The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 3 – Going Through the Gears

Sometimes rewatching something can give you a different perspective. While I do think The Lincoln Lawyer Season Three initially tries to do too much, once the show sorts itself out, is on the straight lane, it got into the groove with the case and was an enjoyable watch. The problem as stated, was getting there. I also think it meant that certain character’s development was lopsided. This wasn’t inherently a bad thing, as the payoff for the end of the case is worth getting to. I just wish things had been streamlined. I feel this season isn’t as good as the others, but it is still worth watching.

The Lincoln Lawyer was created for TV by David E. Kelley and written by Ted Humphrey, based on Michael Connelly’s novel The Gods of Guilt. Season 3 was released on Netflix in October 2024 and has been renewed for Season 4.

This review will contain spoilers.

Story: Uneven but Worth Seeing Through

Mickey Haller’s line of work has now seen a client, a well-known friend, killed. Gloria Dayton helped “Mickey Mantle” out many times in the past, putting a dangerous drug lord in prison one of the highlights. Julien LaCosse, who runs an escort service which Gloria used, is accused of her murder. As Mickey pieces together other players, there is a web of corruption, from including the LAPD, the DEA, to old mob bosses, to a certain private investigator.

After the show deals with a few trivial cases as always and then focuses on the Big One, The Lincoln Lawyer throws a lot at you. I think it’s a bit messy. There ends up being a lot of characters and plot points involved, where some are better than others.

What I will say is that when it gets down to the court case, it might be a little predictable, but it was very enjoyable in seeing the story progress and the twists turn up, like saying, “I knew it!” at the screen. The characters were interesting, especially when getting to the main roster of antagonists.

Mickey’s legal team looking into new evidence.

Mickey’s Team

The Lincoln Lawyer’s Lorna Crane steps up to go from being Mickey’s practice manager to attempting to pass the bar & become a lawyer. This was great character development, and I was invested. Izzy Cole fighting to keep her dream alive as a dancer or deciding to appreciate her standing in work was another dilemma. I thought it wasn’t bad but I felt it was also filler. What was better was Mickey’s relationship with Andrea Freeman. I really liked this for his character, and it suited them. Andrea’s story was also interesting and made for good character development, I really enjoyed seeing her onscreen.

Overall, I think the beginning of the season is hampered by trying to cram lots of characters into the mix. With this style of legal fiction, I then had an initial detachment about certain characters and developments, specifically the defendant but as stated, once the focus was narrowed, I really enjoyed it.

Lorna & Cisco are a great couple & help Mickey run his law practice

Characters & Performances: More Hits Than Misses

There are a lot to get through. I enjoy Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller. The Lincoln Lawyer’s main man has gotten better and I like watching him and he gets on with the cast well. His love interest here, Yaya DaCosta as Andrea Freeman was great. She had a much bigger role here. Showcasing her as an emotional and flawed character was a big difference over the sure-footed opposing counsel from Season Two. I thought she got on really well with Manuel and her character arc of dealing with her career & co-workers was interesting. Becki Newton as Lorna Crane again knocked it out the park as the one who hold together Mickey’s law firm. I was well chuffed they’ve developed her character into a lawyer.

Jazz Raycole was fine as Izzy Letts. I’m glad they settled her character into deciding something. I appreciated asking the question of dreams vs career, but I felt they’ve been here before. Angus Sampson as Cisco was good. I enjoy watching him. Had a smaller role here, but he does well with what he’s got.

Yaya DaCosta is great as Andrea and I really liked her relationship with Mickey

Story Characters

The Lincoln Lawyer’s new cast starts with Devon Greye as Mickey’s client Julien LaCosse, I felt he was Mickey’s weakest defendant so far. I don’t think it’s the actor’s fault to be fair. The story decides he’s the one on trial. You don’t see him apart from small scenes with Mickey as his attorney. You don’t get to know anything about him, apart from that a man called David is his life partner. Heck, I felt David in his scenes, as the man’s partner, had more agency and empathy on the situation. Overall, the story is not about him.

What it is about is Neil Bishop & James DeMarco. I thought both were very good, but specifically Holt McCallany as Neil. As someone with a grudge against Mickey, I thought he was very good to watch, very solid performer and I particularly liked seeing the longer the season went on, the more resigned he came across about everything.

I did appreciate there were a ton of cameos. From Elliot Gould, I wish they gave him more to do than be a soundboard. Allyn Moriyon as Eddie was fine. They try to integrate him into the group but don’t give him anything to do. There were a ton of side characters and I thought they all did a good job.

Holt McCallany is very good as one of Mickey’s antagonists, even if a lot of his scenes do have him sitting around.

Cinematography & Sound: Solid All Round

I appreciated the scenic shots when they came around. I felt there was less of them this time around. A lot of the show was set in the courthouse, court rooms, Mickey’s office. Cisco as his investigator did get to go around places. Gets to see hotels and Las Vegas, brighter climes. There were some nice shot of the scenery when they came around. There is also a great action set piece smack bang in the middle of the show which I will not spoil, but it’ll put you on the edge of your seat.

Music in general I felt to be on the quiet side. They played some nice jazz usually in scenes with Mickey in the car. Andrea had more sombre music which was noticeable for its ambience. Certain scenes had percussive music, even clapping as a jazz beat, I liked it when it came around. Most scenes involved the cast or in the court and didn’t use music.

A lot of the show is indoors but the sights stand out, some of the landscape shots were stunning.

Editing & Pacing: Good but Also a Mixed Bag

Most scenes were a couple of minutes long, didn’t overstay their welcome, kept things moving. Pacing, regarding how much was going on within an episode, as stated before, meant there was a lot to take in about who was involved and why. I felt when the show focused on the court case, it got much better.