A lot of people were upset and posted negative reviews after the first couple of episodes, including me. But I take it all back. Once I got that it was a "prequel," a "backstory," then I settled in. It turned out excellent. Paul Drake, Della Street, Hamilton Burger, all clicked into place. Episode 8 wrapped up the first season beautifully. Can't wait for season 2.
12 Reviews
1x08
formotog10 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I think this was a really good conclusion to what has been overall a pretty good first season. I think the ending was pretty suited to the story, and it gave nice closure to pretty much every character. Almost too nice tbh, I think it was maybe a bit too much of a happy ending. Although I suppose in a way it was also kinda bittersweet because they didn't exactly win the case either. It's like this episode we got a lot of closure and we also got none. As always, the acting was superb and this show has certainly shown that it can be of very high quality. This entire case has been very engaging, especially when it moved to trial, and I am definitely satisfied with how it turned out. The show has set up the next season perfectly and I'm definitely looking forward to it
Mid 8
Mid 8
Perry is innocent
eheleniu3 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Some of the other reviewers of this concluding episode have asserted that Perry Mason bribed a juror to attain a hung jury. He did not. It was Pete Strickland who bribed the juror without Perry's knowledge. We know this because as Perry and Della are discussing the outcome they say that they weren't surprised that two of the jurors voted to acquit, but were surprised that the third, the one that Pete bribed, had done so. Pete, on the other hand, was surprised that there were two other hold outs in addition to the one he bribed.
I guess the moral of this season is you shouldn't be quick to judge...
AlsExGal10 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
... unless you're faced with somebody who IS quick to judge and then approach with caution. This episode was a fitting end to a terrific piece of TV. Oh the irony of a show set in the Depression being such a jewel during all the bad that is happening in the world right now. I'm putting a spoiler warning on this review although I don't think I'm giving too much away.
The opening scene is the courtroom scene we've all been waiting for, except it isn't actually real. Hamilton Burger tells Perry - "Nobody ever confesses on the stand", as he helps Perry figure out how to end his defense of Emily. Rather funny if you have ever watched the 50s/60s TV show.
The actual courtroom part of the show ends early - there are about 15 minutes to wrap everything up at the end between the characters, and that is good considering there is unfinished business between everybody. At least we don't have to sit through Tyrion rearranging chairs before a meeting like in another season finale of another HBO show. But then these writers are probably planning on sticking around.
Shea Wigham as Pete - what can I say. The guy just works, and is probably a better friend than Perry deserves. Perry treats his friends pretty badly, but then the guy has demons.
Della Street - a lawyer without a degree, which she intends to remedy on Perry's dime as the two humorously negotiate at the end of the episode as an amused Paul Drake looks on. Oh, and Paul declares his independence from a corrupt LAPD here in a most fitting way - badge, gun, bribe, all relinquished.
Sister Alice and Perry have a final scene together at a roadside hash house on the edge of a cliff, but not all questions are answered. Except one - Birdy was, from the beginning, willing to sacrifice anybody to survive another day.
The opening scene is the courtroom scene we've all been waiting for, except it isn't actually real. Hamilton Burger tells Perry - "Nobody ever confesses on the stand", as he helps Perry figure out how to end his defense of Emily. Rather funny if you have ever watched the 50s/60s TV show.
The actual courtroom part of the show ends early - there are about 15 minutes to wrap everything up at the end between the characters, and that is good considering there is unfinished business between everybody. At least we don't have to sit through Tyrion rearranging chairs before a meeting like in another season finale of another HBO show. But then these writers are probably planning on sticking around.
Shea Wigham as Pete - what can I say. The guy just works, and is probably a better friend than Perry deserves. Perry treats his friends pretty badly, but then the guy has demons.
Della Street - a lawyer without a degree, which she intends to remedy on Perry's dime as the two humorously negotiate at the end of the episode as an amused Paul Drake looks on. Oh, and Paul declares his independence from a corrupt LAPD here in a most fitting way - badge, gun, bribe, all relinquished.
Sister Alice and Perry have a final scene together at a roadside hash house on the edge of a cliff, but not all questions are answered. Except one - Birdy was, from the beginning, willing to sacrifice anybody to survive another day.
A classic ending to a great season one
reporterdan6611 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Other reviewers have mentioned details of this episode. What I want to point out is the ending: it's taken from the opening pages of The Case of the Velvet Claws, the very first Perry Mason book. Perry's new client is Eva Griffin, just like in the book, and Della expresses doubts about her in dialogue that is taken verbatim from the book.
And the great Perry Mason theme song by Fred Steiner plays over the end credits.
I was concerned like many here over the F-bombs, Perry as a private eye, etc., but everything dovetails at the end with Perry, Della, Paul Drake, and Hamilton Burger settling into their classic roles in the Perry Mason canon.
And the great Perry Mason theme song by Fred Steiner plays over the end credits.
I was concerned like many here over the F-bombs, Perry as a private eye, etc., but everything dovetails at the end with Perry, Della, Paul Drake, and Hamilton Burger settling into their classic roles in the Perry Mason canon.
Perfect ending. Roll on series 2.
agnabeya10 August 2020
I have loved this series from the beginning. It has gripped us and resulted in long conversations at home about what was really happening- and what the solution could be. The ending was better than I could have hoped as there were no cliches and a totally unexpected turn of events-for me anyway. The music playing out the end credits was fantastic!
Everything is perfect
faruktopak199810 August 2020
Hbo never dissappoints and of course matthew rhys . This season started a little slow but it was a great end . Also costume designer ,production designer , editing, cinematography perfect
Bravo hbo
Bravo team downey
Cain't wait season 2
Some reviewers are numb.
glstrom-142603 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
"Perry Mason wins a hung jury by bribing a juror. I will repeat that, Perry Mason bribes a juror. " Um, no, he didn't. Pete did, on his own. Really enjoyed this origin story, gritty, glamorous at the same time. Lovely period set pieces, costumes, and scenes with cinematography to take advantage of it all. It showed injustice with out rubbing it in your face, and except the very unrealistic rise to lawyerdome Perry ascends, it took its time with the characters showing what makes them tick. E. B. The combination of pompous and weak BoyOH, and in the end could not take it. Perrys delayed reaction to this driving down the road is one fine piece of acting. I thought a lot of time was spent on Alice and the revival people (how long can those suited fellows just stand around drinking coffee?) , and her mother selling her out at a young age was a disappointment, should have taken the gallon and headed to next town. Seems she would do anything for that ministry, and the close up of her getting stitched sealed it for me as to where thread used on Charlies eyes came from....pure evil that one.
A bit convenient to have Ennis get his, and how he develops photos with no chemicals is beyond me (hang prints diagonally to dry properly as well) but not sad about case not being won. Reality was already being stretched and adding racial and womans rights movement to the equation would have stacked the deck a bit too high. I am looking forward to seeing next case and do appreciate hearing the original theme once again, clever.
A bit convenient to have Ennis get his, and how he develops photos with no chemicals is beyond me (hang prints diagonally to dry properly as well) but not sad about case not being won. Reality was already being stretched and adding racial and womans rights movement to the equation would have stacked the deck a bit too high. I am looking forward to seeing next case and do appreciate hearing the original theme once again, clever.
Season One Review
southdavid10 May 2021
Up front, I don't really have any lasting affection for the original series - I'm aware of its existence, but for whatever reason never really watched it. I came to this pretty much solely on the basis that Matthew Rhys was in it, and in that regard I wasn't disappointed.
An investigator for an aging but high-profile attorney, Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) takes pictures and does legwork with his colleague Pete Strickland (Shea Whigham). The team become embroiled in the case of a child abduction gone tragically wrong when, separately, both parents, Matthew Dodson (Nate Corddry) and then his wife Emily (Gayle Rankin) are accused of being involved. The case widens to involve officers within the LAPD and a profitable revival church, led by a charismatic pastor, Sister Alice McKeegan (Tatiana Maslany).
What's clear from the outside is that this is prestige TV. Away from the cast already mentioned, you can add Juliet Rylance, John Lithgow, Chris Chalk, Lily Taylor, Stephen Root, Robert Patrick, Jefferson Mays and a host of other recognisable names and faces. So, to say that the performances in the series are good, goes without saying. The period recreations are also excellent, with the series set in Los Angeles in the 1930's. The melancholy jazz music that drifts through the episodes, even down to little stylistic choices, like the way the title cards interact with the perspective of characters is very cool.
It suffers though in a couple of other ways. One is relatively minor, in that much of the shows setting and themes I'd relatively recently visited in the short lived "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels". There are differences, but there are glaring similarities too - particularly anything involving the church, even down to its damaged leading lady, overbearing Mother and financial impropriety. Much more specifically to this show, I felt it was rather slow moving until Mason takes over as lead attorney and the trial starts in earnest. I did OK with its relentlessly bleak tone, but I'd accept anyone's complaints that it was too much for them as being understandable.
Though I understand the initial plan was just for one run, the success has garnered a second season, that I'll be back for. Just a little more pace across the whole run would be welcome, but Matthew Rhys .... What an actor !
An investigator for an aging but high-profile attorney, Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) takes pictures and does legwork with his colleague Pete Strickland (Shea Whigham). The team become embroiled in the case of a child abduction gone tragically wrong when, separately, both parents, Matthew Dodson (Nate Corddry) and then his wife Emily (Gayle Rankin) are accused of being involved. The case widens to involve officers within the LAPD and a profitable revival church, led by a charismatic pastor, Sister Alice McKeegan (Tatiana Maslany).
What's clear from the outside is that this is prestige TV. Away from the cast already mentioned, you can add Juliet Rylance, John Lithgow, Chris Chalk, Lily Taylor, Stephen Root, Robert Patrick, Jefferson Mays and a host of other recognisable names and faces. So, to say that the performances in the series are good, goes without saying. The period recreations are also excellent, with the series set in Los Angeles in the 1930's. The melancholy jazz music that drifts through the episodes, even down to little stylistic choices, like the way the title cards interact with the perspective of characters is very cool.
It suffers though in a couple of other ways. One is relatively minor, in that much of the shows setting and themes I'd relatively recently visited in the short lived "Penny Dreadful: City of Angels". There are differences, but there are glaring similarities too - particularly anything involving the church, even down to its damaged leading lady, overbearing Mother and financial impropriety. Much more specifically to this show, I felt it was rather slow moving until Mason takes over as lead attorney and the trial starts in earnest. I did OK with its relentlessly bleak tone, but I'd accept anyone's complaints that it was too much for them as being understandable.
Though I understand the initial plan was just for one run, the success has garnered a second season, that I'll be back for. Just a little more pace across the whole run would be welcome, but Matthew Rhys .... What an actor !
Chapter Eight
Prismark1017 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Hamilton Burger tells Perry Mason that No one confesses on the stand. Perry is practising his cross examination. I thought the writers might toy with the audience and Emily Dodson would be saved from the gallows as someone might breakdown in court.
However the writers went for a messy and an unsatisfying ending. At one point I thought this was going to drag on to another series.
The misstep was putting Emily Dodson in the stand. That should had been a no no as it would saved her from a cross examination. The second error by Perry was getting Strickland to bribe a juror.
The verdict was a mistrial and there was no need to bribe a juror. In reality there was no case to answer and the judge should had thrown out the case.
The District Attorney's case was basically Emily Dodson cheated on her husband and she should be damned. He ignored the links to the church and the dead men. The bent policeman who did a lot of killing met his own brand of justice.
The series looked great but as I said before this could had been done in four parts and with a better resolution.
At the end, the team of Perry Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake was formed. Cue the Perry Mason theme.
However the writers went for a messy and an unsatisfying ending. At one point I thought this was going to drag on to another series.
The misstep was putting Emily Dodson in the stand. That should had been a no no as it would saved her from a cross examination. The second error by Perry was getting Strickland to bribe a juror.
The verdict was a mistrial and there was no need to bribe a juror. In reality there was no case to answer and the judge should had thrown out the case.
The District Attorney's case was basically Emily Dodson cheated on her husband and she should be damned. He ignored the links to the church and the dead men. The bent policeman who did a lot of killing met his own brand of justice.
The series looked great but as I said before this could had been done in four parts and with a better resolution.
At the end, the team of Perry Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake was formed. Cue the Perry Mason theme.
An Absolute Disgrace
gtenenbaum-2603813 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Perry Mason wins a hung jury by bribing a juror. I will repeat that, Perry Mason bribes a juror. There are two other jurors who refuse to convict even though they weren't bribed, as if that somehow makes bribing a juror more palatable.
I suppose that you could make the argument that Perry Mason learns the lesson that he doesn't need to cheat to have success. And that learning that lesson costs him his relationship with Pete Strickland. Perry Mason's conduct is reprehensible. It is every bit as bad as anything that the wildly unethical prosecuting attorney does. Perry Mason likes to say that there are things that are legal, and there are things that are right. Bribing a juror is both illegal and horribly wrong. Any script that tries to soft-pedal the severity of the crime of bribing a juror is a badly written script. A VERY badly written script. It is also very lazy writing. Every single courtroom drama ever made could have been resolved by having the defense attorney win a hung jury by bribing a juror.
I feel duped. I feel cheated. I very much wanted to like this show. I was won over by the look and the feel of the show. There were a lot of great acting performances in this series. But all of that was completely wasted by an absurdly bad finale to season one. I can't believe that anyone thought that this was a good way to end this season. I am actually embarrassed for the writers.
I eagerly watched every episode of season one of this series. I will NOT be making the same mistake with subsequent seasons.
I suppose that you could make the argument that Perry Mason learns the lesson that he doesn't need to cheat to have success. And that learning that lesson costs him his relationship with Pete Strickland. Perry Mason's conduct is reprehensible. It is every bit as bad as anything that the wildly unethical prosecuting attorney does. Perry Mason likes to say that there are things that are legal, and there are things that are right. Bribing a juror is both illegal and horribly wrong. Any script that tries to soft-pedal the severity of the crime of bribing a juror is a badly written script. A VERY badly written script. It is also very lazy writing. Every single courtroom drama ever made could have been resolved by having the defense attorney win a hung jury by bribing a juror.
I feel duped. I feel cheated. I very much wanted to like this show. I was won over by the look and the feel of the show. There were a lot of great acting performances in this series. But all of that was completely wasted by an absurdly bad finale to season one. I can't believe that anyone thought that this was a good way to end this season. I am actually embarrassed for the writers.
I eagerly watched every episode of season one of this series. I will NOT be making the same mistake with subsequent seasons.
Ho Hum, film noir but NOT Perry Mason
ivywild16 June 2023
This was dark film but it sure was NOT Perry Mason.
They've cashed in on the name Perry Mason. Nobody was likeable, it was a mess. Overdone and unsatisfying if you were expecting anything redeemable.
The best: Jon Lithgow as lawyer E. B., Chris Chalk, the actor who played detective Drake, Andrew Howard as Ennis the bad guy was utterly terrifying perfect performance, and a captivating Tatiana Muslany as Alice. Lily Taylor was super as always as Alice's desperate-to-survive mother, Birdy.
Della's part was unbelievable, Perry Mason played by a favorite actor of mine Matthew Rhys was the most unlikable of losers. None of the relationships worked. Sad to say. And that's going to be our cast going into season 2.
So of the characters I found interesting, only one is returning for Season 2.
It's too bad the writers couldn't just do a film noir detective series aka courtroom drama set in that time period and just not call it Perry Mason. But then again, the name is what pulled so many viewers in isn't it?
The mother of the dead baby, mother played by Gayle Rankin, was so very unlikable I almost wanted to see her go to prison for being so stupid. No wonder she ends up as she does.
They've cashed in on the name Perry Mason. Nobody was likeable, it was a mess. Overdone and unsatisfying if you were expecting anything redeemable.
The best: Jon Lithgow as lawyer E. B., Chris Chalk, the actor who played detective Drake, Andrew Howard as Ennis the bad guy was utterly terrifying perfect performance, and a captivating Tatiana Muslany as Alice. Lily Taylor was super as always as Alice's desperate-to-survive mother, Birdy.
Della's part was unbelievable, Perry Mason played by a favorite actor of mine Matthew Rhys was the most unlikable of losers. None of the relationships worked. Sad to say. And that's going to be our cast going into season 2.
So of the characters I found interesting, only one is returning for Season 2.
It's too bad the writers couldn't just do a film noir detective series aka courtroom drama set in that time period and just not call it Perry Mason. But then again, the name is what pulled so many viewers in isn't it?
The mother of the dead baby, mother played by Gayle Rankin, was so very unlikable I almost wanted to see her go to prison for being so stupid. No wonder she ends up as she does.
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