Ep 1. The Alderman

The Alderman is the first episode of the debut season of the American legal drama series titled Pearson. The episode begins with the introduction of Jessica Pearson, played by the talented actress Gina Torres, as she takes on the challenge of starting a new life in Chicago.

In this episode, Jessica is hired by Mayor Bobby Novak, played by Morgan Spector, to work as his right-hand woman in the city's law department. The Mayor is at odds with the city’s local alderman named Davis, portrayed by Jeff Hephner, who has been accused of taking bribes to approve a deal that has far-reaching negative consequences for the people in his district. Mayor Novak sees this as an opportunity to bring down the alderman by leveraging the evidence collected against him to initiate an investigation.

Jessica is tasked with coordinating with Bobby’s team of lawyers to build a strong case against Alderman Davis. However, she starts to realize that the case isn’t as simple as it seems. The alderman has friends in high places who could make it difficult for Novak to proceed with the investigation. Additionally, the evidence against the alderman is largely circumstantial, making it difficult to obtain a conviction.

When Jessica meets with Davis, she realizes that he is not the corrupt politician that everyone makes him out to be. Davis is not the kind of person to harm his people’s interests for personal gain. He, too, is fighting for the betterment of his community through his alliances with certain organizations. They both take interest in each other’s profession and aim to facilitate each other's work in some way.

Jessica begins to question her decision to take on the case. She senses that something is not right and has a gut feeling that the Mayor and his team might be using this case to further their political ambitions. Jessica, being the bold character she is, decides to investigate and find out the truth behind the case.

As the episode progresses, we see Jessica consistently using her instincts and sharp intellect to uncover the full story. As she comes close to the truth, she realizes that Mayor Novak is indeed using the case to serve his political interests.

The episode ends with a twist that changes everything — Jessica decides to take matters into her own hands. She arranges a secret meeting with Alderman Davis and proposes a deal that could benefit both of them. This sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown between Jessica and the Mayor Novak’s team in upcoming episodes.

Overall, The Alderman is an impressive debut episode that sets up the premise for the show well. It introduces us to a complex and enigmatic central character in Jessica Pearson, a no-nonsense lawyer who is not afraid to challenge the system. The episode manages to effectively capture the tone and ambiance of the city of Chicago, with its bustling streets and high-stakes political battles.

The Alderman sets up what promises to be an engaging and thrilling series, and fans of legal dramas will find plenty to enjoy here. The episode is a strong start that successfully lays the groundwork for future episodes while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.