Episode 5 of The Lincoln Lawyer's thrilling second season kicks off with Mickey indulging in a decadent slice of flan at Lisa's abode, his mind momentarily wandering into a sensual fantasy of intimacy with her, only to be jolted back to the harsh realities of the present. He's there on a mission: to inform Lisa that Andy, her legal adversary, has abruptly pulled the plea agreement before the deadline expired. Fueled by concern that Andy has uncovered damning new evidence against her, Mickey delves into Lisa's past, inquiring about her ex-husband, Jeff.
Lisa, her voice laced with a hint of weariness, urges Mickey to drop the subject, claiming that Jeff would likely steer clear of the tangled web of her case. Mickey, relentless in his pursuit of justice, persists, insisting that Jeff's insight could be invaluable. This provokes a fierce outburst from Lisa, who swiftly apologizes, explaining the immense weight of stress she's carrying. As a gesture of goodwill, she offers to reach out to one of Jeff's former colleagues, hoping to uncover his whereabouts. Delighted by her offer, Mickey takes his leave.
Back at the office, tensions brew as Cisco receives a call from Kaz's probation officer, who reports Kaz's disappearance. Cisco, with a promise to relay the message, struggles to maintain a veneer of composure while Lorna, eavesdropping, senses his deceit and urges him to end the charade the very next day.
Mickey's arrival is met with a flurry of paperwork from Lorna, who serves as a constant reminder of the mounting caseload. The conversation shifts to Alex Grant, whose absence has left them both perplexed. Lorna argues that Andy's exploitation of Grant's MIA status is a tactical move, but Mickey remains unconvinced. He devises a strategy centered on undermining the credibility of Margo Schafer, the key witness who implicated Lisa at the crime scene.
Intriguingly, Margo's name is conspicuously absent from the witness list, suggesting Andy is holding her as a trump card. Mickey's keen observation also notes the absence of Detective O'Brien, leaving Margo as the sole viable source of testimony, given the detective's medical leave. Mickey cunningly plots to force Andy's hand, compelling her to summon Margo to the stand, thereby exposing any vulnerabilities in her case. The stage is set for a legal battle that promises to be both intense and unpredictable.
Mickey, seeking solace and a mental reset, embarks on a shopping spree. He emerges with a sleek new suit, only to be pulled into the fray by Izzy's news: Henry has unveiled a tantalizing snippet from his podcast, delving into Bondurant's murder and the lingering case.
Mickey promptly visits Lisa, a stern reminder of their no-new-interview pact echoing in his words. Lisa's explanation unfolds, a tale of Henry's cunning use of old interview snippets and a promise of profit-sharing that lured her in. She yearns to contribute financially to Mickey's services, believing an unpaid lawyer cannot be fully committed to her defense.
Mickey's shock is palpable, yet he reassures her of his unwavering dedication, his distrust of Henry palpable. He gently scolds her for her misstep, and Lisa vows to confront Henry. Amidst the tension, she reveals a glimmer of hope: she's procured Jeff's email and shared Mickey's number, hoping for a call that might turn the tide.
As they part ways, Izzy fills Mickey in on the studio's precarious state. Funds are in place, but Ray's struggles threaten to unravel their plans. The deadline for the deposit looms, and failure to meet it means losing their dream location. Mickey empathizes with Izzy's plight, refraining from judgment.
Their conversation drifts to the podcast's controversial future. Izzy ponders aloud if harnessing empathy for Lisa through the podcast might not be such a detrimental move. The idea lingers, a glimmer of hope amidst the storm.
The following day, Cisco embarks on a cunning ruse, posing as a California Fishing and Wildfire inspector to track Alex. He infiltrates one of Alex's sites, demanding an audience. A worker unwittingly leads him to Grant's trail, but Cisco's focus is shattered by Kaz's urgent call. He issues a stern order for Kaz to lie low, sensing the imminent arrival of a gun shipment that night.
Amidst the chaos, Cisco swiftly texts Mickey, a brief update that he's still hot on Grant's trail, the hunt for answers and justice relentless.
Meanwhile, the courtroom drama unfolds as Mickey stands trial, the preliminary hearing for Lisa's case dragging on. During a momentary break, Henry storms in, confrontational, demanding answers for Mickey's injunction against his podcast. Mickey stands firm, accusing Henry of exploiting Lisa's tragedy for monetary gain, before relinquishing the reins to the prosecutor. Henry, unyielding, insists his content is innocuous and pleads for a pre-broadcast review, but Mickey dismisses him with a wave of his hand. Lisa's disapproval is palpable; she feels betrayed by Mickey's handling of Henry, recalling his promise to let her take charge.
As the day wanes, Mickey's hopes for assistance from Jeff are dashed by a curt rejection. Jeff washes his hands of Lisa's turmoil, offering neither aid nor clues about the elusive hammer.
Night falls, and the ATF's raid on Teddy's bar yields nothing more than an assortment of dolls, supposedly for charity. It transpires that Cisco orchestrated a deal with Teddy, offering his freedom and Kaz's in exchange for facilitating a gun transfer. With a promise that Kaz would vanish forever, Teddy nods in acquiescence, considering the debt settled.
Dawn breaks, and Lorna embarks on a fishing expedition—but not in waters; rather, she navigates the labyrinthine streets of L.A. to prove the impossibility of Margo's clear sighting of Lisa. Mickey's stratagem to discredit Margo's testimony bears fruit, armed with photos Lorna gleaned from the precise spot Margo claimed to have witnessed Lisa's departure. As Margo's credibility crumbles, Mickey's confidence soars.
Amidst a strategic recess, Cisco whispers to Mickey that Grant, their elusive quarry, has vanished, seemingly tipped off. Grant's wealth allows him to evade detection for months, dealing a significant blow to their case. However, Cisco offers a glimmer of hope, announcing that the Old Saints' account is once again open for billing. He expresses gratitude for Mickey's intervention, yet shrouds the details in mystery, citing the art of plausible deniability.
As the recess drew to a close, the courtroom resounded with the announcement of the hearing's resumption. Andy, with a strategic move, summoned a surprise witness, one unlisted in the prior proceedings, to the stand. The judge, unfazed, granted permission, and Miss Gates, a forensic expert hailing from the prestigious County Crime Lab, took center stage. Her revelation dropped a bombshell on the defense's carefully crafted case: a discovery of a pair of bloodstained gardening gloves, hidden away in Lisa's shed.
Mickey's attempts at counterarguments were swiftly silenced by the judge's admonishment, who cautioned him against crying wolf merely because his ploy to force Andy's hand had misfired. The focus shifted back to Miss Gates's testimony, her voice echoing through the chamber as she declared that the blood traces on the gloves matched Bondurant's DNA.
Mickey, resolute in his decision, declined to cross-examine, prompting the judge to propel the case towards its next pivotal moment. As they exited the hallowed halls of justice, Lisa's plea for understanding rang hollow in the air. She pleaded ignorance, her eyes searching for a spark of belief in Mickey's eyes, only to find them cold and distant. His words, harsh and unyielding, cut deep, emphasizing that his faith in her mattered little in the face of winning the case. Hurt and angered, Lisa stormed off, leaving Mickey behind.
Later, under the veil of night, Lorna and Cisco ventured to Kaz's secluded hideout. Lorna's words were sharp, her message clear: Kaz was to leave and never return, nor reach out to Cisco again. A passport, a symbol of escape, was thrust into his hands, accompanied by a stern warning not to tarnish Cisco's name.
An enigmatic text from Cisco to Kaz, consisting solely of a thumbs-up emoji, lingered in the air before Lorna's arrival, its meaning a mystery. Yet, one could surmise it signified the resolution of some unseen matter. As Cisco and Lorna walked away, their conversation filled with the anticipation of their upcoming union, the air around them crackled with joy.
Meanwhile, Mickey's nocturnal endeavors to unravel the case were interrupted by a news flash: Henry's announcement of a limited series based on the Brodunant murder. Panic set in as he frantically searched for the contract granting Lisa's life rights. His call to Lorna yielded no fruit, as she claimed ignorance of its whereabouts, prompting a heated exchange between them. Accusations flew, Lorna's patience fraying as Mickey blamed her preoccupation with wedding planning and schoolwork for neglecting the office.
Realizing the documents might still be in his car, Mickey hastened to the parking lot, only to find the file cabinet empty. His confusion was cut short by the sudden appearance of men, their fists raining down on him with brutal force. The final frame of Episode 5 found Mickey, unconscious and bruised, a stark reminder of the treacherous road ahead.
