The Mind-Blowing Plot Twist Behind Lincoln Lawyer Season 1 Finale (Unveiled)
Unravel the gripping finale of Lincoln Lawyer season 1 as we dig into the motives behind Lankford's setup, Jerry Vincent's untimely demise, Cisco's involvement with the Road Saints Motorcycle Club, and the enigmatic identity of the man at the end Discover the true meaning of the ending and how season 2 continues the thrilling narrative
Summary
The conclusion of season 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer effectively resolved unresolved plot lines while also introducing fascinating storylines for upcoming seasons. These include the mysteries surrounding Jerry Vincent's murder and Lankford's involvement in Jesus Menendez's setup.
In the finale, the true identity of the killer, referred to as the Man with the Tattoo, was finally exposed, paving the way for a fresh narrative in season 2 as the killer turns his attention towards the main character, Mickey Haller.
The conclusion of season 1 delved into the themes of corruption and justice, highlighting the instances where individuals outside the confines of the legal system took matters into their own hands to administer justice when the system fell short. The show is not solely centered around the principles of law and order, as exemplified by the episode "The Brass Verdict" in season 1.
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Season 2 of "The Lincoln Lawyer" on Netflix.
In this article, we will delve into the ending of Season 1 of Netflix's "The Lincoln Lawyer" and discuss its implications for future seasons. The TV adaptation of Michael Connelly's popular book series, "The Lincoln Lawyer," managed to tie up several loose ends while also introducing intriguing storylines for future exploration. The death of Jerry Vincent, the motives behind Lankford's setup of Jesus Menendez, and the significance of the "brass verdict" are all answered in Episode 10 of "The Lincoln Lawyer." However, Season 1's ending leaves room for further exploration of unresolved plot points. This season is based on the second book in Connelly's series, titled "The Brass Verdict."
"The Brass Verdict" serves as both the concluding episode of season 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer and the title of the episode itself. In this finale, Jesus Menendez, an innocent man who had been wrongly accused of a crime, is finally exonerated. As Mickey Haller's former client, Menendez's wrongful conviction had haunted Haller for years. The concluding episode of season 1 featured several crucial revelations regarding the corrupt actions of LAPD detective Lee Lankford, who had orchestrated Menendez's setup, as well as the true identity of the culprit. These revelations shed light on the events leading up to the season's ending. Additionally, the finale introduced new storylines that will feature prominently in season 2.
Why Lankford Set Up Jesus Menendez
The Lincoln Lawyer season 1 concluded with the revelation that Detective Lankford, at the instruction of defense attorney Maggie McPherson (who also happens to be Haller's ex-wife), had coerced Detective Perez into preventing key witness Gloria Dayton from testifying in Menendez's defense. This revelation adds weight to the notion that Lankford was responsible for Menendez's wrongful conviction. Although the exact motivations behind Lankford's actions remain unclear in the show, the novel The Brass Verdict provides further insights to patch the missing pieces.
In Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer books, Lankford's primary focus was securing a conviction rather than ensuring the actual guilty party was convicted. He assumes a more significant role in subsequent books, and season 1 of the show barely explores his decision to frame Menendez. As a result, many audiences turned to the novels for answers. Season 2 also fails to delve into this storyline, as Mickey instead embarks on a search for the Man with the Tattoo.
Why Jerry Vincent Was Killed
The ending of season 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer reveals that Vincent was killed due to his involvement in a conspiracy to manipulate juries. During their final meeting, Haller hints to Judge Holder that she had a profitable side business of rigging juries and that Vincent was eliminated because he disrupted it. Vincent had uncovered the manipulation of Juror Number 7. His decision to request a continuance against his client's wishes, without informing them, exposed his knowledge of Holder's scheme, which would have been a violation of ethics. The continuance would have necessitated a second jury selection, excluding Holder's planted juror, and ultimately cost Vincent his life.
What Is Cisco Doing For the Road Saints Motorcycle Club?
In The Lincoln Lawyer's ensemble of characters, Dennis “Cisco” Wojciechowski (Angus Sampson) was a former member of the Road Saints biker gang. At the conclusion of The Lincoln Lawyer season 1, it is revealed that Haller's actions have tarnished Cisco's reputation while attempting to settle his debt with the Road Saints. Seeking to take matters into his own hands, Cisco pays a visit to their leader, Teddy, and insists on dealing with his debts alone. Teddy presents Cisco with an offer, the details of which are left undisclosed.
Although the books do not explicitly answer this question, they do offer significant hints. Despite Cisco being a former member of the Road Saints, he has a clean record whereas the gang is known for their involvement in illegal activities. This suggests a potential darker storyline for Cisco in the future, one involving illicit actions. The episode concludes with Cisco riding off on his motorcycle to commence his work for Teddy, leaving room for The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 to explore Cisco's new assignment.
Why Does Bob Cardone Remove Maggie McPherson?
In The Lincoln Lawyer season 1 finale, it was revealed that Bob Cardone took action to protect his reputation by removing Maggie McPherson from her role. McPherson believed that Cardone lacked ambition compared to his political rival, Janelle Simmons. However, Cardone proved his own ambition by instructing Maggie to drop her case against human trafficker and murderer Angelo Soto. He then went on to remove her from her position, stating that his campaign promised to expose corrupt cops and detectives. The finale also highlighted that McPherson's case heavily relied on testimony from Lankford, who Haller had exposed as corrupt. Due to McPherson's close working relationship and association with Lankford, Cardone saw her as a political liability. Continuing the case or allowing McPherson to stay in the office would've compromised his reputation.
Who Was The Man at the End of the Lincoln Lawyer Finale?
In The Lincoln Lawyer season 1 finale, the identity of the real killer is revealed to be the tattooed man. He carried out the murder for which Jesus Menendez was wrongly convicted. Gloria Dayton, an important witness, was prevented from testifying in Menendez's case by Detective Lankford. The only clue to the killer's true identity was a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm, which is exposed in the final moments of the episode. This revelation sets up an intriguing thread to explore in season 2, as a vengeful killer targeting Haller may have been present all along.
The ending of The Lincoln Lawyer season 1 explains that Haller's failure to secure Menendez's acquittal years ago has derailed his life and shattered his confidence in his legal abilities. In the first episode, we see Haller in anguish, staring at the ocean and struggling to move forward. He is haunted by the accident that led to his painkiller addiction and, more significantly, by his involvement in the Menendez case.
Why Trevor Elliot Is Killed & What Is A Brass Verdict?
The conclusion was fittingly presented with Haller diving confidently into the water at the surf's edge, mirroring his earlier image. However, during this pivotal moment in The Lincoln Lawyer finale, the tattooed man observed Haller from the shoreline, raising the question of whether he had been under surveillance all along or if the stalking had commenced after Menendez's exoneration. Now that Menendez's name has been cleared, the killer is once again in jeopardy, with Haller's relentless pursuit of justice for Menendez making him a prime target.
The conclusion of season 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer sheds light on the unfortunate demise of Trevor Elliott. Despite his involvement in a double homicide, the justice system's failure to convict him led to his untimely demise, courtesy of a brass verdict. Detective Griggs educates Haller on the concept of a brass verdict, where a jury declares the defendant not guilty, only for vigilante justice to be dispensed. Carol DuBois, the one who shot Elliott, had no concrete evidence of his guilt apart from a strong intuition since Haller only presented the smoking gun evidence to Elliott after the trial concluded.
But DuBois firmly believed in his guilt right from the start of the trial, and she had a profound emotional bond with one of the victims. According to the law, DuBois would be deemed guilty of intentional homicide to some degree, as she unlawfully shot Elliott with the intent to end his life. However, according to the informal concept of the brass verdict, Elliott's demise is justified in a "ends justify the means" sense, since his death rectified the second injustice arising from the failure of the justice system to convict him: the brass verdict.
What Does the Ending Really Mean?
The conclusion of the first season of Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer examines the intrinsic connection between corruption and the concept of justice, both within and beyond the confines of the existing legal framework. Throughout the entirety of the season, the justice system fails to uphold its purpose. Elliott, despite being guilty, manages to secure an acquittal. Conversely, Menendez, who is innocent, faces an initial conviction. Soto, found guilty, has their case dismissed. The series deftly uncovers how individuals from various levels of the justice system are actively involved in perpetuating this miscarriage of justice. Consequently, it is outside the traditional judicial system that the retribution, previously denied, finds its manifestation, as elucidated in the conclusion of The Lincoln Lawyer's first season.
How Lincoln Lawyer Season 2 Followed Up On The Season 1 Ending
DuBois ensured that justice was served for Rilz by eliminating Elliott from the equation. In a similar vein, McPherson took action to guarantee that Soto faced trial under the jurisdiction of the FBI, ultimately bringing justice to her witness. Haller, on the other hand, enlisted the assistance of Cisco and Lorna, who utilized unorthodox methods to successfully secure justice for Jesus Menendez. Although "The Lincoln Lawyer" revolves around a lawyer's pursuit of justice, it diverges from the typical approach of seeking justice through the legal system, as evidenced by season 1's "The Brass Verdict" episode.
Season 1 of The Lincoln Lawyer concluded by providing explanations for several plot threads, while intentionally leaving the true identity of the culprit (referred to as the Man with the Tattoo) unresolved for the upcoming Season 2. In Season 2, the focus shifts predominantly to the murder trial of chef Lisa Trammel, accused of killing real estate developer Mitchell Bondurant. The second season's most significant enigma revolves around Trammel's potential innocence, as the mounting evidence appears compelling, yet lingering uncertainties persist. To address the mystery surrounding the Man with the Tattoo, The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 boldly tackles it early on.
In the season 2 premiere of The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey takes on the defense of a man named Russell who is facing burglary charges. During this case, Russell confesses to being the Man with the Tattoo. Due to his professional obligation toward Jésus, Mickey cannot directly assist him but devises a complex plan. This plan involves luring Russell into attempting an attack on Glory Days, leading to his capture and ultimately exonerating Jésus. Some viewers felt that the reveal of the Man with the Tattoo in The Lincoln Lawyer season 2 was somewhat understated, as it unfolded over only two episodes. However, this approach was essential in order to further explore Mickey's case with Lisa and advance the overall storyline.
