Ep 2. Downsizing

Benched is an American comedy series that follows the story of Nina Whitley (Eliza Coupe), a corporate attorney who is forced to start her life from scratch after being fired from her high-paying job. The show follows Nina as she navigates her way through the public defender's office and learns to deal with the challenges that come with her new profession while also trying to rebuild her personal life.

Season 1 episode 2 of Benched is titled "Downsizing" and follows Nina as she gets acclimated to her new job at the public defender's office. In this episode, Nina is tasked with defending a man who has been accused of selling drugs. This particular case is important to Nina as it is her first case as a public defender. The pressure to perform well and secure a win for her client is high, but Nina is determined to prove herself.

As the episode progresses, we see Nina struggling to meet the demands of her new job. She is constantly working late hours and is unable to attend to her personal life. This becomes evident when she misses her best friend's engagement party, which causes a rift between them. Nina quickly realizes that the transition from a high-paying corporate job to a public defender job is not as easy as she initially thought.

The case of her client becomes more complicated when the District Attorney offers her a plea deal, which Nina ultimately rejects. She believes that her client is innocent, and as a public defender, it is her duty to fight for her client's rights. Nina soon finds herself in a battle with the District Attorney, who is determined to secure a conviction at all costs.

As Nina continues to prepare for the trial, she begins to realize the true impact of her actions on her client's life as well as her own. Her relentless pursuit of justice has caused her to put her personal life on hold, and she finds herself questioning if this is really what she wants.

In the end, Nina delivers an impressive closing argument, which impresses the judge and ultimately leads to her client's acquittal. Nina is ecstatic, and her victory gives her the confidence to continue in her new job. However, she begins to realize that if she wants to succeed in her public defender job, she will have to make sacrifices, including her personal life.

"Downsizing" is a relatable and engaging episode of Benched that showcases the challenges faced by individuals when making a significant career change. It provides insight into the public defender's office and highlights the importance of fighting for justice, even when it is not easy. The episode also explores themes of sacrifice and balancing work life with personal life, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of the show.