Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) defends Mexican brothers (Fabrizio Guido, Peter Mendoza) accused of murder. Also starring Juliet Rylance and Chris Chalk.
Perry Mason returns with another bomb case that divides Los Angeles like an earthquake during the Depression. The gloomy lawyer finds himself knee-deep in a tortuous maze of murder, sex, blackmail and racial subjugation. Allies and foes mingle as the murky waters of justice show no clear path forward. The cast of the banner ensemble explores a bleak time full of hidden lives and secret agendas. But fantastic character exposition, performances and great production values are hampered by laborious pacing. The plot creeps on as several episodes struggle mightily to hold your attention. There are unfortunate pauses that require dedication to follow the serialized plot.
Season two has eight episodes that continue the overall storyline with new chapters. Six months after the Dodson mistrial, titular Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) and Della Street (Juliet Rylance) have retired from criminal justice. They handle civil cases to keep the company afloat. Their main client, Sunny Gryce (Sean Astin), sues relentlessly to keep his grocery empire at the top. Paul Drake (Chris Chalk), his wife Clara (Diarra Kilpatrick) and their newborn baby are forced to move in with her brother. Mason's investigative work has dried up.
The murder of a powerful scion
The poor live a hard life in "Hooverville" slums, while the city's wealthy elites bask in opulence. The murder of a powerful scion (Tommy Dewey) dominates the headlines. Newly elected District Attorney Hamilton Burger (Justin Kirk) and the police are put under pressure to find the perpetrators. Mexican brothers (Fabrizio Guido, Peter Mendoza) are quickly arrested for the heinous crime. Reinforcing racist stereotypes about Mexican immigrants and the threat they pose to white society.
A visit from the defendants' desperate family upsets Perry and Della. They have a reputation for helping people no one else would touch, but Mason & Associates are no longer criminal defense attorneys. A little digging reveals something sinister. There is much more to the murder than meets the eye. Skeletons in the closet expose dangerous opponents. A choice must be made to pursue the truth at great personal risk.
A complicated story
Season two cuts a broad swath through many themes. This is not a procedure where the courtroom dominates the action. The complex story reflects divisions across demographic categories. The characters have personal lives that are intertwined with the unfolding mystery. Della goes to great lengths to hide her sexuality. She falls in love with a vivacious woman (Jen Tullock) who broadens her horizons but increases her fame. She would be ruined if she were exposed as a lesbian. Paul has to feed his family. He is ashamed of their situation and does dirty work for white men who consider him inferior. Perry can't shake the Dodson trial. The aftermath leaves him questioning his purpose. A new love affair (Katherine Waterston) takes him into uncharted territory. Everyone has a crack in their armor that can be exploited.
Perry Mason nails cinematic noir ambiance. The settings, production design, costumes and score are remarkable. Rylance shines while Rhys looks perpetually confused and chalk is etched in stone. The series moves from mansions to gambling boats and dilapidated shacks with visual splendor. Smoke-filled cocktail parties, sultry hookups and flashy news conferences are all accompanied by a melancholy jazz soundtrack. HBO never fails technically and artistically.
Gray view of justice
My response is positive with important caveats. The series improves from the first season with tremendous depth of character. His hoary take on the scales of justice has merit and a cohesive delivery. But slow pace tests patience. There are points where it is easy to check out. The mystery leaves no breadcrumbs every few steps on a path to seduce. Perry Mason is not for the casual viewer. Good drama abounds, but its structural flaws cannot be ignored.
Perry Mason is a Team Downey production. Season two premieres March 6 on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
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