Ep 5. The Former City Attorney

The episode named "The Former City Attorney" in season 1 of Pearson brings forth plenty of drama and intrigue as dominant and hard-nosed Chicago mayor, Bobby Novak, tries to make progress on an ambitious project while fending off her main opponent, Senator Laffer. Meanwhile, Jessica Pearson, the former New York attorney who is working with Novak offers a lifeline to a previous city attorney who faces potential imprisonment.

As the episode begins, we find Jessica (portrayed by Gina Torres) trying to keep her political career on track to make an impact. She is working with a powerful and politically-connected real estate developer in an effort to secure a lucrative endorsement for Novak. However, things take a critical turn as controversial tapes, featuring the voices of Novak's top political advisors, become publicly released. These recordings disclose that Novak's team has been secretly courting Laffer's endorsement and making promises to support his policies. This revelation severely jeopardizes Novak's hold on his voter base and his ability to secure his precinct for the upcoming election.

With everything at stake, the Novak team turns to Jessica to help turn the tide of public opinion. Furthermore, a complex and highly personal legal matter re-emerges on Jessica's radar. Jeffrey Malone, the former city attorney whom Jessica previously put behind bars, approaches Pearson for help. Jeffrey was previously put away after Jessica successfully defeated him in court a few years ago. At the time, Jeffrey had been accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes from major political contractors. Jeffrey, however, tells Jessica that he was framed for the crime by her rival, Angela Cook. Jeffrey appeals to Jessica to see if she is able to quash the charges against him.

As Jessica investigates further, she discovers that there might be a chance for Jeffrey's case to be reopened and possibly exonerated. She meets with her father, a barista, and past colleagues, seeking advice on how to proceed. The team struggles to find valuable evidence that can help Jeff’s case. Nonetheless, as she carries on with her investigation, she uncovers more hidden motivations behind the allegations against Jeff, indicating that the case against him was not entirely sound.

As the episodes develop, we watch Jessica try and navigate the complicated world of power players and agendas to find a path that will help her to exonerate Jeff, while also attempting to salvage Novak's political future. The episode is brisk and highly charged that leaves fans wondering whether Jessica Pearson can balance making a significant breakthrough on this important case and keep Novak's mayoral campaign alive.

In conclusion, "The Former City Attorney" is a gripping episode that sits on the cusp of politics, power, and the law. It's an episode filled with unexpected twists and turns that only add to the show's ongoing narrative. This episode showcases the skill it takes to weave together multiple storylines to deliver a cohesive, powerful episode that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Overall, It's an episode that must not to be missed by political and legal drama enthusiasts.