After he's subpoenaed, Holcomb offers Perry an olive branch. Meanwhile, Della continues to foster her relationships with Camilla and Anita, giving her the confidence to question her first witness - and push the verdict in the Gallardos' favor.
Della appreciates the clarity the Gallardo case has brought Perry. He's no longer full of existential dread wondering if he has done the right thing. He is willing to engage and take risks. She acknowledges that while never dimming her own light in the process. She's focused on the task at hand. It's easy to get caught up in the sweeping victories they achieve in court. And yet, this story pivots around the devastation coming as soon as the truth is revealed. Darkness abounds throughout the city. It touches this case in numerous ways. The defense team has compromised themselves already. They have tried their best to defend the brothers. They even put forth an argument that could produce an acquittal. But it's still fundamentally about what this case reveals about the people involved. That illumination is key. Rafael gets caught up in the wonder of Perry and Della's presentation. He believes his imprisonment will soon end. As such, he confidently speaks out against the guards. Mateo is much more practical. He's worried about his brother. He doesn't want his family to worry more than they already are. And yet, this journey produces moments of epic highs and crushing lows. One day in court isn't enough to win or lose a case. However, the evidence lurking in the safe is enough to inflict a whole lot of damage. Perry possesses the murder weapon. He knows someone has invaded his life to intimidate him. He reinforces his home with a massive chain. He switches the locks at the office. It's still not enough to keep out the intruder. Strickland has new loyalties now. He doesn't feel the pressure to prove himself. However, he has a job he must do. That includes beating his former partner. He taught Perry so much. He knows how the attorney thinks. He knows where to look for any damning piece of information. That's enough to crush this entire case. The story playing out behind-the-scenes is much different than what's being presented in the courtroom. Perry and Della question the councilman whose sister was left permanently incapacitated following her relationship with Brooks. The entire objective is to showcase how Brooks isn't the beloved son of a prominent family. He created many enemies. This is just one example of that. It's throwing the spotlight to a different subject. The defense only needs reasonable doubt. The prosecution has to prove Rafael and Mateo were the ones who actually committed the crime. The evidence was shaky at best. The murder weapon changes everything. The prosecution will probably come to the same conclusion as Paul did. As such, Rafael and Mateo carry some guilt for this crime. That is no longer a fate that can be blatantly ignored in the courtroom. Everything changes. Now, it's simply a matter of exposing the extent of the crimes the McCutcheon family has been running throughout this prosperous city.
Of course, the show is much less propulsive when the characters examine clues without knowing how they all fit together. It means Perry must trust Holcomb to provide more evidence. That's meaningful when it comes to medical files. It's different when Holcomb seeks a deal to avoid testifying. He doesn't want to speak on the record about Brooks' many shady deals. He was his business partner though. Everything has dried up quickly. Holcomb doesn't know the extent of the business. He's left with the entire fallout. He's scrambling for clues. He fears losing his job and income. Perry knows Holcomb has no ethics. No one should feel pity for him. He presents as useful. He uncovers a scheme involving the McCutcheon company, fruit and oil. It doesn't make any sense. It's enough intrigue to drive the story forward. However, it's much more emotionally revealing when the characters express themselves to their loved ones following the twists of the case. Della is happy for Perry and his new relationship with Ginny. And yet, Perry quickly places blame on Ginny for overhearing something in the office and letting it slip to the other side. Perry needs someone to vilify. Ginny wants to sit down and have a rational conversation. Perry isn't capable of doing that. He's too heated to allow a sensible argument to prevail. That's in sharp contrast to the victory Della feels after questioning her first witness. She understood the shift needed to occur so Perry didn't lose the jury. She delivered it just as effectively as he could. In fact, he's right to think she's the true boss in this partnership. She has a stronger grasp on the law. Plus, she presents with empathy while never denying the brutal facts of the case. She has a job to do. Moreover, she sees the error in her ways when it comes to ignoring parts of her life. It's better to have open and honest communication. She doesn't know how things will work by moving in with Anita. And yet, she's eager to find out. That's a relationship she trusts completely. It's more than something that occurs out of convenience. It's much more substantial. Della is eager to share her thrills and excitement with Anita. That's what she feels in this moment. Meanwhile, Paul remains haunted by what he had to do to obtain a lead. It hasn't even paid off yet. And so, he is continually seeking validation that his actions were ultimately justified. He gets distracted. That isn't good for the case or his family. It leaves Clara and Mo afraid of him. His outrage is misplaced. He can't process it any other way. This is how it's exposed. It's dark and toxic. He doesn't want it to be. This case is having a deep impact on him. It alters his behavior. It will have a lasting impact on the lawyers as well. Lives are on the line. They carry each action with them. The ramifications extend beyond the courtroom. That's true long before the judge personally oversees the retrieval of the gun and comes close to issuing a contempt charge against Perry for the deceit. Everyone involved feels it deeply. No one is immune. They are powerless while also trying to dictate the narrative to the best of their abilities every single day.
