'Presumed Innocent': Carolyn Polhemus's pregnancy sets Rusty Sabich's fate down a dark and desperate path
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The most recent courtroom drama on Apple TV+, 'Presumed Innocent', chronicles both the workplace rivalries and the enigmatic murder case of Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve).
Created by David E Kelley, the story revolves around famous prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal), whose life takes a dramatic turn when his colleague and secret lover Carolyn is killed.
Rusty was initially seen investigating the murder case, but when Nico Della Guardia (O-T Fagbenle) won the elections and took over as State Attorney, things took a sharp turn as his trusted man Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgaard), who shares an unspoken rivalry with Rusty, took over the case and revealed some serious secrets, even making viewers doubting Rusty's innocence.
What did Tommy Molto reveal about Rusty Sabich and Carolyn Polhemus' steamy affair?
Rusty's situation is deteriorating as he becomes the major suspect in Carolyn's murder when Tommy informs him about Carolyn's pregnancy.
This revelation prompts a demand for a paternity test, implying that Tommy suspects Rusty and may be trying to frame him. Now that Tommy and Rusty share a workplace animosity, Tommy has the ideal opportunity to humiliate Rusty.
Rusty's condition is tenuous, and his efforts to establish his innocence are loaded with consequences. Furthermore, the police search at Rusty's residence at dawn agitates him, as he feels he is being wrongly accused of the murder case, despite having no involvement in it.
But the damning question remains: Is Rusty really innocent, or was he the one who cruelly killed Carolyn to conceal her pregnancy?
Why is Rusty Sabich the prime suspect of Carolyn Polhemus' murder in 'Presumed Innocent'?
The main mystery that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats is whether Rusty is innocent or guilty of killing Carolyn. The second episode did drop some indications, implying that Rusty may have some involvement in Carolyn's murder or is secretly concealing something else.
First, he lies to his wife, Barbara Sabich (Ruth Negga), about terminating his relationship with Carolyn, which is inaccurate since he admits that he was not taking the split well and was even stalking her.
Then he gets triggered in front of his therapist when she calls him about lying about terminating his relationship with Carolyn, and he repeatedly argues that he is not a liar, adding another layer of doubt to Rusty's motives.
Furthermore, his conversation with Liam Reynolds (Mark Harelik), in which he asks him to give the identity of his accomplice who murdered Carolyn and promises to help him get out of jail, demonstrates that he is doing all he can to save himself.
The paternity test revealed that Rusty is the father of Carolyn's unborn child, raising more suspicions about his possible participation in her murder.
The last nail in the coffin came in the last moments of the show when he received a message stating that the sender was fully aware of him being there at Carolyn's house on the day of her murder.
Did Rusty Sabich kill Carolyn Polhemus in 'Presumed Innocent'?
Rusty appears to be hiding something significant, which could have something to do with his involvement in Carolyn's murder or something more intricate.
It's probable that when he found out about Carolyn's pregnancy, he murdered her, which is further solidified when he receives a message stating his presence at Carolyn's house on the day of her murder, adding to the mystery surrounding his claims of innocence.
It's conceivable that he begged Carolyn to abort the baby, but when she refused, his rage overcame him, and he abruptly murdered Carolyn in the heat of the moment.
Another factor contributing to his impulsiveness is his inability to accept that he lied in front of the therapist. This indicates that he cannot tolerate criticism and is prone to wrath at times.
His devotion to his family strengthens this assertion, since if Carolyn had chosen to give birth, it may have jeopardized his family life.
But this does not necessarily imply that he is the killer; given that the judicial drama is already taking some unexpected turns and twists, it is conceivable that Rusty is innocent, and its only circumstantial evidence that leads to him.
Overall, whether Rusty is innocent or not will be revealed in forthcoming episodes.
'Presumed Innocent' trailer