Leo Getz A Podcast In Lethal Weapon Ep. 3.4

[PLEASE NOTE: This recap of Lethal Weapon: Season 3, Episode 4: Leo Getz Justice DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS. It is assumed you have already viewed the episode. If you have not, it is recommended you do so. Episode 4: Leo Getz Justice can be seen on Fox, On-Demand or via your preferred streaming service.]

For all the behind-the-scenes drama that Lethal Weapon seems to perpetually experience; Season 3 has been very entertaining thus far. Yes, the series isn’t the same without its former co-lead Clayne Crawford, and nor would expect it to be. Instead, I think that Damon Wayans and Seann William Scott are just as entertaining as an on-screen duo, if not more so. Don’t get me wrong, I would have preferred Crawford, and thereby Riggs remained as part of the show; but hey, it’s showbiz! In any event, Lethal Weapon is keeping up its streak this week by bringing back one of my favorite supporting characters. LA’s most endearing ambulance chasing attorney, Leo Getz (Thomas Lennon).

Tinder is an app we’ve all probably used some point; even if we don’t want to admit it. After all, the app is predicated on completely objectifying fellow users. However, such an app’s functionally doesn’t bother Trent (Dan DiPetta), whom this episode opens on. Trent uses a swipe-based dating app to have one-night stands. Leaving one rendezvous to set-up yet another using the app. Alas, when Trent talks to the shadowy, fellow passenger in the elevator about his method, it ends up killing him. Before he realizes it, Trent’s stabbed in the throat.
The next morning, Wesley Cole (Seann William Scott) is in his motel room, watching a bootleg DVD of Central Intelligence (2016); which he procured from Hanni (George Wahba). At this point, we are treated to a flashback of how Cole first met Hanni while he was peddling bootleg movies on the streets of Aleppo. Sensing that Cole’s undercover, Hanni’s older brother, Rafi (Marwan Salama) insists that the kid not sell to Cole. Being a tenacious youngster, Hanni sells the boot to Cole, while telling him that men nearby have put a bomb on Cole’s car. Sure enough, the kid was right as Cole’s car explodes upon him hitting his key fob. Alas, our hero’s trip down memory lane is interrupted as he hears his current car’s alarm sound. Stepping outside his motel room, Cole finds that his window has been smashed in. He also sees a check he made out to Raffi.
Once the boys are assigned to the case, we find that this murder could be connected to a serial killer named Dan Harrison (Greg Bryan), whom Murtaugh put away a decade ago. Coincidentally, attorney and now true crime podcaster, Leo Getz is also Harrison’s attorney. From the security footage, Murtaugh and Brooks Avery (Kevin Rahm) can see that the murderer used a garnish knife to kill Trent. As a result, theorize that whoever this killer is, he or she is a copycat of Harrison. Assistant District Attorney Mike Turner (Jason Manuel Olazabal) is not happy to hear of this development as he prosecuted Harrison all those years ago. To smooth things over, Avery presents the theory that Harrison could be grooming his copycat from behind bars. Such an opinion is a stretch, but it keeps the ADA at bay.

Luckily, the grooming theory also holds water as Murtaugh and Cole get a likely suspect. A former prison guard of Harrison named Jacob Porter (William Mapother). As fate would have it, Leo is currently at Porter’s home, interviewing him for his podcast. Realizing what’s happening, Leo excuses himself and calls up the boys. The good news is, Jacob Porter is the copycat killer from the elevator. However, the bad news is that Leo’s trapped in his bathroom! Thankfully, Murtaugh and Cole arrive just in time to arrest Porter as he’s attempting to stab Leo.
Meanwhile, Leo’s has Trish Murtaugh (Keesha Sharp) look over Harrison’s case file. Being the brilliant lawyer she is, Trish finds that Harrison had an alibi that checked out for one of the murders. Of course, she feels obliged to point this out to her husband. As a result, Murtaugh begins pouring over the case; wondering if he made a mistake. Cole’s doing his part, as he’s narrowed this killing (The McGregor murder) down to Sam (Jacob Figueroa) and Ben (Jay Hieron) Orasco.

Feeling remorse, Murtaugh goes to ADA Turner to explain his mistake. Alas, Turner turns the tables on our good cop, revealing that he’s working with The Orasco Brothers. Furthermore, he framed McGregor’s murder on Harrison. (Though it should be noted that Harrison was responsible for the other four of which he was convicted.) Having shared all this information with Murtaugh, the men them take him to a rooftop. Soon enough, Murtaugh won’t be able to reveal any of this to anyone. However, Cole and Avery show up to save Murtaugh in the nick of time, as he’s now hanging from the building.

Once again, our heroes walk happily off into the sunset. Later that evening Cole runs into Ravi outside a movie theater. Having just seen the latest cinematic vehicle of The Rock; the old acquaintances make amends. Unfortunately, Cole also decides to vandalize a car, so that he can see what Ravi felt like vandalizing his. I guess good guys don’t always make the best decisions.
Leo Getz Justice is the episodic equivalent of dessert. It’s a fun episode to watch, and it goes down smooth. However, it all does the opposite of the episode that preceded it. In other words, this episode has a clever procedural plot. (What can I say, I’m a sucker for morality-based serial killers, ala Se7en (1995).) Unfortunately, though, this episode is also lacking in its familial and emotional subplots. Once again, Lethal Weapon entertained me this week; but it still needs to find a better balance between all its respective elements. Still, I look forward to seeing how the remainder of this season develops.

Episode 5: Get the Picture Will Air Tuesday, October 30 @ 9:00 PM on Fox!