All Rise

Previously on "All Rise"...

When did you know you picked the wrong guy?

- When he hit me. - I'm so sorry.

You give this white boy two schooners and an ice rink,

- he turns into Tonya Harding. - Hmm.

Your dad's gonna be released, Mark. It's over.

I wanted to say what my dad didn't.

Oh, shut up, Mark.

But I wanted you to be the first to know.

I'm running for state attorney general.

I know that you have

a special relationship with Lisa Benner.

It's good to have mentors, but keep a safe distance.

- I know it's Valentine's Day. - That's why I'm calling.

How much to deliver today? That is criminal.

Okay, let's do it. Thanks.

Aw. On the table, please.

This is for me from Detective Harris.

This is for you.

"Open me in a quiet moment."

What time is the thing?

- Call it "Operation Cupid." - I won't.

Do you hate Valentine's Day, too?

No, I just think some things

should be celebrated in private.

Good. You're not busy. Follow me.

Operation Cupid will be fun.

What's that "operation" all about?

Strictly need-to-know.

Hmm. What'd you get Robin?

You called me out of my office to ask about my husband?

- Flowers. - Really making an effort.

Ahem.

Judge Carmichael.

This is David Sanders, strategist

for my attorney general campaign.

Hmm. Bill Clinton is too obvious. No.

Los Angeles mayoral election, 1993?

- Um... - David can tell anyone

the first political event they cared about.

- It's a superpower. How'd I do? - Doesn't count.

My mom was devastated when Michael Woo lost.

Ah, didn't factor in the politically active mom.

- Can I try again? - Is this why you needed me?

Sorry. I wanted to meet you...

A chance to gossip with a fellow Howard alum.

Okay. Okay, Bison.

Was Professor Tillman still around when...

Yeah, and still as odd as ever and...

- The parrot. - The parrot.

Yeah. And if I'm honest, I wanted...

We wanted to ask for your help.

- With what? - I've approached a few people...

An elite squad, if you will,

to get a jump on candidate research.

Looking into my time at the D.A.'s office,

my history on the bench.

And I would love it... We would love it

if you would look into Judge Benner's time

at Slefinger & Feste.

The private practice years. Long time ago, but...

- We wanna be thorough. - The party must have professionals

- who could handle that. - At this early stage,

we wanna know what people close to the candidate notice.

It's more intuitive than analytical,

like finding underground water with a willow branch.

What do you say, Carmichael? Wanna be my dowsing rod?

- Here you go, boss. - Thank you.

Can I get a fork, too, please?

- Thanks. - You got it.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Hi.

- So that's your panic face. - No, uh...

Relax. Valentine's Day

is a consumer holiday for the insecure.

I wish we'd been able to... have dinner or coffee or...

Schedules. We're both very busy.

Still.

You do send very long text messages.

I think of them as... erudite?

I like them.

Nothing's changed... professionally, right?

D.A.'s policies are clear. Avoid an appearance of conflict

- that under... - Undermines the confidence in justice.

Ah, nice recall. So... if nothing's changed?

Professionally.

- There's no conflict. - Excellent.

Because I just picked up a last minute pro bono case.

See you in court today.

Wait. Barney Budge, the personal care attendant?

Mr. Budge is my client. That is correct.

He stole insurance money from a guy with a disability.

It's clear abuse. Why did you take the case?

I drew the short straw. Besides, it'll be fun.

So you were after your albums?

You mentioned Patty Smith.

Mm, and The Stooges' "Raw Power,"

the '73 original, not the '80s remaster.

I love that album. I know it's valuable.

Yeah, and it was signed by Iggy.

Okay, look, the jury... They won't be swayed

by the value of the albums.

We stick to your right to enter the apartment...

No burglary, no strike.

He had my vinyl. It wasn't theft.

I know this D.A. He's good. He's gonna paint the picture.

Bitter ex-girlfriend trashes apartment.

Just garden-variety relationship death.

You've been teachng, what, five years?

Eighth grade. It's like house-training zombies.

Hey, we have a tough needle to thread here, okay?

We need an acquittal, because even with probation,

that strike could cost you your job.

I know that. I'm just trying to keep it together.

I mean, one minute,

I have my dream job and I'm in love,

and the next minute,

I'm... alone and in court and...

You are not alone.

I just wanted my records back.

- You have the hand fans? - Yep.

You have the confetti poppers?

Check.

Hey, Em, sorry. Running.

- You are needed in 802. - Sure. Why?

Changes to Judge Carmichael's calendar.

Cascading rescheduling.

All rise.

Good morning, Ms. Lopez.

Let's hear those motions.

I'm sorry. I was told we were running calendar?

- Sherri, what's going on here? - Your call, Your Honor.

Well, we should be running calendar.

But...

It's Valentine's Day.

Aah!

Whoo!

Happy Valentine's Day, Em.

Thank you!

- Thank you. - That was great. Thank you so much.

That was awesome.

That was... wow!

- Open it. - Yeah.

You like dogs, but you're too busy for a dog. So...

- What is it? - I don't know.

A fish is the next best thing

- for a busy dog person. - A fish?

That's sweet. It's sweet.

Don't you have to, um, be at the...

- Oh, crap. - The...

I hate to gift and run.

Oh.

- No, go. - This is awkward.

Go. Go, go, go. Thank you.

- I hope you like it. - I do.

You're Luke. I'm Sam.

Welcome to the Thunderdome. Nervous?

No. Yes.

But no. I might have gone overboard with Valentine's Day.

- Oh. What did you do? - I'm not sure. Whole thing was a blur.

There was a choir.

Okay, Romeo, your desk is right next to mine.

Luke! Welcome.

People! Can I have a moment, please?

Meet our newest clerk, Mr. Luke Watkins,

coming straight from Courtroom 802!

Soon as you're settled, come meet me.

We've got witness prep.

Casework first day. Nice.

- I should... - Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Good luck.

We're going after Barney Budge for forgery, grand theft,

and dependent care abuse.

Paul Gordon and his sister Ruth.

This is Luke Watkins.

The preliminary hearing is a chance for the judge

to hear the evidence and decide if it's enough

to try the defendant. It's like a mini trial.

- Is the judge also tiny? - Uh, no.

Regular-size courtroom, miniature trial. Got it.

My brother nearly loses his home in a wildfire,

and this Barney steals from him.

When he was filling out the insurance claim,

Barney Budge listed his own bank account.

$63,000 gone.

Barney spent about $1,000, tried to give it back

- when he was arrested? - What, we just forgive him?

We're pursuing the maximum. Barney's looking at four years.

- Good. - See you in the courtroom shortly.

Paul, don't worry. We've got a strong case.

- We'll get him. - If she's happy, I'm happy.

Did I...

I didn't ask Paul about employment records.

No.

I'm still a little... I'm catching up

after my dad's whole murder thing.

Oh, yeah, congrats. Charges dropped.

- How's he doing? - I... wouldn't know.

Yeah, um, Paul recovered most of the money.

Doesn't seem very eager to be here.

Why not just plea this out?