Previously on "All Rise"...
Victor Callan, I have
a warrant for your arrest.
You want to tell me
why you're arresting me,
or is that part of the fun for you guys?
Trevor Mabbit runs a
multimillion-dollar heroin ring,
a product that has k*lled thousands.
If this doesn't stop,
I'm going to report you
to the Committee on Judicial Performance.
I'm gonna make sure every D.D.A.
at the building papers you.
I hope she doesn't get
too comfortable up there
because it's not gonna last.
Palmer is leading a renegade charge
in the D.A.'s office,
claiming that you are
judicially biased
towards your defendants.
My old colleagues are coming for me?
I don't have the words,
Your Honor, for how sorry I am.
As this is your first offense,
I am placing you on probation.
- He lied to you, Your Honor.
- I fell for it.
MAN: Suspect is believed
to be Travis Bolson.
- [BELLS JINGLING]
- Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas.
- Happy holidays to you.
- Nice to see you!
- Hi!
- Ho!
- [CELLPHONE CHIMES]
- I'm so excited.
Can I take a picture of you?
Of course you can. Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
, , . Whee! _
♪♪
CHILD: Look! Santa!
Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
[CELLPHONE JANGLES]
[BEEP]
SHERRI: Your Honor?
Sherri, I know. Caught in traffic.
It's your last day before
holiday recess. Let's not...
I'm pulling into
the parking lot right now.
SANTA: Merry Christmas.
♪♪
Your Honor, we give Ms. Brewin
a slap-on-the-wrist plea deal,
who knows what she might steal next time?
For that reason, the People are offering
years' probation, days in jail.
- [EXHALES DEEPLY]
- Mr. Driscoll,
the defendant stands accused
of stealing school clothes
for her children.
Felony grand theft, Your Honor.
And the law allows me to
knock it down to a misdemeanor.
- Seems fitting.
- Certainly predictable.
- Pardon me?
- Nothing, Your Honor.
So let's see you take
another sh*t at a plea deal.
- And, Mr. Driscoll?
- Your Honor?
This time, don't be such a Scrooge.
Brava, Your Honor.
Apart from emergency hearings,
arraignments, and warrant duty,
- court is...
- Adjourned for .
See you soon, Judge Carmichael.
- At the...
- At the D.A.'s holiday party.
Happy holidays, Mr. Driscoll.
♪♪
I see you've already stopped by
the D.A.'s holiday open house.
[MOUTH FULL] I did,
and now I'm here. Cookie?
- No, thank you.
- I'm checking in.
- You don't need to.
- Let me be more specific.
How are you feeling about your appearance
in front of the Commission
on Judicial Performance?
I'm fine. I feel good. I'm good.
Those hearings can be intense.
You're facing public censure,
maybe even removal from the bench.
I know the law. I am
on the right side of it.
This isn't about the law, Carmichael.
It's about politics.
The complaint should never
have made it this far.
- No kidding.
- It means that you have enemies
on the Commission.
I suggest an appearance
at the D.A.'s holiday party.
- The last thing I want to do...
- Show everybody in that office
you're not going to be intimidated.
- I still have work to do here.
- Why not go right now?
- Lisa...
- While there's still cookies left.
Fine. I'll go.
Watch me go.
Excellent. Oh, I suggest the green ones.
They're to die for.
♪♪
How bad is it, really?
[SIGHS] We need to talk off the record.
Honest to God, the fact that
this is even happening is...
Oh, it's happening.
Nothing like having
your former colleagues
and apparently some members of C.J.P.
trying to throw you off the bench.
Travis Bolson on top of that?
It's disorienting.
Lola, the Travis thing...
Should've put him in prison.
You gave him a second chance.
And the next day, he stole a car,
crashed it, and now his daughter...
doesn't have a father.
He made that choice. You didn't.
So you keep telling me.
What's happening with your dad?
I'm vetting a list of lawyers he gave me.
They're either incompetent
ambulance chasers
or overfed mob guys
who won't touch his case.
What are you gonna do?
Hire someone and wash
my hands of it, of him.
Mm-mm, no way. You can't do that.
Watch me. I am so sick
of everyone in my office
looking at me like I'm the one
being charged with m*rder.
Bet I can guess which ones.
Yeah.
We're going to this party.
We're not gonna let them win,
and we need cookies.
- We do?
- Yes, we do.
♪♪
[INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ VERSION
OF "JINGLE BELLS" PLAYING]
I ran out of time halfway
through my last essay.
Everyone runs out of time
on law school exams.
I was exhausted. I did
a double shift the day before,
- and I choked.
- No, you didn't.
Now I'm facing another
semester of law school,
another semester of working overtime
to cover the tuition or maybe not.
Maybe I need to rethink things.
That is crazy talk.
Luke!
- You look tired.
- Thanks.
Who decorated this place?
Our party is gonna be so much better.
- Mm.
- Hey, you're coming, right?
Probably. We'll see how I'm feeling.
What did I say?
He thinks he failed his last exam.
- No, he didn't.
- That's what I said.
Oh, my God. Judge Carmichael.
She showed up. Good for her.
Hope she gives them hell in that hearing.
Makes me furious. It's ridiculous.
I don't know what I'd do
if we didn't have her.
We finally have a judge who's fair.
If she gets rolled out this quickly,
then... then the system really is broken.
[LAUGHTER]
I saved Maggie Palmer's ass
three years ago
when she screwed up the charges
on that extortion case.
We are here for the cookies, remember?
Cookies.
Is Judge Benner coming?
I want to invite her to our shindig.
That would be such a coup.
You know what?
I think I'm gonna get going.
I've had enough prosecutors this week.
But it's the holidays.
Tell that to Choi. He is hellbent
on making my client...
a poor, frightened kid...
out to be some kind of hardened gangster.
I have to get ready for the hearing.
I'll see you later, okay?
Excuse me. I was looking for...
hoping to... have you seen...
I was wondering if Ms. Kansky
was gonna drop by or...
Judge Carmichael, thrilled to see you.
Please know that you still
have many fans in this office.
Thanks, Thomas.
Are your kids excited
for Family Day tomorrow?
Definitely. Uh, sorry to interrupt,
but I need to borrow Mr. Callan.
Duty calls. [CLICKS TONGUE]
I'll catch you later.
[CHATTER]
Ooh. Judge Carmichael's here.
- Myra.
- Oh, it's Judge Carmichael.
♪♪
[CELLPHONE CHIMES]
♪
Is this about my father?
What have you heard?
No, Callan, this is not
about your father.
It's about Liam O'Hare.
I will not be talking ever
about your father.
What about Liam O'Hare?
- He wants to flip.
- On Trevor Mabbit?
Not a chance. O'Hare's one
of Mabbit's top captains.
He started on the corner
and worked his way up.
The guy is loyal.
Looking for this?
[SIGHS] Thank you.
One of Mabbit's captains, Liam O'Hare,
wants a meeting today.
Called this morning asking for you.
You're gonna take
some detectives with you,
and you're gonna find out if
it's real, and if it's real,
you are going to the grand jury tomorrow,
and you're gonna get
an indictment on Trevor Mabbit.
Wow. Okay, then. This is... This is huge.
Don't screw it up. And be careful.
Keep me posted. I'm due in court.
♪♪
[KNOCKS]
Who took all the good cookies?
Oh, you're too late. I made
my famous homemade buckeyes,
but they were gone in, like, minutes.
You did a little Christmas baking?
They're always the first to go.
Hey, I heard about your dad.
Word travels fast.
A prosecutor's father charged
with first-degree m*rder?
Yeah, no one's talking about that.
What's your hourly rate again?
[SCOFFS] Seriously?
No. Maybe.
- Did he do it?
- Since when do you care?
Since he's your father, Mark.
I...
I honestly don't know.
I haven't tried a m*rder case in a while.
So? You're the best lawyer I know, Amy.
Second best, at least.
I'd have to meet with him first.
That can be arranged.
We can discuss
my fee schedule on the way.
You realize your bill's gonna be obscene.
Yeah.
Pull up a chair, Your Honor.
It's time to talk strategy.
This is a breakdown of all the members
of the C.J.P. panel
that will be at the hearing.
Three supporters, four swing votes,
- four against. We...
- How do you even know...
A friend who cares. We need to get
one of the "against" votes disqualified
so we're not starting
behind the football.
- Eight ball.
- I hate sports.
Our best move is to go after Judge Laski.
I've spoken with the other J.A.s.
It's fair to say Laski's not a fan.
Punisher? He's had it out
for me from day one,
but I think we have a better play.
Deb Thompson, the chair,
defense attorney.
She and I have a history.
People v. Moseley. I remember.
You got her sanctioned by the court
for alternative facts. It's good
but maybe not enough to disqualify her.
I have emails...
very colorfully worded emails,
which she won't want
in the public record.
Wow, I've n-never seen
that word used a verb.
- Mm.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
I'll get rid of them.
- Got a minute?
- I do not,
and neither d... Detective Harris.
Kevin. Hi there.
We met at the thing, and...
He doesn't have an appointment.
For a glass of Christmas cheer?
Or should I say "festive"?
Can't keep it straight.
Her Honor is very busy.
Not with her. With you. Dufus.
I-I don't do cheer during work hours.
But thank you for asking.
♪♪
The People's evidence
regarding my client's tattoos
is completely immaterial to the charges.
It's directly relevant
to the g*ng enhancement, Your Honor.
This is a non-violent drug crime,
but instead of offering treatment,
they're going for possession for sales
- and a g*ng enhancement?
- Your Honor...
That's a difference of seven years.
- Textbook overcharging.
- Not true.
The court will take the motion
under advisement.
You will both submit
supplementary briefs.
- [GAVEL BANGS]
- That's settled.
I'd like to see you both in my chambers.
Now.
With schools letting out
for the holidays,
the Hall of Justice will be hosting
our annual Family Day tomorrow.
- How exciting is that?
- Very exciting.
My own kids will be in attendance.
I want to do something
a little special this year...
a mock trial for the kids,
"Wizard of Oz" theme.
Dorothy will stand trial for the m*rder
of the Wicked Witch of the West.
I need attorneys to try the case.
I think it'll be fun.
- Totally fun.
- Sounds amazing.
- Yes.
- Mr. Choi...
you will defend Dorothy.
Ms. Lopez, you'll prosecute.
Wouldn't it be easier, Your Honor...
Oh, it's so much more
interesting to mix things up.
That's a rough script,
but I encourage you
to make it your own, improvise.
- Ah.
- Everything else is in your packets.
See you tomorrow.
How about a g*ng enhancement for Dorothy?
She rolls with a pretty
rough-looking crew.
That's how it's done, right?
Ah, so I see we're both gonna
be good sports about this.
Can't wait.
[DOOR BUZZES]
Okay. Who's this?
Mr. Callan. My name is Amy Quinn.
I'm a defense attorney
and a friend of Mark's.
She any good?
[SCOFFS] I'm the best.
And talk to me when you're talking to me.
I like her.
What did she just say?
You going to take my case?
Probably not. I'm just humoring your son.
I'm gonna ask you some questions.
- Tell her the truth, Dad.
- Hey.
I mean it. Don't screw this up.
Okay. You can go now.
I got work to do anyway.
Choi wants me to meet someone.
[DOOR BUZZES]
First two questions...
did you do it, and if so, who knows?
No. I didn't.
It's the God's honest truth.
Okay, so the Scarecrow is my witness,
which means the Tin Man
can testify on behalf of the People.
Benner's given us talking points
and a basic fact pattern.
- Why are you doing this?
- Because it's the holidays
and Judge Benner thinks it'll be fun.
No. Judge Carmichael.
Why are you letting your people...
She is an outstanding judge.
Not all the lawyers
in my office think so.
So they can request a recusal.
I can't speak for them.
I'm not actually involved.
- You are the head deputy.
- You know what?
One of us should make a motion
to exclude the Lollipop Guild.
You know what? How about this?
How about you play the Cowardly Lion?
You are a natural.
Let's take it from the top.
♪♪
[LOWERED VOICE] There is
one vote we will never get.
[LOWERED VOICE] Breathe, Your Honor.
Ladies and gentlemen, now
that we are all finally here...
We are minutes early.
- I'm prepared to begin...
- We're minutes early.
...whenever it pleases
the esteemed panel.
Very well. We are now on the record
in the inquiry concerning
Judge Lola Carmichael.
I am Deborah Thompson, chairperson...
Chair Thompson, if I may interrupt.
Judge Carmichael?
Respectfully, it is my belief
that I am not going to get
a fair hearing from this panel.
Chair Thompson, I move
that you recuse yourself.
That's ridiculous.
On what grounds, Ms. Carmichael?
Judge Carmichael.
Ladies and gentlemen, Chair Thompson
knows me from my time as a prosecutor.
We opposed each other
in a multimillion-dollar
embezzlement case,
both of us passionate,
zealous advocates for our...
You think I can't be impartial
because we tried one case together?
A hotly contested case,
during which, as you may recall,
you sent a number of emails.
I have them here.
I would be more than happy
to offer them into evidence.
[WHISPERS] Wow.
That won't be necessary.
[WHISPERING INDISTINCTLY]
Judge Carmichael, your claim is baseless.
However, to avoid
the appearance of impropriety,
I agree to recuse myself.
Thank you, Chair Thompson.
By rule, my vice chair would
normally take over.
However, due to potential
scheduling concerns,
the role of interim chair shall fall
on the next most senior member
of the panel...
the honorable Jonas Laski.
I'm honored.
♪♪
♪♪
[BRAKES SCREECH]
MARK: There's Mabbit's guy,
right where Choi said he'd be.
Turn on your interior light
and step out of the car slowly.
♪♪
Turn around and show me
what's inside your jacket.
Okay, you see anything,
you get a weird feeling...
We're right here.
Brought some cops with you?
What do you expect, Liam?
I want to testify. I want to
help you put Mabbit in jail.
Why?
Don't you want to know what I got?
I've been investigating
Trevor Mabbit and you
for over a year. I know what you've got.
What I don't know
is why you're doing this.
The fact that he traffics in narcotics,
- that he murders people.
- Suddenly you've grown a conscience?
You make a deal? Is that it?
Working for somebody new?
Take out Mabbit,
they take over, you move up?
We both want the same thing.
I can help you get that.
You're just gonna have to trust me.
♪♪
LOLA: Maybe Liam O'Hara's cashing out.
- He's tired of the life.
- So he leaves the country.
He doesn't paint a target on his back.
- The guy's up to something.
- You're overthinking.
Go before that grand jury.
Get your indictment
before Trevor Mabbit
can see what's coming.
I know. I will.
I just keep thinking I'm getting played.
You need to take him down, Mark.
- I know, I know. I will.
- Everything on the tray, please.
What about you?
- Taking the day off?
- Very funny.
I have to go in there today
in front of that panel
and convince them that I'm a good judge.
I'm not even so sure myself.
Lola, you are an extraordinary judge.
Hey.
Go good.
[SIGHS]
There's no place like home.
[SINGS SCALES]
♪ Ma-ma-ma, ma-ma-ma-ma ♪
Ah, there's no place like home.
- Your Honor.
- Hi, Dorothy.
I didn't get your RSVP
to our holiday party.
Oh! Oh, how rude. I'm so sorry.
- Now, I checked the manual...
- I needed to confirm another commitment.
...and there are no rules
against judges attending.
- Thank you. I'll let...
- I'll let you know.
A little less lipstick. They're kids.
- You need a hand, Your Honor?
- Thank you.
Any word on Judge Carmichael?
Not yet. They're just getting started.
I'm surprised you're not at
Judge Carmichael's inquisition
- with the rest of your crew.
- I'm not...
Look, the D.A.'s office
is not a monolith.
Really? Sure feels like it.
Overcharging my clients,
racking up excessive court fees
for indigent defendants,
persecuting judges you don't like?
Can we please just put Dorothy on trial
and not the whole system?
I mean, my kids are here.
- LASKI: Judge Carmichael...
- [SIGHS]
...do you dispute
Mr. Driscoll's testimony?
Is that a fair representation,
that you, sua sponte,
allowed a witness to testify as a bird?
A fictional character, Your Honor.
Technically, a bird-woman hybrid
by the name of Erkk.
Can you refer me to any
specific rule of procedure
upon which you relied in allowing this?
- When the interests of justice...
- The interests of justice.
Great catch-all. So that's a no.
The Code of Judicial Ethics
requires that a judge
promote public confidence
in the integrity
and impartiality of the judiciary.
A judge is also required
to be faithful to the law
regardless of public clamor
or fear of criticism.
And in allowing this Erkk to testify,
you didn't undermine
confidence in the courts
by making a mockery of them?
It was how the witness was best
able to express the truth,
- so I allowed it.
- You encouraged it.
Canon (B)( ) requires a judge
to accord every person
who has a legal interest in a proceeding
to be heard according to the law.
Yes, but surely it doesn't apply...
Just as you did, Judge Laski,
when you allowed
a pro per defendant to call
D.D.A. Mark Callan to the stand
in a trial he was prosecuting
to be questioned about his father.
♪♪
I personally witnessed Trevor Mabbit
making deals with Mexican suppliers,
these shipments of products smuggled
inside deliveries of auto parts
and meeting with distributors.
You were present for these meetings?
I was, and I was present
when he ordered a m*rder.
March th of last year. Jose Cortez.
I don't know what his crime was,
but I was there
when Mabbit gave the order
to one of his bodyguards.
Cortez was k*lled that night,
stuffed inside the trunk of his car.
Thank you, Mr. O'Hare. You may step down.
I'm gonna ask you to leave the room.
All right.
I think you'll agree that the threshold
for an indictment on multiple charges
- is easily satisfied here.
- I have a question.
- How do we know he didn't do the m*rder?
- I'm sorry?
He could be trying to
pin it on somebody else.
You're gonna hand
this piece of crap immunity?
We just take his word for it?
I hear your concerns,
but we're here to find
probable cause. That's it.
I'll tell you what.
Why don't we take a brief recess?
I will address your concerns, okay?
Just give me a few minutes.
I don't get it. I told them everything.
I'm putting myself on the line here.
- They need to know why.
- I told them why.
It was turn on him before he turns on me.
And now you have a problem,
because you just admitted to, like,
different crimes in there
in front of people.
- We had a deal.
- You know how this works, Liam.
No deal, no immunity. Hey, w-wait...
Which means Mabbit stays free
and I charge you right now.
- Just a second...
- You need to tell me the truth.
What the hell is going on?
What are you doing this for? Who...
Who are you doing this for?
Moira.
Moira?
Okay. And... And who is she?
My sister.
She O.D.'d last week... my kid sister.
[SIGHS]
I didn't even know she was using.
So yeah, I did grow a conscience.
Um...
I'm sorry.
Mabbit talks about his customers
like they're trash.
When I told him about Moira,
the guy didn't blink.
Nothing. She was just another piece...
I know what I've done.
[SIGHS]
And I can't make it right, any of it,
but I can do this for her.
The grand jury needs to hear that.
If they understand you,
they will believe you.
♪♪
[CHILDREN GIGGLING]
Hi.
On the night in question,
did the individual known
as the Wicked Witch
try to set you on fire?
Your Honor, I move that the
court disqualify the witness.
Disqualify on what grounds?
Mental incompetence.
- Your Honor?
- Um, yeah. Approach the bench.
This isn't what we talked about.
Judge Watkins, we have video evidence
of Mr. Scarecrow loudly proclaiming
that he has no brain.
- If I only had a brain!
- [LAUGHTER]
Your Honor, Mr. Scarecrow's
testimony will establish
that my client was acting in defense.
Maybe the Cowardly Lion could testify,
or maybe he's too afraid
to do what's right.
CHILD: Is she the witch now?
- Oh, boy.
- CHILD: She's mean.
So let's see. How do
I explain this? The law...
Oh! There's no place like home.
There's no place like home.
- There's no place like home.
- [LAUGHTER]
Oh, dear, my magic slippers
appear to be malfunctioning.
We better go see the Wizard about that.
In the meantime,
let's all break for lunch.
Court is in recess.
♪♪
Ms. Palmer, we worked together
in the D.A.'s office
for years. Did we not?
- Yes.
- And during that time,
did you ever question my
commitment to our mission?
No, which is why I was so surprised.
You accuse me of bias,
of abusing my position as a judge.
Is that a question, Your Honor?
I can't tell.
Based on a handful of rulings which...
Taking my jury on a field trip,
then dismissing jurors
midway through trial
to all but guarantee a defense verdict,
raking my expert over the coals,
ridiculing her expertise...
these are abuses of power,
showing a clear bias
in favor of the defense.
Ms. Palmer, in the first case...
I think what Ms. Palmer
means, Judge Carmichael,
is don't the People have
a Constitutional right
to a fair trial, too?
- Of course, Your Honor.
- A right that is demolished
when the judge, acting in her role
as the trier of law,
guts the evidence put forward
instead of letting the jury
decide the facts.
Look at the record.
The People are not challenging
the legality of what I did.
All's well that ends well
is not a defense.
An anti-law enforcement agenda like hers
can have awful consequences.
- Ms. Palmer.
- I'd like to introduce,
as a supplementary exhibit,
a transcript of the sentencing
of one Travis Bolson,
along with a coroner's report
of Mr. Bolson's death.
Th-This is outside the ambit
of the complaint.
It wasn't in the brief.
Judge Laski, this tragic turn of events
happened after I filed my complaint,
- or it would have been included.
- Your Honor...
- I'll allow it.
- She set loose a man
who represented a clear danger
to himself and others.
I acted well within
the scope of my authority.
That's your defense?
You did it because you could?
Explain that to Travis Bolson's family...
the mother of his child.
Tell her how the scope of your authority
led to his death.
♪♪
Palmer, Driscoll, the others...
they know they don't have a case,
and they're just trying to derail you.
Mission accomplished.
They're just desperate
because they know you're winning.
Except Laski is doing
the thing I stand accused of.
He is not listening.
He is not weighing the facts.
He has locked arms with the prosecution,
and he is tipping the scales
in their favor.
Breathe, Your Honor.
What if they're right?
They're not.
I can get so convinced that I know best.
I even know that about myself.
And still, I can't...
It feels like
you can see everything from up there.
Your Honor...
As a prosecutor, I did the homework.
If I was in court,
I knew that person was guilty,
and now I get up there,
and I listen,
and I check... other people's homework...
[VOICE BREAKING]
and I don't always know.
Travis Bolson should be in prison.
He should be alive.
You did nothing wrong.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
I don't know if I'm built for this.
I have spent a lot of time
in a lot of courtrooms, Your Honor.
And yours is different.
You are different.
And I've come to understand
that we need that so much
because there are a lot
of us in that building
who feel pretty different, too.
You are built for this, Your Honor.
And you need to go back in there
and tell them why.
Any news?
No.
So assuming the worst is easier.
[SCOFFS]
How does it feel to be a prosecutor?
Luke, you passed your exam.
- You don't know that.
- I do.
I do because I know you... a little,
and I know what you're going through.
You mean feeling like I've
made a terrible mistake,
like I should have focused on this job,
put my name in for detective?
Here's what's going on.
You think that you failed
because you're afraid you passed.
- Okay, and what does that mean?
- It means that, if you fail,
your life doesn't have to change.
If you passed, big-time change.
So really, the fact
that you're so convinced
that you blew it
is a kind of escapist fantasy
that allows you to avoid thinking
about your new scary future.
How did you know that?
Therapy. And I've been there.
You don't get to go back to Kansas, Luke.
You are going to be a lawyer.
So get on the yellow brick road
with the rest of us.
- Yeah.
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah, okay, but what if I fail?
Ohh.
No.
Mm.
, , . , , .
Ha ha! I got you! Okay, let's go.
- Mm!
- I have to say I'm impressed.
I mean, I thought the whole thing
was gonna go completely off the rails,
but you saved the day.
I was just trying to keep it fun, happy.
Middle child?
Out of seven. That obvious?
Hmm.
Big family, so I'm used to squabbling.
And now you work in a world
where people are paid to argue.
You know, my therapist
has brought that up, too.
Your family... are they all here in L.A.?
No. Life gets in the way,
and death gets in the way,
and marriage, moving.
The ones that are left are
scattered all over the place.
I think that's why
I like throwing parties.
- I miss the noise.
- Mm.
Does that make me weird?
No. That's not what makes you weird.
We need to bring this horse
back into the barn.
Let's go find out if Dorothy Gale
is going to spend the rest
of her life in jail.
Okay. We got an indictment on
Trevor Mabbit, multiple counts.
[CELLPHONE BEEPS]
Warren? Mark Callan here.
Yeah, we got the green light.
- Okay, I'll send the paperwork over.
- [BEEP]
We gotta sign some stuff.
Let's go back to my office.
You got a clean slate, Liam.
Use it wisely.
And I truly am sorry about your sister.
She's the only family I had.
I thought she'd be around forever.
Let's go.
♪♪
Can you cite one instance
that would lead you to believe
that justice is not my ultimate goal?
Or do you simply object to the fact
that I go about the pursuit
of that justice
in a different way?
Members of the Commission,
you have heard a lot
about how I am as a judge.
I do things differently,
which is to say I do things
differently than you.
And you can ask me questions all day,
but that is the core truth
of it... difference.
I look at the world differently
because of who I am,
because of how I look,
and how the world looks at me.
I am the daughter of a paralegal father
who taught me to love the law
and an activist mother
who taught me to fight for what is right.
In my years as a prosecutor,
I fiercely opposed crime,
but I also saw firsthand
why people commit crimes.
I see people
and yes, the law,
through a different lens.
It is not a choice. It is not activism.
It is who I am.
And so the question here today
is not "Is Lola Carmichael biased?"
It is not "Did she abuse her power?"
We all know the law.
The question is are you
going to respect me enough
to accept our differences?
I look forward to your answer.
♪♪
I know, babe. [SIGHS] I know. I know.
It's just, I really wish you were here.
Okay. Yeah. [CHUCKLES] I love you, too.
- [SIGHS]
- [KNOCKING]
Oh, worst day of my professional career,
and my husband is on assignment
three time zones away.
Maybe I should just throw in
the towel and join him.
Don't get ahead of yourself.
I just spoke with one
of my colleagues at the C.J.P.
Sounds like you made an impression
with your closing.
- For whatever that's worth.
- I'm proud of you.
That can't have been easy.
[CELLPHONES CHIME AND BUZZ]
[KNOCKING]
C.J.P.'s ready.
I'm coming over there with you.
♪♪
♪♪
Watch your back, Mr. Callan.
Keep talking, Mabbit.
Let's stack some charges.
♪♪
Watch your head.
Get in.
♪♪
We are back on the record in the inquiry
concerning Judge Lola Carmichael.
After due deliberation,
we have arrived at a conclusion.
Judge Carmichael, please approach.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
♪♪
But before we announce,
I'd like to personally thank each member
of this fine commission
for serving alongside me.
[CLEARS THROAT]
Without further ado,
the Commission,
by a vote of seven to three,
finds that Judge Carmichael
has not violated any ethical canon.
The complaint is hereby dismissed.
Your Honor, if I may...
You may not, Ms. Palmer.
The decision is final.
♪♪
EMILY: Which witch was it which you saw?
Which witch? The witch.
- I'm sorry, Your Honor. Which witch?
- [LAUGHTER]
Ma'am, would you please
clarify for the court
which witch was which?
[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
[DOORS OPEN]
Hear ye, hear ye!
All rejoice in the Land of Oz,
for Judge Lola the Good has returned!
♪♪
Whew! I am sorry to be late.
I've had the strangest couple of days,
and you were there, and you were there,
and you were there.
And a special thank you to Judge Watkins
for keeping my seat warm
while I was gone.
It was an honor, Your Honor.
I'm afraid there has been a big mistake.
This trial should not be happening
because there was no crime.
You see, it was all a dream.
[CHILDREN GASP]
We're free!
[GIGGLING]
That's right, and that means
you get to leave
and all of you get to go home.
- [CHILDREN GROAN]
- After all...
there's no place like home.
[GIGGLING]
♪♪
Hey, you.
Trevor Mabbit... good get.
- Is this for me?
- Uh-huh.
Chocolate milk.
They were fresh out of bourbon.
Ah. All right. Let's hear it.
Your dad is wild.
- [CHUCKLES]
- How'd he end up
with a boy scout like you for a son?
Years of bad parenting
and emotional neglect.
Well, for what it's worth,
he spent most of our time
asking questions about you.
Like what?
Mm, sorry. Attorney-client privilege.
Hmm.
I spent an hour with him yesterday,
another minutes today.
- And?
- And he thinks you're dumping him on me
and he's never gonna see you again.
That was kinda the plan.
- Really?
- But after today,
Vic's the only family I've got,
and he's not gonna be
around forever, so...
I guess I'm back in.
Or at least not totally out.
I call the sh*ts, all of them.
Fine by me.
Did he do it?
Don't know yet.
Is Vic Callan the type of man
who would put a b*llet
in the back of a woman's head?
Pretty hard for me to believe.
Me, too.
You realize there's a very good chance
- I could lose.
- Of course, Amy. I'm not expecting...
Mark, the thing is,
I don't want to let you down.
You won't. Whatever happens.
Okay. I'm in.
♪♪
Sheri, can you come in here, please?
Your Honor?
Just a small token.
[SIGHS]
Your Honor...
I...
Season tickets to the Pantages?
I remembered how much
you like the theater, so...
This is too much.
Don't think twice about it,
as long as you take me to "Hamilton"
when it comes back this spring.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[BOX CLATTERS]
Thank you...
Lola.
[CELLPHONE CHIMES, BUZZES]
_
♪♪
I used to love coming up here.
You're not the first young judge
who needed someplace to hide.
Still smells the same.
What can I do for you?
Sorry you had to go through all that.
Politics. The whole thing
was an embarrassment, really,
frivolous, silly charges.
That's... surprising,
considering how enthusiastically
you participated.
Well, I thought, since we were all there,
might as well put you through your paces.
You did well. Honestly, I could tell you
that you are a fine judge
with a razor-sharp legal mind
and a well-tuned sense of compassion,
but coming from me,
would you believe it? No.
You needed to stand up there
and be challenged
over and over until you could say it
for yourself out loud,
for all of us to hear.
Felt good, didn't it?
Actually, it did.
Yeah. You're welcome.
For the record, I still
loathe your politics,
and there was one thing
we weren't able to address,
and that's why I'm here...
the matter of Travis Bolson.
What about him?
He d*ed.
Yes, he did.
Yes, he did. Want to know why?
You're human.
Our robes do not contain super powers.
We cannot see into people's souls.
We get fooled.
All of us.
Still keeps me up at night.
That is just something you're
going to have to get used to.
Merry Christmas, Judge Carmichael.
Good night.
Oh, uh, one more thing.
I know that you have
a special relationship
with Lisa Benner.
It's good to have mentors, but, uh,
Lisa... well, sometimes people's pasts
can catch up to them and run them down.
Hazard of public office.
Keep a safe distance.
Oh, my God. It's gorgeous. It...
Judge Benner! You came?
It's a beautiful home.
So you're gonna stay for the party?
Absolutely not.
I don't drink in front of subordinates,
and I don't endorse
small talk sober, so...
- Fair enough.
- Happy holidays, though.
- Happy holidays.
- Happy holidays.
Have fun.
- Thank you so much.
- My pleasure.
Okay, did that just happen,
or am I straight-up hallucinating?
[BELLS JINGLING]
♪ Dashing through the snow ♪
♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪
♪ O'er the fields we go ♪
♪ Laughing all the way ♪
♪ Bells on bobtails ring ♪
♪ Making spirits bright ♪
♪ What fun it is to ride and sing ♪
♪ A sleighing song tonight ♪
♪ Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells ♪
♪ Jingle all the way ♪
♪ Oh, what fun... ♪
- To Dorothy.
- I'll drink to that.
♪♪
What an insane day.
I was really hard on you
about Judge Carmichael.
No harm, no foul. All worked out.
Oh, I took another look at your case.
We should talk plea deals
that involve treatment programs.
Really? That's so... Thank you.
Should've done it from the start.
SARA: Look who's here.
Your friend just arrived.
SARA: Luke!
- I...[CHUCKLES]
- Hi.
- Hey.
- How do you...
Does everyone know
Luke and I are whatever?
Not everyone. Just anyone
with eyes and ears
and a decent understanding
of social cues.
Uh-huh.
♪♪
[CHUCKLES]
[SHERRI CONTINUES SINGING]
- [WHISPERS] Wow.
- Oh!
You look great.
Thank you. I was worried
you wouldn't show.
Does this mean you passed?
I didn't just pass. I aced all my exams.
Law school is done.
- Amazing!
- Mm-hmm.
This calls for a toast.
Uh, I probably shouldn't. I gotta drive.
You don't have to.
Drive, I mean, if you don't want.
You could spend the night.
Are you...
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
But if I'm still here
when things are wrapping up,
won't people...
Yeah. [ICE RATTLES] But who cares?
Well, in that case...
♪♪
We should hit the dance floor.
Bold choice.
I like it.
[GIGGLES]
[JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL VERSION
OF "DECK THE HALLS" PLAYING]
All rise!
- Hey!
- Hey, hey!
- I'm so glad you made it.
- Cheers, counselor.
Here. This is for you ladies.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Sir. I want to hear about that test.
Mm-hmm.
You made it.
I did. I did.
Oh, God. Why do I forget
how much I hate crowded parties
until I'm at one?
Shall we take this to the VIP section?
Yes, please.
- Uh-huh.
- Okay.
Judge Benner? Any idea what Laski meant?
Nope, and I don't want to
think about it right now.
You won today. You don't
have to think about it.
Sure, but this was a message
loud and clear.
Politics matter.
So I can't hide in my chambers anymore.
I have to shake some hands,
spend time with the other judges,
play the game. Fun stuff.
- [WHISPERS] Yeah!
- You can handle it.
I know. Enough about me. Where's Ria?
She should be here by now.
She, um... She dumped me
a few hours ago over the phone.
She has a sh**t in London for six weeks,
wanted to make a clean break.
Really?
And you made me learn her name.
Too soon.
I'm sorry, Mark.
Okay, it's kinda funny.
Ria told me she actually left me
two days before she went to London,
cleaned out her closet, the bathroom.
[WHISPERS] I didn't even notice.
[NORMAL VOICE] You know
what that says about me?
That your father's being
charged with m*rder, Mark.
What is going on with Vic?
Hired Amy Quinn.
- Mm.
- Amy's the right lawyer.
She's a good fit for him.
I'll keep an eye on her.
I bet you will.
[SIGHS]
You can't be involved, Mark.
I know. I'll toe the line, but...
You're worried about him.
I am. It's... weird.
No, it's not. He's your father.
And he is going to be okay.
You can handle this. You always do.
Well, I learned from the best.
[CHUCKLES]
How about a toast to the new year?
To the new year. [SIGHS]
May we stay strong enough
to stand and face
whatever challenges it may hold.
Cheers to that.
Bring it on.
SHERRI IN DISTANCE: Hey, you guys!
Merry Christmas!