Nick Cannon's episode tries to do too much

Accused Season 2, Episode 3, “Marcus' Story” is the first episode of the FOX anthology to fail to achieve its goal – but not for lack of trying. The fatal error actually comes from a good reason: It simply tries to do too much and therefore doesn't get where it wants to go. And if a television show is going to have an episode that isn't perfect, it's better to have an episode that aims too high and wants too much than one that doesn't try hard enough.

“Marcus' Story” focuses on the involuntary manslaughter trial of Marcus Paul, who was apparently the co-founder of a successful facial recognition software brand. But on the eve of Google's acquisition of the company, Marcus learns that an earlier problem with the software may have contributed to a deadly shooting. The actions he takes to make things right set him on the path to his downfall. It's not unlike this episode, which brings out the best in star Nick Cannon but gets lost in its own story.

Accused Season 2 Episode 3 deals with too many topics

The script spreads itself too thin

The strongest episodes of Accused have a central theme and then one or maybe two that are subtly tied into the story. For example, the second season premiere “Lorraine's Story” was about a supposed psychic, but also about the destruction of a marriage and a woman's desperation to be seen. In contrast, there are too many themes in “Marcus' Story.” The main storyline is that Marcus Paul is on trial for the involuntary manslaughter of his business partner Pete Vanderkamp. She then moves on to the idea of ​​responsible technology as her company makes facial recognition software – which is timely as technology is a hot topic given the artificial intelligence debate. But the episode doesn't stop there.

It also aims to address police misconduct (because a bug in software allegedly contributed to the Sacramento police killing an innocent man). And there's supposed to be a blackmail aspect to it (Marcus learns this information from a co-worker who feels Pete has wronged her). It's also about race and class and the implosion of Marcus and Pete's nearly two-decade friendship. The story has too many aspects and that's why Accused does not serve them all with the same care as is normally the case. The plot would have benefited from being simplified to focus on the responsible use of technology rather than profit, and the added responsibility that Marcus feels as a black man. If Marcus had been on trial for his company's involvement in the shooting of Xavier Skilling, it would have been a less twisted episode, but it would have been just as compelling and allowed several of the same notes to be hit.

In addition, some elements come too late in the story. Marcus' wife Lycia Paul – played by Grey's Anatomy Alum Jerrika Hinton – is a defense witness and tearfully admits that she convinced him to remain silent because she wanted a more privileged life that would be made possible for her and her son Marcellus by selling the company. This is a point worth exploring further, especially because it's not just greed that drives it, but because there just isn't enough time when the show has to wrap everything up in 42 minutes.

Nick Cannon's accused appearance will surprise viewers

Cannon holds the episode together

Nick Cannon's casting is in Accused may surprise some viewers as he is not considered a dramatic actor. You know him more from his Nickelodeon days or as a former presenter of America's Got Talent. The role of Marcus Paul is unlike anything he has played before and he rises to the occasion. What makes the episode so good is that Marcus' motivation is always to do better – whether it's for his family or when he realizes something has gone wrong. There is no doubt about his heart. The character requires someone who can be extremely serious, especially at the end when Marcus delivers a monologue to the entire courtroom. Without the groundwork from earlier in the episode, this appeal for forgiveness and vow to change would just seem preachy and melodramatic.

But Cannon brings in all the emotion that the script for Marcus' Story requires. He has an interesting back and forth with Patrick J. Adams, who plays Marcus' business partner and long-time friend Pete. Adams gets a little short-changed because little is known about Pete except that he's a womanizer and Marcus accuses him of being self-centered. Viewers have to fill in the blanks about him. Still, it's fun to see Adams play this type of character after playing Mike Ross Suitsbecause this is the type of company that Mike Ross would have destroyed. And the actor's natural vulnerability keeps Pete from being a one-dimensional idiot and also gives his arguments credibility because the audience wants to believe him. There have been many stories about terrible business leaders; Accused gives the audience two characters that feel like real people.

However, the same cannot be said for almost all female characters. Hinton does her best as Lycia, but there is nothing about her except that she is a loving and supportive wife. Even her big testimony is about her family. Amanda Zhou plays Mary Wax, the employee who blackmails Marcus by threatening to go to the media. In another episode, Accused could have elaborated on her story (it is mentioned that she previously pleaded guilty to her own charges). But above all, she is a character witness for Marcus and tearfully vouches for him. Ironically, the only supporting character that shines is the one with the least screen time.

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LisaGay Hamilton quietly accuses the defendant

The practice graduate steals every scene she's in

Accused Viewers probably recognized the actor who played Xavier Skilling's widow Lenore Skilling: That's LisaGay Hamilton, best known for her role as Rebecca Washington in The practice. David E. Kelley's first legal drama, The practice helped launch the careers of several actors and led to the successful spin-off Boston Legal. After the show ended in 2003, further appearances by Hamilton followed Men of a certain age, The first and won a Peabody Award for the documentary Beah: A black woman speaks. She doesn't have much to do Accusedbut when she's on screen, it's impossible to look away.

One of the most powerful scenes in the episode is when Marcus is wracked with guilt and decides to visit the bakery that Lenore ran with Xavier before his death. He begins a conversation with her about the company and her family, without her knowing who he is or what connection he has to this tragic event. The audience can see Marcus' heart breaking for her – but they also see Lenore's poise and her dignity as someone who carries on after the most difficult event she can imagine. Of course, there's also the scene where she antagonizes Marcus from the witness stand, but the quieter moment is much more poignant. When Marcus turns around after his acquittal and speaks directly to Lenore, the reason the scene works is because of what Cannon and Hamilton have invested in their characters.

“Marcus' Story” isn't a terrible episode of television; even an imperfect sequence of Accused is better than most of what's on TV today. It just doesn't reach the level of the complex yet organic storytelling of other installments, and some characters aren't as well developed as a result. But for what it has, it memorably tugs at viewers' heartstrings.

Accused airs Tuesdays at 9pm on FOX and returns November 12, 2024.

A successful technology entrepreneur goes on trial after developing facial recognition software, with devastating consequences.

Release date

January 22, 2023

Creator

Howard Gordon, Jimmy McGovern

Pour

Abigail Breslin, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Jason Ritter, Keith Carradine, Molly Parker

Advantages

• Nick Cannon and Patrick J. Adams are strong in the lead roles.
• LisaGay Hamilton delivers a quietly heartbreaking performance.

Disadvantages

• The episode tries to juggle too many important topics.