‘Perry Mason’: S01.E08. “Chapter 8”
By: Shain E. Thomas
Tags: Television, BBC, HBO, Period Drama, Perry Mason

The first season, distinctly different from the classic 1950’s original series, gives us a compelling title character in the shape of Welsh actor Matthew Rhys. There is a historical authenticity to the miniseries which transcends words. The miniseries, as it unfolded, wasn’t supposed to represent the 1950’s production. Perry Mason, especially the first five episodes, presented us with an origin story for the defence attorney.

The Perry Mason people hold onto from the past, played by Raymond Burr, is only momentarily reflected in brief scenes in HBO’s rebooted miniseries. Whilst such moments fitted with the 1950’s, a somewhat sugarcoated version of reality, this is not what we see in any of the eight episodes HBO televised.

The season finale, with numerous noteworthy moments, provides viewers with the kind of closing episode period drama aficionados will find entertaining. There is an authenticity running throughout the eight episodes which doesn’t exist with the original series.

A significant difference between the original series and the reboot, not that this isn’t completely obvious, Burr’s Perry Mason wasn’t contextually speaking a period drama. The 1950’s series, in every imaginable way, was a contemporary production. The attention to detail, as seen in each HBO reboot episode, quintessentially demonstrates a remarkable understanding of the period in which the miniseries is set.

Image Credit: IMDb.com

People looking for the kind of ending seen in the original series, especially considering the more realistic tone seen throughout the reboot, will be disappointed. There is no fairytale ending. The sugarcoating we saw in each 1950’s episode isn’t present. The mistrial, something we should have possibly seen coming, was inevitable because of how both Mason and Los Angeles District Attorney Maynard Barnes (Stephen Root) approached the case.

Mason’s job as a defence attorney, compared to Barnes, had a lower bar. Barnes, in the prosecutor’s chair, was required to prove guilt. Mason, defending Emily Dodson (Gayle Rankin), was only required to establish reasonable doubt. There was no need for him to prove innocence.

Officer Paul Drake (Chris Chalk) quitting his position his position at the Los Angeles Police Department, noting how Pete Strickland (Shea Whigham) decides to work with Assistant District Attorney Hamilton Burger (Justin Kirk), fits with what we know of the character. Drake, in the original series, was Mason’s private investigator. Strickland, going to work for the ADA, leaves the way open for Drake to fill that position.

Understanding the miniseries has been renewed for a second season, with there being significant transitions, Barnes is not likely to remain in his current position. Burger, in the original series, was the LA DA. Seeing Detective Ennis (Andrew Howard) being double-crossed by his partner, Detective Holcomb (Eric Lange), felt satisfying. Ennis, even though he was drown in a fountain, had his death coming.

Della Street (Juliet Rylance), wanting to become an attorney in her own right, rejects the use of a modifier. An attorney, regardless of the gender of the individual, is an attorney. The same can equally be said for other professions.

Alice McKeegan (Tatiana Maslany) and Mason, in the closing moments, share a touching scene where the two characters eventually part ways. The ocean view scenes, perfectly endless, leaves us wanting more. The series, with it having been reviewed for a second season, will return in 2021. The exact date has not yet been established.

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