By Johnny Loftus for Decider
The Season 3 finale of The Lincoln Lawyer definitely connects all the dots. But not before it brings out another shocking act of violence, and not without upholding the series’ precedent for establishing what’s to come. Will there be a Lincoln Lawyer Season 4? That’s up to Netflix. But for now we’re just gonna say yes, because damn do we want it. It’s only our opinion, but season 3 was the best Lincoln Lawyer yet. Let’s get to it.
“The defense calls Neil Bishop to the stand.” After a quick flashback that establishes exactly how crooked DEA Agent James DeMarco installed a handle on Bishop’s back, the former LAPD homicide detective and current district attorney’s office investigator is called to testify, just like Mickey promised. But with our knowledge of their episode 9 conversation, we can see that this Neil Bishop is not the same swaggering piece of work he once was. From the stand, he readily admits he had an ulterior motive in getting assigned to Julian La Cosse’s case. As the DA shifts awkwardly in his chair, and Judge Regina Turner reacts with concern, Bishop continues to incriminate himself in the scheme that killed Glory and that now threatens to lock up Julian forever. Another flashback reveals how Bishop tailed Glory Days to the Roosevelt Hotel. How he told DeMarco where she lived. How all of it led to her murder. And as Mickey continues with a careful line of questioning, the judge asks her bailiff to confiscate Bishop’s service weapon. This season, there were plenty of tense courtroom moments. But this exchange tops them all.
“He owned me,” Bishop continues. Ten years of doing dirty work for DeMarco, all because Neil made that first mistake, accepting cash from the DEA spook back when he hoped it would help him stay in his young son’s life. No one in court can believe where this testimony is going. It’s everything Mickey had pushed for, but given freely by Bishop of his own volition. “I’ve committed no crime,” he says, and begins to tear up before reaching for something out of view. “Tell my son I’m sorry.” And Neil Bishop puts the barrel of his holdout piece in his mouth and pulls the trigger.
As a bookend to the shocking death of Eddie Rojas, Neil Bishop’s very public suicide is another stunning moment for this season of The Lincoln Lawyer. But this act, together with the rot revealed to be endemic to the system, spins Mickey Haller toward more guilt and even the consideration that he might quit the game.
Read the rest of the recap, HERE.
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