Season 4 of “The Lincoln Lawyer” premiered on February 4, delivering an emotional experience that continues to push protagonist Mickey Haller, played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, to his limits. The season picks up from a gripping cliffhanger at the end of Season 3, where Mickey finds himself arrested, the primary suspect in the mysterious death of his former client, Sam Scales.
In an intense opening to the season, while Mickey grapples with his legal troubles from behind bars, his team is tasked with not only keeping their firm operational but also uncovering the truth behind Sam’s demise. Complicating matters further, the series introduces the unexpected death of Mickey’s mentor, Legal Siegel, and the bullying struggles faced by Mickey’s daughter, Hayley.
As the episodes unfold, Mickey’s innocence is put to the test as he faces off against Dana “Death Row Dana” Berg, a formidable prosecutor who believes he is guilty. Mickey insists he is being framed and his investigation reveals that Sam was ensnared in a dangerous scheme involving fraud against the government, which ultimately leads him to confront a web of deceit and danger.
Throughout the season, Mickey’s investigation reveals that Sam and another man, Alex Gazarian, were conspiring together to carry out a series of scams against the government. Unfortunately, as Cisco from Mickey’s team attempts to subpoena Alex, he is killed by mobsters, shifting the investigation’s momentum onto Alex’s girlfriend, Jeanine Ferrigno. Although terrified for her life, Jeanine holds crucial information regarding Sam’s murder.
The complexities deepen as it becomes apparent that federal agents had recruited Sam as an informant in a larger investigation concerning fraudulent biofuel companies. However, things take a turn when it is revealed that Alex, believing Sam was stealing from him, was the one who ultimately killed him, placing the body in Mickey’s trunk to frame him.
In a tense court scenario, Mickey devises a plan to threaten the FBI into ensuring Jeanine’s safety, leading them to offer a deal: silence in exchange for protection. Mickey negotiates successfully for the party’s agreement to exonerate him publicly and for the investigation into the officer who initially set him up.
Just when it appears Mickey’s troubles have come to an end, the season concludes with an unexpected twist. While grocery shopping, a mystery woman, played by Cobie Smulders, intervenes to warn Mickey just as an assassination attempt unfolds, ultimately revealing herself as his sister.
With the anticipation of Season 5 already confirmed before the launch of the fourth season, the creators, Ted Humphrey and Dailyn Rodriguez, express their excitement for the continued journey of Mickey Haller, hinting at further emotional depths to explore. The story’s progression gives viewers a reason to look forward to what lies ahead while seamlessly blending mystery, personal challenges, and overarching themes of redemption and justice.