Did All Rise Series Finale Lack Closure (and Much-Needed Stakes)? — Grade It
All Rise wrapped up its three-season run on Saturday with Mark and Amy’s long-awaited wedding, and to be honest, I’m not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed that the nuptials went off without a hitch.
As the series ender began, the threat from the Russian crime family somewhat loomed over Mark and Lola, who was the judge on the hitman’s trial. Mark wanted Lola to reassign the case to another judge, exclaiming that the criminals had her address, but Lola refused to be bullied off the bench.
Mark was actually the one who got booted from the trial when Choi took over the case at Bravo’s request. Why the mysterious, last-minute change? Well, it turned out that Mark’s father, Vic, was a surprise witness. His testimony was enough to earn the prosecution a win and will even help the FBI build a case against the crime family — but it also meant that Vic now has to go into federal Witness Protection. During a heartfelt goodbye, Mark told his dad that what he did took courage. Vik responded that he just wanted Mark to be proud of him for once.
With that danger wrapped up, Mark and Amy were free to celebrate their wedding in relative peace. This is where the finale lost me a little, because I expected the Russian mobsters to cast a shadow over the event and possibly strike during the ceremony, putting a temporary damper on things. But there was no real threat to the nuptials, and even the threat to Lola amounted to nothing. (But yay for Marky Mark finally getting married!)
The biggest hiccup in Mark and Amy’s big day was the news that Andre had billed Amy and Rachel $100,000 for all the work he put into their firm ahead of the expected merger. He even had the nerve to have them served at the wedding reception!
As for the show’s other couples, some got a little closure, some got ambiguity and some got…a murder? Robin told Lola that he was being permanently transferred to the LA bureau, leaving the couple in a good place. Sara finally confessed to Mark that she was dating Gabriel. Mark was short with her, initially, but eventually came around to offer his support. However, it will be up to Bravo to decide if she will be suspended.
Meanwhile, Luke and Emily were passionately making out at the wedding when she got a message alerting her that her former client, whose innocence Emily recently proved, then went and actually killed her husband as revenge. Emily was left wondering about double jeopardy, but I was more concerned with whether she and Luke would ever tie the knot, or if their differing feelings on kids would get in the way. Alas, we’ll never know…
Finally, Sherri found a new place for her parents to live that is hopefully not a cult, and Lisa was officially in the works to return to the HOJ as a presiding judge.
All Rise fans, what did you think of the episode? Grade it below, then hit the comments!
With the whole Russian mob thing, I was worried it was going to come back at the end to leave the series on a cliffhanger. To the point that maybe there was something like that planned, but when the show was cancelled, they decided to not end it on a cliffhanger by editing any of that out.
So disappointed that the show ended. One of my favorites!
I’m upset it’s over. It sucks because they filmed this last year before they even knew OWN was gonna cancel the series. I wish they could have received another season to wrap things up.
I’m glad it ended on a happy note because I had a feeling someone was gonna get shot, killed, or kidnapped.
I was wondering how they were going to be able to have a satisfying series finale in only 1 hour. Very disappointing IMO.
I am deeply saddened that All Rise is over. This was such an educational series providing insight into those who work in the justice system. Likewise, All Rise provided a glimpse into their personal lives and how cases affect them at home. All Rise did not give close to Carl…the serial killer. Please reconsider another season. All Rise is too important.
OWN shelved the episodes for too long before deciding to air them – or burn them. CBS’ “pandemic season” 2 was 17 episodes, nov 2020 to may 2021. OWN ordered 20 episodes on sept 2021, but there was a 13 months wait for the 1st batch of 10 episodes (june to aug 2022), then 13 more months for the 2nd batch (sept to nov 2023).
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The hype was gone. International broadcasters most likely passed on picking up season 3.
I watched it in Australia, fast-tracked. They picked up s3 before knowing it would be split and honoured the deal so they could have the whole series on the “box set” channel.
I was a big fan of the show in general, but the finale was definitely lacking. I thought it needed some big result out of the mafia storyline (I thought for sure that Mark & Amy would get into the Just Married car and it would explode). And I also wanted to see a flash-forward showing how other characters fared in the future. Maybe they’re saving that for a 1-time tv-movie in the future?
Renew it
I think they need another season
Disappointed with the way Luke and Emily’s relationship was left in question despite the kiss. Sarah’s fate and love life should have been decided earlier.
Andre tried to destroy Lola’s marriage and now is trying to hurt Amy’s career. Would have been better if he was just written out of everyone’s life.
Finale was lacking
I loved all seasons of All Rise. The characters were engaging and I was surprised it ended. Maybe another channel will pick it up. Hint to Byron Allen. There could be more follow up to the stories in the finale.
We absolutely loved the season finale. I am in disbelief that All Rise is not returning! The show is one of my favorite TV shows. We are hoping that they will bring back the TV show and NOT show some of those crazy tv shows that they are about to air!!!! Please can someone bring the show back!!!!!!
I understand they were leaving things hanging for the possibility of a 4th season which always nice. I do like the way they did end season 3 with a somewhat happy vibe all around. My wish would be for someone else to pick them up and be committed to this wonderful and extremely talented cast but I don’t think it will be happening. I hope I will be seeing these actors in other things VERY SOON!!!
OWN really dropped the ball with this series. They picked it up and then let it languish. And the gap between the first part of the season and the second part was too long. Not to mention airing it on Saturdays, the weakest night of the week for TV. Makes you wonder why they even bothered. It’s a shame because the series had likeable characters and wasn’t another procedural.
I think there was more filmed for the series finale that didn’t make it to air. If the series had been renewed it looked like something was about to go down – – the way the camera kept lingering on the red “Just Married” Mustang for the newlyweds for example. This show overcame a lot behind the scenes and I salute the cast and crew for three seasons of entertainment. These characters were like family to us loyal viewers.
I was waiting for the Russians too!
I didn’t want this show to end. Oh well.
Ending was just ok. So much left to explore and round up. It’s a shame because it’s such a good show!
I JUST realized that this was the SERIES finale and NOT SEASON finale. Man, I’m hurt. Loved the show!
I really hope someone else picks up All Rise…I really enjoyed it. I would follow it again to a to a new channel
Glad everyone got a happy ending and the show ended without a real cliff hanger.
But the whole plot line with Andre billing them for $100,000 and then serving them at the wedding is the dumbest thing the show has done. The show has tried to hold true to the legal system and show all it’s flaws. Not Andre, who is a lawyer, somehow spent $100k (on what) to close a deal where there wasn’t a signed contract. And then he’s immediately jumped to filing suit as a first step, rather than talking, negotiating, sending a demand letter, and filing a suit as a last step.
I know they’re trying to paint Andre as an ass, but the request for $100K was enough to do that.
I was expecting the Russian crime family to start shooting people at the wedding. At the time, I wasn’t aware that was the last episode forever. 😢 I loved this show and hope someone else picks it up.
When is ALL RISE coming back on?! It’s OFF more than it’s ON 😩 It seems like it JUST CAME BACK ON!!
F – No closure for any character, was clear it wasn’t going to get a proper ending, this was a season finale, not a show finale.