The gripping recap of Presumed Innocent's seventh episode commences with a race against time as Raymond Horgan is rushed to the hospital, leaving Rusty and his companions anxiously pacing outside, while Barbara holds vigil at home, surrounded by their children. The long-awaited doctor's verdict finally arrives, relieving tensions: it was not a heart attack but a neurological hurdle, surmountable with the aid of a pacemaker. Raymond's prognosis – hopeful and reassuring.
Meanwhile, strategy clashes within the legal ranks as Nico urges Tommy to pursue a mistrial, a path Tommy steadfastly refuses. The core legal team convenes once more before the judge's gaze, where Rusty makes a daring proclamation: he intends to represent himself in court. Judge Lyttle's brow furrows in disapproval, echoed by Mya, who will reluctantly assume the role of Rusty's second-in-command.
The courtroom drama reignites, with Michael Polhemus summoned to the witness stand. Rusty's interrogation delves into Michael's resentment towards his mother's exclusionary actions, subtly revealing that Michael had disclosed to his father Rusty's visit to Carolyn's abode. However, Rusty's emotions boil over, blinding him with unsubstantiated accusations, lashing out at Michael and his father for Carolyn's tragic demise.
In the aftermath, Nico's strategic mind turns to Rigo, proposing his testimony as a crucial piece of the puzzle. News of this reaches Rusty's ears, prompting him to seek Eugenia's insight. But Eugenia's knowledge is a barren field, leading their discussion astray to Carolyn's heartfelt wish to keep their unborn child and her final confession to Rusty on that fateful night. Rusty's temper flares, and he dismisses Eugenia, his emotions raw.
The following day in court, Nico meticulously questions Rigo, unleashing a recording of Rusty's private conversation with Liam Reynolds within the prison walls. Nico's tactic exposes Rusty's request for Rigo to exclusively entrust him with case evidence, yet Rusty deftly counters, explaining that such practices are commonplace among prosecutors, maintaining a semblance of composure amidst the storm.
Upon returning home, Barbara's heart sank as she realized that Rusty had resorted to medication to sharpen his mental faculties, and she couldn't help but reproach him for keeping such a crucial detail from her. Meanwhile, within the prosecutor's office, Tommy surreptitiously slipped away with a piece of paper, a keepsake celebrating one of Carolyn's triumphant moments, choosing to cherish it in solitude.
The courtroom atmosphere thickened as Tommy cunningly maneuvered the proceedings, claiming that Rusty himself had inadvertently introduced his own testimony during his cross-examination of Rigo. This strategic move seamlessly placed Rusty in the hot seat, transforming him from defendant to witness. Judge Lyttle, acknowledging the unforeseen turn of events, graciously offered a mistrial as an escape route, but Rusty, undeterred, boldly chose to embrace the spotlight and testify.
Mya, seething with frustration at Rusty's disregard for her counsel, her patience finally snapped. With a scathing declaration of abandonment, she stormed out of the courtroom, her resolve to continue with the case shattered beyond repair.
Back at his abode, Rusty's children uncover his secret intake of Ritalin, the medication prescribed for ADHD, eliciting their stern disapproval. Rusty returns home, rehearsing his lines like a seasoned actor, preparing for the inevitable confrontation. As dawn breaks, Mya's voice echoes through the phone lines, cautioning Rusty against Tommy's provocations. In a twist of fate, Raymond stages a triumphant comeback to the courtroom, a green light from his physicians granting him passage. Mya, unwavering in her support, joins the fray.
The courtroom drama intensifies as Tommy takes center stage, grilling Rusty relentlessly. He unveils a trail of evidence: angry texts to Carolyn, instances of aggression—from pummeling Ratzer to gripping Doctor Kumagai by the throat. Despite Rusty's composure, a veneer that barely masks the tempest within, Tommy skillfully exposes the fragile threads that bind Rusty's control. He suggests that Rusty's temper, once unleashed, could just as easily consume Carolyn. Nico, observing from the sidelines, finds satisfaction in Tommy's cunning strategy.
Yet, Tommy's victory is short-lived. Returning to his abode, he's greeted by a scene of chaos, as if nature itself had taken a swing at his tranquility. The episode's climax unfolds as Tommy's gaze falls upon a fire poker resting on his desk, accompanied by a stark message: "Go fuck yourself." The words linger, painting a vivid picture of the dark emotions simmering beneath the surface of this intricate web of lies, betrayal, and revenge.
