by Tim Gordon
The episode opens on Ozzie’s (Kyle Bary) first day in court, and the tension is thick. The prosecution paints him as a cold-blooded murderer, while Jax (Emayatzy Corinealdi) counters that although Ozzie may be an actor, “this isn’t a role he’d ever play in real life.” Her confidence and precision captivate the jury, skillfully planting the seeds of reasonable doubt. Both sides spar with their witnesses, but neither lands a decisive blow, leaving the courtroom charged with anticipation.
Meanwhile, Jax and Daniel (Tim Jo) continue building Ozzie’s alibi. When she confronts him about Monica’s (Brandee Evans) abuse, Ozzie becomes visibly triggered, refusing to reveal the person he’s protecting. Later, Daniel notices a string of missed calls on Kristen’s (Kiah Clingman) phone and, when he presses her about it, she silences his questions with a kiss. She insists she’s single and “waiting for him to make a move.” But as their chemistry deepens, so do the doubts. Is Kristen’s interest real, or is she manipulating Daniel to control what he learns about Ozzie’s past? Every move feels deliberate, yet her flashes of vulnerability complicate things. Their relationship becomes one of the show’s most intriguing subplots: a dance of attraction and deception that could jeopardize both their careers.
As testimony unfolds, Jax dismantles witnesses one by one, including Wendy’s (Rumer Willis) neighbor and colleague. Each time the prosecution thinks it’s scored, Jax punches back harder, solidifying her reputation as a legal powerhouse. But the victory is short-lived. Daniel discovers that Alex, the mysterious caller tied to Kristen, may be holding incriminating evidence that could destroy Ozzie’s case.
Outside the courtroom, Lewis (McKinley Freeman) is consumed by suspicion and anger toward Eddie (Richard Brooks). After a tense confrontation with his father-in-law, Lewis secretly plants a tracker on his car and enlists Daniel to monitor his movements. Unbeknownst to him, Jax has already visited Eddie, confronting him about his relapse and pleading for him to respect her husband. Their exchange hints at reconciliation, but when Lewis spots her leaving Eddie’s hotel, it only fuels his mistrust.
Elsewhere, the personal lives of Jax’s circle continue to unfold. Shanelle (Shannon Kane) calls out Chris for mistreating Sally (Nefetari Spencer), urging him to “stop using her as a punching bag.” Sally later confronts Chris herself, handing him divorce papers after one final meeting. The women regroup for another girls’ night, celebrating Autumn’s (Tiffany Yvonne Cox) pregnancy and sharing hard truths as a much-needed reprieve before the next storm.
Back in court, the prosecution makes its boldest move yet: Alex takes the stand and claims he and Ozzie were together on the night of Wendy’s murder. His testimony seems damning until Jax tears it apart. With surgical precision, she exposes the inconsistencies in his story, leaving the prosecution humiliated and Ozzie’s defense stronger than ever.
In a private exchange afterward, Ozzie admits he’s still haunted by secrets he can’t share. Jax’s instincts tell her there’s more to the story, and as the trial continues, she knows the biggest threat may not come from the prosecution but from within Ozzie’s own circle.
Final Thoughts:
Jax remains in full control of the courtroom, her intelligence and tenacity shining through each cross-examination. Yet the walls around her personal and professional life are closing in. Daniel’s budding relationship with Kristen could either expose critical truths or collapse under deception. Lewis’s crusade against Eddie risks unraveling what’s left of his family. And Ozzie’s silence about that fateful night suggests the biggest bombshell has yet to drop.
As Reasonable Doubt enters the back half of its third season, “Threat” proves that every victory comes at a cost and in Jax Stewart’s world, no one is ever truly safe.