There are a number of reasons why The Lincoln Lawyer shouldn’t work. For one, adapting the popular Michael Connelly series of novels is the most “network” thing a streaming service has ever done. There’s a reason for that, as this was originally going to be a David E. Kelley production at CBS with Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus, Upgrade) set to star.
Thankfully, by a stroke of luck, they cast Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (A Man Called Otto) in the role, and it’s clear they didn’t realize what they had. Like the ever-popular Bosch series on Prime Video, the success of the show is based on its lead. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, a last-minute replacement, carries the series on his back with an authentic portrayal of a legal eagle who gets down and dirty defending both the righteous and the immoral.
Garcia-Rulfo is wonderful in the role, incredibly likable, and constantly surprising. The series is like a good summer novel—a throwback to shows with a pulpy edge and sensational stories that go down easy because they are addictive and highly bingeable. You could criticize The Lincoln Lawyer for not changing much over three seasons. However, there is no need for reinvention, as the retro feel of the series is why viewers keep returning for more.
The Lincoln Lawyer’s third season is based on the Michael Connelly novel The Gods of Guilt, the fifth installment of the author’s novel series of the same name. The story follows Haller (Garcia-Rulfo), who struggles with his personal life this year. His daughter Hayley (Krista Warner) has moved in with his ex-wife, Maggie (Neve Campbell). The flirtation with ADA Andrea Freeman (Chicago Med’s Yaya DaCosta) also has begun to heat up.
Additionally, Mickey’s demons will be catching up to him. That’s because the case of Glory Days (Tracker’s Fiona Rene), a call girl whom Haller relates to due to her addiction, takes center stage. Her former pimp, Julian (Devon Graye), is charged with her murder but claims innocence. The lawyer with the eye-catching blue 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible believes him. Haller takes the case and, in doing so, puts everyone he loves in danger.
The plot in season three is much stronger than in previous seasons. For one, the addition of Holt McCallany (The Iron Claw) and Michael Irby (Barry) elevates the material, with satisfying plot points coming together seamlessly. Also, the returning cast—Becki Newton, Angus Sampson, Jazz Raycole, and Elliott Gould—feels like old friends. While Raycole’s subplot can sometimes feel like unnecessary filler, having this compelling group of characters back in your home (or on your phone) is a joy.
While The Lincoln Lawyer lacks the sun-soaked grit of Connelly’s other adaptations, Bosch and Bosch: Legacy. However, the third season feels like the main character has come full circle. This gives Garcia-Rulfo plenty of room to shine, delivering his finest performance yet as the iconic lawyer. He brings a real sense of authenticity to the character that feels genuine.
Garcia-Rulfo’s Haller can be inarticulate and flawed, but he’s also charming and endearing. Yet, with sharp dialogue, an intricate plot, and timely themes, this is the best season yet of Netflix’s legal drama. The Lincoln Lawyer is a legal fix you cannot resist and is as addictive as a courtroom drama can get. Sit back, put up your feet, and enjoy the streaming throwback they don’t make like this anymore.
You can stream the third season of The Lincoln Lawyer only on Netflix October 17th.
The best season yet of Netflix's legal drama, The Lincoln Lawyer, is a legal fix you cannot resist and as addictive as courtroom drama can get.
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I am a film and television critic and a proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society, Critics Choice Association, and a 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes/Tomato meter approved. However, I still put on my pants one leg at a time, and that’s when I often stumble over. When I’m not writing about movies, I patiently wait for the next Pearl Jam album and pass the time by scratching my wife’s back on Sunday afternoons while she watches endless reruns of California Dreams. I was proclaimed the smartest reviewer alive by actor Jason Isaacs, but I chose to ignore his obvious sarcasm. You can also find my work on InSession Film, Ready Steady Cut, Hidden Remote, Music City Drive-In, Nerd Alert, and Film Focus Online.
