Published by Mason Oldridge, 28 March 2023
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Despite having been originally commissioned as a miniseries based on the Israeli original, the Showtime legal drama starring Bryan Cranston is back to tie up loose ends.
Following the Season 1 finale in which an avenge-seeking Eugene attempts to shoot Carlo but misses and kills Adam instead, we see a grieving and dishevelled Michael in prison. We learn he confessed all following Adam’s death but his confession is buried by attorney Olivia in return for Michael’s assistance in bringing down the Baxter family.
A second season was somewhat unnecessary, though it was satisfactory to see what happened next following the previous season’s events. This season ultimately outperformed the first with more compelling viewing, although it may have just seemed that way as we returned to already established characters.
The season finale played out the intense courtroom action as Eugene was tried for murder. The standout moment was when Michael helps prove that the explosion at Eugene’s house couldn’t have been a gas leak as they hadn’t had gas for weeks, potentially implicating the Baxters. With Jimmy threatening to reveal Gina’s involvement, Gina manipulates Cormine into shooting him and is imprisoned. This long-awaited downfall of the Baxters arrives as Eugene is released into Witness Protection.
Unfortunately, not everyone gets their deserved comeuppance or redemption. Carlo is never found guilty for Kofi’s murder and continues to run the family business with Gina, who also goes unpunished. Furthermore, the malicious ringleader of the Desire gang Big Mo continues to have free reign across the city. Fia, heartbroken at the deceit from both sides, puts baby Rocco up for adoption and leaves, an unrealistic fate given the love and care she had for him. This also means Michael, who has arguably suffered and lost the most, doesn’t get a happy ending with his grandchild. Instead, he returns to prison for his actions, albeit content with his fate.
The fact that the series ends with Michael in prison and Carlo free highlights a vast imbalance, perhaps an intentional reflection on the real justice system, but the drama across the season plus the gas leak revelation and Jimmy’s shooting in the finale elevates the season greatly.
7/10