The Night of (2016)
Mini-series: 8 episodes (2016)
Written by: Richard Price, Steven Zaillian, Peter Moffat (based on the novel by)
Starring: John Turturro, Riz Ahmed, Michael K. Williams,
This HBO mini-series features Nas (Riz Ahmed), a Pakistani-American, with no recollection of what happened the previous night accused of murder. Jack Stone (John Turturro) is his lawyer.
Episode 1 Review
Verdict:
The first episode is a slow burn with a fair amount of setup, but once Nas enters the police station, it gets very tense. We know where it's going, but getting there will you have on the edge of your seat. I'm invested based on the first episode alone. Knowing that this was a crime show, I was picking out what would or could be evidence in future episodes. The show does a great job of subtlety introducing evidence, and after the first episode I have no idea what actually happened.
I hope (and think) it will tackle issues of discrimination, racism, and the failings of the justice system at large and for minorities. For this to be great, it will need lofty ambitions, and based on what I saw I think that will happen. We'll see.
Watch it.
Review:
This project has been a long time in the making James Gandolfini is listed as a producer, and he pushed for this project three years ago, looking to star in Turturro's role. Gandolfini's death stalled the project, with Robert De Niro at one time considering the part. Turturro is a great choice and will do this justice.
Nas is a tutor for the basketball team. When he gets invited to a party, this is his shot to hang out with the cool kids. When his friend can't make it, Nas steals his father's taxi cab because he has to make it to the party.
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| Riz Ahmed as Nas. |
Multiple scenes show surveillance cameras catching the cab. We know it will be evidence that will be a huge factor. Witnesses see him enter her house. She plays with a knife and his prints are on it.
He's an easy mark for this girl, but there is no way she could know that. I don't know how this will unfold, but I know a few ways it shouldn't. Her specifically selecting him as a setup or him blacking out and committing the crime would be poor story telling. The girl stated she couldn't be alone that night, but the wounds were self inflicted. Maybe it's an ex-boyfriend. That makes the most sense for me. It's bound to be someone close to her. I won't be surprised when the cops don't talk to or even search for additional suspects. Nas is a slam dunk for this.
When he wakes up and sees the crime scene, panics, and runs. Calling the cops on yourself is bad, but running is even worse. He's stopped by officers for making an illegal left turn and ends up in the back of the squad car, returning to the scene. He sees everything unfold with the cops arriving at the scene, going in, then calling for more backup. He can't escape.
They take him back to the station for his moving violation. The tension is palpable. He's scared, edging closer to the door, and I was rooting for him to escape. The cops have the top suspect in the station and have no idea. When the cops realize what they have, he attempts to flee but makes it two steps before being tackled
Once he's in custody, I'm talking to the screen, telling Nas to get a lawyer. If anyone is ever in custody for a capital crime, you get a lawyer. You don't say a word. Cops wants a conviction, and they aren't looking out for your best interests no matter what they tell you. It's painful to watch Nas cling to the detective's words, believing them.
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| John Turturro as Jack Stone. |
Jack Stone (John Turturro) sees Nas sitting in a cell and takes pity on
him. Nas doesn't look like someone that belongs in jail, and Stone
thinks it's just a stabbing. It's only after Stone has taken him as a
client that he realizes the severity of the crime with which Nas has
been charged. Stone tells Nas that his only response should be "I don't
know, ask my lawyer."
This looks like it's going to get into the process of police work.
There's a reference to breaking the chain of custody for the evidence,
which could be a huge deal in Nas's potential trial. This and the other
bits of evidence we saw will undoubtedly make another appearance.
Nas being of Pakistani heritage is bound to play a role. One of the eye
witnesses that saw Nas enter the house made a reference to bombs and
terrorism when they first saw Nas. That witness has already lied.
My anticipation of what is to come is incredibly high. The second half of episode one is very strong.
Episode 2 Review
Verdict:
The first episode was uneasy and tense. We saw first hand as Nas made
mistake after mistake, knowing where it would end. The second episode
shows the process of the legal system, and what actually happens after
you're arrested. I've never seen a show that makes it painstakingly
realistic. It's fascinating in an depressing way. While this episode
doesn't have the tone of the first and feels like it's moving the pieces
in play across the board instead of actually making the play, the
quality is still phenomenal.
Review:
I loved the first episode, though that was more potential than what we
saw. We didn't see much, just the set up. It looked like it will analyze
the justice system, especially for a minority. Episode two does just
that.
He doesn't want the truth because he wants to remain flexible. The truth constrains. He's excited by this high profile case. It will help his career. Is that why he's devoting so much time to the case or is it fiction for the narrative? Reports state that pro bono lawyers spend a shockingly low amount of time on cases.
Paul Sparks, who also guest starred on House of Cards (2013-), plays Don Taylor. He's the victim's father and is asked to identify her, Andrea. He sees the photo and states it's not her. The cops then ask him to look at the body. They find his answer dubious, but after asking him to see the body he states the girl in the photograph is her. It's a weird vibe from Taylor.
Box talks to Taylor. Taylor says Andrea was involved in drugs and arrested before. He didn't think she was a prostitute, but he wasn't sure. Box shows Taylor a photograph line up. Taylor asks if the men in the photo lineup are Arab. Box replies they aren't, but Taylor is incredulous.
Nas's parents go to the wrong police station. They stand silently as the intake officer asks if any homicides have been reported. An officer replies that, "Some Muslim freak cared up a girl in the two-one."
You can tell the parents are uncomfortable, and it's not just because they are in the police station. They have no idea about what's happening. When they find the correct precinct, they can't see him because Nas is an adult.
Box lets the parents see Nas. As Stone told him, Box is a good cop. He
screws you over within the boundaries of the law. A conversation with
his parents isn't privileged. This show does a great job of leading you
in a direction an then confirming. My suspicion was that Box would
listen to the conversation with the parents, and he does. Nas didn't
think the no talking rule applied to his parents, but he's slowly
learning. Stone later rebukes Nas about talking, and Nas asks how the
truth can hurt him.
Exasperated Stone replies that Nas had the weapon, he was covered in
blood, and his DNA is at the scene. The truth doesn't help him.
Box tries to get in Nas's head, pretending he's a friend. Nas buys into
it, and he starts talking. He's too naive, but at the same time too
dumb. You think Nas has fallen into the trap, before he realizes the
game and stops talking. Box wants to help Nas only as far as it helps
his case. Then again, that's the same reason Stone is helping Nas.
Nas is charged for homicide. He's transported for arraignment with a
bunch of other guys. It's scary and violent. Nas thinks he shouldn't be
there.
Box executes warrant to search Nas's house. A criminal investigation
upends many lives, not just the accused. Box then meets the DA. Box says
the case is a certainty. The DA doesn't care about the crime or the
truth. Is it a case that can be won or should they accept a plea?
This does a great job showing the process of law, from start to finish.
Nas is arraigned and remanded without bail at Rikers Island. It's a
solid episode that walks you through the process, and while it's not as
intense as the first episode. it's still very good and necessary. This
foundation is necessary for future episodes.
Episode 3 Review
Verdict:
In this episode everybody wants something, the lawyers, cops, family,
and Nas. Everybody wants to further their own interest, and Nas is the
one unable to do anything as he's restrained by prison. The only
question is what Freddy (Michael K. Williams) wants. He's an inmate in
Rikers with many special privileges over the regular inmates. He's
offered Nas protection.
This episode focuses on Nas at Rikers. Any minute, you think he could
get attacked, but until Freddy's role is fleshed out, Freddy seems a bit
contrived as a guardian angel. It's another solid episode, and I liked
it better than the second. This is going to be a slow burn mini-series,
but with episodes like this that's just fine.
Review:
This is about tactics between lawyers and cops. It's not about the accused, it's about positioning yourself for the win.
Box wants the reports right from the traffic cops that stopped Nas just
right. Include the part wheere one cop vomited. Forsake pride for the
case. Box wants to fight the sympathy the jury will have for Nas. Nas
doesn't look like a criminal so the jury will wonder if he could have
done it. I don't blame cops for being mechanical and wanting a
conviction. It's how the system is designed and Nas looks guilty. With
so many murders, and so little time you have to go with your gut
instinct. It's the lawyer's responsibility to fight the charge.
Stone pitches his fee to Nas's parents. It's business for him and he
comes across as someone pitching a new car as he keeps lowering his
price. No one sees Nas as a human being other than his parents, but its
hard to change that.
With every scene of Nas in prison, you wonder not if but when he'll be attacked. I don't expect the show to kill him, at least not this early in.
Another inmate gives him a few tips, the chief being don't talk. The inmate then asks him what he's in for and Nas begins to tell him before being rebuked. You don't talk.
Nas's bed is positioned in the common area with a dozen other guys. He doesn't even have the safety of a cell.
Stone is talking plea bargain with the district attorney after having just told Nas's parents he wouldn't accept a plea. The D.A. refuses to even consider a deal. There are three parties and each one is out for themselves, the judicial system, the lawyer, and the accused.
Nas's parents endure invasive searches just to see him. The two other men that own the cab with Nas's father are told they may never get the cab back as it was used to commit a crime. Nas's father is told that since Nas didn't have permission to use the cab. If father sues son, that is their out to avoid a civil suit since they own a car involved in a murder. The cop gives them John Stone's card.
The press conference does it's best to make Nas seem guilty, stating they are looking into his foreign ties and investigating his criminal past. The DA and cops know he has no connections, but it's posturing. They want to make him look guilty, and since they can't say it, they just insinuate. Just mentioning the fact they are investigating his criminal past makes it sound like he has a criminal past when he doesn't.
Nas is woken up in the middle of the night by a few guys asking him if he raped the girl, they walk off and Freddy sends a guard with shoes "for traction." We see Nas in the shower during the next scene and wonder if he'll be attacked. He isn't.
Stone visits the crime scene. He feeds the deceased's cat and later takes it to the pound. Less than coincidence the cat is being led into the back as dogs bark. Fed to the dogs, just like Nas.
A lawyer from a larger firm, Alison Crowe, zeroes in on Nas's parents, sensing a big case after seeing it on television. This lawyer insults and denigrates Stone, she too is just out for her self and out for publicity. She's willing to do it pro bono because her firm allows her the ability and freedom to do it and publicity is worth it when you can afford it. She even takes a paralegal that speaks a bit of Hindi just to get Nas's parents to change their minds.
Nas's father tells Nas about the new lawyer, and Nas replies that he likes Stone. Nas then breaks the news to Stone during visitation. Stone visits Crowe, who dodges him. Stone asks the paralegal if she was used as a lawyer or a prop. As the character Omar Little played by Michael K. Williams in The Wire (2002-08) said, "It's all part of the game."
Freddy sends a guard to fetch Nas. In an episode about everybody wanting
something, what does Freddy want? Freddy tells Nas he's a celebrity
because he raped and killed a girl. The truth doesn't matter, the
inmates have already decided, but Freddy will provide protection. Does
Freddy just want a part in everything? He doesn't seem like the
compassionate type.
When Nas has his bed lit on fire he reconsiders and take Freddy's help.
How does this end. Being convicted seems too harsh, but being released
feels much too upbeat for this show. With only five episodes left, will
we get a time jump and have Nas get out on an appeal after originally
being convicted? This seems like the most authentic direction the story
could take.
Episode 4 Review
Verdict:
A murder charge affects more than just Nas, and his family isn't faring
well. While this isn't the focus of the episode, the show does a great
job of including that nuance. Nas's new hotshot lawyer plays both sides
and gets him a deal. As you can guess, a window is left open for John
Stone to return. Stone investigates the victim's past, which seems to be
more than the cops have done. With the trial looming, I expect more
detective work and plausible alternatives to "Nas did it."
Review:
Nas is getting walked all over in jail. He's getting counseled by yet
another inmate. I get people would take advantage of him, it's part of
the game, but are there really that many people that want to help?
John can't leave Nas's case alone. He attends the funeral and sees
Andrea's father arguing with somebody. John does some detective work and
finds out Andrea was in rehab. He makes a deal with with one of the
people in the program and gets pictures of her file. This is an outlier,
as not only do cops not have the time, neither do lawyers. It's
portrayed as something about this case sticks with him, but he's the
kind of lawyer most likely to run through as many cases as possible.
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| Freddy is the king. If Nas is going to survive, it's through Freddy. |
Nas's brother is getting beat up at school. The school tells him to drop out. This episode really drives home how the family members are discriminated against. The media shows up at his parents door, dubbing Nas a murderer.
John tells Alison Crowe's paralegal, Chandra, to look into Andrea's rehab history. She retorts that Andrea is the victim. John's question sums up this episode, "Nas isn't too?"
Chandra is upset that Crowe used her to appeal to Nas's family, and now she isn't even involved in the case.
It's Nas's day in court for arraignment. Alison sets the tempo and even puts the other men in the cell in line before Nas goes to the court room. She comments it's good they didn't put him in an orange jump suit. They did, but Freddy game him a blue one. Violent offenders are given orange.
Alison Crowe is very sharp and endures no nonsense. She addresses the fact that being Muslim is why they won't let him out on bail, but it doesn't change anything.
Nas revisits Freddy for protection after getting his arm sliced. Freddy gives him the book The Call of the Wild. It will teach him everything he needs to know about jail. Freddy chose Nas because he's seeking an intellectual equal. Freddy likes school, and he wants somebody knowledgeable with whom to converse. I don't know if I buy this.
John's an interesting character. He's got eczema, sleeps with prostitutes, and is an ambulance chaser. For some reason, he can't shake this case.
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| He's a killer. |
Crowe negotiates with the D.A. to accept a manslaughter plea with a maximum of fifteen years. She turns around and tells Nas that he will get convicted, but she could try to plea. Everybody but Nas and his parents is convinced the deal is great. We know he won't take it. We know that John Stone is going to come back into the picture too.
Nas tells Crowe he'll take the deal. Chandra tells him to take the deal, but that he has to ask the question, "Did he kill her?" If he didn't, he should pass on the deal. Even John Stone tells him in the courtroom he should take it, and that he shouldn't trust twelve jurors. A deal doesn't make you guilty.
The final scene is the plea bargain. Nas is asked to recount what happened the night of the crime. He relays the details, but tells the court that he didn't kill Andrea. Crowe is upset he didn't take the deal, and Nas tells her to quit. Just as I expected, John Stone is back in the picture. He's already done more research than the cops.
Nas's newest mentor scalds him as a sort of twisted revenge for his niece. The niece has nothing to do with Nas, but proves that you can't trust anyone inside. Nas doesn't rat, but he does pay yet another visit to Freddy, admitting he needs Freddy's help.
Episode 5 Review
Verdict:
Lack of choices. Each character is becoming constrained by having to
make choices they'd prefer to avoid. The stakes differ for each, with
Nas facing serious consequences for not complying.
This episode picks up because we're building the case with the cops
building the timeline and the defense interviewing witnesses. Finally
the clues from episode one are coming back into play. This is a solid
episode that feels like the point that this season really takes off,
where the previous episodes that felt a little slow are the foundation.
The trial has got to start soon, and that may be the best part of this series.
Review:
Stone is explaining his job to a classroom full of students for his son.
It doesn't go over well. They're high schoolers, what do you expect?
Stone is a joke at every level, and with his Eczama worsening he's a
tragic figure, an outcast.
Chandra is now working with Stone. She's the only person from Alison
Crowe's firm assigned to the case. Stone negotiates his fee and starts
digging through the files.
The prosecutor is trying to determine the defense's game plan, and they
are coming up with nothing. Their conclusion is that the defense will
establish that Andrea is at fault for providing the drugs to Nas. Box has to block out
the timeline of events.
Nas's father's friends urge him to file charges of grand theft auto
against his son. They need the cab back, and that's the only way to get
it. Of course Nas's father doesn't want to do that.
Nas moves into his own single room courtesy of Freddy.
Freddy gives Nas a chance for retribution against the inmate that burned
him last episode. That inmate is lying naked on the floor, already
having endured one beating. Nas kicks him once before turning to walk.
The inmate goads him and Nas flips out, kicking and punching him before
one of Freddy's guys pulls him off. It's no surprise that Nas has this
pent up aggression. His life has gone off track in a way he never
imagined. The frustration of being convicted and enduring what he has
caused him to snap given the opportunity.
Is Stone's worsening Eczama going to play a bigger plot line or even sideline him on this case? The treatments don't seem to be helping, and now he has to wear gloves.
Box blocks the timeline, and this is where the clues in the first episode begin to appear. The cops have a particular story to tell, but what will the evidence produce? The depiction of Box literally connecting the dots leaves out a lot of the story. It shows us the police work, but also retraces his steps, beginning to shape the narrative of the night. While Box is just working from his desk, Stone has hit the streets to talk to witnesses.Stone earns his fee by tracking down Andrea's Ketamine and Ecstasy supplier.
The D.A. questions Bodie. He's not one to answer questions, and that's not going to make him a good witness, so he's cut from their list.
The D.A. loves the video of Andrea getting into Nas's cab, stating it proves premeditation. Box would rather have Nas swerving over to pick her up.
The D.A. then talks to the medical examiner, trying to determine if the cut on Nas's hand was from the knife or from breaking back into the house. The M.E. is willing to confirm either, whichever helps the case.
Nas is getting hard and shaves his head. He hangs out with Freddy
playing chess, and Freddy even teaches him how to box. Nas exercises his
new level of control by standing up to an inmate and then changing the
television channel. Everyone backs off because Freddy has his back.
This level of protection and freedom has a cost. Nas is now helping
Freddy smuggle drugs into the prison. He's coerced into because he
doesn't have a choice. We saw this coming. Nothing is free.
The tox report comes back that Nas had amphetamines in his system.
Andrea didn't. They no longer can claim he was a good college boy. Stone
asks him about the speed during the prison visit, and Nas admits to
using Adderall. Nas also swallows the drugs during the visit. Stone
knows exactly what's going on and warns him it could tank the case, but
Nas has no choice.
Stone asks Nas why Bodie claims he was alone, but of course Nas doesn't
have an answer. Stone tracks Bodie down and questions him about it.
Stone gets a new suspect.
Stone finds and then pursues Reade, but at what point should Stone turn
Duane Reade over to the cops? I find it a bit unbelievable that he's
going to try to chase the guy down and also fend off a potential attach.
Why not let the cops handle it? The D.A. will learn about the guy
eventually.
Episode 6 Review
Verdict:
And so the court proceedings begin. The potential of where this could go
gives this episode a big feeling. The evidence we saw in the first
episode finally comes back. Nas is falling deeper under Freddy's
control, sporting a few tattoos, though I wish we saw the conversation
preceding those.
There area a few red herring suspects, but I doubt those will become concrete.
Review:
I expected a showcase of how the system is stacked against those that
are charged with crimes despite being innocent until proven guilty.
While I like the show, and it does a fair amount of displaying how a
charge affects multiple people, it doesn't go far enough. Maybe the next
few episodes will bring this home, but Nas's jail scenes feel
contrived.
This show really does have great direction. The way shots are framed
always looks great. This episode felt less gratuitous than previous
episodes. This episode also has some nice editing, Nas will flash back
to the night of, and this transitions to evidence in the court case. I
keep thinking Nas will remember what happened that night with these
teases, but not this episode.
Stone is taking care of a cat he can't see because he's allergic. Is
this meant to parallel Nas's case? Stone learns something about Nas he
didn't know. Stone also starts using herbal medicine.
What happened to Duane Reade? There is no mention of it.
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| Nas sporting sick tats. |
This is what happens, jails corrupt the innocent. You find a wolf pack, remember that wolf tattoo, and try to fit in. That's how you survive. At least, that's what this show proposes.
I still feel like Nas is innocent, but maybe the twist is he isn't. The cops don't always uncover every stone, but sometimes it doesn't matter. Despite that, results shouldn't trump how suspects are treated and tricked.
This seems to be setting up that even if he gets out of prison, he's going to be broken. How is he going to function in society with a drug addiction and the stigma overhead? Even if the jury declares him innocent, the world won't see it that way.
Chandra talks to the mortician from the gas station, and he gives off a strange vibe, calling Andrea a destroyer. Nas was just a ball of yarn, soon to be destroyed by a woman with a dangerous vibration. This seems like misdirection, to make this guy seem like a potential suspect. Would he really only talk to her while preparing a body? Would he really spout off this nonsense?
Chandra goes to Stone's, upset. She thinks the mortician followed Andrea. The mortician thinks all women are deceivers. It's a red herring that is way too obvious.
Stone schools Chandra on jury selection. It's about who you weed out, not choose. You want a young urban woman on the jury. Law enforcement, related family, Fox News watchers, the elderly are all out.
The big night before. Chandra is working on opening statements, Fox News is spinning the story against Nas, Stone is drinking herbal supplements, and Nas's parents are delivering food and mopping floors.
At first I wondered why Chandra is doing the opening statement, since Stone has more experience, but this is her firm's case. They hired Stone, and it's also her chance to prove her worth.
Freddy gave Nas a white shirt and black tie for his day in court, but Nas refuses. His mom is bringing him clothes. His mom brings him a royal blue shirts, which Stone tells him you can't wear in court. The defendant has to wear a white shirt. How would Nas or his family know that? No one told them, but that's part of the system. While Freddy is helping, Nas knows Freddy is gaming him.
And so the case begins. I expect the case will go through episode seven and part way through eight.
The day of the case, Stone awakes with an interesting question. How did an unemployed twenty-two year old afford a ten million dollar house? John finds the man Andrea's stepfather was arguing with at the funeral, it's a financial planner.
Andrea's stepfather is not a nice guy according to the financial planner. He has a thing for rich older women and stopped working the day he got married to Andrea's mom who was twenty five years older than him. We've got another suspect, but at least this one is plausible. I'm sure the next episode will debunk it though.
Episode 7 Review
Verdict:
And
so the court proceedings continue. This has a couple really absurd
scenes that are just silly, like this is some kind of comedy. Stone
notices an important detail in a photo, typical of courtroom shows, but
Chandra does really well as lead defense. There's a hint of doubt, but
without an alternative suspect I think Nas is out of luck. We're either
going to get the obvious alternative or something out of left field.
There's just one episode left.
Review:
The images of the murder are tough to overcome. That and the murder
weapon was found on his person with a wound on his hand from the knife.
How is it even possible to argue past those pieces of evidence?
Chandra is killing it. She puts reasonable doubt all over the medical
examiner and his claim that Nas's hand wound is from the knife. His
testimony has been wrong before, and that's right after he claimed on
the stand he's never been wrong. We get a clear indication that Stone
thinks Andrea's step father, Mr. Taylor, is involved in the murder.
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| We're buying a cab, and that doesn't include you. |
His parents have begun pawning their belongings to pay the court fees. They're getting rid of everything.
Stone is awesome. He's at the step-father's gym spying on him. He also got a contact to pull Mr. Taylor's credit, and his cards are maxed.
Stone talks to Taylor's ex-wife, another older woman. Their relationship ended when Taylor strangled her.
Taylor confront Stone in the gym, upset at the overt surveillance.
The prosecutor brings one of Nas's friends to the stand. He bought Adderall from Nas.
The prosecutor pulls Nas's high school coach into court. He reveals their were two students Nas sent to the hospital. We previously only knew about one.I expected Chandra or Stone to confront Nas about this, as when we found out about the one high school kid they stressed he tell them everything. That scene never came.
Could Nas have gotten worse tattoos that "sin" and "bad" across his knuckles? He's gotten good at smuggling drugs though.
Box has been coached well. He refers to Nas as "the suspect." Chandra makes it clear that Nas never confessed despite ample opportunity.
Stone's cat gets loose and jumps into his bed while he's sleeping. This just seems to comedic for this show. Would he really forget to shut the door? He doesn't seem to have any overt symptoms which is a surprise, but then what's the point of even having it get out? Is it a cat out of the bag metaphor? He had a bad reaction on his neck from the cat earlier without even touching it.
Why does Chandra kiss Nas? This makes no sense whatsoever. Is it that the case has gotten personal? Even then, this seems absurd and ridiculous. The show never even set this up, at least lay the groundwork first with some googly eyes.
Chandra has their investigator state that the knife found on Nas is sold in sets of four. We have Nas's knife, two in the drawer, and one that's not found.
He also states that Nas's wound is not from stabbing, it was part of the game they played.
The basement gate doesn't latch and the basement door wasn't locked. This is a good witness for the defense, but the prosecutor is bound to have a rebuttal. She does. She nails Katz for praising the medical examiner previously and that knives could go missing over time.
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| Ain't no party like a Box party. |
Stone stumbles across a photo of an inhaler that was at the scene but
not logged into evidence. Box gave it back to Nas, and that breaks
protocol. The defense tries to make Box out as gunning for Nas, but I
don't think they succeed. That seems like the point too.
Chandra gets Box on Trevor Williams and for not interviewing his friend
Duane Reade. Box also didn't talk to the mortician. Box has his
retirement party and Freddy kills one of his crew for indirectly halting
the drug smuggling.
Next up, the final episode.
Episode 8 Review
Verdict:
The Night of is over. I wasn't sure they could wrap it up on one
episode, but they did (in ninety minutes). This was a solid episode and
good conclusion. The ending was different then I anticipated but it
works in the context of this story. This is a solid show with a solid
ending. We get a glimpse of the future for most of the characters, but
of course that ends up being bleak.
Review:
How does this wrap up in one episode? The pacing has been measured, and
while I like that, one episode seems too quick. It is an hour and a
half, so that helps.
Box isn't ready to give up despite having retired. He looks at the tapes
one more time. He begins wondering if Andrea was running away from
somebody. Cops don't have the ability to spend this much time on one
case. This issue is subverted because Box is retired, but would he still
be able to freely enter the precinct? The larger problem is that a cop
has to pick one suspect and move. You don't have time to linger.
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| A little comic relief during the trial. |
The mortician takes the stand as another potential culprit. He watched Nas and Andrea, apparently following them after they left the gas station. He's been charged for battery before.
Stone serves a subpoena to Mr. Taylor. He gets to walk the court through his former marriage to Andrea's mother and recent relationship with Andrea. She sued him over her mother's will, and he counter sued. Taylor has been arrested for domestic battery and has filed bankruptcy previously. Taylor has means and motive.
The prosecutor hasn't questioned any of the witnesses. As Stone states, she's trying to make them seem unimportant, but Taylor casts a large shadow of reasonable doubt.
Chandra wants to call Nas to the stand, but Stone objects vehemently. If he testifies, he's going to look guilty. Nas can't prove his innocence. I'm sure the tats don't help. After the day in court with Nas on the stand Stone states their chances went from ten percent to zero. He tells Chandra, "You just convicted him." In more cat metaphor, Stone returns the cat to the kennel. With Nas's chances shrinking to zero, so does the cat's.
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| Chandra and Nas share another moment. |
Nas gets a neck tattoo of a crown to celebrate his day in court.
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| Box takes a break from golf and retirement to continue investigating. |
Box met Ray previously after investigating a club shooting that left Ray wounded. Ray wasn't completely clean in that case.
Box surmises Ray was withdrawing from Andrea's accounts to settle gambling debts. The prosecutor can't be happy about Box's after hours sleuthing. I thought this might jeopardize the case, but it doesn't change anything.
Nas completes his inmate training. He befriends a new inmate, looking towards that long con for a new dope smuggler.
Freddy sends Stone a DVD with the kiss between Chandra and Nas. Stone think's it's Box.
I wasn't sure if this was Freddy not wanting to lose Nas who's proven to be a valuable asset, or a detail that would give him a mistrial. Freddy likes Nas because he knows Nas is innocent. It's a unicorn Freddy says, a rarity in prison.
Stone tells Nas that it will result in a mistrial, and that will provide Nas a new trial with a good lawyer, though Chandra could get disbarred. Nas tells Stone to proceed. Stone rebukes Nas's new tattoo because it's on the jury's side of the courtroom.
The judge reviews the kiss and states Chandra is now second chair. The case will proceed, and Stone will present closing arguments. Stone argues with the judge but is shut down. This kiss seems like drama for the sake of it. The verdict itself was interesting enough without complicating it.
If the judge looks familiar, it's because he was in season one of True Detective. He was the killer.
Chandra gets fired from her job. The focus is on everyone but Nas. He's the crucial piece, and he gets shuttered in the final episode. Then again, that seems to be a theme of the series.
The prosecutor states that Nas's loss of memory is self preservation. Nas and the prosecutor share a glance during her closing arguments. She falters, but why? Is it due to Box's information? Is it drama, an attempt to make the viewer think she'll relent? She doesn't seem to alter her arguments, so it seems like misdirection.
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| Stone has an Eczema flare up at the worst possible time. |
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| Who did it? |
The prosecutor declines to prosecute further. Nas is free, but what happens next? He's an addict, mentally scarred, and he's got prison tats. The epilogue is intriguing because he isn't the same person that went into Rikers.
I didn't think I'd like this if Nas went free, but the show pulled it off well. Nas went free and it didn't feel like a cheap win. He's damaged. We don't see this, but his interactions with cops and even strangers will always be tinged with this experience. Even with the brief glimpse we see of him in public, he's more predator than prey now. Someone would cross the street just to not have to pass him on the sidewalk.
His relationship with his family isn't the same. He can't help but feel his mom thought he did it. She denies it, but we saw her. Nas meets with Stone who tells him that life moves on. Rikers has forgotten him already. It isn't much solace when it's so fresh on his mind.
This was a solid show. The ending could make or break it, and the ending fits. This doesn't quite delve into the systemic problems of courts and the judicial system like I thought it would, but it does explore it. This is definitely worth watching, and definitely worth a re-watch.
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