storylines/ Recap

A Daughter On The Wrong Path: Naima, Jax, Lewis

Naima gets caught stealing, and luckily for her, Jax is called about it, and things don’t escalate as they could have. But, while Naima is getting in trouble, Jax’s mind is more on her dad, so Lewis ends up taking up the parenting tasks. In some ways, he kind of regrets it, for he learns that what led Naima to a new group of friends is Hattie, Toni’s daughter, noting how they were practically sisters through Jaden.

Mind you, Naima doesn’t know about Jaden, so Lewis lies about the truth, which could potentially blow up in his face, and maybe Jax’s too.

A Little Sympathy: Eddie, Mama Lu, Ozzie, Kristin, Daniel, Jax, Autumn, Lewis, Alex

Mama Lu, Eddie, Lewis and Jax havign dinner, with Mama Lu pushing Jax to reconcile with her dad - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3
Mama Lu, Eddie, Lewis and Jax – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3 – Hulu

Eddie, Jax’s dad, says he is clean and has been for 5 years, and to Jax’s shock, her mother is trying to broker a reconciliation between the two. But, with 8 years since he was last seen and him ghosting her when they were last meant to meet up, she is hesitant. Willing, to a point, but hesitant, with Lewis in step with her on these feelings.

But the sympathy her dad is asking ends up being what Ozzie needs and more. On top of learning that Ozzie is an addict, Daniel learns Kristin, his sister, has been his supplier to try to keep him from talking to the wrong people to get what he needs/wants. Granted, it didn’t stop Ozzie from calling his dealer Alex, who is Ozzie’s only potential alibi regarding Wendy’s murder, but with Alex having no desire to come out of the shadows for Ozzie, he is still dealing with the assumption of being Wendy’s killer – hence him doing drugs and almost overdosing.

With this in mind, Jax has Autumn be Ozzie’s therapist and he lets her reveal to Jax that he was not only sexually active at 13, with women over 30, but was basically put on the Judy Garland diet of uppers and downers to control his sleep. It all pushes the idea that while charming, Ozzie is troubled but whether or not this will aide Jax or damn Ozzie in the long run is hard to say. All that is made clear is that, with a recent overdose, thirst traps posted online, and other antics, this client is going to make Jax and her team work for that retainer money.

Uncertain Allies: Bill, Vince, Stephen, Jax, Kathy, Kendra

Bill, despite the picture he painted for Jax, Stephen and Vince, doesn’t have it all together. Kendra is seemingly divorcing him, if it hasn’t happened already, and she is keeping him from seeing the kids. It isn’t clear why, but it is clear he hasn’t accepted the state of their relationship and doesn’t take well her unwillingness to talk, to the point of him stalking her.

That isn’t the major issue, though. Kathy, a subordinate of Jax, decides to flip out during a meeting and gets fired for talking out of turn. Also, Bill goes from existing in the gray when it comes to Jax to being requested to be a spy for Stephen and Vince. Now, whether he commits to this or sees Jax as needing an ally and being willing to play ball with Vince and Stephen until he has the power he needs? That’s hard to say.

The only thing we know for sure is Jax is going to need her friends for all that is coming to her doorstep.

Review and Commentary

Highlights

The Layers To Ozzie [85/100]

Balancing out Ozzie’s charm with showing the potential of a dark side, that isn’t violent just troubled, is making it so Kyle Bary, who plays Ozzie, is getting the type of opportunity that could do a lot for his career.

This isn’t to downplay his work on Our King of People or Ginny & Georgia, but what the writers are giving Ozzie is allowing Bary to show range. It is giving him more than what some series regulars have been given since season 1 and truly, this feels like a breakout role. One that isn’t just playing on him being the standard of handsome actors often have to be, but showing that might be the hook but he can offer so much more.

How Jax’s Friends Are Being Used [82/100]

While Jax’s friends have been dialed back drastically, it is understandable to a point. Shanelle went through a lot last season, as did Sally with her husband, and Autumn? Well, let’s be real, most of what she went through, story wise, was off-screen. But, it does seem like there could be a shift, and after Shanelle and Sally getting most of the focus, now Autumn is, and I support that.

Beyond her being a queer character, she is also one of the few who can be an asset to Jax. As shown with being Ozzie’s therapist, she isn’t just a friend to vent to like Shanelle, but someone who can actually help the case move forward and be one of the few people, outside of Jax’s staff, that can be relied on.

Now, could she also become a liability if put on the stand? Yes. But, better for that to be how she adds to the drama than the alternatives.

Bill’s Uneasy Position [83/100]

Kendra and Bill going back and forth - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3
Kendra – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3 – Hulu

I don’t want to damn Bill for his ambitions, but it can’t be excused how much he is trying to put up a façade and trick everyone into this idea that he is the perfect person for them. For Vince and Stephen, he is a White man, a veteran, who works hard, won’t give them much lip, and can keep an eye on Jax, so he seems perfect.

For Jax, he could be a rare ally at work who has a say or some form of power, and with him being married to a Black woman, there is an assumption of understanding. The idea that his wife likely trained or socialized him to be someone who understands what women like her go through, so he can be the friend that Jax currently lacks at work.

However, whether he tries to make everyone happy or is planning to backstab one for another is hard to say right now – but that’s what keeps things interesting.

Daniel and Krystal’s Relationship [81/100]

While not mentioned in the recap, I think it deserves a mention that Daniel and Krystal, while they have this odd dynamic that feels like they operate in a workplace comedy, are one of the show’s most intriguing pairs. Now, would I say either gets enough screentime to make their individual storylines matter much? Not really.

Krystal going to school is mentioned here and there, but not in a way that is more than a passing thing. The same goes for Daniel’s personal life, as he mentions dating, or rather wanting to date someone. It should be noted that he and Ozzie’s sister, Kristin, do get flirty, but it seems Daniel is focused on a woman in his building, which he mentions to Krystal.

How that is handled leads to a sweet, but sort of sibling exchange, which reminds you of how much Reasonable Doubt stands out since, while it easily could be seen as a Scandal/Being Mary Jane/How To Get Away With Murder hybrid, it has created its own unique brand. The type that I imagine I’ll compare future shows to.

On The Fence

Lewis’ Work Plot Went Away [77/100]

I’m hoping Lewis’ life outside of Jax isn’t going away because of the Naima and Eddie thing. Him trying to make a friend out of his new hire, never mind seeing the drama or people in his workplace, was of interest. It presented something different and made it appear Lewis was going to evolve beyond being Jax’s husband a bit more and show he exists outside her orbit consistently, rather than randomly like if his brother shows up.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [82/100]

While Lewis is still struggling to establish himself as an individual, across the board for all other aspects, Reasonable Doubt shows why it is the Onyx Collective’s first 3-season show that will likely continue to be its crown jewel.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been reviewing media since 2010. He approaches each production with hope, rooting for every story to succeed, and believes criticism should come from unmet potential, while praise is reserved for work that meets or exceeds expectations.