Ep 14. In Good Conscience

In Good Conscience is the fourteenth episode of the second season of the TV show Good Trouble. This episode deals with a legal battle that one of the main characters, Callie Adams-Foster, is facing as she represents a client who wants to sue a religious organization for conversion therapy.

The episode opens with Callie struggling to convince her client, Elijah, to pursue his lawsuit against a church that he claims put him through conversion therapy, which is a discredited practice meant to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. Elijah is apprehensive about going through with the lawsuit because he came from a conservative Christian family and still has strong ties to the church.

Callie is determined to help Elijah get justice but faces significant obstacles as the church refuses to settle. She also gets pushback from her conservative boss, who sees the case as a chance for political grandstanding. To make things worse, Elijah starts feeling guilty for going against his faith and the church he loves.

Meanwhile, Malika, another main character, is dealing with her own problems. She is working on a social justice project that involves a campaign against a predatory landlord. She has to deal with a group of angry tenants who have lost faith in her after the landlord threatens to evict them all. Malika's girlfriend, Isaac, has to step in and help her regain the tenants' trust and respect.

The episode works to depict the intersectionality of each character’s storylines and struggles, showcasing how each of their experiences and situations is different from one another but are all interconnected with issues of social justice, communities, and personal boundaries.

Towards the end of the episode, the narrative takes a dramatic turn as Elijah gets scared of the publicity and drops the case. Callie gets heartbroken and feels defeated. However, she finds a way to keep the fight alive by publishing an investigative piece that brings attention to the harmful and life-threatening practices carried out by religious conversion therapy.

This episode beautifully showcases the characters' complexities and nuances while telling a deeply emotional story of perseverance and courage. The show's focus on social justice issues and the realistic portrayals of its diverse characters have garnered it critical acclaim from both viewers and critics alike. In Good Conscience is a well-crafted and impactful reminder that progress takes time, but every small step counts.