So Help Me Todd (2022) s02e02 Episode Script
Your Day In Court
1
Sorry. Excuse me.
Oh, my God. I'm so not ready.
I am so ready.
BAILIFF: All rise!
WOMAN: Is this gonna take all day?
MAN: I can't believe
I have traffic court.
MAN 2: There's so many people here.
WOMAN 2: God, I hate traffic court.
MAN 3: Traffic court is hell.
MAN 4: Did you see the
guy throw up in the corner?
- All rise!
- REPORTER: burned down the restaurant,
killing the man inside.
REPORTER 2: The highly
anticipated trial begins today.
REPORTER 3: The couple are known
as the "Sweetheart Killers."
- All rise.
- WOMAN: It's really her.
(PEOPLE WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
So, if the judge agrees with our
motion to dismiss the charges,
uh, we will be done before lunch.
(CHUCKLES) I-I know this is still
Terrifying. You should be terrified.
Fear keeps us alive.
Your entire career, your whole life
boils down to this moment.
And this may be the most important case
that Crest, Folding
& Wright has ever had.
BAILIFF BONNIE: In the circuit
court of the state of Oregon
for the county of Multnomah
Lavender Kirk vs. Roland Biondi.
Plaintiff suing for $9 million.
And the plaintiff's attorney?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm here,
Your Honor, uh,
but, uh, we do have one question.
Six parking tickets in ten days?
Six parking tickets
does sound like a lot.
You see, I no longer
have a home anymore,
and I was parking on the street
outside of my brother's apartment,
where I have been living because,
for various reasons,
I-I don't have access
to any of my money.
It's been an unusual few weeks.
But I think that
This is outrageous, subjecting my client
to repeated attacks and public scorn?
I have never in my entire career
seen such disgusting behavior.
Never. It makes me want to
Throw the book at you.
That seems harsh.
FOSTER: Pay the fines by end of today
or I will suspend your license.
And aren't you a doctor?
What kind of life
choices are you making?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Uh, Your Honor, D.A. Boatman rushed
to indict my clients because of
the high-profile nature of this case.
But in his haste,
he has provided only the
flimsiest of evidence.
Many witnesses saw the defendants
dining at the Moon & Stars Restaurant
the night of the arson and
murder. And they argued,
heatedly, with the victim,
the manager of the Moon & Stars.
Three hours before the
restaurant burned down.
By the time of the fire, my clients
were both at home, in bed,
as confirmed by phone
records the police gathered.
A car matching theirs was spotted
near the scene at the time of the fire.
By a witness who got the make
and color of the car wrong.
BOATMAN: And the arson elements
were matched to the same brands
in the defendants' garage.
Uh, brands found in any craft store,
with no fingerprints.
Your Honor, the D.A. has
yet to present a motive
as to why this upstanding couple
would commit such a horrific crime.
And without motive, opportunity
or a credible tie to the weapon
Okay, I've heard enough.
Motion to dismiss denied.
(BANGS GAVEL)
Bailiff will bring in the jury
and we'll begin opening statements.
But Beverly said that we'd
get the case dismissed.
Beverly also says that
every case has its setbacks.
And even though Beverly
couldn't be at the trial today,
Margaret is now fully prepa
This is more than a setback, right?
It is disappointment, yes.
But legally, we are in the right.
The judge made a bad call,
but I am fully ready to
Lila and I need to talk.
BAILIFF: Sorry, Your Honor,
I'm missing a juror. I'll find her.
- Hey, Mom?
- Todd?
What are you doing down here?
Did something happen upstairs?
Oh, honey, this is your
first trial with Beverly.
You know, she will not tolerate
Hey, hey, hey.
Everything's fine up there.
How's everything going down here?
Beverly dumped this gigantic case on me
with three days to prepare.
I've got the press on every corner
waiting for me to fail, and
I have to prove myself now.
- To who?
- To whom.
I have to show that I can
step in with no notice and win.
(CELL PHONE BUZZES)
A name partner has to deliver, Todd,
- so whatever it is you're
- Oh, come on.
Beverly landed the Lavender
Kirk trial upstairs.
Of course she switched out.
But, look, you've got this.
And did you bring that box for me?
Good to know that your concern
for your mother is all-encompassing.
Ah, don't tell me: Secret decoder ring?
X-ray glasses? Sea monkeys?
"Lead Detective"?
Since when did he become lead detective?
Of his firm, Lyle. His firm.
His tiny, little one-man
Army. My one-man army.
Okay, Private Peach Fuzz?
And she's totally okay with this
and so should you be.
So should be you? So be you should.
I will never understand you two.
BAILIFF: Your Honor, found her.
WOMAN: I am so sorry.
I-I was hacked.
Someone stole my credit card
and they bought TVs, computers and
clothes from Italy?
(BUZZES)
Uh, wait, that's-that's
my bank calling
Let's take a 15. (GAVEL BANGS)
Hi. Todd Wright, private investigator.
Hi, T. Wright, P.I.,
fully licensed and
available for your legal,
professional and personal
investigative needs.
Hi, T.W., P.I.. Hello, there.
Someone is very excited.
Oh, I am on top of the world.
I got my license back,
I've got my own firm,
and I've already scheduled
a few interviews with
some potential clients.
Here at the courthouse?
I mean, what better place?
And my first one is in
oh, two minutes.
Do I look professional?
Uh, sure.
- Yeah?
- Oh, wait. How's it going upstairs?
What is Lavender Kirk like?
I mean, is the case just totally
Huge. Mind-blowing.
Trial of the century.
I can't even Oh, Beverly.
Uh, you looking for me?
No. Keep your phone close
and appear only when I text you.
Okay.
Susan
How's Margaret doing?
Oh, good. Fine.
I mean, we didn't get
the dismissal, but
Dropping the ball already, is she?
No, I-I don't think that she
- It's only
- Only a high profile
murder case starring
the Sweetheart Killers
the press is going crazy for?
And I totally understand why
you'd switch to a case
against Lavender Kirk.
I mean, an $800 million tech company
before she's even 30? And she
Never exposes herself
to public scrutiny and
may be looking for a new lawyer.
Wait, what?
Lavender Kirk would let go of Gus?
But hasn't he been her personal counsel
since she was at Stanford?
Precisely.
Big day for all of us.
So, nail your cross-examinations.
Oh, uh, Margaret hasn't handed me
A single cross? When you've been
prepping this case from day one?
Fascinating behavior from your mentor.
You just got your license?
No, no, no. I had it before,
and now I have it again.
It came back.
It's like The Terminator.
Wait.
You're Margaret's
younger son, aren't you?
The one with a criminal record?
Well, I was never convicted of anything
except being an excellent
detective. (CHUCKLES)
You're that Todd Wright?
That's the one.
Nobody is going to hire you.
Your name is dirt.
I hate to say it,
- but my experience with rookie detectives
- No, no, no, no.
- I'm not a rookie.
- is that they couldn't solve a simple crime
even if it was right under their nose.
I'm sorry.
- What a day, huh?
- (GRUNTS)
Look, I have to pay
a few parking tickets,
and so I recognize how ironic
this is going to sound,
but I need to ask you for a loan.
You need a loan from me?
It's a temporary one until
they unfreeze my accounts
and they send me my
new credit cards and
And when is that going to be?
It's unclear.
Look, can you just do this for me?
And then also give me a ride home?
What? Your car is still booted?
And you do understand
that I am working now?
My car was impounded,
and you seem to be
sitting alone on a bench.
I am on call to pop in and out
of an enormous trial upstairs.
Okay, popping in and out
means that you have downtime.
You don't understand popping.
Look, just go sit in Mom's courtroom.
It is a hot murder case.
Life and death.
Maybe you'll learn something.
I am an emergency room doctor.
Yeah, with a whole day off.
So, either find another way home,
or I will bring you some crackers
and a juice box on my next pop.
(MAKES POPPING NOISE)
Oh, Bonnie. Welcome back.
I was so sorry to hear about Freddy.
- Thank you.
- Mm.
Feels good to be busy.
And I helped get my nephew a job here,
- so I have some support.
- Oh. Good.
I saw your new title. How's it going?
Oh, well, every day is a surprise.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
- Did you hear Lavender Kirk is in the building?
- Yes.
Portland's Bill Gates, right upstairs.
Plus, that case you got
- those Sweetheart Killers and all that press.
- Oh, yeah.
Whew. What a day at the courthouse, huh?
- (VOICE CALLING LOUDLY)
- Oops, I better get going.
Okay. Ooh.
Okay.
Hi.
It's been a few days.
It's been a week and a half.
Well, you said hold off, so I
I didn't say disappear.
I-I had this huge case dumped on me,
and I've been running
around trying to
uh
Gus. (CHUCKLES)
GUS: Those your clients?
The murdering arsonists?
They're not murderers. Look at them.
They're the perfect couple.
(LAUGHS) As if there was such a thing.
How's Harry?
I sent him away.
I changed the locks that night.
He is gone.
- (CELL PHONE BUZZING)
-
- (GROANS)
- That's not that gone.
He calls me non-stop.
Well, tell him to cut it out.
I did.
But I'm not in control of
what he does. Obviously.
Well, he obviously still
thinks you're together.
We are not together.
He walked out of a ten-year marriage
without a word. He's a mess.
And I am not to blame for any of this.
(SCOFFS)
That sounds like
something my ex would say.
- Wha
- Hey, just
Look, I don't know what
happened in your marriage,
you know, any more than you
know what happened in mine.
But I do know that
both people play a part.
Ah, I got to go.
(DOOR CLOSES)
All right.
The Hogans are united.
They were together all that night.
Nate confirms Lila's
alibi. Lila confirms Nate's.
I know, it's weak, but it's all we got.
We present them together
as a united team.
Barton Perry, Your Honor,
representing Lila Hogan.
What? Excuse me?
No, I represent Lila Hogan.
Motion for substitution of counsel
and motion to sever the trial
of Lila and Nathan Hogan.
Sever?
No, they are being tried together.
You can't just
Okay, motion for substitution of counsel
and motion to sever granted.
We'll move forward with
Nathan Hogan's case first,
since, Ms. Wright,
you are fully prepped?
What? No, uh defense
requests a new trial.
This is already a complete
circus. No new trial.
Excuse me, please. Um
Respectfully, Your Honor, uh,
this is grounds for an appeal.
Take it up with the Court
of Appeals after we're done.
This case moves forward in 20.
(GALLERY MURMURING)
(STAMMERS) Beverly had a
better handle on joint defense.
We just feel that separate
trials would be best.
(SIGHS)
MAN: Yeah, I got picked for
a trial, like, two weeks ago,
and somebody got my
credit card number somehow
and bought all this junk.
Another scam victim?
Our whole strategy was based
on trying them together.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Everything will be fine.
They're innocent, right?
They didn't do it, did they?
Maybe one of them did.
♪
What is this? What are they doing?
Maybe Lila set the fire and
she's throwing him under the bus?
Or she knows he set the fire.
Maybe
I do have an alternate suspect.
SUSAN: Lila?
Uh, Margaret, they're
not gonna go for that.
Based upon my experience
prepping them
Uh, your whole experience
was based on a joint defense,
and the Hogans just threw that out.
Our only job now is to
keep Nate out of jail.
Okay. Our first witness
will be the bartender
from the Moon & Stars.
- I-I prepared the cross, so I could
- Uh, Susan?
I am sure that your work is exemplary,
but everything has changed.
We have to do this my way now.
FRONTERA: We are back.
Is defense ready for opening statements?
Uh, defense waives their opening remarks
and saves them for another time.
MARGARET: So, you were bartending
at the Moon & the Stars Restaurant
the night of the fire.
And you were witness
to the argument between the manager
and the Hogans, correct?
(LAUGHS): Oh, yeah. Bruh.
So, as a medical expert, tell me,
have you ever seen trauma run this deep?
Someone so broken
they couldn't function?
Couldn't live?
I mean, serious,
life-altering, earth-shattering trauma?
A-and what-what exactly
did you see in that fight?
Well, they were freaking out.
And the lady? Lila? She was like,
"ka-bam," going off.
It was Lila who went off on
the manager, not my client
Mr. Hogan?
- It was totes the lady.
- Ooh.
Totes the lady.
(MURMURING)
(WHISPERS): What is she doing?
(WHISPERS): She's defending you.
So, simply put, the
victim's life exploded.
He sees three therapists now,
can't sleep, can't go to school,
won't go on playdates.
And will certainly never, ever
- eat cake again.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- Yeah?
- (WHISPERING): They have a surprise medical expert.
Who do we have to rebut?
(WHISPERING): I don't
know, who do we have?
I mean, oh, you're
asking me you need
Well, where am I gonna
find a medical expert
on such short no Oh, oh!
So, you-you did not see
my client do anything?
No threats, no
This lawyer's pretty good, huh?
MARGARET: He didn't throw a tantrum,
he didn't escalate the matter
towards anyone else in the restaurant?
Any waiter? He didn't involve any
(WHISPERS): Hey. I need you. Now.
Already? You're gonna drive me home?
Uh, sort of, yeah. Follow me.
I don't remember the
parking lot being upstairs.
But let me ask you, when you
had your identity stolen
- the credit card stuff
- Ugh, yes,
after my failed "personal
exploration weekend."
- Right.
- They took out loans in Latvia in my name.
And now all my bank accounts are frozen
- and I can't
- Okay, okay, but-but how did they do it?
The guy at the hair salon
just swiped your credit card?
No, I paid him in cash.
But he put me in touch
with all the retreat people.
And so, I don't know, maybe they, like,
took info off my phone?
Is that even poss
Also, where are we going?
I'm driving you home,
but first, I need you
to go testify as a
medical expert real quick.
- What?
- It's fine, don't freak out,
you're an emergency room doctor, right?
So just answer some questions
- about life and death
- I can't
- and bodies or whatever.
- Todd, this is ridiculous.
Why would I do that?
I don't know, how about
a free place to live?
I have that Wait.
Pay off my parking
tickets and I'll do it.
Mom has slashed my salary in half.
Okay, well, I can just
let you find another
last-minute medical expert
somewhere here in this building.
- (STAMMERS)
- It's fine, it's fine, it's fine.
- I will pay them, all right?
- Yes. Okay.
Wait, wait, wait. What
am I testifying about?
(WHISPERS): You'll see.
Okay
BEVERLY: Would you qualify
these simple felt objects,
these puppets,
as capable of inflicting
harm on a human child?
I'm sorry, what?
Do they have sentient thought,
violent intentions, free will?
Okay, I'm here to
To confirm that Amadeus Alligator
and Princess Michellephant
are medically incapable
of intentional acts
that could harm a child.
Oh, my God, that's Lavender Kirk.
Sorry. Sorry.
I, um
(CLEARS THROAT)
I did not study puppet anatomy,
but without a brain,
heart or nervous system,
uh, they're not what
we would classically
refer to as "alive."
- Is this really
- Your witness.
Dr. Grant.
Ever have a puppet nightmare?
I might be having one right now.
Ever get embarrassed
in front of your friends
- (MOUTHS)
- when you were five and then
had to go back to school the next day?
Well okay, generally,
I understand the concept.
How about having a puppet
shove cake in your face
and call you a crybaby at
your own birthday party?
To not be able to go to parties anymore,
or sleep without seeing
their big, puppety eyes?
Unending visions of
these unholy monsters?
Um, who
Wouldn't you agree that
this man is a deranged sadist
who used a puppet to shove birthday cake
in the face of my client's child
for a laugh?
This case is about a puppet show?
Objection.
A new witness, at this late hour?
This is an outrage.
Uh, this witness was in the dining room
at the time of the Hogans' argument.
Well, the-the D the D.A.'s office
and the police interviewed
every single witness.
He's a chef, who only
returned from Spain today,
and he can testify to
hearing Mr. Hogan say,
- under his breath, to the victim
- No, no.
- "If you don't apologize to my wife,"
- You're going to allow this?
- "I'll come back later"
- This is absolutely unacceptable.
"and burn this place to the ground"
- "with you in it."
- No. You stop. Stop.
(MURMURING)
Your Honor.
The D.A. has just tainted
this jury by reciting
inadmissible, hearsay evidence
from a witness that I had no access to.
It prejudices the jury, and I
demand an immediate mistrial.
WOMAN: Excuse me.
I'd like to call a recess.
You can't call a recess. You're a juror.
I'm so sorry, Your Honor,
but I just got a notification
on my phone from my bank?
"Fraudulent activity, identity breach"?
That's three people hacked.
And they're all jurors?
- (GAVEL BANGS)
- RIDGE: Order.
Uh, excuse me. Sorry.
Order.
Your Honor, if you will not grant
an immediate mistrial,
at the very least,
can we expunge this from the records?
FRONTERA: Order.
Order! Order!
It's a criminal enterprise
targeting jurors.
Here, at the courthouse. Think about it.
Hundreds of them pass through every day.
Right? A faceless mob.
- Perfect targets.
- And you're the only one
- to figure this out?
- Uh, yes, me.
Because everyone else is only
in one court, but I'm in two.
And the hallways. I'm everywhere.
Isn't that one of your business cards?
Yes.
"Rookie detective." Ha.
Ha. Look who's solving crimes
"right under his nose" now.
I'm not sure about my testimony.
Puppets are not alive. They're not.
But I suppose there is a living
hand presence inside of them.
Anyway, I got to get
back to your mom's case.
Well, my case.
The one that I've
been working so hard on
but she doesn't consult
me and barely even sees me.
ALLISON: I just testified
against Lavender Kirk's child.
You're my mother's star employee.
Of course she sees you.
Yeah, I just, I have so much
information about them, and
You know what? Never mind.
Good luck with your conspiracy.
What? It's not a conspiracy.
Princess Michellephant.
Okay, Al? Pull it together.
- Okay.
- I need your help with something.
Sure.
Everyone is attacking me.
Including you.
What is this sandwich?
Beets, arugula, Nutella,
alfalfa sprouts and bacon.
- And pickles.
- Oh,
- God, I think I'm
- No, just just wait for it.
Mmm.
- See?
- Mmm.
Listen, I'm sorry about earlier.
I could've kept my mouth
shut while you were working.
Doesn't mean I'm not still steamed.
- How's the big case going?
- (GROANS)
That bad, huh?
I got one surprise witness excluded,
but not before the D.A.
blasted damning testimony
to the entire court.
And I'm fairly certain I'm
representing a murderer.
Mm. Been there.
And believe it or not,
I think you were right.
You can never really know
what goes on inside of
anyone's relationship.
I mean, this couple, they were
(PHONE BUZZING)
You are hard on your phone.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
What does he want, anyway?
I don't know. The one time
I accidentally answered,
all he did was cry and apologize.
He was not what I was expecting.
That makes two of us.
What happened in-in your divorce?
- Oh
- You said it was messy. How?
She was sleeping with my brother.
Oh.
So I put a garden hose in his Mercedes,
and filled that sucker
up like a water balloon.
- (LAUGHS)
- Boom.
- Oh, Gus.
- (CHUCKLES)
BEVERLY: Interesting.
(CLEARS THROAT) I guess that's my cue.
- Knock 'em dead.
- Mm-hmm.
I handed you an easy dismissal.
Beverly, one of them is lying.
The press are everywhere. We need a win
and all of this free publicity.
Well, maybe if I'd gotten
the case a little earlier
You're a name partner now.
And have you fired any of the employees
on that list I gave you?
No. I decided to forego
my salary for one quarter
until we resolve this.
Margaret, you can't save everyone.
Well, I don't want to hear it.
It was my decision, and I made it.
Then how about some insider
intel into Gus as a litigator?
What's his weakness?
Beverly.
I can't do that. That would be
I have an $800 million
marlin on the line
that could singlehandedly save our firm,
and the only way to hook her is to
drown Gus first, and the only person
that can help me do that is you.
No.
- (PHONE BUZZING)
-
(GRUNTS)
(PHONE CONTINUES BUZZING)
Come. Come, come. Come.
All right, now, look.
This is the jurors' dedicated entrance.
Now, I need you to go out
and come in again as a juror.
- Don't jurors come in in the morning?
- Whatever.
You're an alternate, a
late-nik. Okay, what's your name?
- Allison.
- No.
- Your made-up juror name.
- Oh. I don't know.
I always felt like I could be a June.
- Great.
- You're June Allison.
- Okay.
- Now, slip out over there,
unnoticed, and circle
back in as a juror.
- Okay.
- Okay.
(SIGHS)
Okay. All right.
Decoy subject is confused
about everything, but game.
Reporting for Judy for jury duty.
She's approaching security now.
- (ALARM BEEPING)
- Hey. Hey.
Take off your watch and go again.
Okay.
And you forgot to sign in.
Oh, yeah, sorry.
Thank you.
Oh, my God, it's watches.
It's smartwatches. Watches!
He's skimming info off smartwatches.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- I panicked and I signed in as you.
- Great. Okay.
Now, go back into the jury holding room
and look for jurors with smartwatches.
- I'm gonna go consult with Mom.
- Okay.
Go.
Signed in as me?
Mom. Mom.
- Can you go back to your own case, Lead Detective?
- TODD: Shh.
- Can I ask you something?
- Oh, my God.
- Hey.
- Todd, I don't have time for this.
The juror that was
hacked, it's a crime wave.
I'm serious. One of the security guards
- is skimming info off smartwatches.
- Skimming.
- What is that?
- And he is getting peoples' credit card information.
- Smartwatches. Nobody's
- He's buying all this stuff, so who do I tell?
- I have no idea.
- Who polices the police here?
Motion to admit new evidence.
Wh-What? No. Objection, Your Honor.
If D.A. Boatman continues with
this spaghetti-throwing strategy
Uh, we have a recording
of Nathan Hogan confessing
to the arson and murder,
which we received from Lila Hogan.
(GALLERY MURMURING LOUDLY)
What?
Lila Hogan will be on the
stand later this afternoon
- Where did Lila go?
- to authenticate it,
but I have her signed
and notarized affidavit,
and we would like to
play the recording now.
No! Your Honor, this
another outrageous ploy
Play the recording.
NATE (ON RECORDING): I'm
so sorry. I set the fire,
but I didn't know the
manager was inside.
You have to believe me.
I never meant to kill anybody.
- (EXCITED MURMURING)
- (EXHALES)
- You started it, that's what they just said.
- It wasn't me.
I didn't start that fire,
and I didn't kill that man,
and Lila knows that because she did it.
She's framing me.
So that voice wasn't you?
Well, what, was it
faked, then? Was it AI?
Nate, just tell me that you
didn't say any of those things
and I can take it straight
to the D.A. with an affidavit.
It was me. I said those words, but I
Look, I can't but Lila is
sacrificing me to save herself.
Nate!
Tell us what actually
happened that night.
The dinner at the
Moon & Stars was awful.
It was cold, it took forever
to show up, and Lila's got
a low tolerance for that kind of thing,
so she pushed me to
speak to the manager.
- Yeah, the man who died.
- Yes. And we got into this big fight.
Lila always does this.
She starts something,
and then she goads me
into sticking up for her.
And after you got home?
She wouldn't let it go.
She she said we had to go back.
And I went along with it because
I love her.
And a husband does what his
wife needs no matter what. Right?
So, at the restaurant later?
She smashes a window,
and she throws in, like, this
Molotov cocktail.
She went crazy.
All I did was cover the whole
thing up, I swear to you.
So how do you explain the recording?
That's me begging her
to say those things.
I wanted her to confess to the police.
That recording is me
telling her what to say.
Just say, "I started the fire,
but I didn't know the
manager was inside."
But how did she record
you without you knowing?
NATE: We were in the hot
tub when I told her all that,
so I-I don't know.
She took the-the recorder
into the hot tub with her?
No, no, because we were naked,
so I-I don't know.
I can't figure out, unless, um
Maybe her watch.
A smartwatch?
NATE: She never takes that thing off.
Look, I swear to you, if you could hear
the entire recording,
then you'd know the truth.
I need to go speak to Todd. Right now.
We make him hand over his skimmer,
and then you want to skim Lila's watch?
Yes, because I want to see if
the full recording is on there
- and what else was said.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, Todd, this is a crime.
Skimmering is a crime.
Yeah, and the guy
doing it is a criminal.
Yeah, but I am not.
(STAMMERS) I can't do this,
Todd. We'll have to just
Well, no, we'll have to subpoena
her data plan or something.
Lila is on the stand
in what, 30 minutes?
Oh
- What?
- Ah. But it's closed.
Of course it is.
All the juries have already
been sat for the day.
Oh, Todd, I think we're gonna have to
(WHISPERS): The guard.
There he is. Come on.
(WHISPERS): Okay, look.
(QUIETLY): Okay. All right.
Come on, come on, come on.
Okay.
Ah, damn.
Okay, Mom, we need to split up.
Split up.
Spluh-it-tuh up-uh.
♪
(SIGHS)
(PANTING)
(GASPS)
(PANTING)
(EXHALES)
GUS: Thank you, Henry.
Your witness.
BEVERLY: Hi, Henry.
I'm Beverly.
I like your bow tie.
I only have a few easy questions,
so you don't have to be
scared. Are you scared?
No.
You're very brave.
You ever get scared,
or have trouble eating
or sleeping before the puppet show?
Sometimes.
Oh.
- Objection.
- I'm hypoglycemic.
If I don't get sugar right away,
I'll have to take a recess.
Did you want a recess?
So, you have had issues
sleeping and eating
before you met Amadeus and the Princess.
Hmm.
Oh, did you want a bite?
It's delicious.
Oh! Oh, oh!
I'm so sorry.
RIDGE: What's going on?
Everyone okay?
(CHUCKLES): Uh, no, no.
Everything's perfectly
fine. Just carry on.
BONNIE: Oh, Margaret.
(WHISPERS): I have to
get you out of here.
Renewed objection to the
sudden appearance of cake,
- an obvious ploy to tempt a minor in a devious
- Oh, your keys.
immature and unprofessional manner.
- (MOUTHING)
- Opposing counsel should be sanctioned.
Bonnie, I am so, so sorry.
But I have to ask you,
what do you know about
that security guard?
Who? My nephew JT?
Bonnie.
Are-are those the new Prada brogues?
Those shoes cost $1,200.
Oh, uh
JT got them for me for
getting him the job, and I
It's nothing, really.
- He
- Oh.
Bonnie.
The security guard is her nephew.
- Mm-hmm.
- So, Bailiff Bonnie let her wayward nephew
talk her into this scam
to cover funeral expenses.
You know her husband
died, right? And anyway,
they got "carried away,"
but I promised I'd get
the D.A. to go easy on them
- if they would just hand over this.
- The skimmer.
Whatever it is, and
no, I don't want to know
what you're gonna do
with it, just do it fast.
All right, well, from what I saw,
this thing has to touch the watch itself
for, like, at least five seconds.
But Lila's gonna be on
the stand in ten minutes.
Oh, well, that's like 600 seconds,
but how am I gonna get it
next to or get it near
Okay, okay, okay. Give me five minutes.
300 seconds.
Four. 240.
- 240.
- (DOOR CLOSES)
Can you confirm for the jury
that the voice on that recording
is in fact that of Nate Hogan?
TECH EXPERT: Yes, we can
verify with 100% accuracy.
BOATMAN: And what do you
base your expert opinion on?
TECH EXPERT: Well, voice verification
uses the unique features that
- (CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
- Hi.
(DEEP VOICE): And hello from me, too.
(NORMAL VOICE): My friend's
on trial for excessive biting.
Can you believe that? It's so biased.
You know, it's reptile
profiling, is what it is.
(DEEP VOICE): But you look so delicious.
(IMITATES BITE)
(NORMAL VOICE): Oh, my God.
- I'm so sorry.
- What are you doing?
I can't control him.
(DEEP VOICE): Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
- Wow, God, you are a menace.
- Get off of me.
- So sorry.
- What are you doing?
TODD: Release, unclench.
(LAUGHING MANIACALLY)
I am so sorry.
We need counseling. You might, too.
Your Honor, I am so sorry.
We need a short recess.
- Can we take five?
- Take ten.
And what's going on back there?
Is that man with the puppet gone?
Oh, what puppet? (CHUCKLES)
The watch's memory was wiped clean.
Nothing.
I thought data was never actually gone.
Aren't there any, like, data bits
hiding somewhere around in there?
Sometimes you can
access deleted apps or
Maybe try a photo-sharing app.
Here's one. Yes.
Archived images.
Trash folder
Deleted photos.
- This is just food.
- Wait, wait, wait.
That's Lila.
At a tiki bar?
- How many photos are there?
- LYLE: Maybe a dozen.
And they geolocate to Acapulco.
The date stamp has them taken in
July, last year.
And the murder happened early August.
Wait, wait, wait. Go back.
That last photo was live.
It's a "live" photo.
It's like paintings
in Harry Potter? Here.
She had drinks in Acapulco
with a man who's not her husband
a few weeks before the murder?
That's
the restaurant manager.
The one who died in the fire.
Lila was having an affair.
Maybe the manager dumped Lila
and she decided to kill him.
She's the murderer.
LYLE: No, Nate found out
about the affair, and he's the murderer.
Either way, you can use the
live photo to impeach Lila.
- No, we can't use that photo.
- No, she can't use the photo.
- Why not?
- Why not?
Well, let's just say
that the chain of custody on
this particular bit of evidence
- is a little compromised.
- TODD: Dodgy.
It's dodgermised.
There's got to be a way to enter
this, prove they were together.
We could subpoena the smartwatch.
Well, Lila will have testified
before we can make that happen.
Or I could, like,
turn off all the lights
and throw the watch
right at the judge's face,
or use like a fishing pole, or
Whatever, fine, like a
long pole with a string.
MARGARET: No, no, no, no.
We don't have to prove that Lila did it,
we just have to establish
doubt that Nate did.
If only I could pit
them against each other.
Then we could turn his doubt
into reasonable doubt and
SUSAN: It's too bad you
can't put Nate and Lila
on the stand at the same time.
But what if I could?
Susan, do you still have
Lila's phone records?
- I have them.
- Her travel records, Todd?
- Okay.
- And Susan
The manager's travel
history, yeah, I'm on it.
Oh, and Margaret?
Nate goes to bed every night
at 11:00 p.m., like clockwork.
(EXHALES) Susan. (CHUCKLES)
I could kiss you!
(LAUGHS)
And you deserve a raise. And my thanks.
And I should have said it sooner.
But, okay, everybody:
Let's go.
Okay, just for the record,
she deserves a raise
and you cut my salary in half.
Just want to point that out.
It's fine. Just wanted to point it out.
And you can verify that you
were together at the time,
and that you heard
Nate say those things.
I couldn't believe it,
but yes.
I only turned it in because apparently
Nate is trying to make
me look guilty now.
And I love him.
I do.
But I can't go to prison for him.
Thank you, Ms. Hogan.
Your witness.
Uh, Ms. Hogan, had you ever been
to the Moon & Stars Restaurant
before the night of the fire?
No.
You may step down.
I reserve the right to recall Ms. Hogan.
Defense calls Mr. Hogan
as a rebuttal witness.
Objection.
FRONTERA: I'll allow it.
Mr. Hogan?
MARGARET: Uh, Nate
what time do you usually
go to bed at night?
11:00 p.m.
Thank you, you may step down.
Okay, what is this?
Defense recalls Lila Hogan
and reserves the right
to recall Mr. Hogan.
It's unorthodox, but allowable.
Ms. Hogan, your phone records,
which locate you at home
the night of the murder,
also locate you at the
Moon & Stars Restaurant
14 times between March and July of 2023.
Uh, all after 11:00 p.m.
What?
And these phone records
also show that you
were in Acapulco, Mexico
the week of July 23,
three weeks before the murder.
Acapulco?
Defense reserves the
right to recall Ms. Hogan
and calls Mr. Hogan.
You were away the week of July 23
last year on a business trip, correct?
Mm Yes. I was at a convention.
And I thought Lila was at home,
not in Acapulco.
MARGARET: Were you
aware that the manager
of the Moon & Stars Restaurant
was also in Acapulco last year?
His his travel records show
that he was there from
July 23 through July 30
the same time as your wife.
Lila
Are you beginning to rethink
everything about your marriage, then?
Yes.
This is not the marriage
that I thought I had.
It's terrible
when you find out the
person you're married to
is capable of deeds
you could never imagine.
Lies,
betrayal
She was counting on you
to be the husband that
did whatever she needed.
But, Nate, are you beginning
to doubt that commitment now?
Yes.
I have doubts about everything.
Me, too.
All I have
are doubts.
(HUSHED CHATTER)
JURY FOREPERSON: I'm sorry, Your Honor.
We tried, but can't come
to a unanimous decision.
Request to poll the jury, Your Honor.
Mr. Foreperson, how say you?
Guilty.
Princess Michellephant
totally seems capable of abuse.
Amadeus Alligator is
the real menace here.
Not guilty.
JURY FOREPERSON: Are you insane?
They are puppets!
Okay, they're controlled
by that guy right there.
- I said don't talk about
- (GAVEL BANGS TWICE)
RIDGE: You are excused
with the court's thanks
and I hereby declare a mistrial.
The plaintiff can refile its suit,
if it so desires. Court is adjourned.
(GAVEL BANGS)
(SIGHS)
You would do anything
for a win, wouldn't you?
We both know a puppet show
doesn't have $9 million.
But the press has pegged you
as a reclusive, cold-hearted bitch.
And you wanted an image change.
The doting mom.
So, you pulled some pricy strings
to land your case in
court on the exact same day
the press are swarming downstairs,
just so you could be spotted
with your little angel.
Too bad your attorney couldn't deliver.
Because, yes, I would do
anything for a client
and a win.
I heard the wife's gonna be charged
with premeditated murder.
And Nate is going to take
a plea for covering it up.
What, you couldn't get it knocked down?
Well, he asked me not to.
He wants to take responsibility
for what he did wrong.
Oh, oh. (CHUCKLES)
Well, there's a novel idea.
All right.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Okay, I may have done
some things wrong in my marriage.
- What? Wow.
- We both played a part, all right?
But I did not betray him
and I did not abandon him.
And if I were lucky enough
to meet someone someday,
say someone who favored
horrifically unpressed shirts
and-and corduroys that
wore out in 2010
I would
I would want to make sure
that we were both equals.
And that there were no lies between us.
And no secrets and no fires.
No Iceland.
- And no garden hoses.
- (CHUCKLES)
You know your partner's
trying to steal my client.
I know! I know!
(OVERLAPPING SHOUTING)
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
REPORTER: Ms. Wright, Ms. Wright.
Can we get a statement?
Well, what can I say?
The truth won today.
Justice prevailed.
Uh Excuse me?
Are you Todd, Todd Wright?
Uh, yeah.
I heard you got the guy who
hacked into my credit card.
I'm so grateful.
Oh, yeah, of course, it's nothing.
Uh
This is gonna sound weird, but, uh
my friend's dog is missing.
I mean, it might've been
dog-napped by her ex-boyfriend,
we're trying to figure that out,
but do you have like
a card or something?
A card? Uh
Indeed I do.
Thanks. Uh, I-I'm gonna call you.
We're gonna call you. Thank you.
Okay. Yeah. And you got that.
Okay.
Hey.
Where have you been?
I thought you went home.
No, no, no, you made me
go in that jury room
- Uh-huh.
- and then I got picked
for a grand jury thing.
And I've been in there
for hours deliberating.
What? Wait, you were on a grand jury?
Yeah. No one checked
my ID when I went in.
And then It was intense.
I think we decided to let
the airplane sue the airport.
Something like that. Whatever.
What happened with Lavender Kirk?
- Oh. Mistrial. Mm-hmm.
- Huh.
- And Mom?
- She won.
Of course.
Did you pay my parking tickets?
Do I look like I paid
your parking tickets?
I am gonna sleep in
your bed until you do.
What? I'm not sleeping on my own couch.
Well, you can sleep in
the bathtub for all I care.
You sleep in the bathtub.
Was I this difficult when
I was living in your garage?
Are you kidding me? Yes.
TODD: What are you talking about?
Whoa, wait, there was no bathroom.
Do you remember the bucket?
ALLISON: Yes, of course I remember.
TODD: Do you remember the
incident with the bucket?
I will never understand that family.
Sorry. Excuse me.
Oh, my God. I'm so not ready.
I am so ready.
BAILIFF: All rise!
WOMAN: Is this gonna take all day?
MAN: I can't believe
I have traffic court.
MAN 2: There's so many people here.
WOMAN 2: God, I hate traffic court.
MAN 3: Traffic court is hell.
MAN 4: Did you see the
guy throw up in the corner?
- All rise!
- REPORTER: burned down the restaurant,
killing the man inside.
REPORTER 2: The highly
anticipated trial begins today.
REPORTER 3: The couple are known
as the "Sweetheart Killers."
- All rise.
- WOMAN: It's really her.
(PEOPLE WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY)
So, if the judge agrees with our
motion to dismiss the charges,
uh, we will be done before lunch.
(CHUCKLES) I-I know this is still
Terrifying. You should be terrified.
Fear keeps us alive.
Your entire career, your whole life
boils down to this moment.
And this may be the most important case
that Crest, Folding
& Wright has ever had.
BAILIFF BONNIE: In the circuit
court of the state of Oregon
for the county of Multnomah
Lavender Kirk vs. Roland Biondi.
Plaintiff suing for $9 million.
And the plaintiff's attorney?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm here,
Your Honor, uh,
but, uh, we do have one question.
Six parking tickets in ten days?
Six parking tickets
does sound like a lot.
You see, I no longer
have a home anymore,
and I was parking on the street
outside of my brother's apartment,
where I have been living because,
for various reasons,
I-I don't have access
to any of my money.
It's been an unusual few weeks.
But I think that
This is outrageous, subjecting my client
to repeated attacks and public scorn?
I have never in my entire career
seen such disgusting behavior.
Never. It makes me want to
Throw the book at you.
That seems harsh.
FOSTER: Pay the fines by end of today
or I will suspend your license.
And aren't you a doctor?
What kind of life
choices are you making?
(CLEARS THROAT)
Uh, Your Honor, D.A. Boatman rushed
to indict my clients because of
the high-profile nature of this case.
But in his haste,
he has provided only the
flimsiest of evidence.
Many witnesses saw the defendants
dining at the Moon & Stars Restaurant
the night of the arson and
murder. And they argued,
heatedly, with the victim,
the manager of the Moon & Stars.
Three hours before the
restaurant burned down.
By the time of the fire, my clients
were both at home, in bed,
as confirmed by phone
records the police gathered.
A car matching theirs was spotted
near the scene at the time of the fire.
By a witness who got the make
and color of the car wrong.
BOATMAN: And the arson elements
were matched to the same brands
in the defendants' garage.
Uh, brands found in any craft store,
with no fingerprints.
Your Honor, the D.A. has
yet to present a motive
as to why this upstanding couple
would commit such a horrific crime.
And without motive, opportunity
or a credible tie to the weapon
Okay, I've heard enough.
Motion to dismiss denied.
(BANGS GAVEL)
Bailiff will bring in the jury
and we'll begin opening statements.
But Beverly said that we'd
get the case dismissed.
Beverly also says that
every case has its setbacks.
And even though Beverly
couldn't be at the trial today,
Margaret is now fully prepa
This is more than a setback, right?
It is disappointment, yes.
But legally, we are in the right.
The judge made a bad call,
but I am fully ready to
Lila and I need to talk.
BAILIFF: Sorry, Your Honor,
I'm missing a juror. I'll find her.
- Hey, Mom?
- Todd?
What are you doing down here?
Did something happen upstairs?
Oh, honey, this is your
first trial with Beverly.
You know, she will not tolerate
Hey, hey, hey.
Everything's fine up there.
How's everything going down here?
Beverly dumped this gigantic case on me
with three days to prepare.
I've got the press on every corner
waiting for me to fail, and
I have to prove myself now.
- To who?
- To whom.
I have to show that I can
step in with no notice and win.
(CELL PHONE BUZZES)
A name partner has to deliver, Todd,
- so whatever it is you're
- Oh, come on.
Beverly landed the Lavender
Kirk trial upstairs.
Of course she switched out.
But, look, you've got this.
And did you bring that box for me?
Good to know that your concern
for your mother is all-encompassing.
Ah, don't tell me: Secret decoder ring?
X-ray glasses? Sea monkeys?
"Lead Detective"?
Since when did he become lead detective?
Of his firm, Lyle. His firm.
His tiny, little one-man
Army. My one-man army.
Okay, Private Peach Fuzz?
And she's totally okay with this
and so should you be.
So should be you? So be you should.
I will never understand you two.
BAILIFF: Your Honor, found her.
WOMAN: I am so sorry.
I-I was hacked.
Someone stole my credit card
and they bought TVs, computers and
clothes from Italy?
(BUZZES)
Uh, wait, that's-that's
my bank calling
Let's take a 15. (GAVEL BANGS)
Hi. Todd Wright, private investigator.
Hi, T. Wright, P.I.,
fully licensed and
available for your legal,
professional and personal
investigative needs.
Hi, T.W., P.I.. Hello, there.
Someone is very excited.
Oh, I am on top of the world.
I got my license back,
I've got my own firm,
and I've already scheduled
a few interviews with
some potential clients.
Here at the courthouse?
I mean, what better place?
And my first one is in
oh, two minutes.
Do I look professional?
Uh, sure.
- Yeah?
- Oh, wait. How's it going upstairs?
What is Lavender Kirk like?
I mean, is the case just totally
Huge. Mind-blowing.
Trial of the century.
I can't even Oh, Beverly.
Uh, you looking for me?
No. Keep your phone close
and appear only when I text you.
Okay.
Susan
How's Margaret doing?
Oh, good. Fine.
I mean, we didn't get
the dismissal, but
Dropping the ball already, is she?
No, I-I don't think that she
- It's only
- Only a high profile
murder case starring
the Sweetheart Killers
the press is going crazy for?
And I totally understand why
you'd switch to a case
against Lavender Kirk.
I mean, an $800 million tech company
before she's even 30? And she
Never exposes herself
to public scrutiny and
may be looking for a new lawyer.
Wait, what?
Lavender Kirk would let go of Gus?
But hasn't he been her personal counsel
since she was at Stanford?
Precisely.
Big day for all of us.
So, nail your cross-examinations.
Oh, uh, Margaret hasn't handed me
A single cross? When you've been
prepping this case from day one?
Fascinating behavior from your mentor.
You just got your license?
No, no, no. I had it before,
and now I have it again.
It came back.
It's like The Terminator.
Wait.
You're Margaret's
younger son, aren't you?
The one with a criminal record?
Well, I was never convicted of anything
except being an excellent
detective. (CHUCKLES)
You're that Todd Wright?
That's the one.
Nobody is going to hire you.
Your name is dirt.
I hate to say it,
- but my experience with rookie detectives
- No, no, no, no.
- I'm not a rookie.
- is that they couldn't solve a simple crime
even if it was right under their nose.
I'm sorry.
- What a day, huh?
- (GRUNTS)
Look, I have to pay
a few parking tickets,
and so I recognize how ironic
this is going to sound,
but I need to ask you for a loan.
You need a loan from me?
It's a temporary one until
they unfreeze my accounts
and they send me my
new credit cards and
And when is that going to be?
It's unclear.
Look, can you just do this for me?
And then also give me a ride home?
What? Your car is still booted?
And you do understand
that I am working now?
My car was impounded,
and you seem to be
sitting alone on a bench.
I am on call to pop in and out
of an enormous trial upstairs.
Okay, popping in and out
means that you have downtime.
You don't understand popping.
Look, just go sit in Mom's courtroom.
It is a hot murder case.
Life and death.
Maybe you'll learn something.
I am an emergency room doctor.
Yeah, with a whole day off.
So, either find another way home,
or I will bring you some crackers
and a juice box on my next pop.
(MAKES POPPING NOISE)
Oh, Bonnie. Welcome back.
I was so sorry to hear about Freddy.
- Thank you.
- Mm.
Feels good to be busy.
And I helped get my nephew a job here,
- so I have some support.
- Oh. Good.
I saw your new title. How's it going?
Oh, well, every day is a surprise.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
- Did you hear Lavender Kirk is in the building?
- Yes.
Portland's Bill Gates, right upstairs.
Plus, that case you got
- those Sweetheart Killers and all that press.
- Oh, yeah.
Whew. What a day at the courthouse, huh?
- (VOICE CALLING LOUDLY)
- Oops, I better get going.
Okay. Ooh.
Okay.
Hi.
It's been a few days.
It's been a week and a half.
Well, you said hold off, so I
I didn't say disappear.
I-I had this huge case dumped on me,
and I've been running
around trying to
uh
Gus. (CHUCKLES)
GUS: Those your clients?
The murdering arsonists?
They're not murderers. Look at them.
They're the perfect couple.
(LAUGHS) As if there was such a thing.
How's Harry?
I sent him away.
I changed the locks that night.
He is gone.
- (CELL PHONE BUZZING)
-
- (GROANS)
- That's not that gone.
He calls me non-stop.
Well, tell him to cut it out.
I did.
But I'm not in control of
what he does. Obviously.
Well, he obviously still
thinks you're together.
We are not together.
He walked out of a ten-year marriage
without a word. He's a mess.
And I am not to blame for any of this.
(SCOFFS)
That sounds like
something my ex would say.
- Wha
- Hey, just
Look, I don't know what
happened in your marriage,
you know, any more than you
know what happened in mine.
But I do know that
both people play a part.
Ah, I got to go.
(DOOR CLOSES)
All right.
The Hogans are united.
They were together all that night.
Nate confirms Lila's
alibi. Lila confirms Nate's.
I know, it's weak, but it's all we got.
We present them together
as a united team.
Barton Perry, Your Honor,
representing Lila Hogan.
What? Excuse me?
No, I represent Lila Hogan.
Motion for substitution of counsel
and motion to sever the trial
of Lila and Nathan Hogan.
Sever?
No, they are being tried together.
You can't just
Okay, motion for substitution of counsel
and motion to sever granted.
We'll move forward with
Nathan Hogan's case first,
since, Ms. Wright,
you are fully prepped?
What? No, uh defense
requests a new trial.
This is already a complete
circus. No new trial.
Excuse me, please. Um
Respectfully, Your Honor, uh,
this is grounds for an appeal.
Take it up with the Court
of Appeals after we're done.
This case moves forward in 20.
(GALLERY MURMURING)
(STAMMERS) Beverly had a
better handle on joint defense.
We just feel that separate
trials would be best.
(SIGHS)
MAN: Yeah, I got picked for
a trial, like, two weeks ago,
and somebody got my
credit card number somehow
and bought all this junk.
Another scam victim?
Our whole strategy was based
on trying them together.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Everything will be fine.
They're innocent, right?
They didn't do it, did they?
Maybe one of them did.
♪
What is this? What are they doing?
Maybe Lila set the fire and
she's throwing him under the bus?
Or she knows he set the fire.
Maybe
I do have an alternate suspect.
SUSAN: Lila?
Uh, Margaret, they're
not gonna go for that.
Based upon my experience
prepping them
Uh, your whole experience
was based on a joint defense,
and the Hogans just threw that out.
Our only job now is to
keep Nate out of jail.
Okay. Our first witness
will be the bartender
from the Moon & Stars.
- I-I prepared the cross, so I could
- Uh, Susan?
I am sure that your work is exemplary,
but everything has changed.
We have to do this my way now.
FRONTERA: We are back.
Is defense ready for opening statements?
Uh, defense waives their opening remarks
and saves them for another time.
MARGARET: So, you were bartending
at the Moon & the Stars Restaurant
the night of the fire.
And you were witness
to the argument between the manager
and the Hogans, correct?
(LAUGHS): Oh, yeah. Bruh.
So, as a medical expert, tell me,
have you ever seen trauma run this deep?
Someone so broken
they couldn't function?
Couldn't live?
I mean, serious,
life-altering, earth-shattering trauma?
A-and what-what exactly
did you see in that fight?
Well, they were freaking out.
And the lady? Lila? She was like,
"ka-bam," going off.
It was Lila who went off on
the manager, not my client
Mr. Hogan?
- It was totes the lady.
- Ooh.
Totes the lady.
(MURMURING)
(WHISPERS): What is she doing?
(WHISPERS): She's defending you.
So, simply put, the
victim's life exploded.
He sees three therapists now,
can't sleep, can't go to school,
won't go on playdates.
And will certainly never, ever
- eat cake again.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- Yeah?
- (WHISPERING): They have a surprise medical expert.
Who do we have to rebut?
(WHISPERING): I don't
know, who do we have?
I mean, oh, you're
asking me you need
Well, where am I gonna
find a medical expert
on such short no Oh, oh!
So, you-you did not see
my client do anything?
No threats, no
This lawyer's pretty good, huh?
MARGARET: He didn't throw a tantrum,
he didn't escalate the matter
towards anyone else in the restaurant?
Any waiter? He didn't involve any
(WHISPERS): Hey. I need you. Now.
Already? You're gonna drive me home?
Uh, sort of, yeah. Follow me.
I don't remember the
parking lot being upstairs.
But let me ask you, when you
had your identity stolen
- the credit card stuff
- Ugh, yes,
after my failed "personal
exploration weekend."
- Right.
- They took out loans in Latvia in my name.
And now all my bank accounts are frozen
- and I can't
- Okay, okay, but-but how did they do it?
The guy at the hair salon
just swiped your credit card?
No, I paid him in cash.
But he put me in touch
with all the retreat people.
And so, I don't know, maybe they, like,
took info off my phone?
Is that even poss
Also, where are we going?
I'm driving you home,
but first, I need you
to go testify as a
medical expert real quick.
- What?
- It's fine, don't freak out,
you're an emergency room doctor, right?
So just answer some questions
- about life and death
- I can't
- and bodies or whatever.
- Todd, this is ridiculous.
Why would I do that?
I don't know, how about
a free place to live?
I have that Wait.
Pay off my parking
tickets and I'll do it.
Mom has slashed my salary in half.
Okay, well, I can just
let you find another
last-minute medical expert
somewhere here in this building.
- (STAMMERS)
- It's fine, it's fine, it's fine.
- I will pay them, all right?
- Yes. Okay.
Wait, wait, wait. What
am I testifying about?
(WHISPERS): You'll see.
Okay
BEVERLY: Would you qualify
these simple felt objects,
these puppets,
as capable of inflicting
harm on a human child?
I'm sorry, what?
Do they have sentient thought,
violent intentions, free will?
Okay, I'm here to
To confirm that Amadeus Alligator
and Princess Michellephant
are medically incapable
of intentional acts
that could harm a child.
Oh, my God, that's Lavender Kirk.
Sorry. Sorry.
I, um
(CLEARS THROAT)
I did not study puppet anatomy,
but without a brain,
heart or nervous system,
uh, they're not what
we would classically
refer to as "alive."
- Is this really
- Your witness.
Dr. Grant.
Ever have a puppet nightmare?
I might be having one right now.
Ever get embarrassed
in front of your friends
- (MOUTHS)
- when you were five and then
had to go back to school the next day?
Well okay, generally,
I understand the concept.
How about having a puppet
shove cake in your face
and call you a crybaby at
your own birthday party?
To not be able to go to parties anymore,
or sleep without seeing
their big, puppety eyes?
Unending visions of
these unholy monsters?
Um, who
Wouldn't you agree that
this man is a deranged sadist
who used a puppet to shove birthday cake
in the face of my client's child
for a laugh?
This case is about a puppet show?
Objection.
A new witness, at this late hour?
This is an outrage.
Uh, this witness was in the dining room
at the time of the Hogans' argument.
Well, the-the D the D.A.'s office
and the police interviewed
every single witness.
He's a chef, who only
returned from Spain today,
and he can testify to
hearing Mr. Hogan say,
- under his breath, to the victim
- No, no.
- "If you don't apologize to my wife,"
- You're going to allow this?
- "I'll come back later"
- This is absolutely unacceptable.
"and burn this place to the ground"
- "with you in it."
- No. You stop. Stop.
(MURMURING)
Your Honor.
The D.A. has just tainted
this jury by reciting
inadmissible, hearsay evidence
from a witness that I had no access to.
It prejudices the jury, and I
demand an immediate mistrial.
WOMAN: Excuse me.
I'd like to call a recess.
You can't call a recess. You're a juror.
I'm so sorry, Your Honor,
but I just got a notification
on my phone from my bank?
"Fraudulent activity, identity breach"?
That's three people hacked.
And they're all jurors?
- (GAVEL BANGS)
- RIDGE: Order.
Uh, excuse me. Sorry.
Order.
Your Honor, if you will not grant
an immediate mistrial,
at the very least,
can we expunge this from the records?
FRONTERA: Order.
Order! Order!
It's a criminal enterprise
targeting jurors.
Here, at the courthouse. Think about it.
Hundreds of them pass through every day.
Right? A faceless mob.
- Perfect targets.
- And you're the only one
- to figure this out?
- Uh, yes, me.
Because everyone else is only
in one court, but I'm in two.
And the hallways. I'm everywhere.
Isn't that one of your business cards?
Yes.
"Rookie detective." Ha.
Ha. Look who's solving crimes
"right under his nose" now.
I'm not sure about my testimony.
Puppets are not alive. They're not.
But I suppose there is a living
hand presence inside of them.
Anyway, I got to get
back to your mom's case.
Well, my case.
The one that I've
been working so hard on
but she doesn't consult
me and barely even sees me.
ALLISON: I just testified
against Lavender Kirk's child.
You're my mother's star employee.
Of course she sees you.
Yeah, I just, I have so much
information about them, and
You know what? Never mind.
Good luck with your conspiracy.
What? It's not a conspiracy.
Princess Michellephant.
Okay, Al? Pull it together.
- Okay.
- I need your help with something.
Sure.
Everyone is attacking me.
Including you.
What is this sandwich?
Beets, arugula, Nutella,
alfalfa sprouts and bacon.
- And pickles.
- Oh,
- God, I think I'm
- No, just just wait for it.
Mmm.
- See?
- Mmm.
Listen, I'm sorry about earlier.
I could've kept my mouth
shut while you were working.
Doesn't mean I'm not still steamed.
- How's the big case going?
- (GROANS)
That bad, huh?
I got one surprise witness excluded,
but not before the D.A.
blasted damning testimony
to the entire court.
And I'm fairly certain I'm
representing a murderer.
Mm. Been there.
And believe it or not,
I think you were right.
You can never really know
what goes on inside of
anyone's relationship.
I mean, this couple, they were
(PHONE BUZZING)
You are hard on your phone.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
What does he want, anyway?
I don't know. The one time
I accidentally answered,
all he did was cry and apologize.
He was not what I was expecting.
That makes two of us.
What happened in-in your divorce?
- Oh
- You said it was messy. How?
She was sleeping with my brother.
Oh.
So I put a garden hose in his Mercedes,
and filled that sucker
up like a water balloon.
- (LAUGHS)
- Boom.
- Oh, Gus.
- (CHUCKLES)
BEVERLY: Interesting.
(CLEARS THROAT) I guess that's my cue.
- Knock 'em dead.
- Mm-hmm.
I handed you an easy dismissal.
Beverly, one of them is lying.
The press are everywhere. We need a win
and all of this free publicity.
Well, maybe if I'd gotten
the case a little earlier
You're a name partner now.
And have you fired any of the employees
on that list I gave you?
No. I decided to forego
my salary for one quarter
until we resolve this.
Margaret, you can't save everyone.
Well, I don't want to hear it.
It was my decision, and I made it.
Then how about some insider
intel into Gus as a litigator?
What's his weakness?
Beverly.
I can't do that. That would be
I have an $800 million
marlin on the line
that could singlehandedly save our firm,
and the only way to hook her is to
drown Gus first, and the only person
that can help me do that is you.
No.
- (PHONE BUZZING)
-
(GRUNTS)
(PHONE CONTINUES BUZZING)
Come. Come, come. Come.
All right, now, look.
This is the jurors' dedicated entrance.
Now, I need you to go out
and come in again as a juror.
- Don't jurors come in in the morning?
- Whatever.
You're an alternate, a
late-nik. Okay, what's your name?
- Allison.
- No.
- Your made-up juror name.
- Oh. I don't know.
I always felt like I could be a June.
- Great.
- You're June Allison.
- Okay.
- Now, slip out over there,
unnoticed, and circle
back in as a juror.
- Okay.
- Okay.
(SIGHS)
Okay. All right.
Decoy subject is confused
about everything, but game.
Reporting for Judy for jury duty.
She's approaching security now.
- (ALARM BEEPING)
- Hey. Hey.
Take off your watch and go again.
Okay.
And you forgot to sign in.
Oh, yeah, sorry.
Thank you.
Oh, my God, it's watches.
It's smartwatches. Watches!
He's skimming info off smartwatches.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- I panicked and I signed in as you.
- Great. Okay.
Now, go back into the jury holding room
and look for jurors with smartwatches.
- I'm gonna go consult with Mom.
- Okay.
Go.
Signed in as me?
Mom. Mom.
- Can you go back to your own case, Lead Detective?
- TODD: Shh.
- Can I ask you something?
- Oh, my God.
- Hey.
- Todd, I don't have time for this.
The juror that was
hacked, it's a crime wave.
I'm serious. One of the security guards
- is skimming info off smartwatches.
- Skimming.
- What is that?
- And he is getting peoples' credit card information.
- Smartwatches. Nobody's
- He's buying all this stuff, so who do I tell?
- I have no idea.
- Who polices the police here?
Motion to admit new evidence.
Wh-What? No. Objection, Your Honor.
If D.A. Boatman continues with
this spaghetti-throwing strategy
Uh, we have a recording
of Nathan Hogan confessing
to the arson and murder,
which we received from Lila Hogan.
(GALLERY MURMURING LOUDLY)
What?
Lila Hogan will be on the
stand later this afternoon
- Where did Lila go?
- to authenticate it,
but I have her signed
and notarized affidavit,
and we would like to
play the recording now.
No! Your Honor, this
another outrageous ploy
Play the recording.
NATE (ON RECORDING): I'm
so sorry. I set the fire,
but I didn't know the
manager was inside.
You have to believe me.
I never meant to kill anybody.
- (EXCITED MURMURING)
- (EXHALES)
- You started it, that's what they just said.
- It wasn't me.
I didn't start that fire,
and I didn't kill that man,
and Lila knows that because she did it.
She's framing me.
So that voice wasn't you?
Well, what, was it
faked, then? Was it AI?
Nate, just tell me that you
didn't say any of those things
and I can take it straight
to the D.A. with an affidavit.
It was me. I said those words, but I
Look, I can't but Lila is
sacrificing me to save herself.
Nate!
Tell us what actually
happened that night.
The dinner at the
Moon & Stars was awful.
It was cold, it took forever
to show up, and Lila's got
a low tolerance for that kind of thing,
so she pushed me to
speak to the manager.
- Yeah, the man who died.
- Yes. And we got into this big fight.
Lila always does this.
She starts something,
and then she goads me
into sticking up for her.
And after you got home?
She wouldn't let it go.
She she said we had to go back.
And I went along with it because
I love her.
And a husband does what his
wife needs no matter what. Right?
So, at the restaurant later?
She smashes a window,
and she throws in, like, this
Molotov cocktail.
She went crazy.
All I did was cover the whole
thing up, I swear to you.
So how do you explain the recording?
That's me begging her
to say those things.
I wanted her to confess to the police.
That recording is me
telling her what to say.
Just say, "I started the fire,
but I didn't know the
manager was inside."
But how did she record
you without you knowing?
NATE: We were in the hot
tub when I told her all that,
so I-I don't know.
She took the-the recorder
into the hot tub with her?
No, no, because we were naked,
so I-I don't know.
I can't figure out, unless, um
Maybe her watch.
A smartwatch?
NATE: She never takes that thing off.
Look, I swear to you, if you could hear
the entire recording,
then you'd know the truth.
I need to go speak to Todd. Right now.
We make him hand over his skimmer,
and then you want to skim Lila's watch?
Yes, because I want to see if
the full recording is on there
- and what else was said.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, Todd, this is a crime.
Skimmering is a crime.
Yeah, and the guy
doing it is a criminal.
Yeah, but I am not.
(STAMMERS) I can't do this,
Todd. We'll have to just
Well, no, we'll have to subpoena
her data plan or something.
Lila is on the stand
in what, 30 minutes?
Oh
- What?
- Ah. But it's closed.
Of course it is.
All the juries have already
been sat for the day.
Oh, Todd, I think we're gonna have to
(WHISPERS): The guard.
There he is. Come on.
(WHISPERS): Okay, look.
(QUIETLY): Okay. All right.
Come on, come on, come on.
Okay.
Ah, damn.
Okay, Mom, we need to split up.
Split up.
Spluh-it-tuh up-uh.
♪
(SIGHS)
(PANTING)
(GASPS)
(PANTING)
(EXHALES)
GUS: Thank you, Henry.
Your witness.
BEVERLY: Hi, Henry.
I'm Beverly.
I like your bow tie.
I only have a few easy questions,
so you don't have to be
scared. Are you scared?
No.
You're very brave.
You ever get scared,
or have trouble eating
or sleeping before the puppet show?
Sometimes.
Oh.
- Objection.
- I'm hypoglycemic.
If I don't get sugar right away,
I'll have to take a recess.
Did you want a recess?
So, you have had issues
sleeping and eating
before you met Amadeus and the Princess.
Hmm.
Oh, did you want a bite?
It's delicious.
Oh! Oh, oh!
I'm so sorry.
RIDGE: What's going on?
Everyone okay?
(CHUCKLES): Uh, no, no.
Everything's perfectly
fine. Just carry on.
BONNIE: Oh, Margaret.
(WHISPERS): I have to
get you out of here.
Renewed objection to the
sudden appearance of cake,
- an obvious ploy to tempt a minor in a devious
- Oh, your keys.
immature and unprofessional manner.
- (MOUTHING)
- Opposing counsel should be sanctioned.
Bonnie, I am so, so sorry.
But I have to ask you,
what do you know about
that security guard?
Who? My nephew JT?
Bonnie.
Are-are those the new Prada brogues?
Those shoes cost $1,200.
Oh, uh
JT got them for me for
getting him the job, and I
It's nothing, really.
- He
- Oh.
Bonnie.
The security guard is her nephew.
- Mm-hmm.
- So, Bailiff Bonnie let her wayward nephew
talk her into this scam
to cover funeral expenses.
You know her husband
died, right? And anyway,
they got "carried away,"
but I promised I'd get
the D.A. to go easy on them
- if they would just hand over this.
- The skimmer.
Whatever it is, and
no, I don't want to know
what you're gonna do
with it, just do it fast.
All right, well, from what I saw,
this thing has to touch the watch itself
for, like, at least five seconds.
But Lila's gonna be on
the stand in ten minutes.
Oh, well, that's like 600 seconds,
but how am I gonna get it
next to or get it near
Okay, okay, okay. Give me five minutes.
300 seconds.
Four. 240.
- 240.
- (DOOR CLOSES)
Can you confirm for the jury
that the voice on that recording
is in fact that of Nate Hogan?
TECH EXPERT: Yes, we can
verify with 100% accuracy.
BOATMAN: And what do you
base your expert opinion on?
TECH EXPERT: Well, voice verification
uses the unique features that
- (CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
- Hi.
(DEEP VOICE): And hello from me, too.
(NORMAL VOICE): My friend's
on trial for excessive biting.
Can you believe that? It's so biased.
You know, it's reptile
profiling, is what it is.
(DEEP VOICE): But you look so delicious.
(IMITATES BITE)
(NORMAL VOICE): Oh, my God.
- I'm so sorry.
- What are you doing?
I can't control him.
(DEEP VOICE): Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum.
- Wow, God, you are a menace.
- Get off of me.
- So sorry.
- What are you doing?
TODD: Release, unclench.
(LAUGHING MANIACALLY)
I am so sorry.
We need counseling. You might, too.
Your Honor, I am so sorry.
We need a short recess.
- Can we take five?
- Take ten.
And what's going on back there?
Is that man with the puppet gone?
Oh, what puppet? (CHUCKLES)
The watch's memory was wiped clean.
Nothing.
I thought data was never actually gone.
Aren't there any, like, data bits
hiding somewhere around in there?
Sometimes you can
access deleted apps or
Maybe try a photo-sharing app.
Here's one. Yes.
Archived images.
Trash folder
Deleted photos.
- This is just food.
- Wait, wait, wait.
That's Lila.
At a tiki bar?
- How many photos are there?
- LYLE: Maybe a dozen.
And they geolocate to Acapulco.
The date stamp has them taken in
July, last year.
And the murder happened early August.
Wait, wait, wait. Go back.
That last photo was live.
It's a "live" photo.
It's like paintings
in Harry Potter? Here.
She had drinks in Acapulco
with a man who's not her husband
a few weeks before the murder?
That's
the restaurant manager.
The one who died in the fire.
Lila was having an affair.
Maybe the manager dumped Lila
and she decided to kill him.
She's the murderer.
LYLE: No, Nate found out
about the affair, and he's the murderer.
Either way, you can use the
live photo to impeach Lila.
- No, we can't use that photo.
- No, she can't use the photo.
- Why not?
- Why not?
Well, let's just say
that the chain of custody on
this particular bit of evidence
- is a little compromised.
- TODD: Dodgy.
It's dodgermised.
There's got to be a way to enter
this, prove they were together.
We could subpoena the smartwatch.
Well, Lila will have testified
before we can make that happen.
Or I could, like,
turn off all the lights
and throw the watch
right at the judge's face,
or use like a fishing pole, or
Whatever, fine, like a
long pole with a string.
MARGARET: No, no, no, no.
We don't have to prove that Lila did it,
we just have to establish
doubt that Nate did.
If only I could pit
them against each other.
Then we could turn his doubt
into reasonable doubt and
SUSAN: It's too bad you
can't put Nate and Lila
on the stand at the same time.
But what if I could?
Susan, do you still have
Lila's phone records?
- I have them.
- Her travel records, Todd?
- Okay.
- And Susan
The manager's travel
history, yeah, I'm on it.
Oh, and Margaret?
Nate goes to bed every night
at 11:00 p.m., like clockwork.
(EXHALES) Susan. (CHUCKLES)
I could kiss you!
(LAUGHS)
And you deserve a raise. And my thanks.
And I should have said it sooner.
But, okay, everybody:
Let's go.
Okay, just for the record,
she deserves a raise
and you cut my salary in half.
Just want to point that out.
It's fine. Just wanted to point it out.
And you can verify that you
were together at the time,
and that you heard
Nate say those things.
I couldn't believe it,
but yes.
I only turned it in because apparently
Nate is trying to make
me look guilty now.
And I love him.
I do.
But I can't go to prison for him.
Thank you, Ms. Hogan.
Your witness.
Uh, Ms. Hogan, had you ever been
to the Moon & Stars Restaurant
before the night of the fire?
No.
You may step down.
I reserve the right to recall Ms. Hogan.
Defense calls Mr. Hogan
as a rebuttal witness.
Objection.
FRONTERA: I'll allow it.
Mr. Hogan?
MARGARET: Uh, Nate
what time do you usually
go to bed at night?
11:00 p.m.
Thank you, you may step down.
Okay, what is this?
Defense recalls Lila Hogan
and reserves the right
to recall Mr. Hogan.
It's unorthodox, but allowable.
Ms. Hogan, your phone records,
which locate you at home
the night of the murder,
also locate you at the
Moon & Stars Restaurant
14 times between March and July of 2023.
Uh, all after 11:00 p.m.
What?
And these phone records
also show that you
were in Acapulco, Mexico
the week of July 23,
three weeks before the murder.
Acapulco?
Defense reserves the
right to recall Ms. Hogan
and calls Mr. Hogan.
You were away the week of July 23
last year on a business trip, correct?
Mm Yes. I was at a convention.
And I thought Lila was at home,
not in Acapulco.
MARGARET: Were you
aware that the manager
of the Moon & Stars Restaurant
was also in Acapulco last year?
His his travel records show
that he was there from
July 23 through July 30
the same time as your wife.
Lila
Are you beginning to rethink
everything about your marriage, then?
Yes.
This is not the marriage
that I thought I had.
It's terrible
when you find out the
person you're married to
is capable of deeds
you could never imagine.
Lies,
betrayal
She was counting on you
to be the husband that
did whatever she needed.
But, Nate, are you beginning
to doubt that commitment now?
Yes.
I have doubts about everything.
Me, too.
All I have
are doubts.
(HUSHED CHATTER)
JURY FOREPERSON: I'm sorry, Your Honor.
We tried, but can't come
to a unanimous decision.
Request to poll the jury, Your Honor.
Mr. Foreperson, how say you?
Guilty.
Princess Michellephant
totally seems capable of abuse.
Amadeus Alligator is
the real menace here.
Not guilty.
JURY FOREPERSON: Are you insane?
They are puppets!
Okay, they're controlled
by that guy right there.
- I said don't talk about
- (GAVEL BANGS TWICE)
RIDGE: You are excused
with the court's thanks
and I hereby declare a mistrial.
The plaintiff can refile its suit,
if it so desires. Court is adjourned.
(GAVEL BANGS)
(SIGHS)
You would do anything
for a win, wouldn't you?
We both know a puppet show
doesn't have $9 million.
But the press has pegged you
as a reclusive, cold-hearted bitch.
And you wanted an image change.
The doting mom.
So, you pulled some pricy strings
to land your case in
court on the exact same day
the press are swarming downstairs,
just so you could be spotted
with your little angel.
Too bad your attorney couldn't deliver.
Because, yes, I would do
anything for a client
and a win.
I heard the wife's gonna be charged
with premeditated murder.
And Nate is going to take
a plea for covering it up.
What, you couldn't get it knocked down?
Well, he asked me not to.
He wants to take responsibility
for what he did wrong.
Oh, oh. (CHUCKLES)
Well, there's a novel idea.
All right.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Okay, I may have done
some things wrong in my marriage.
- What? Wow.
- We both played a part, all right?
But I did not betray him
and I did not abandon him.
And if I were lucky enough
to meet someone someday,
say someone who favored
horrifically unpressed shirts
and-and corduroys that
wore out in 2010
I would
I would want to make sure
that we were both equals.
And that there were no lies between us.
And no secrets and no fires.
No Iceland.
- And no garden hoses.
- (CHUCKLES)
You know your partner's
trying to steal my client.
I know! I know!
(OVERLAPPING SHOUTING)
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
REPORTER: Ms. Wright, Ms. Wright.
Can we get a statement?
Well, what can I say?
The truth won today.
Justice prevailed.
Uh Excuse me?
Are you Todd, Todd Wright?
Uh, yeah.
I heard you got the guy who
hacked into my credit card.
I'm so grateful.
Oh, yeah, of course, it's nothing.
Uh
This is gonna sound weird, but, uh
my friend's dog is missing.
I mean, it might've been
dog-napped by her ex-boyfriend,
we're trying to figure that out,
but do you have like
a card or something?
A card? Uh
Indeed I do.
Thanks. Uh, I-I'm gonna call you.
We're gonna call you. Thank you.
Okay. Yeah. And you got that.
Okay.
Hey.
Where have you been?
I thought you went home.
No, no, no, you made me
go in that jury room
- Uh-huh.
- and then I got picked
for a grand jury thing.
And I've been in there
for hours deliberating.
What? Wait, you were on a grand jury?
Yeah. No one checked
my ID when I went in.
And then It was intense.
I think we decided to let
the airplane sue the airport.
Something like that. Whatever.
What happened with Lavender Kirk?
- Oh. Mistrial. Mm-hmm.
- Huh.
- And Mom?
- She won.
Of course.
Did you pay my parking tickets?
Do I look like I paid
your parking tickets?
I am gonna sleep in
your bed until you do.
What? I'm not sleeping on my own couch.
Well, you can sleep in
the bathtub for all I care.
You sleep in the bathtub.
Was I this difficult when
I was living in your garage?
Are you kidding me? Yes.
TODD: What are you talking about?
Whoa, wait, there was no bathroom.
Do you remember the bucket?
ALLISON: Yes, of course I remember.
TODD: Do you remember the
incident with the bucket?
I will never understand that family.