I’ve been a reader of Micheal Connelly’s novels for a couple of decades now. Two of my favorites are the Harry Bosch series and The Lincoln Lawyer Series.  They both have connections to the other, but both series have been picked up by big studios. Bosch by Amazon and The Lincoln Lawyer by Netflix. The Lincoln Lawyer is coming up on its 3rd season releasing on October 17th. Each of the previous two seasons connects to this 3rd season and the show gets more complex and layered with each subsequent season. 

The 3rd season of The Lincoln Lawyer is based on the 5th book in The series The Gods of Guilt. Season 3 ties into season 2 as a major character from that season gets killed. It makes sense these two seasons were greenlit together. Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) has a lot going on in his life with his teenage daughter getting older, his office getting busier, Lorna Crane, 2nd wife, (Becki Newton) his office manager is going for her bar exam to become a Lawyer, and he’s involved in a very difficult multilayered case involving his the deceased character from Season 2.  As well as a potential new love interest. Season 3 ramps up the intensity and the intrigue beyond the previous 2 Seasons. 

Without giving away spoilers this season has a lot of moving pieces. There are multiple subplots involving supporting characters like Izzy (Jazz Raycole), Lorna Crane (Becki Newton) Andrea Freeman (Yaya Decosta), and Cisco Wojciechowski (Angus Sampson). As well as returning characters such as ex-Live Detective now Investigator for the DA’s office Niel Bishop (Holt MccAllany) and a new character Eddie who becomes Mickey’s new driver. The writing based on Connelly’s book is better than ever from Ted Humphrey, the showrunner, and others. Even though I have already read the book that this season is based on I was glued to my seat for the entire season. Season 3 completely grabbed me while watching. 

With any show or film about lawyers or courts, there is a lot going on. There are ups and downs in this case. The main suspect has issues with being in prison, and the judge, even though sympathetic, has her trepidations about the main case in front of her, there are many missing witnesses and capabilities involving DEA Agents and men in prison. Many courtroom films have crazy scenarios in them, but Connelly is the king of putting them into his novels. That’s why I love them so much. These scenes make the show better than it otherwise would be. Not all filmmakers or television producers have what it takes to create a courtroom show like David E Kelly.  This is one of the best streaming shows about this genre I’ve ever seen.

I am a big fan of the Matthew McChouney version of The Lincoln Lawyer that came out in 2016. It had the right genasaqua that I go for in courtroom dramas, so I was skeptical about this new series and its lead actor Manuel Gatcia-Rulfo. He has been growing on me over the past 3 seasons of the show. His Latino heritage has rubbed me the wrong way because this isn’t who this character is in the books, but I understand now why this direction works for this particular series. It checks off a lot of boxes regarding diversity.  In this day and age, diversity matters in front and behind the camera. He as an actor is one I wasn’t that familiar with before the show, but I like him in the series and I continue to want him to play this character with genuine gravitas. 

One of my favorite things about this series and Bosch for that matter is the setting of Los Angeles,  California. The showrunners and directors are very good at channeling Connelly regarding his love for Los Angeles.  They always add very popular restaurants and locations to their filmmaking. Being genuine to the filming locations is a key to making the show look and feel realistic. Not having been to LA I live vicariously through this type of thing. I love the shots from Mickey’s house which overlooks the city. Especially at night when the shots are Majestic. Los Angeles is a character in the show and I love picking out the little things about the city while watching from afar. One day I’ll end up going there and to some of these places myself to see them in all their glory.

The other thing about this show is its music. The score is very good, but sometimes there are songs added to the episodes such as The Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” Also the theme of the series is jazzy and catchy. I perk up every time the main theme starts to play. I’ve come to know this music now for this show. Connelly gives his characters like Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller a love for classical music, but it translates to the show they are a part of due to the filmmakers and directors. 

The Lincoln  Lawyer Season 3 picks up where Season 3 left off. It dives right into a new case which has many depth and layers to it. In each subsequent season the writing gets more in-depth.  Connelly’s book comes to life better and better. The supporting characters also have subplots that make them interesting to follow along with. The main thing though is the performance by Manual Garcia-Rulfo. He has grown on me and that’s not an easy thing to do. With me loving the film so much it was hard for me to get over Matthew McChouney not getting cast in this series. I understand why though. The only thing that could be better is if Amazon and Netflix could work out a deal to have Harry Bosch crossover into The Lincoln Lawyer. In the books they are related after all. Other than that, the season has been fantastic and I can’t wait for season 4.

4 ½ stars

Dan Skip Allen