Mickey Haller is the hero of several of Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer series of books–a maverick lawyer, who is a thorn in the side of many a criminal.
By the third season of The Lincoln Lawyer, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has grown into the character and charms the viewer and other characters – particularly women—with his boyish smile that hides a razor sharp mind. The 10-part series on Netflix, created by David E. Kelley and Ted Humphrey, and helmed by multiple directors continues from Season 2, in which Mickey had persuaded a hooker, Glory Day (Fiona Rene) to testify against a powerful drug dealer. She ends up dead, and Mickey holds himself responsible. To his surprise, the suspect in her killing, Julian (Devon Graye), swearing innocence, begs Mickey to take his case. This brings Mickey back onto the path of the deadly cartel boss Hector Moya (Arturo Del Puerto).
Mickey has on his devoted team, his ex-wife Lorna (Becki Newton), who is studying for her bar exam, her current husband Cisco (Angus Sampson), a crack investigator, and Izzy (Jazz Raycole). His other ex-wife, ace lawyer Maggie McPherson (Neve Campbell) and daughter Hayley (Krista Warner) have moved to another city, so Mickey has embarked on a no-strings relationship with public defender Andrea (Yaya DaCosta).
All of them put their efforts into finding out who killed Glory, because Julian cannot take the stress of prison any more. But law enforcement moves at its own pace. Meanwhile, Mickey’s home is trashed, a rattlesnake put in his bed; then his car is run off the road, killing his hardworking driver Eddie (Allyn Moryon). Mickey had, early in the series, saved Eddie from a carjacking rap, and the young man was paying him back by working as his driver—like other pro bono clients before him.
Matters take a serious turn when the investigation into Glory’s death uncovers corruption and collusion in the police force. When Julian is stabbed in jail, Mickey has to rush the proceedings and try to save him. The stress of this case, brings him on the brink of quitting his practice.
The books are very gripping, and when shot on location in glorious Los Angeles, the fast-paced show makes for an enjoyable watch—can’t be binged in a day though, because the episodes are about an hour long.
Mickey’s half brother, the cop Harry Bosch, who appears in all the books to help him, is kept out of the series, because he has a franchise of his own. He is missed though, because the friendship between the two is wonderful, as is the loyalty he gets from Lorna and Cisco – no hard feelings. (Incidentally, Mickey appears in the Harry Bosch books too, whenever he needs legal help.)
The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 is based on the book, The Gods Of Guilt, and ends with a promise of a Season 4, based on Connelly’s book, The Law Of Innocence, in which a dead body is found in Mickey’s car, and he is arrested for murder. Who should appear as his defence attorney, but the ferocious Maggie? The book was terrific, if a bit too complicated; the series should turn out well too. Looking forward to it.
Cast: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Angus Sampson and others
On Netflix
