Reasonable Doubt: Season 3 – Review and Summary

While some issues remain from season to season, season 3 of Reasonable Doubt pushes some characters to succeed, and others to fail to the point of being phased out.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted on

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Season 3’s Main Storylines/ Summary

Case Of The Season

Ozzie smiling in the mirror - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 2
Ozzie – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 2 – Hulu

Each season, Reasonable Doubt features just one case for Jax to dive deep into, and in season 3, it is the murder trial of Ozzie Davis, accused of killing his girlfriend Wendy. This case hits much harder than the ones before, for on top of Ozzie being Black and a male, which has a special place in Jax’s heart, he shares her history of abuse. Add in his family, employees, and associates are a hot mess, and throughout the case, Jax may not end up triggered, but she does vicariously heal through pushing Ozzie and fighting for him in situations where he is clearly vulnerable.

But, alongside fighting for Ozzie, she finds herself developing empathy for her father, Eddie, who takes on a notable role this season as he brings up old memories and is forced to reveal some of his secrets as Lewis uses Daniel to investigate.

From Personal Drama To Work Drama

Lewis gets a bit more of a spotlight than he has in the past, especially in the sense of being more than Jax’s husband. The Toni drama from last season plays out, and he also has some work drama thanks to a young man named Sam, whom Lewis had such high hopes for, even to the point of thinking he would have a Black, male work friend.

Biting The Hand Which Feeds You

Unfortunately for Jax, the drama isn’t just in the courtroom and with her client. Vince and Stephen, with their golden boy Bill, decide to stir things up, and Vince and Stephen, in particular, seem to be salivating at the idea of making Bill a partner, never mind using him to keep an eye on Jax. Thing is, Bill doesn’t strongly take to this plan since, on top of having a Black wife, a part of him does appreciate Jax’s style and accomplishments.

However, like anyone on the partner track, as much as he doesn’t want to step on anyone’s toes, he hasn’t been pounding the pavement till his heels have worn down for nothing.

Review

Highlight(s)

Jax Continues To Inspire Living Authentically In Your Work and Personal Life [87/100]

What keeps me coming back season to season is that no one talks like Jax – especially in Black-predominant TV series. None of the peers of Reasonable Doubt, or even the shows that could be considered what paved its way, like the many Shonda Rhimes had, gave you a Black woman like Jax.

To hear how she speaks when talking with her husband, showing she didn’t shed her upbringing and culture because of moving up the social ladder, I like that. But what I love is that, at work, she doesn’t suppress who she is, but shows how she has refined it in spaces where it may not be safe to be herself. As a Black person, this sense of modeling brings joy to my soul.

Jax checking the room - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3
Jax – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 3 – Hulu

For as much as it is 2025, and there is progress beyond having to code-switch constantly, it can often feel like diversity remains shallow. That, as much as the look, matters to some—there is minimal desire for you to bring your culture along with you.

Lewis Got To Show His Potential Beyond Being Jax’s Husband [83/100]

One of the best things about season 3 is that Lewis, more than ever, got to step out of Jax’s shadow and not only have his own storylines, but also show range. The storyline he had with Toni, for example, didn’t go in the direction expected, with a lawsuit, Jax juggling two trials, or anything like that. The storyline, short-lived as it was this season, allowed Lewis to be someone who emotionally connected and challenged you.

Lewis and Toni sharing a moment - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 2
Lewis – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 2 – Hulu

The baby he and Toni had, and his relationship with Toni, led to a lot of marital strife and caused him to take a lot of heat. Making it so, when tasked to fix the situation and prevent a long, drawn-out, and embarrassing lawsuit, you have to appreciate Lewis not only stepping up as a man but also sharing with Toni the feelings of losing a child.

Yes, Lewis is already a father, and Spenser, who is seen less than in the previous season, seems to be on his way. But losing a child is losing a child. Lewis can’t explore that as Jax’s husband. He had to be someone outside of what he is to Jax to grieve and question what could have been. In pursuing that, through Lewis, Toni got softened and went from a villain to someone deeply in mourning and being blocked from the only one who could understand.

Then, to further establish him as an individual, we were given a less dramatic storyline focused on Lewis’ workplace. We got to see him operate as a boss, navigating the desire to hire someone who looks like him, shares a culture, and having the type of camaraderie a lot of people desire, especially in specialized fields. Never mind, make a friend!

Now, sadly, this storyline focuses more on the pitfalls than joys Lewis could have experienced. However, it all allows him to show his capabilities as not only a hot husband, but the layers that the character has that weren’t showcased enough.

Ozzie Raised The Bar For Season-Long Guest Stars [83.5/100]

While Ozzie, played by Kyle Bary, didn’t get to reach the full extent of his potential, I do feel like, compared to Damon and Brayden, he proved the intensity and investment Shanelle gave was possible for a one-season guest star. For when it came to Damon, things heavily relied on him being what made Jax change how she practiced law, and the intimacy of their relationship. Brayden? While he set the tone of having a season-long case, he also led the need to question if the show continued that narrative, how could it keep a trial interesting?

So when it came to Ozzie, we were thankful that, from the start, Ozzie stood out. He was a former child actor, working towards transitioning into adult roles, and at 24, you often saw this mix of vulnerability and naughtiness. We got a sense that he could always be lying, or at least being who others wanted him to be, whether he was with his family, Jax and her family, or throughout the trial.

This allowed Bary to give Ozzie layers when able to really explore who this character is and the challenge of him gaining some sense of autonomy, potentially in real time.

A Season Finale Which May Not Make Your Jaw Drop, But Gets You Excited For Season 4 [82/100]

Cliffhangers are at this point a staple of Reasonable Doubt. However, this season broke tradition by not only giving us a major shocking moment to end on, but also by setting up the next chapter of Jax’s life. This feels like an evolution for the show as it creates the potential for new characters, types of clients, and maybe even a lifestyle shift for Jax. All of which doesn’t make it appear that season 4 will be a soft-reboot, but Jax moving forward. Thus ending Jax being sick and tired of being sick and tired – specifically of Stephen and Vince’s BS.

Whatever Didn’t Feel Like It Was Working, Got Quickly Diminished [81/100]

Chad Barnes (Michel Curiel) speaking to Bill about Ozzie's arrest - Reasonable Doubt
Chad Barnes (Michel Curiel) – Reasonable Doubt

Back when the majority of shows had 18+ episodes, it gave writers and those behind a program enough time to shift things when they weren’t working out, for the sake of the show. At ten episodes, there is no mid-season break to review feedback and course correct.

Yet, despite that, a lot of what wasn’t working throughout the season seemed to be fixed rather promptly. Whether it was Sally’s divorce storyline, Bill’s divorce storyline, Chad as opposing counsel in Ozzie’s case, or Jax’s kids, Spencer and Naima, making brief appearances, a lot of the things that didn’t work within one or two episodes were removed.

Some, like Chad, after an embarrassing day in court, left dramatically. Others, like Naima, started with a prominent storyline before fading away as the season progressed. But we appreciate that, even if it couldn’t always be smooth, there was an effort to refocus on what could elevate the show.

The Soundtrack [82.5/100]

It seemed Forever would be crowned the show with the best soundtrack this year, but Reasonable Doubt delivered a reminder that there is more than one show with a curated list of songs that will make fans run to Spotify. For whether it was Luke James’ cover of “Mad World,” GloRilla, Jill Scott, “Thong Song,” “Needed Me,” or old school songs like “Always and Forever,” the Heatwave version, not Luther Vandross, there was a little bit of everything there. Especially what would fit two grown people like Jax and Lewis, who are professionals, but by no means out of touch with the culture.

Low Point(s)

Sally’s Storyline [63/100]

Chris talking to Sally - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 5
Chris – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 5 – Hulu

Sally is the weakest character within Jax’s friend group. With how Shanelle showed up and showed out last season, and in the first season, it was Sally’s turn to get notable screentime and show why she is part of this program. But I’ll be damned if she didn’t become part of the reason we sometimes had to roll our eyes and heavily sigh.

You see, Sally is hit with one struggle of a storyline after another. If it isn’t her feeling hurt because she feels judged by Jax as her marriage circles the drain, it is Sally being with Bill, acting like a succubus trying to suck away all the life and potential that his storyline has. But, we’ll admit, the main issue with Sally is that, if you compare her to the other women in Jax’s life, she isn’t built with something that can make her likable.

Sally is one of the main ones who will pick a fight with Jax, and it often feels petty or mean-spirited. Also, with her marital issues, albeit for different reasons, it feels like a retread with characters you have no reason to gain an interest in. On top of that, her work doesn’t redeem her; she isn’t funny, doesn’t necessarily expose a different side to Jax, to at least make her useful for that angle, and unlike Shanelle, her personal life doesn’t humanize her or make her more palatable.

Sally often feels like she should have stayed Shanelle’s cousin, a minor character, rather than being expanded as she was. For at this point, it feels like her storyline lacks necessity, and for reasons unknown, those behind the show don’t have the heart to write off the character, even in the form of leaving the door open for a random appearance, as Lewis’ family does.

How Wendy Was Handled/ Developed [62/100]

Wendy (Rumer Willis) and Ozzie (Kyle Bary) arriving to a party together - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 1
Wendy (Rumer Willis) and Ozzie (Kyle Bary) – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 1 – Hulu

The weirdest thing about Wendy’s part of season 3 is that, despite being the victim, you learn and see so little of her. Almost all the victimhood the writers could muster goes to Ozzie, with Jax coming in second; meanwhile, Wendy was the one murdered. They even have her sister show up, just for an episode, and in terms of her best friend, Nisha? While she initially stirs up some trouble by pushing the court of public opinion against Ozzie, one phone call shuts her up. Never mind, her going on the witness stand and Jax painting the idea she is doing better than ever, thanks to inheriting Wendy’s business.

Thus, Wendy barely evolves from Ozzie’s stylist turned girlfriend and is fridged so she can be the catalyst for this season’s case. This undercuts not only the weight her death has on Ozzie but also makes it so that, as a viewer, you have very little reason to care about who she was and the fact that she died horrifically.

On The Fence

Shanelle Got Moved To The Back [73/100]

In some ways, it makes sense that Shanelle, who was a notable character in the first two seasons, got put on the back burner. Season 1 had Shanelle damn near be a scene stealer, and some of her moments with Jax, like in episode 8, are the most memorable parts of season 1. Then, in season 2, Shanelle really got to show up and show out, even with her murder case being rushed and having to share notable screen time with lesser stories.

But what sucks the most about Shanelle in season 3 is that everything that could have been followed up on wasn’t. While Shanelle beat the murder case, the civil cases still loomed. Her mother-in-law could still fight over her son’s estate, and the public surely wouldn’t forget easily such a nasty trial, which exposed not only Shanelle but also a beloved celebrity.

Surprisingly, season 3 barely touches any of the storylines set up for her in season 2. Shanelle just pops up enough times to make it clear the actress is still on contract, but certainly not going to have the ability to upstage the lead again.

Eddie and Chelsea’s Long Term Potential [72/100]

In some ways, Eddie’s appearance helped us see and understand more of Jax, as he was one of her initial inspirations regarding being a lawyer. However, almost as soon as he is introduced, he gets bogged down by drama. First, it is Lewis trying to protect Jax and convince Eddie to stay away, then followed by him using Daniel to find out Eddie’s secrets.

Then there is Eddie’s role in Mama Lu’s storyline, which upends its importance, and then there is Chelsea. As Eddie’s second daughter, her introduction felt like this man was created to create drama in Jax’s personal life, with him reconnecting with her secondary.

And I get, Reasonable Doubt isn’t just named that regarding Jax’s case, it’s also about her navigating her personal relationships as well. Has Eddie changed? Is Chelsea trustworthy? As much as these questions could have tasked Jax to use her love for cross-examining in her personal life, this dwindled to soap opera-esque drama that added little to the show.

Now, in the future, maybe they can re-work Eddie and Chelsea, and Chelsea’s multiple kids. They could expand on what happened after Mama Lu left Eddie, develop Chelsea’s upbringing through a flashback, as we’ve seen with Jax, and navigate us to when he arrived at Jax’s doorstep as he did in episode 2. But if Chelsea and Eddie continue to be sources of drama without depth, these two will remain liabilities.

Mama Lu [73.5/100]

Considering how the show built up the possibility of Mama Lu dying, I feel not going through with it was cowardly. I recognize writing off a character, especially through death, is not an easy decision for the writing staff, for it means an actor losing their job. However, to have Mama Lu have cancer, undergo a potentially fatal surgery, have a montage that leaves both Jax and viewers emotional, and then back out on the worst case scenario? It feels manipulative.

Then, to make matters worse, they kept her alive and didn’t do much with her. She acted as Eddie’s cheerleader as Jax went back and forth regarding his place in her life and Mama Lu’s care. There weren’t more conversations regarding her and Jax reconciling to prevent another flare-up between the two. Never mind that the story of Paul’s abuse and Mama Lu’s response could have given not only Eddie’s actor far more compelling material to work with, but Mama Lu’s actress as well – even if it meant retreading that storyline.

Which made this fake-out feel almost like pandering, as if it was believed the audience couldn’t handle Mama Lu dying, and any future threat shouldn’t be taken seriously. So, as much as Mama Lu isn’t necessarily out of the woods health-wise, the opportunity to really make her death impactful—and affect viewers and Jax equally—feels undercut now..

How Ozzie’s Case Played Out [78/100]

Rosie (April Parker Jones) talking to Ozzie about him dating Wendy - Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 1
Rosie (April Parker Jones) – Reasonable Doubt Season 3 Episode 1 – Hulu

Like Shanelle’s case, things felt rushed, and to make things worse, there was still too much going on in the show to give Ozzie’s case its due. From how it could have dug deeper into the exploitation of child stars, gone into Kristin’s feelings as the elder sibling trying to manage, never mind Sal and Rosie’s relationship with each other, or Ozzie, never mind what they went through as parents of a child star, a lot of things may have been touched on were never given their due.

Then, throw in Monica, on top of utterly sidestepping the court of public opinion that Jax was worried about when the case started, and, again, not letting Kyle Bary get to fully play up Ozzie being an entertainer, and playing the public, those in court, maybe even Jax, further than he did? It all seems like missed opportunities, and because there are so few Black shows and networks that are willing to have predominant Black casts, it isn’t like we can expect anyone to take up this storyline and do it better anytime soon – if, dare I say, ever on a program with a notable budget and platform like Hulu.

So, while there is undeniable growth in how Ozzie was crafted, sadly, it seems Reasonable Doubt is still trying to figure out how to keep a trial not only engaging but paced well. Alongside figuring out how to honor storylines of this nature, which aren’t likely to be repeated with a cast of similar makeup.

Overall

Our Rating (76/100): Mixed (Stick Around)

There is no denying the talent that Reasonable Doubt has. However, the inability to balance all the storylines and make them universally great creates winners and losers, with the audience sometimes among the losers’ club. It’s undeniable that Jax, Lewis, and Ozzie were the main highlights, but it is unfortunate that more characters couldn’t be praised as well.

Now, season 3 does try to course correct as it goes on, often by phasing out characters and storylines that weren’t working. But whether we’re talking about Sally or Chad, while it’s good that the show recognizes something isn’t working, one could only wish these issues had been addressed during development, rather than after the fact.

So, while Reasonable Doubt remains watchable, it takes on the burden that too many Black shows do in trying to showcase as many Black and Brown actors as possible, but, unfortunately, that screen time comes at a cost. Often, the trade-off for an actor is a credit and visibility, but without memorable moments to showcase their talent and pave the road to future work.

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Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.