'Pearson' episode 9 review: Keri's surprising decision and Jessica's quandary sets the show up for an interesting finale
Contains spoilers for 'Pearson' episode 9: The Rival
With just one episode to go, 'Pearson' firmly establishes that things are not coming to an end anytime soon. 'The Rival' gives a glimpse of all that we wanted to see throughout the series and definitely leaves question marks ahead of the finale. The plot too is surprisingly crisp and ends differently for each character we have seen in the political drama so far. We broke down the subplots to better understand the way things panned out in the episode.
Keri Allen, a corporate lawyer?
Why not? She's got all the makings of one. There's a subtle easter egg where she askes Jessica (Gina Torres) how she would fare at a firm called 'Pearson Specter Litt'? We're pretty sure she's not aware of the developments in New York. However, this was a woman who from the start of the series contemplated what she was doing with her life.
The fact that her affair with Mayor Bobby Novak (Morgan Spector) is slowly trickling down to public isn't helping either. Bethany Joy Lenz has done a commendable job on playing Keri Allen and for once, she takes a stand. The episode suggests that she's made up her mind and for all we know, we might see her as a lawyer, should there be a season 2.
Romance on the cards for Derrick and Yoli
It was coming. It might be crackling, but Yoli's (Isabel Arraiza) peck on Derrick's (Eli Goree) cheek and his warm hug in return not just signifies a warm friendship, but also probably the start of a beautiful relationship. The duo have had their heated moments, but both are people with a moral compass on the show and it's fitting that they end up together. The show has seen both of them tussling for what is right and since we are mentioning season 2, it remains to be seen if they will be part of the new season.
What have you done Nick?
Secretly, we sincerely hope he's done something to Pat McGann (Wayne Duvall). Nick (Simon Kassianides) has been disheveled, distraught and the poor guy cannot get over the fact that he's committed murder. Jessica has figured out that he was the one who killed Tommy Diehl and wants to support him, However, it looks like Nick wants to take matters into his own hands. Midway through 'The Rival' we see him pull out a gun while talking to McGann and then we see him right in the final minutes of the episode confessing to Keri he's killed someone.
Has he killed McGann? Or is this about Diehl?
Jessica needs to do something, and fast.
She came in as a fixer. Now it looks like she's got to fix literally everything. Bobby's near ejection as Mayor (which is probably how things end), Sorting out McGann, mending the relationship with her cousin Angela (Chantel Riley) and build her reputation back. In one frame, she says I am the baddest operator around, and that she is. It's easier said than done though since people around her always seem to dish out half-baked info and let her figure out solutions.
That she tried helping out Angela with a better offer to find housing for her homeless community ended up pfft. She's not seen Nick and McGann still has the upper hand. What's she going to do in the season finale?
'Pearson' by now should definitely be looked at as a political drama. It has incorporated all elements that need to make it a political potboiler and hopefully, it keeps chugging the same way. 'The Rival' lives up to its expectations after that Nick-Keri cliffhanger and if you have followed the eight episodes religiously, this one is for you. There are developments and there will be a definite ending for some of the key characters.
'Pearson' airs Wednesdays at 10 pm on the USA Network.
