
Dead Sea Squirrels
Some 2,000-year-old squirrels offer some great lessons about both the Bible and life in this clever new Minno series.
Lawyer Jerry Vincent was shot and killed in his car while leaving his office. That’s bad news for Trevor Elliot, the famous video game company CEO on trial for allegedly murdering his wife and her extramarital lover.
Fortunately for Trevor, however, is that a mere 10 days before his murder, Jerry filed a motion with the court to transfer his entire legal practice into the hands of Mickey Haller—one of the best attorneys around. And though Mickey hasn’t worked a case since his surfing accident, he’s primed to get back into the business.
But the case is a big one, and Mickey will be taking a lot of risks in order to defend Trevor. For one thing, the evidence implicating the gaming magnate is pretty solid. And as we mentioned before, Trevor’s last lawyer was murdered and had his laptop stolen, so it’s extremely likely that whoever initiated that killing will be looking for Mickey, too.
It’s likely that the outcome of Trevor’s case will cement whether Mickey truly is the best of the best—and whether he lives to stick it on his business cards.
Well, Mickey is as good as they say, which is why Trevor is acquitted by the end of Season One—even though Mickey learned that the man was guilty of the crime. But it was a short-lived victory for Trevor, who took a fatal bullet to the chest from a vigilante not long after.
But Trevor wasn’t the only person who met a surprise end. So, too, did Mickey’s very own friend: Gloria Dayton, murdered in her own apartment. That’s when the alleged killer, Julian La Cosse, reached out to Mickey, claiming that he didn’t kill Gloria. In fact, she had told him to reach out to Mickey in case anything happened to her.
It doesn’t take long for Mickey to corroborate Julian’s claim that he didn’t kill Gloria. The problem is that his running theory of who did is far worse: a cartel boss named Hector Moya.
And if Mickey wants to establish justice for Gloria and Julian, it’s more than likely he’ll put himself and his loved ones in Hector’s dangerous sights.
Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer book series follows Los Angeles attorney Mickey Haller—the Lincoln Lawyer himself, named such for working out of his Lincoln Town Car. Through his many books, Connelly engages his readers with Haller’s clever escapades as he navigates complex legal battles and dangerous ne’er-do-wells.
In 2011, Connelly’s first novel (by which the series gets its name) was turned into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei.
Like its cinematic counterpart, Netflix’s The Lincoln Lawyer dives straight into the murky waters that only the best of lawyers—Mickey Haller included—can safely navigate. Mickey isn’t afraid to work as many angles as he can in order to ensure his clients get off with little more than a warning wag of the finger. And though his methods aren’t always conventional (and occasionally morally dubious), no one can say he never put up a fight for his defendants—even if those fights are literally life-and-death.
Of course, that’ll mean that we, the viewers, also have to join him as he wades through the dangers of his profession.
Violence is not uncommon. People are shot dead, and partially nude corpses are also seen. Harsh language is commonly used, and drugs are often referenced. Additionally, Mickey’s assistant, Izzy, is a lesbian, and Season 3’s main case involves a homosexual couple.
The Lincoln Lawyer brings us right into the middle of Mickey’s climb back into prominence following a traumatic surfing accident. The middle of this Netflix series, however, may provide enough content concerns for some parents to preemptively draw their own guilty verdict beyond a reasonable doubt.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at [email protected], or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out.)
Mickey struggles with the death of a friend—and with the request from the alleged killer to take on the case to prove his innocence.
We see a photo of the murdered woman. Other photos are shown, too, including one of a decapitated man and another which depicts five hanged cartel victims.
The murdered woman, Gloria, was a prostitute. And the accused, Julian, was her pimp. Julian is gay and in a relationship with another man. It’s implied that a man is having an affair. A man and woman kiss.
There are multiple references to cocaine, fentanyl and meth in relation to the cartel. A woman reveals that she sells mushrooms and marijuana, and she uses cannabis to calm herself down. Someone informs Mickey that Gloria was often intoxicated. People drink wine.
Someone jokingly wonders if she’s the next Dalai Lama. Someone exclaims “Hallelujah!” when she hears of how much money a gold bar is worth.
The f-word and s-word are both used twice. “A–,” “b–ch,” “h—” and “p-ssed” are all uttered, too. God’s name is taken in vain four times, and Jesus’ name is likewise used in vain once.
When Mickey becomes the talk of Los Angeles, his friends and colleagues warn him that the fame is going to his head. Meanwhile, Mickey represents a man accused of burglary and indecent exposure.
Mickey fistfights two men, and they punch him in the face, sending a spray of blood from his mouth. We see photos of someone’s body covered in blood. Someone admits to killing a woman.
Mickey passionately kisses a woman as the two undress; we see Mickey shirtless and the woman in her bra before the scene cuts away from the implied sex. We later hear many references to their encounter, including many crude jokes and allusions to it.
Mickey says that a client sounds like “a tweaker on a bender.” We hear references to drugs, including a man who was involuntarily drugged. People drink wine and beer.
The f-word is used three times, and the s-word is used twice. There are two instances of “b–ch” and one use of “h—.” God’s name is used in vain three times.
When lawyer Jerry Vincent is murdered in his car, Mickey finds that Jerry’s legal practice has been given to him—including an infamous court case regarding a famous video game developer.
Flashbacks show Mickey in a surfing accident. Mickey mentions being previously addicted to painkillers, and he talks about his addiction with his new hire Izzy, who mentions having been addicted to heroin. Mickey showers, though nothing is shown.
Izzy is on trial for stealing a diamond necklace and allegedly assaulting a woman. Mickey’s assistant, Lorna, references DUIs. Lorna asks if Mickey is sleeping with a judge. Jerry is shot and killed in his car. A naked man and woman are found bloodied in a bedroom, and we see the man’s rear. Mickey’s client Trevor mentions that his wife was cheating on him.
The f-word and s-word are heard five times each. “P-ss” is used three times, and we additionally hear “a–,” “h—” and “d–n.” God’s name is misused six times, and Jesus’ name is abused once.
Kennedy Unthank studied journalism at the University of Missouri. He knew he wanted to write for a living when he won a contest for “best fantasy story” while in the 4th grade. What he didn’t know at the time, however, was that he was the only person to submit a story. Regardless, the seed was planted. Kennedy collects and plays board games in his free time, and he loves to talk about biblical apologetics. He thinks the ending of Lost “wasn’t that bad.”
Some 2,000-year-old squirrels offer some great lessons about both the Bible and life in this clever new Minno series.
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