The seventh episode of Season 3 of Reasonable Doubt picks up right where we left off, with Jax's world suddenly shaken by the news of her mother's cancer diagnosis. She leaps into action, her instincts kicking in as if on autopilot. Demanding answers, she learns that it's stage 2 colon cancer. Mother Lu has been battling this alone, but no more.
As Eddie hurries off, Lewis reminds him to spill the other secret he's been keeping. He gives Eddie an ultimatum: to tell Jax before he does.
The next morning, Jax visits Mother Lu and insists on accompanying her to the hospital. As they sit in the waiting room, Jax is transported back to her childhood, her memories a kaleidoscope of emotions. In particular, she recalls a few weeks before Eddie left, when he kept doing drugs in front of her.
Now, Jax and Mother Lu are talking to Dr. Harlow, who recommends surgery but is wary due to Mother Lu's underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure. The doctor warns them that time is of the essence, but Jax insists on seeking a second opinion.
Mother Lu, resolute in her decision, decides to have the surgery under Dr. Harlow's care as soon as possible. Later that night, Lewis calls Jax to check in and they agree to meet up and hatch a plan to get a second opinion from the best doctors.
At work, Jax explains the situation to Bill. He suggests filing a continuance motion, but Jax doesn't want to lose the momentum. She shows Bill the questions she's prepared for the next witness. Bill convinces her to let him handle the case and start by taking a continuance.
As they talk, another partner drops by for a case update. He orders Bill to wrap up the case quickly so they can close the acquisition. Bill hits back that the acquisition isn't what's best for Jax.
Meanwhile, Krystal confronts Daniel about his relationship with Kristin. Daniel clarifies that he's only using Kristin as a pawn in his quest for information on the case. Krystal, like the rest of us, isn't buying his story.
Daniel delves deeper into the intricate book deal that Alex had with a publishing house, pretending to be a representative from a seemingly interested party after learning of the publishers' rejection. Alex's response is swift, requesting a meeting at the earliest convenience. Meanwhile, Jax is reeling from Eddie's announcement that Mother Lu has granted him power of attorney. Her anger is palpable as she warns him of legal action if he disregards Mother Lu's wishes. Jax feels deeply hurt by Mother Lu's preference for Eddie over her, recalling the day her mother gave Eddie an ultimatum. Mother Lu's mortification was palpable as she witnessed Jax play pretend, snorting powdery candy through her nose.
As Jax and Lewis break the news to the children, they assure them that Mother Lu will be just fine after the surgery. Jax makes a call to Mother Lu, coaxing her into staying with them post-surgery. In another corner of the story, Bill and Sally's chemistry is electric, but Bill's slip of the tongue reveals Mother Lu's illness. Meanwhile, Daniel sifts through Kristin's phone while she sleeps, realizing she has deleted her messages with Alex. Taking it a step further, he adds himself to her tracking app, allowing him to monitor her movements with ease.
The next day, Jax tries to muster her strength as she hosts Autumn's baby shower. Sally checks in on Jax, but the latter insists she's not ready to discuss Mother Lu. Sally comes clean about her encounter with Bill, causing Jax to feel overwhelmed and rush to her room. As she reaches for her secret stash of cigarettes, Shanelle interrupts, adding yet another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous situation.
Jax poured her heart out to Shanelle, sharing every detail from Mother Lu's ailment to Eddie's possession of her power of attorney. She confessed her hurt that Mother Lu had confided in Eddie before her. Shanelle soothed her, reminding her that Mother Lu was merely trying to shield her from the impending pain, especially during her ongoing trial. Jax was transported back in time to the night when Mother Lu had locked her father out, a memory etched in her young mind. Mother Lu's fear of Eddie's spiraling addiction haunted her.
We return to the present as Bill visits Jax in the hospital to check on Mother Lu ahead of her surgery. He promises Jax that he will take care of the case post-continuance. Meanwhile, Alex missed his meeting with Daniel, who discovered Kristin at the hospital. Alex pretended he was there to see Mother Lu, while Kristin lied that she was visiting a female friend who had been in a biking accident.
As Mother Lu headed into surgery, Jax's thoughts went back to her childhood. The day she defied Mother Lu's instruction and let her father in; Eddie overdosed, and Mother Lu returned to find him unconscious in the kitchen. It was the final straw that led to her calling the police and their subsequent move-out. At that time, Mother Lu had lied that Eddie had given his guitar pick to Jax as a gift. Jax had kept that guitar pick as a safety net.
After Mother Lu's surgery, Jax went to pray in the chapel, joined by Eddie as they cleared the air between them. Lewis found them and announced that the doctor had emerged from the operating room. As they rushed towards the doctor, Jax's mind was filled with memories of her mother. The doctor brought good news that the surgery was a success.
Daniel pulled Jax aside and updated her on his recent findings regarding Kristin. It emerged that Alex was the friend Kristin had come to see at the hospital, but he was now lying on a hospital bed, struggling for his life as doctors desperately tried to resuscitate him. According to the police, Alex had been attacked, but they had no suspects or witnesses.
The episode ended with Kristin walking out of the hospital, on the phone reassuring the other party that Alex would not be a problem, at least not for a while.
