Bull Season 3 Finale
Season finales often end either in a bang (in some shows, literally) or with an emotional fallout that’s will resonate all of next season.
Personally, I prefer the latter. If done well, the possible story arcs could make for a strong next season.
You want to tell your Uncle Bully all about it?
During this season, we got a lot of Jason Bull (Michael Weatherly) and Benny (Freddy Rodriguez) moments. It’s understandable considering they’re both needed in the court for every episode.
I wondered, though. Did the show deliberately sold the great friendship/bromance to wreck it at season’s end for maximum OMG effect?
The show decided to end its third season with a case revolving on a child’s tragic death and the mother on the stand for her actions. Anything dealing with a younger and vulnerable character guarantees an emotional roller coaster.
Oh, but wait, there’s more.
In keeping with the theme about children, the episode also drew attention to the TAC support team behind the curtain. Whereas we have the heartache and turmoil of the case, the episode also continued with Marissa (Geneva Carr) and Greg’s journey into becoming parents.
Oh no, I’m not done. There’s still more.
Jason Bull and Izzy’s ill-timed carnal encounter after her father’s funeral came back to bite them in the ass. Or at least, punch one of them (Bull) in the face.
Despite the smorgasbord of angst, the show managed to maintain the sharp edge of emotion with each arc. The case concluded with its unsurprising not-guilty verdict, but it’s what was happening outside the courtroom that held the drama.
Throughout the season, the show convinced me Bull and Benny’s bonds could endure some of the trickier cases. There were instances in the season where cases didn’t always sit well with one of them. It seemed nothing could break them apart.
Until the season finale.
On that note, where have we seen this before?
It’s not a unique plot device. Yet the dilemma of “oh no, they’re not friends/lovers/family anymore” is still more potent than something going “pew-pew” or kablooey. Because honestly, you know character X is going to survive.
Especially when they announced X’s contract renewal. (Shows, you know who you are)
Therefore, going with a clichéd plot device for drama in this finale was forgivable. For now.
The episode ended with two crossroads for two sets of characters.
Unfortunately, your husband’s tests are much more problematic
Marissa found out having a child may not be in their future. How will this affect the couple’s desire for children remains to be seen. What surprised me, though, was the possibility of adoption wasn’t introduced into the conversation. Unexpected given Marissa’s backstory as being an adopted child.
I will finish the case like a professional, but the second it’s done, I am out the door.
Bull and Izzy’s naughty tête-à-tête came to light. Benny and Bull came to blows (pun intended) over Izzy’s pending divorce. Benny declared he was finished with TAC, implying Bull was part of the deal as well.
The finale packed an emotional wallop as our TAC team fractured. However, whether it failed or succeeded depends on how Bull deals with the ramifications next season.
My biggest concern is whether they’ll fall back to their MO and take an easy way out. I’ve given the show a pass when it’s about solving the case because they supplemented the episodes with excellent emotional notes and team interaction.
Quick and easy resolutions work for the case side of the equation, but for the emotional ones? No.
Hopefully, this doesn’t mean the show will forgo the conflict and drama because of the summer hiatus. I could see it happening though.
I’m pregnant, you big Bull.
The twist at the end of the episode hinted reconciliation may be possible in the next season’s opening episode. Izzy’s pregnancy was great news for Bull, but it’s also an easy fix to the divide between Bull and Benny. Never mind the fact, Izzy and Benny’s already complicated relationship avoids any sibling confrontation over the fact the infidelity blame lies with Izzy, not Bull.
Don’t get me wrong: the finale was a nice cap to the season. The case was compelling, but once again concluded a little too neat for my tastes. I enjoyed the episode and all its drama, even Benny’s over-the-top reaction to Bull and Izzy. My concern is what Bull may do after; taking the easy way out was a MO Bull favored throughout the season.
Come fall, I would be disappointed if they do resolve it in one episode. And yet, unsurprised if they do.
The twist, the emotional cliffhanger, while shocking, was classic Bull. It was a twist that was both unexpected but also predictable.
And a bit of a cheat. Again.
The twist of Izzy’s pregnancy insured no matter how mad Benny was, he wouldn’t want to miss his chance to be an uncle or abandon Izzy. Which means accepting Bull in some form.
How the show deals with the fallout will set the tone of the next season. And we’ve already seen how the show balks from tough storylines and ends episodes on convenient solutions.
Will the show take the opportunity to pull out some great episodes? Or will everything get quickly solved and swept under the proverbial rug again? That, dear viewers, was the real cliffhanger for me.
And if the latter does happen? Like Benny, I wouldn’t be able to forgive Bull either.
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