Spoiler alert: The following contains details from Season 2, Part 1 of “The Lincoln Lawyer,” now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer” ends with a midseason cliffhanger that would bring Mickey Haller’s tires to a screeching halt.
The second season, which unveiled its first five episodes Thursday, is inspired by Michael Connelly’s novel “The Fifth Witness.” The next five episodes will be released Aug. 3.
The books and series are centered on criminal defense attorney Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), who conducts work from his Lincoln cars. In the new installment, Mickey, while riding the high of a successful case in Season 1 – and the notoriety that comes with it – crosses paths with alluring chef Lisa Trammell (Lana Parrilla, “Once Upon a Time”). Mickey falls for more than just her cooking: The two spend the night together, but things quickly become complicated when Lisa is charged with the death of developer Mitchell Bondurant (Clint Carmichael), whom she has sent to try to gentrify her Los Angeles neighborhood.
Mickey agrees to represent Lisa at a preliminary hearing, snuffing out their romance for the time being. He hesitates to form an opinion on her innocence, but seems to believe she didn’t commit the crime. Mickey is rocked during the preliminary hearing when a forensics analyst tests that Mitchell’s blood was found on Lisa’s gardening gloves. The judge decides the state has met its burden of proof and will proceed with charges against Lisa.
Lisa appears surprised by the discovery and proclaims her innocence to Mickey in the courthouse elevator. “I’m being set up!” she says, perhaps by the mob. “Mickey, how can you defend me if you think I’m guilty? The jury’s going to see it on you, just like I do.”
“I defend clients accused of crimes all the time, guilty or innocent. It doesn’t matter,” he tells her. “I do everything in my power to win.”
“So now I’m just a client to you?” Lisa says, taking offense.
“That’s not what I meant,” Mickey responds. But the damage is done, and Lisa walks away.
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At the episode’s end, Mickey realizes the contract Lisa signed that gave him her life rights for TV series and such ― which Lisa signed as a way to pay Mickey for his services ― has been stolen from the back of his Lincoln. He’s then pummeled by two men in the parking garage just before the credits roll.
Garcia-Rulfo, 42, tells USA TODAY the script for the midseason finale floored him.
“I read it, I’m like ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa,’” he says. “There is something in there − that is like, not just for Mickey but for the audience as well − ‘Is she guilty? Is she not?’”
“That piece of information,” the blood on the glove, “knocks out Mickey,” Garcia-Rulfo continues, “not just because of the relationship he has with her, but for the case it’s a slap in the face. Like, you’re done! That’s the worst evidence (in this case).”
Here’s hoping this “Lincoln Lawyer” recess feels very brief.
Contributing: Pamela Avila
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