All Rise Season 3 Episode 19 Review: Come Hell or High Water

We’re (again) nearly at the finish on All Rise Season 3 Episode 19 “Come Hell or High Water.” By the closing credits, we’re just hoping it’s only the story that ends, and not any of these characters’ lives.

As foreshadowed, Mark’s situation goes from bad to worse almost immediately. This time he’s being asked to have a murder conviction thrown out in a trial Lola is overseeing. How do you get out of a situation like that?

Apparently, you do so by willingly getting abducted from your own bachelor party and almost dying for the sake of undercover footage while your best friend’s husband and his partners in the FBI keep watch. I only wish I were making that up.

The party itself is mostly a darn good time. Organized by Lola, it’s alternately riotous and moving. It eventually becomes a coed affair with Amy’s bachelorettes, and the dire straits are just one reason I’m upset we miss a big chunk of it.

By the next day, Mark finally comes to his senses enough to tell Lola everything. He claims he did it all to put his father’s drama behind him. I sure want that to be true—but then, I sure want the signs this isn’t over to be just in my imagination.

Amy is spared from hearing the worst of these details. It’s a blessing for both her peace of mind and the fact she already has plenty on her plate. Her mom and sister come to visit and turn her bachelorette party into a series of guilt trips.

It’s a typical family drama: they want to know why she rarely visits while demonstrating the exact reason in the process. The best we get from it is the lovely moment of Sherri supporting Amy and again proving herself to be someone you need in your corner.

I’m not sure I’m on board with the way they all suddenly feel remorse and make nice before going out to party together. Whether it’s the right time for them to talk or not, finding peace without any conversation feels too easy.

We do spend a little time in Courtroom 802 amidst all this. Thanks to Emily and Luke, some of our final scenes within the court system are dedicated to the push for holistic law, even if some of their colleagues are grudging in their acceptance.

The measure has its bumps. Luke spends most of the episode working on behalf of a man who has been in and out of prison and who, when granted bail by Lola, immediately holds up a store to earn his “third strike” and risk a life sentence.

He tells the court he doesn’t know how to survive out of jail. Both this and Lola’s plea for him to find help when granted one more act of mercy are stirring reminders of the cracks in disciplinary systems and why holistic law exists in the first place.

Gabriel also reappears, and after hearing so little about his and Sarah’s relationship, it’s nice to see he wants her to meet his daughter. Yet he’s doing so because he’s afraid he’ll lose most of his custody and be denied many chances for them to interact.   

Sarah turns to Amy and Ness for help, putting all involved in a slightly awkward position. Still, of everything on our plates, this seems one of the easiest to handle. I’d like it to give us at least one happy ending and some peace for Gabriel and his ex.

I want the happy ending to be able to apply to everyone, but the fact we close on an ominous image of someone watching Mark and Lola is worrisome. I just hope the legacy of the series is preserved by wrapping this up quickly in the final hour.

If that happens, what else would you like to see for our characters in their personal and professional lives? We’ll probably only get a brief glimpse of what the future holds, but it’s sure to be bright—just so long as everyone lives to see it.

 

What did you think of this episode of All Rise? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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All Rise airs Saturdays at 9/8c on OWN.

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