The emotional turmoil didn't stop there. Lyle was heartbroken over Alex's deceit, despite her insistence that her feelings were genuine. This personal betrayal casted a shadow over their professional interactions as Todd proposed a risky alliance with Alex to unearth the identity of the broker, hoping this might also mend Lyle's broken heart.
"The Broker" – SO HELP ME TODD. Pictured: Vinessa Antoine as Ariel and Skylar Astin as Todd Wright. Photo: Colin Bentley/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The narrative cleverly intertwined personal betrayal with professional intrigue. Todd's initial suspect was Beverly, who was quickly cleared by Alex, pointing instead to Judy—a suggestion Todd naively dismissed. His habit of trusting people too easily, reminiscent of past misjudgments, came to the forefront as he exposed critical case details to Judy. He questioned Judy to learn more about her, leading Judy to reveal that Francey had been secretly meeting with two suited men across from the coffee shop, raising Todd's suspicions. Judy then showed Todd where Francey was meeting the men, and Todd overheard something suspicious. He searched her desk and found a key.
Margaret, overhearing Judy's comments through Todd’s watch, learned that Francey is having secret meetings. She became worried that Francey may be considering leaving the firm. Meanwhile, Todd and Alex used the key to open a hidden safe, finding paperwork of cases won with the corrupt judge and leading Todd to spiral and suspect everyone at the firm one by one. During the whole narrative, Todd was in true form as his theories became increasingly outlandish, even suspecting himself at one point.
The case ended when the judge turned himself in, a move orchestrated by the enigmatic Meritt Folding, who remained a step ahead due to his mysterious camera box that enabled him to overhear a conversation between Margaret and Todd, inadvertently informing him that they know about the brokering. In a revealing twist, Todd discovered Judy had been squatting in an empty floor of the building, where she located several signs with different lawyer names as named partners, leading Todd to conclude that Meritt Folding is the broker. Determined not to let the Feds take credit, Todd resolved to solve the case himself to establish his reputation. The episode's cinematography was hilariously brilliant and effectively highlighted each suspect, intensifying the investigative atmosphere and making it feel like a real cinema-esque whodunit.
"The Broker" – SO HELP ME TODD. Pictured: Inga Schlingmann, Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret Wright and Jeffrey Nordling as Gus Easton. Photo: Colin Bentley/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Meanwhile, the firm faced its own hurdle. Margaret mobilized the staff at the firm for a crucial weekend effort to handle a settlement case, interviewing plaintiffs in a settlement case that Gus was working on. This effort would earn $250,000 for the firm, money it so desperately needs to pay overdue rent and wages. Through the process with Allison’s help, they uncovered fraudulent activities linked to a cancer clinic. Allison discovered a suspicious file indicating that a cancer clinic had been administering chemotherapy to several plaintiffs. Margaret suspected that someone was inserting fraudulent claimants into the plaintiff pool to cause a mistrial by making it appear that Gus failed in his duties, thereby jeopardizing the compensation for legitimate victims. They decided to confront the clinic staff member involved. Confronted by Gus, she cracked and confessed that Gordon Swanson paid her to schedule fake chemotherapy sessions for non-existent patients to manipulate the case outcome.
Emotional stakes were high as Allison grappled with hermother's secretive knowledge of her ex-husband Chuck's engagement. Later, Lyle came across Allison seeking comfort in the dark file room and decided to keep her company. It became evident that Lyle was also struggling with his emotions; the photo of Alex on his phone's lock screen revealed that he hadn't moved on from her.
Things became more tense between Allison and Margaret, when Margaret revealed that she knew Swanson's location - he was at Chuck’s engagement party, an event to which she was invited but chose not to inform Allison. To make matters worse, Gus pointed out that medical experts are typically compensated, revealing to Allison that she has been unwittingly working for her mother without pay for years. The group, including Allison dressed in a sweatsuit, confronted Swanson at the party. It was an uncomfortable yet hilarious scene as Margaret directly challenged Swanson, who initially denied any wrongdoing. They resorted to a ruse with a fake police officer threatening him with arrest, leading his wife to pressure him into confessing. The supposed officer turned out to be a stripper, adding to Allison’s embarrassment and effectively spoiling Chuck’s engagement party.
"The Broker" – SO HELP ME TODD. Pictured: Madeline Wise as Allison Grant and Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret Wright. Photo: Colin Bentley/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By the episode's conclusion, personal tensions were resolved as Lyle and Alex rekindled their relationship, openly declaring their love for each other. Meanwhile, Margaret successfully persuaded Francey to stay with the firm, at least for the time being.
Overall, this episode of "So Help Me Todd" stood out for its masterful cinematography, contributing to a cinematic feel that elevated the storytelling. The show continues to deliver a compelling mix of legal drama, rich character development, infused with comedic elements that keep viewers eagerly awaiting what’s next. It continues to be extremely disappointing that CBS chose not to continue with the series. The series stands out as a refreshing and engaging departure from the typical police procedurals and crime dramas that dominate the network. It's disappointing that only one episode remains, especially since there's still a wealth of story left to explore. Although there's no public indication that another network might pick up the show, viewers can hope these discussions are happening behind the scenes. The show deserves more time to expand its viewership and truly flourish. Hopefully, a network will step in and provide that opportunity. Your turn, Todd fans! What did you think of tonight’s episode? What do you hope to see before the series ends? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and engage with me on X at @middleofcanada.
