We also lost a lot of shows that were starting to become must-see TV.

Now, we're left with only the cliffhangers and the wasted potential.

Scroll down to find out our picks for the TV cancellations we can't get over. 

Good Girls

Good Girls deserved to ride off into the sunset, telling its completed story.

After a fantastic first season, Good Girls struggled over the following seasons, primarily due to repetitive storylines and somewhat stagnant character growth. But Good Girls Season 4 was a lot of fun.

We finally got an expanded look into primary antagonist Rio's personal life, and the ladies were at their very best, giving us a lot of solid episodes over their longest season.

There were more stories to tell, and it truly sucks we're cheated out of more time with Beth, Ruby, Stan, Rio, and even Dean. But we'll always have Good Girls Season 1 to watch forever and ever. 

Prodigal Son

We were so devastated by this cancellation; we wrote a love letter about it to describe our feelings. Prodigal Son deserved more seasons. It was one of the most unique series we've seen on network TV in years.

Sadly, no one knew what to do with a show you couldn't typecast in any way. It was funny, thrilling, emotional, a bit spooky, and more. It had one of the best casts on TV.

Tom Payne poured his all into the role of Malcolm Bright, and he didn't disappoint as one of the best characters ever. Michael Sheen Sheen is a gem who delivered an iconic performance as cuddly but terrifying, serial killing dad, Martin Whitly.

It had one of the most fascinating but realistic depictions of complex PTSD on TV, and the show gave you some of everything: romance, drama, a procedural meets family dramedy with a darkly humorous spin. You'll never find another series like it! 

It's the most upsetting cancellation in years, and fans are still fighting for closure. Don't touch us; we're still not over this one.

MacGyver

Fans are still reeling from the cancellation of one of the few reboots that were a success.

MacGyver had so many more stories to tell.

They had only just begun to explore its dynamic characters.

Sadly, it seemed as though the behind-the-scenes controversies and issues impacted the nature of the series moving forward, and there was no quick fix that could have this show seeing the light of day again. 

Y: The Last Man

It was clear how much love and talent went into adapting Y: The Last Man for the small screen.

The cancellation announcement was made before the entire season even aired, which some felt was an unfair move by the network, as many fans had been waiting for the release of all ten episodes in order to binge.

It was a meticulously crafted, thoroughly planned, and brilliantly acted show, but the high concept and depressing subject matter may have kept viewers from tuning in.

For something helmed mainly by a female production/creative team and cast, this cancellation really hurt. 

Jupiter's Legacy

Jupiter's Legacy was snuffed out before it even had time to begin.

The series was poised to be the next, big, gritty superhero tale, almost in the style of The Boys. But it ended abruptly on several huge cliffhangers.

The first season spent so much time building the world and legacy of the superheroes for all of it to amount to nothing. Worse yet, the creators are shifting focus to the villains in a spinoff series.

What was the point of setting up an arc if there was no payoff? Jupiter's Legacy needed an ending, even if it's a short one.

Panic

Panic Season 1's story seemed like a one-and-done limited series based on its plot.

After a winner was named from the game, there wasn't much room for the characters to grow since that summer's Panic ended.

However, the series finished on a cliffhanger, teasing more chaos and trouble coming to the town.

It got us excited to see hoe Heather and her friends would deal with the strange corruption in Carp, Texas. Instead, we're left with a cliffhanger that will never be answered.

Bonding

Not many knew about Bonding's audience, but it's an unusual gem in Netflix's roster.

It's a funny and witty take on BDSM culture and two very unlikely dominatrix-in-training best friends. The second season grew on its storyline and developed Tiff and Pete into well-defined characters with their own aspirations.

Bonding Season 2 gave us much more than sex jokes, so it was sad when the series was canceled.

And, it ended on a note where their friendship seemed over and uncertain if they'd reunite. It hurts that the main highlight of Bonding (i.e., their friendship) didn't survive its cancellation.  

Rebel

Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich, Rebel's met its potential during the middle of the season, and Sagal impressed.

ABC didn't give the show enough to grow. Its ratings weren't even as bad as some other shows this year.

The cancellation angered fans and non-fans alike!

Yes, it was another law drama, but the brilliant performances made it quality TV. 

Good Witch

We never saw this coming.

Cassie Nightengale was essential to the Hallmark Channel we know and love.

Saying goodbye to the entire franchise was hard.

Saying goodbye without fanfare was too painful to bear. 

American Gods

Creatively, American Gods Season 3 was beautifully done. 

However, there was so much damage done after its announcement because of the character and story focus.

It was killed before it finished.

Shadow Moon didn't deserve that ending.

For Life

For Life was one of the best legal dramas not enough people watched.

Its powerful storytelling about a man wrongfully incarcerated for over a decade, earning his law degree, fighting his way out of prison, and representing others had emotional, provocative storytelling that moved you with each installment.

Nicholas Pinnock shined in this series, along with Joy Bryant, Dorian Missick, and Indira Varma.

We barely scratched the surface of Aaron's journey as a free man and lawyer for the people fighting for justice while balancing his family life as he got reacquainted with his wife, teen daughter, and grandchild.  

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

Is it just us, or does it seem like networks are allergic to joy? After two seasons, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist was one of the most devastating cancellations in years.

Fans made sure to raise a stink about it too.

Fortunately, Roku picked up the series for a Christmas movie, and it feels like we can get another movie or two out of them in the future if we keep our fingers crossed.

But it's not the same as the series carrying on as it deserved on network TV for all to enjoy. There isn't anything else like it currently on the air.

Trickster

Sometimes we can't have nice things.

The CW renewed Trickster after an incredible first season and then said "Psyche!" because of the bad press and drama behind the scenes. 

The supernatural, coming of age show was one of a kind — featuring artful and authentic Indigenous representation.

It was brimming with potential, intrigue, and was a perfect fit for The CW. It's frustrating as hell the stories can't continue.

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

What shows do you think should have received another season?

Hit the comments below.

The post 2021 Cancellations: These Shows Deserved Better appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the Nicholas Pinnock-led drama could return for a third season on IMDb TV, the Amazon-backed streaming service.

At this stage, the streaming service has committed to air the first two seasons, but additional seasons could come to pass.

It will all come down to how For Life performs with its already-aired two seasons.

THR states that the cast recently extended their options with both Sony Pictures Television and ABC Signature Studios, meaning that the cast will still be available should a formal pickup come before the options lapse.

This is a great vote of confidence in the drama that was canceled by ABC earlier this year.

For Life Season 2 averaged 1.8 million viewers and a 0.35 rating in the demo. The series is thought to be a solid performer in delayed viewing.

The series is loosely based on the true story of Isaac Wright Jr., who was imprisoned for a crime that he did not commit.

While incarcerated, he became an attorney and helped overturn the wrongful convictions of twenty of his fellow inmates, before finally proving his own innocence.

Additional cast members included Indira Varma, Joy Bryant, Mary Stuart Masterson, Dorian Crossmond Missick, Tyla Harris, Glenn Fleshler, Boris McGiver, Timothy Busfield, and John Doman.

Many TV series were canceled this season, but efforts to shop them have largely been a failure.

Shows like Manifest and Good Girls were in contention for a move to Netflix, but the deals fell apart.

For Life was canceled alongside American Housewife, Rebel, Mixed-ish, and Call Your Mother.

ABC renewed Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, The Goldbergs, The Conners, The Good Doctor, Big Sky, The Rookie, Black-ish, Home Economics, and A Million Little Things.

IMDb TV is home to shows like Leverage: Redemption and Alex Rider, with a wide array of shows in development.

What are your thoughts on the news?

Hit the comments below.

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The network has confirmed it has canceled American Housewife, Rebel, For Life, and mixed-ish.

The cancellations come just hours after Call Your Mother got the chop.

American Housewife has been a reliable performer over the last five seasons for ABC, so the cancellation has to sting.

It is currently averaging 3 million viewers and a 0.55 rating in the demo, ranking No. 7 in the demo of ABC's 15 scripted series.

The series doesn't have the same buzz as the lower-rated renewed series A Million Little Things and The Rookie.

Rebel, which comes from Krista Vernoff, who has a great relationship with ABC, is averaging 3.2 million viewers and a 0.43 rating.

It starred Katey Sagal and was expected to be a big improvement on AMLT, but it has not been matching up.

Still, it was expected to get a second season due to it coming from Vernoff.

For Life was a bubble drama last season that scored a surprise renewal.

Despite having a loyal following, the numbers have dropped considerably this season, and it currently ranks as the lowest-rated and least-watched scripted show on the network.

It averaged 1.8 million viewers and a 0.35 rating in the demo.

As for Mixed-ish, it was the third spinoff of black-ish, but it never had the buzz of the previous two series.

2 million viewers and a 0.4 rating represent huge declines vs. its freshman run.

ABC picked up new seasons of The Conners, Home Economics, The Rookie, A Million Little Things, black-ish, and The Goldbergs earlier on Friday, throwing into question the rest of the bubble dramas.

Call Your Mother got the chop on Friday morning, with lead star Kyra Sedgwick blaming the poor scheduling.

“You guys have been so wonderful to tune in every week, or every other week, or every two weeks! The rollout was nuts," she shared on Twitter.

The network picked up to series a reboot of The Wonder Years, Queens, Maggie, and Abbott Elementary.

The network has yet to announce its fall schedule, and fans can expect that next week.

With the raft of new shows picked up, there will likely be some big changes to the schedule.

NBC announced big changes to its own sked on Friday, announcing that Law & Order would have three shows on the one night, This Is Us' hefty delay, and much more.

What are your thoughts on these cancellations?

Hit the comments below.

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He didn't know by the end of For Life Season 2 Episode 10, but most of us are confident in saying that he has, and it was a pleasure to witness it in action.

The sophomore finale of For Life wrapped things up with the Andy Josiah trial and conclusion.

In reality, the hundreds of cases that share similarities to that of Andy rarely have a satisfying conclusion or anything that resembles justice. Aaron knew he was fighting an uphill battle as the special prosecutor on this case, and it almost crashed and burned a few times throughout the trial.

Various factors had the potential to tank the case, including Aaron and his team. Aaron was too invested in this case, and it often clouded his judgment or prevented him from making the best decisions for the sake of the case.

Henry's occasional unscrupulous, back alley suggestions and underhanded tactics were questionable and a slippery slope in morality. Masry cared too much and allowed emotions to affect some of her decisions.

It was the latter with Masry that nearly cost them the case. Veronica got her hands on Sherwin's text messages and figured out that Masry sent him to Iran to avoid the video authentication.

It didn't look good, and it was even worse that Masry never shared what she did with Henry or Aaron, but in her defense, she wanted them to have plausible deniability.

Veronica: A terrible, horrible mistake was made by both men, but a mistake is not a crime.

_{🔗 permalink: A terrible, horrible mistake was made by both men, but a mistake is not a crime.}

But both sides took some blows, and Masry was able to find a loophole to use that same footage at the convenience store to prove that Diaz took the footage and covered things up.

But one of the biggest turning points of the case was something that happened outside of it. Because of the nature of the case, Aaron faced a lot of threats and attacks.

People graffitied his house and threatened him and his family. He required cops stationed outside of his home.

But no one was there to stop the Blue Lives Matter protestor from attempting to shoot and kill Aaron. The only obstacle standing between Aaron and that bullet was Henry.

Veronica: So if a Black woman does anything outside of your rule book she’s a race traitor?

_{🔗 permalink: So if a Black woman does anything outside of your rule book she’s a race traitor?}

Good heavens! That was rough. Regardless of the two men bickering with one another, they're like family and love each other. Henry is such a pivotal part of the series and Aaron's life, and the thought of losing him is unimaginable.

It's not surprising that Henry would willfully take a bullet for Aaron. A highlight of the season is the closeness between Aaron and Henry and Aaron and Safiya.

The hour glossed through much of the trial quickly, but they got captured the most intense moments and cut to the heart of it. Veronica was a worthy adversary for Aaron, and it was refreshing that the show never demonized her for her role in this case.

It's an easy cop-out, pardon the pun, to make her a bad guy, but they tried to add more layers to this. She caught hell for taking on this case as a Black woman. However, she raised some great points to Aaron about the discrepancy between the public's response to Black men versus Black women.

Aaron: Andy would’ve given his son that Talk sooner or later, but Marcel doesn’t need to hear it now, does he? This all needs to change right now, today.

_{🔗 permalink: Andy would’ve given his son that Talk sooner or later, but Marcel doesn’t need to hear it…}

According to her, during the same week of Andy's shooting, there were a few similar cases with women, but Aaron probably didn't even hear about them.

Veronica is an excellent lawyer, and she defended the hell out of Linsley. She did so while facing harassment of her own, too. But there reached a point where Linsley should've made a deal.

After the shooting, Jamal, always the protective brother, reached out to his Armenian friends on the outside and had them rough up Diaz for Aaron. Diaz barely made it to the court, and he was visibly a mess the entire time.

However, they worked magic with his testimony, especially after they showed the surveillance. By pleading the fifth, he revealed a lot about that day.

Isabelle: Mr. Wallace, do you think we made a difference?

Aaron: I don’t know. What do you think?

Isabelle: I guess we’ll see.

_{🔗 permalink: I guess we’ll see.}

Another significant move was putting Marcel on the stand. It was always going to come down to putting a seven-year-old on the stand. Marcel was the only one who could testify about the exchange between Linsley and Andy and corroborate Matranga's story.

It was a tough scene, and it got more intense as time went on. Aaron's closing statement was strong, but when given the option between criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter, the jury chose the lesser charge.

Linsley's behavior in the courtroom was abhorrent. He didn't believe that he had an issue with judging Black people harsher and using excessive force.

Linsley spoke to how difficult it has been recently because of all the protests and increased hostility toward cops. He felt they were all hypervigilant and on high-alert, and that as a result, he feared for his life.

But how does one argue that to justify why they stuck a gun in the face of a child? His frustration that all of this could cost him his pension came across insensitive and callous, and he was pissed that he was found guilty of even one of the charges. But no one saw the judge's sentence coming.

I'd like to think that the letter Andy's wife read — the words he wrote down the day his son was born, moved everyone in the courtroom, including the judge.

And it speaks volumes that his wife knew they wouldn't charge him and already had a statement prepared. Her words were powerful, particularly the part about fearful cops ill-equipped to deal with POC finding another job.

Mrs. Josiah: To protect and serve, that’s what you were supposed to do.

_{🔗 permalink: To protect and serve, that’s what you were supposed to do.}

The judge couldn't in good faith allow Linsley to walk free, and she gave him a maximum of four years in prison. It was some form of justice, and it's progress.

Aaron's moment with Isabelle at the end of the hour was a sweet one. They did make a difference; even if it's a small one, it's a start.

Some things were still left in the air a bit or never went anywhere.

We expected Scotty to be a larger issue than he was since his superiors wanted him to give Aaron a hard time. Scotty ended up being an asset for Aaron when they showed him, and Aaron's involvement in the case moved him and prompted him to request Aaron's removal from probation.

Aaron got distracted from Jamal's case, so he ended the hour chastising Jamal for his move with Diaz, telling him how worried he is about the path he's taking and having a break-up of sorts.

As painful as it is, they need to part ways and only stick to professional, up-and-up communication. Aaron swears he'll do whatever he can to get Jamal out, and that's his number one priority now.

But between Jamal getting deeper into the Top Dog lifestyle and his call with Dawkins, it's concerning.

Over to you, For Life Fanatics. Did the case's outcome surprise you? Are you worried about Jamal? What are your thoughts on the season?

You can watch For Life online here via TV Fanatic.

The post For Life Season 2 Episode 10 Review: Andy Josiah appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Aaron and the team are deep into their Andy Josiah case on For Life Season 2 Episode 9, and by the end of the hour, they took a massive swing.

And there is no going back now.

Going against the Blue Wall is a terrifying, dangerous, and seemingly impossible task, but that's exactly what Aaron, Henry, and Masry are doing.

The worst part about it is that doing so endangers them and their loved ones because of their involvement in this case.

The majority of the hour was spent showing the effects of the case on all those involved. With something like this, it's so much bigger than the people in it. It's a special interest case, so entire communities and different agendas factor in.

No one was spared.

As a Black woman representing cops who killed an unarmed Black man and are actively working to cover their asses, Veronica is facing the Black community's ire.

The Attorney General picked up that this is a step in her long-term plan to get to office, but it's like threading a needle. If she doesn't play her cards right, she risks alienating all sides involved. And by doing so, it will make or break her in the end.

Aaron: The man was murdered, shot in the back. Why do so many people have to suffer for him to get justice?

_{🔗 permalink: The man was murdered, shot in the back. Why do so many people have to suffer for him to get…}

Veronica is ambitious, and she knows what's at stake, but it still seemed to catch her off guard when a stranger admonished and shamed her for where she stood on the case.

She seems like an ethical person, and she didn't hesitate to nail down what happened on that night when talking to Diaz and the cops. She's aware of some shady things going on with the cops, but I wonder if it's enough to matter.

She has a job to do, yes, but will she be willing to overlook certain things? She doesn't come across as a terrible person, and she did seem genuine when expressing her remorse for what Aaron was facing, but then she offered him an unfathomable deal.

She has to be facing many things, but is it along the lines of what Aaron has to deal with going against the cops? It's not only the police he has to deal with, but rabid Blue Lives Matter supporters, too.

Stranger: You’re that cop lawyer I seen on TV. Shame on you!

_{🔗 permalink: You’re that cop lawyer I seen on TV. Shame on you!}

It's doubtful cops spraypainted his home with the phrase and a death warning, but it is something supporters of theirs would do. However, it was the police who stopped him on his way home and held him up for two hours in a pulse-pounding, terrifying traffic stop.

They wanted to scare him and make him violate his curfew. Their behavior was despicable from the second they approached his window, and it seemed as if they were toying with him the whole time, waiting for some reason to hem him up.

I felt awful for Jasmine when she heard some of it, but it was frustrating when he told her to be quiet, and she yelled into the phone anyway. She could've listened to the entire ordeal and knew he was safe if she muted.

And there is no way in hell I would've hung up at the cop's demand. Scotty continues to be an unexpected blessing and ally for Aaron. His growing concern for what's happening to Aaron keeps leaving him conflicted as law enforcement and a Black man.

Aaron: You think I’m biting off more than I can chew?

Spencer: I feel you’ve awakened the sleeping giant.

Aaron: They’re not sleeping, Spencer.

_{🔗 permalink: They’re not sleeping, Spencer.}

You could see it in his eyes and during his exchanges. He does everything in his power to help when he can, and if Aaron's P.O. were anyone else, he would be back in prison.

Aaron getting his family away is the sensible move, same with Safiya, but I'm so glad Marie is staying with him. She expressed remorse for not sticking by his side before, and she's not trying to make that mistake again.

The press is having a field day slandering all of them, and Henry was taking it hardest. Because of his previous life with his role in some laws, and his past alcoholism, he's catching hell.

It left him thinking he was more of a liability than an asset, but I cannot imagine how they'd get through all of this without Henry. They each have a distinctive style and quality they need.

Henry is a beast. He's blunt, not afraid to play dirty, and has connections. He's the heavy-hitter of the team.

Although, Safiya has some tricks up her sleeve too. Sherwin was another person who faced hell because of his involvement in this case. The cops sent an undercover inside and somehow got him for selling alcohol to a minor.

He's facing heat for being a snitch. He also has others who think he's somehow guilty for Andy's death and those angry at him for going against the cops.

It was enough to make him want to back out, but the truth is it wouldn't have made a difference. Masry encouraging him to get out of town until the trial was over was unexpected but clever.

Masry: You were complicit every day you stepped into a car with that sociopath and if it were up to me, we wouldn’t even be offering you that deal.

_{🔗 permalink: You were complicit every day you stepped into a car with that sociopath and if it were up to…}

They would be able to use his recording with his authentication testimony if he left town.

Masry was also on fire when it came to addressing Matranga. They figured out that they could probably get him to flip on his partner and Diaz after seeing the tape.

Diaz orchestrated the coverup of what happened, and Linsley made sure his name wasn't on any of the documents for the traffic stop. They both let Matranga hanging out there to dry.

Matranga wasn't even near the car when everything happened, so they were willing to offer him immunity if he went against his brothers in blue. Masry was not OK with that, though, and you can't blame her.

Matranga wasn't guilty of the actions, but he is complicit. He knew the guy he was getting in the car with, and he never once asked to transfer somewhere else. It's that type of awareness and silence that is unacceptable.

Asking Matranga to break away from the Blue Line was a huge risk.

The case has gotten extremely messy, and we're only at the beginning of it. But Aaron announced his indictment charges against Diaz. The gloves are officially off.

And in a quieter moment, he was battling a homefront battle when Jasmine's activism clashed with what he's doing. He wants all of them as safe as possible, but Jasmine takes risks with her online petitions and protests.

Aaron: The man was murdered, shot in the back. Why do so many people have to suffer for him to get justice?

_{🔗 permalink: The man was murdered, shot in the back. Why do so many people have to suffer for him to get…}

Ronnie didn't need any more attention to him nor Aaron and the case. He's already going against the cops for this case, so they'll accuse him of having a vendetta because of what happened to Ronnie.

But it did lead to a lovely moment between Aaron and Spencer. Spencer has apologized for his role in sending Aaron away, and he's putting his money and actions where his mouth is.

Nevertheless, his remorse felt the most sincere here. He got the charges against Ronnie dropped, and knowing that he had the power to do so was a reminder of how he had that same ability years ago and used it for bad when he got Aaron put away.

It's something he pledges to spend the rest of his days atoning for, and I believe him.

Over to you, For Life Fanatics. Are you worried about Aaron? How do you think the case will play out? Do you like Veronica? Hit the comments below.

You can watch For Life online here via TV Fanatic. 

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The post For Life Season 2 Episode 10 Recap: Andy Josiah appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The post For Life Season 2 Episode 9 Recap: The Blue Wall appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Aaron and his team dove right into Andy's wrongful death case on For Life Season 2 Episode 8, and the gloves were off.

Interestingly enough, it was Aaron who waded into the deep end and got his hands dirty.

Without question, Andy's death changed Aaron, and his motivation to get justice for him is unparalleled. He also has the weight of public opinion and perspective and that of his peers within the system.

Aaron was already making some noise, and he garnered quite a reputation, but this is the defining case of his new career.

It could make or break him in the eyes of many. He's bound to make some friends and allies, sure, but also some enemies.

It's scary when you think about it; something is terrifying about your life and family up for public consumption.

Everyone is working on an angle or has an agenda with this case, and something as simple as obtaining justice is more complicated than it should.

Aaron assembled the right team for the task. For Life is excelling at putting Safiya to use outside of the prison.

Her relationship with Aaron is one of the best of the series, and they've only found new ways of unlocking layers to it.

Safiya is his voice of reason, and he needs that. Aaron presented Henry and Masry as if they're the little devil and angel on each shoulder, but their combined efforts are what it takes to keep Aaron balanced.

It's an emotional case, and Aaron has too much investment in it. His involvement doesn't have to be a bad thing, but Masry was right to remind him of how it clouds his judgment.

To win this case, Aaron will have to rein in the emotions and disperse them strategically.

AG: Fifteen miles from the Bronx may as well be 1500. These cases do tend to tear at the fabric of our community. 

_{🔗 permalink: Fifteen miles from the Bronx may as well be 1500. These cases do tend to tear at the fabric…}

Emotions are high across the board. When applicable, they are what will make or break this case. In some ways, we need to keep the passions out of it to get to real justice, but compassion and empathy pave the way to justice and change.

Aaron walked a tight rope the entire time, but it was surprising to see how he slipped into the same underhandedness as his opponents. He did it with ease, and it seemed the video footage of Andy getting shot is what fueled him.

Henry said Staten Island plays ball differently, and they also were a pro-police area who didn't take kindly to who they deemed as heroes getting dragged through the mud.

As conflicting as it was for viewers and certainly Safiya, Aaron probably did have to get down to their level, speak their language, and use it against them the way he did.

Masry was disgusted by the backdoor deal and meeting Aaron had with the Staten Island judge, but it's hard to say if he would've gotten far playing things the way she wanted. Masry is so good, just, and idealistic in her methodologies.

However, it's tough to good things done exclusively on the high road.

The hour did a fantastic job of showing how strategic prosecutors have to be with cases like this. It's so easy for the public to jump to conclusions and feel unsatisfied by prosecutorial choices.

But there's only one real shot of indicting with the right set of charges. If you go too high and extreme, and you can't prove the charge, then that's the end of it, but if you lowball, then it doesn't feel like justice.

Safiya: Sherwin, there is no justice in this world without sacrifice.

_{🔗 permalink: Sherwin, there is no justice in this world without sacrifice.}

The NYPD was already doing everything to cover their tracks. Henry bluntly pointed it out when breaking down why no one could speak to the cops 48 hours after a shooting, or he mentioned that the department buried the offending officer's complaints.

Aaron's plan was a risk that could've gone awry. He was right, though. They were not going to get a fair trial in Staten Island, so they needed to change venues.

By charging the officers with criminal negligence, it appeased those in Staten Island, and then using the "new" evidence to get the location changed was slick.

It was awful that he had to keep his strategy under wraps. Elaine thought he had screwed her and Andy's memory with the initial charge. And the Black community was outraged and quick to label Aaron another sellout.

Maria: Careful what you promise, Jazz. Whatever you say now, you’re speaking for him, and he’s in the hot seat. 

_{🔗 permalink: Careful what you promise, Jazz. Whatever you say now, you’re speaking for him, and he’s in…}

It doesn't put some things into perspective, no? We've sadly seen too many of these cases to count. In this capacity, it makes you consider how you may have reacted during all the real instances.

We're all so quick to temper and judgment during these situations; it's hard not to be, but we don't always know the full extent of what's happening behind the scenes.

Eventually, Elaine figured out what Aaron was doing and appreciated the strategy. Unfortunately, others felt their pressure was the only reason Aaron made a bold move.

The reactions by many of those around him were interesting, too. Jasmine is well on her way to becoming a legitimate grassroots activist, and she was laying on the pressure and dealing with the blowback from every move Aaron made.

Ronnie: Dammit!

Jazz: What’s wrong?

Ronnie: They’re calling Andy a “thug,” like we don’t know what that’s code for.

_{🔗 permalink: They’re calling Andy a “thug,” like we don’t know what that’s code for.}

Ronnie, affected deeply by his experience, looked to Aaron for justice for Andy, Aaron, himself, and all the other Black men Andy represented.

Scotty was interesting, too. We haven't seen him in some time, and it felt as if he fell off the face of the earth.

Scotty was flexible and accomodating with Aaron regarding the extension of his curfew. However, you sensed the conflicting emotions he had about Aaron's role in the case.

He didn't like that Aaron let them off easy with the initial Criminal Negligence, but he also recognized that getting any charge to stick was a task. When Aaron asked him about Scotty's hardships as both Black and Blue, the P.O. shut down on him.

It felt as though things were leaning in Aaron's favor more than expected, but that was before Veronica showed up. It's honest to goodness shock that the ACLU is representing the cops.

Victoria had no problem handing Aaron his ass in the courtroom with the new judge. And you know what? She isn't wrong about the things she called out.

Aaron is a man who was unjustly held for a whole year without bail before his hearing, so he shouldn't be the person requesting the same. Aaron is a victim of underhanded tactics and backroom dealings and grudges, so he isn't the person you'd expect or want to perpetuate these things.

Aaron: It must be hard being black and blue, especially these days. 

_{🔗 permalink: It must be hard being black and blue, especially these days.} 

You cannot advocate for all of this behavior and way of doing things when it's convenient. As someone who fell victim to a Just-less system, he, of all people, should know that justice for all even applies to men like those cops.

Veronica is already a fascinating character and adversary for Aaron. Based on how Masry described her, she's not some villain here to screw everything up. She's a moral, principled woman who follows the letter of the law and only wants to ensure it's applied fairly.

Honestly, she's exactly how you hope and want all attorneys to be. Veronica will give Aaron a run for his money, but oddly enough, it'll be in the best way.

Aaron is still a fledgling lawyer taking on a pivotal case, and the hour showed that he still has a lot to learn, too. Aaron won't always be the smartest person in the room.

I loved that the judge took a moment to speak to him one-on-one, and she told him that she was familiar with what Maskins did to him. The road Maskins took to become the overzealous ass that he was — it was a long, slippery one comprised of small, seemingly insignificant decisions along the way.

It took both the judge and Safiya to humble Aaron in that regard. No one wants to see Aaron lose sight of his set of morality and principles. It's what makes him such a phenomenal lawyer in the first place.

I'm glad that he recognizes that Masry is his true north and moral compass. It doesn't mean he has to follow all of her advice, but he should consider what she says more often.

She certainly has a point about putting Marcel on the stand. He's the only one who can attest to the real reason the officers supposedly pulled Andy over.

Aaron: All of those would’ve been submitted to the NYPD?

Henry: At least the six that were substantiated. What the department did with them, we still don’t know.

Aaron: They buried them. Otherwise, that scumbag wouldn’t still be on the streets.

Henry: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the price of unchecked power.

_{🔗 permalink: Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the price of unchecked power.}

Their reports are vague and riddled with mistruths. Their report claims it was because of cell phone use while driving, but Marcel recalls the cops claim it was over a U-Turn.

Aaron can build his case around those little things. Sherwin's corroborating the video footage helps, too. Unfortunately, despite Masry's promise and best intentions, she was unable to protect him though.

Masry laid the pressure on Sherwin thick, and I wasn't mad at her for it. But it was hard not to sympathize with the man. He's an immigrant, business owner, and he has a family of his own.

It's easy to say that he should've done the right thing and shared the footage despite the police's best intentions to intimidate him, but his livelihood was on the line.

Safiya: Sherwin, there is no justice in this world without sacrifice.

_{🔗 permalink: Sherwin, there is no justice in this world without sacrifice.}

Sherwin telling the truth came with grave risk, and you can't undermine that.

The case is getting all too real, and the key to getting ahead is probably the younger cop. The rookie is the one who came to apologize to Elaine, and he seemed genuine.

Andy mentioned before that the youngest cop treated him well, and he was fine. The footage suggests that he wasn't at the car with Andy when the shooting happened, so he knows more of the story.

He may be the type of cop who is too afraid to turn on his superior or go against the blue line, but he knows what happened was wrong. It's only a matter of how Aaron can use this to his advantage.

Masry: Aaron, if the judge thinks you’re playing fast and loose, she’ll throw out the charges.

Aaron: I’m not leaving any arrows in the quiver.

_{🔗 permalink: I’m not leaving any arrows in the quiver.}

On the home front, poor Ronnie was suffering emotionally from the harrowing moments leading up to his arrest. He can't shake it, and everyone knows it.

His anger and fear are palpable, and it had him snapping at everyone around.

Marie was the perfect person to support him through such a difficult time. She is such a maternal figure, but she's not his parent, so there's safety in that.

She also isn't his spouse, so he didn't feel the need to uphold strength in front of her. It was heartbreaking when he broke down in her arms.

His confrontation with the officer who violently arrested him was such a tense scene. All he wanted to know was why that man treated him so terribly, and he wanted the cop to explain it to his face.

The cop didn't even remember him or necessarily recall what he did. He was speechless, really. I don't even think he knew the reason why. It was such a great scene.

Over to you, For Life Fanatics. What are your thoughts on this case and the ACLU's involvement? Hit the comments below!

You can watch For Life online here via TV Fanatic.

The post For Life Season 2 Episode 8 Review: For the People appeared first on TV Fanatic.

And For Life Season 2 Episode 7 spent much of the heavy hour exploring the myriad of feelings the characters had following the George Floyd video as they found different ways to make a difference.

It was a laudable effort, albeit a bit clumsy at times, with strong performances, and it served as the setup for a case that could change Aaron's world and career.

What appeared to be a random man with his son started the hour, and even though we had no idea who the person was, the series firmly established him as a hardworking, friendly, family man.

Every second leading up to the flashing lights shining behind him gave you a tense feeling. Why? Because you knew where the hour was going.

Aaron: Hey, what’s wrong?

Jasmine: They won’t get off his neck. He just kept begging and they wouldn’t let him up. He just wants to be let up. Why wouldn’t they let him up? He was crying for his mother. He just kept crying!

_{🔗 permalink: They won’t get off his neck. He just kept begging and they wouldn’t let him up. He just wants…}

But it wasn't until Aaron returned home to Jasmine watching the now-infamous George Floyd video that the tone of the hour and the multi-episode arc fell into place.

It's the video that revitalized a movement or specifically made it so mainstream that no longer could anyone turn away or avoid the topic at hand. It shifted the conversation, and that's why we see it on our screens prominently.

For Life tried to capture all the little subtleties of how that affected many, specifically Black individuals afterward.

Spencer and Aaron don't see eye to eye nor get along, but suddenly, that didn't matter when it came to reaching out, checking in, making sure that the other is staying indoors, or that Aaron isn't missing his curfew. As Black men, they shared that unspoken connection that transcended their differences.

Spencer: You know what I hate more than anything? Feeling helpless.

Aaron: You and me finally got something in common.Spencer: Now’s the time to be a troublemaker. Just don’t know what to do though. 

_{🔗 permalink: Now’s the time to be a troublemaker. Just don’t know what to do though.} 

Aaron and Ronnie's father were the same. Nearly every greeting was a gentle "are you good?" They shared that panic when the cops arrested Ronnie. They were terrified that their kids were out protesting and didn't sigh in relief until they got home.

They both talked about the hardships and emotional toll of Andy's case. They shared with a dissociated chuckle that among all of their memorable "firsts" is their introduction to racism — receiving it. For Ronnie's father, his first racist encounter was in kindergarten, and for Aaron, it was the ripe young age of eight.

And Ronnie's father expressed that eternal sense of helplessness. He did everything socially acceptable. He and his family do everything right, and they're respectable people, and yet, none of that prevented his son from getting hauled off to jail for alerting the cops of a potential rioter, not starting one.

Respectability means nothing in the face of racism. It doesn't save or spare.

Ronnie’s father: I moved my family to the suburbs. I got involved in the community. I go to church. I did everything right, and they still put their hands on my son.

_{🔗 permalink: I moved my family to the suburbs. I got involved in the community. I go to church. I did…}

Aaron and Jasmine (along with Marie and her patient) embodied the at times conflicting generational responses.

Aaron didn't want Jasmine out in the streets and didn't see how protesting and endangering herself did any good. While Jasmine felt she needed to channel her energy into something and thought maybe it was a useful tool for change.

Marie's patient as an elder (possibly a Boomer or the Silent Generation), she was agitated by all the fuss of younguns spilling into the streets irate as if what happened was something new. The resignation in her voice that a knee or a noose were just methods for the same result reminded Marie of Aaron.

The friction between Jasmine and Ronnie was realistic as well. She was throwing herself into protesting. He worried she was piling too much on and not spending enough time with their baby. The balance of fighting for justice and other lives while remembering to live hers was a struggle.

And, of course, Jasmine's fear and guilt as a new mother. She loves her son more than she ever imagined was possible, but times like that made her afraid that she brought a Black child, especially a boy, in this tumultuous world where his skin could be a death sentence.

Jazz: I love AJ. I never thought I could love someone so much, but what was I thinking bringing a black child into this world? I feel like I sent my son to his grave.

_{🔗 permalink: I love AJ. I never thought I could love someone so much, but what was I thinking bringing a…}

Ronnie's mother told her what she could, taught her how to find hope amid that fear, even when that terror never dissipates, probably gets even worse as he ages.

It had the conflicting moments of Aaron not wanting to bury himself in a case like that versus needing to fight for better days. Masry and Henry were ever the resolute allies as Masry reminded Aaron that while she can't understand the full extent of what he's dealing with, she's always by his side.

Meanwhile, Henry expressed that it felt more like a time for him to be silent, do less talking, and listening instead.

The hour interweaved all of that throughout the installment, and at times it was a bit heavy-handed, but nevertheless, For Life poured its all into capturing all of this brazenly and without apology.

Andy Tobias didn't deserve to die. While there are a plethora of cases — too damn many of them– Andy's storyline is comparable to the Jacob Blake shooting.

Andy: You know the question I ask every day?

Aaron: What’s that?

Andy: What the hell is their problem? I mean they got everything, but they’re still on some genocide mess.

Aaron: We exist.

_{🔗 permalink: What the hell is their problem? I mean they got everything, but they’re still on some genocide m}

I wonder if not showing what happened after Andy saw the sirens in the rearview mirror was a deliberate choice. We know Aaron is taking this case on as he prompts an investigation, so maybe we'll get more details as that plays out.

As Jasmine and others protested an unarmed Black man's death, another died under Aaron's nose. Would it have made the case easier if Aaron didn't get to know Andy, talk to and bond with the man and then lose him? Or does it galvanize him more than ever before?

Andy said he was pulled over for Driving While Black in a predominately white Staten Island, and one cop went through the standard traffic stop protocol while the other one seemingly looked for a reason to hem him up.

He complied with things, but he went to help his son as the boy was getting out of the car seat, and the cops shot Andy in the back, paralyzing him.

Aaron: How’s Ronnie? 

Larry: There’s certain firsts we all remember. First love. First kiss. First heartbreak. 

Aaron: First racist experience.

Larry: Yeah. I was in kindergarten. My new best friend told me his parents said he couldn’t play with any “n’s.” He didn’t even know what that word was.

Aaron: I was eight. In the scouts. There was three of us black kids, and when it came time to set up camp, the scout leader, he segregated us. Put us on the outskirts of the white kids’ tent

_{🔗 permalink: My new best friend told me his parents said he couldn’t play with any “n’s.” He didn’t even know}

A routine traffic stop can go awry in the blink of an eye. Andy's charges were another example of the circular bullcrap that needs an overhaul. Despite his paralysis, they handcuffed him to the hospital bed for two weeks and had a guard posted outside of his room.

They charged Andy with various forms of resisting arrest, but of course, there's no initial charge that explained what he was supposedly getting arrested for in the first place.

And because of the pandemic, arraignments were backed up, and Aaron suspected the case's nature had the courts pushing back Andy's anyway.

Our first glimpse at Aaron's uphill battle was when he saw the D.A. and the judge were chummy. Henry called it a "Good Ole Boys" club, so it's not a stretch that they suspected the system would shuffle off Andy's case and not look into the shooting at all.

Aaron: Is that the DA talking to the judge?

Henry: Welcome to Staten Island. It’s the Good Ole Boys club.

_{🔗 permalink: Welcome to Staten Island. It’s the Good Ole Boys club.}

It did get a bit confusing when initially Aaron wasn't successful in getting Andy's handcuffs removed, and then he did. Aaron discussing how demoralizing they are, especially when he got passionate and emotional about it with Andy's other lawyer, would've persuaded the hardest of hearts.

It's good that Aaron is expressing his feelings and speaking bits at a time about his experiences while incarcerated and the effects on him. It's something he also was able to do with Marie when he told her that she likely has PTSD too from her tireless work treating COVID patients, isolated from her family for months.

I appreciate the conversations; we saw a bit during For Life Season 2 Episode 6, too. However, I wish they'd show us more of Aaron in therapy. For Life is a series that tries to address many stigmas, and mental health is a big one that they could devote more time to exploring in the forefront rather than the background.

Aaron couldn't reconcile that he had spoken to Andy hours before, and then the man was on life support with a blood clot that eventually killed him. Andy was a great father with a son who thought he was a hero and a newborn daughter.

Patient: People walking around all horrified like this is new. His knee was the noose, honey. They just got a new way to kill us now. 

_{🔗 permalink: People walking around all horrified like this is new. His knee was the noose, honey. They…}

He went from wondering if his son or wife would see him the same way to passing away. And if not for Aaron and Henry trying to appeal to the Attorney General to investigate this case, Andy's death would get swept away.

The Attorney General is in a difficult position from a political perspective.

If he chooses to investigate Andy's death and the police, he'll lose support from the cops and places like Staten Island where it took place. If he does nothing and lets Andy's death go unchecked, then it's irreparable damage to his relationship with the Black community and the more diverse cities.

It always goes back to politics, optics, and perception. It's never about justice, morality, or what's right and wrong. Isn't it exhausting?

Spencer's motivations always remain unclear. He's the one who approached the Attorney General and suggested that he invoke what he needs to investigate Andy's shooting.

The AG didn't have much choice, especially with the entire country protesting and watchful eyes.

Andy's wife making a public plea tied his hands, but he should've done it anyway. It shouldn't have taken all of this.

But instead of taking on any accountability or flack as he tries to appease all sides, Spencer suggested that Aaron serve as special prosecutor with this case. Come hell or high water, no matter what happens and the results, it'll fall on Aaron.

Aaron had to give up his collars for dollars lawsuit and other things, but this is bigger than that. I don't think Aaron ever set out to be some trailblazer, but that's where he's headed.

Andy’s Wife: My husband is not even buried, Mr. Wallace. What you’re asking me to do …

Aaron: I know. And I hate to even ask. Focus should be on your family, but we need to back that AG into a corner, and he won’t act unless there is public pressure. 

_{🔗 permalink: I know. And I hate to even ask. Focus should be on your family, but we need to back that AG…}

It's an exhilarating, terrifying, stressful turn of events that'll undoubtedly have us glued to our screens.

As an aside, did anyone else enjoy the sybolism of the family putting Andy to rest and the Wallaces and Baxters getting AJ baptized? The end of one life, taken too soon, and the beginning of another. The cycle continues.

Over to you, For Life Fanatics. How do you feel about this hour and Aaron's new case? Hit the comments below. 

You can watch For Life online here via TV Fanatic. 

The post For Life Season 2 Episode 7 Review: Say His Name appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It also nailed the art of a bottle episode with For Life Season 2 Episode 6, making it one of the best, powerful hours of the series.

It also found a way to incorporate COVID-19 in a way that we haven't seen addressed yet.

Prison reform is a hot-button issue where those with a vested interest discuss it often. However, it falls under the radar for the majority of the population.

When the pandemic hit, there were so many things to figure out with criminal justice and prison systems. Prisons have large groups of people in confined spaces, and it's a breeding ground for the virus to spread.

And unlike hospitals, senior nursing homes, or other institutions with high traffic and people, many didn't consider or sadly care about how the virus could affect those on the inside.

As the pandemic went on and the virus ravaged many places, including prisons, there were new things to consider. One of the things that many prisons had to reevaluate was prison terms.

In overcrowded prisons where there wasn't enough space for social distancing or PPE for prison staff and prisoners, they had to determine if it was in the best interest of all to release non-violent prisoners, especially those who served most of their terms.

Aaron: He’s sleeping in the car. He’s so scared.

Masry: They’re understaffed. Guards are calling in sick and taking vacation time.

_{🔗 permalink: They’re understaffed. Guards are calling in sick and taking vacation time.}

Yeah, we got some of the frontline worker thrown into the mix with Marie. As a nurse working at a hospital, she was bravely on the frontline, and she took time away from her family to treat others.

But Aaron got into the fight from another angle without intending it. When he couldn't reach Jamal, he went back to the prison, and the situation was bleak from there.

Masry is such an underrated character, and I adore that she got back into the fold during this installment. I also enjoyed that it put her special bond with Aaron on full-display.

She was the perfect person for Aaron to contact for help. Without her, he would have never gotten through those gates, and men would've continued dying.

Masry: Call the Attorney General. We want full PPE and a walk through solitary, right now!

_{🔗 permalink: Call the Attorney General. We want full PPE and a walk through solitary, right now!}

From the moment Jamal walked through those doors, casting furtive glances around when talking to Jamal, you knew something was up, and he was trying to keep his mouth shut in front of Lassiter.

It was already odd that Aaron didn't get alone time with Jamal when he's his lawyer. Jamal slipping Aaron the not was ingenious, and without that simple piece of paper, they would've never gotten the positive outcome they did in the end.

The prison was trying to hide the fact that they had COVID cases, and they even kept it under wraps that Xavier died from it. The poor man told his family he thought he had symptoms, and then two days later, he was dead.

Even though they considered his cause of death a heart attack, suddenly, they took all of these protocols to ensure that there wasn't something spreading. But the COVID restrictions and protocol inside of the prison bordered on inhumane.

They still had two men to a cell and double bunks. The prison was understaffed, people called in sick or took vacation time, and some probably quit. The prisoners were down to one meal a day; prisoners weren't allowed outside of their cells at all.

And anyone who showed symptoms was tossed into solitary confinement, but what good is sticking a bunch of sick and potentially dying men in solitary when you aren't going to treat them or get medical help?

Xavier died in solitary confinement because the guards were too scared to go into the cell, didn't call for medical help, and didn't go inside until it was too late. The footage of his death and the events after it was horrific.

Aaron and Masry make a hell of a team because they wouldn't rest until they figured out what really happened to Xavier and how the other prisoners were.

Masry: There were good men who went along with this. 

Aaron: Systems are bigger than people.

_{🔗 permalink: Systems are bigger than people.}

Xavier's death was suspicious, and it did seem as if the new warden, Hernandez, was giving them the runaround. They said he's a tough but fair man, but it was hard to respect that when he didn't know what the hell was happening in his own prison.

How often can one person — the one in charge, mind you– use "I don't know" and "no one told me" as an excuse for their ignorance?

All Hernandez ever said was that the guards didn't inform him of something or the prisoners never told the C.O's. But the failure to communicate was a result of some of the guards.

Marie: I’ll tell you something else. From what I’ve seen, there’s no way that a prison with 1700 people only has 11 cases. No way.

_{🔗 permalink: I’ll tell you something else. From what I’ve seen, there’s no way that a prison with 1700…}

Hasan didn't even know that Hasan died, and he's the prisoner rep. They wouldn't let him walk the grounds and see how his fellow inmates were doing. They attempted to keep the prisoners in the dark, and they rushed Xavier's family through his death process to avoid any attention.

It wasn't until Aaron and Masry poked into all the ways they screwed with Xavier that they found out about the COVID cases and then had to spend the night as part of a protocol until they could resolve the issue further.

I'm glad Aaron checked in with Marie for a few reasons, one of them being that she was right about how many cases the prison had. No way a correctional facility with that many people and poor conditions only had 11 positives.

Dez came in to smooth some things over and negotiate, and his new position suits him. He appears genuine in wanting to do the right thing and be the best at his job.

Marie: Are you outside the gates?

 Aaron: Yeah.

Marie: Well, can I see the buses? I wanna see your brothers coming out.

 Aaron: Can you see them?

Marie: Three-hundred fifty-four.

Aaron: Three-hundred fifty-four going home.

_{🔗 permalink: Three-hundred fifty-four going home.}

What's interesting is how it means he can serve as Aaron's ally or his antagonist, depending on the case and situation. In this instance, he was a bit of both.

He was on the wrong side of matters, but he was also working within the system and what it does. The city couldn't afford to have Xavier's family suing them for wrongful death and negligence.

But part of making things right would've been pulling the trigger on the plan to release non-violent offenders. It's something they were already discussing, but it was the perfect time to make it happen.

They went from 7.5% of the men getting released to 20% of them. It was a hell of a deal, and it would save the prisoners and correctional officers and staff, too. With a decreased population, there's less of a chance of contracting the virus and it spreading.

You have to appreciate the nuance of the situation and how For Life explored it.

Hernandez was dismissive of COVID and thought it was another flu and didn't respect social distancing or mask-wearing if he could help it; however, he implemented as much of the protocols and restrictions without forcing things.

It was the bare minimum, yes, but it could've been worse. And the guards, those like Lassiter, their despicable actions were a result of fear.

It's disgusting what they did, but their motivations and reasonings make sense when you consider that they were scared of getting sick or dying at work and losing their jobs if they revealed their COVID numbers.

Aaron: They keep telling me that I’m never going to get over unless … I think they want me to cry on a couch or something, you know? Like you see in those movies.

Masry: What do you think? 

Aaron: I’m not sure I want to get over it.

Masry: I hear that.

_{🔗 permalink: I hear that.}

If prisoners are released early to reduce the population, then they don't need as many guards. And if they don't have enough prisoners, then it means prisons will shut down or merge.

It's all business, numbers, and politics. It's not surprising that a union rep would suggest they do whatever they can to cover their asses and save their jobs even if doing so jeopardizes lives or costs them.

Correctional officers like Lassiter were worried and putting their self-interest above what was right. The deal Aaron struck precludes him from going after the C.O. Union and prison as he'd want, but Dez claims he'll try to do something.

It's not much he can do, though, is it? Hernandez probably can't even fire Lassiter and the others because of their actions. The union will protect them.

And like Masry said, it's a case of some good men doing bad things.

I do believe that the mayor blindsided Dez with the call for Aaron to drop his "collars for dollars" case and civil suit. Aaron is learning that none of the good he tries to do comes without a fight or obstacles.

And he has to compromise sometimes, in the worst ways. He had to drop those cases, and they could've done some real good if he won. It's a hell of a sacrifice, but he got 354 men home.

He and Masry both did that. I love these two a lot, and it was nice to check in with both of them as they caught up with each other's lives.

Aaron: You know being back here I know I got some things to figure out for myself, but there’s no confusion when it comes to being with you. 

_{🔗 permalink: You know being back here I know I got some things to figure out for myself, but there’s no…}

Masry's marriage isn't doing well, and she and her wife are separated and headed toward divorce. Her job prospects remain bleak, but she's such a good-hearted person, and when she shared with Aaron how she got involved in prison rights, you knew she's always cared about doing good.

And she was genuinely interested in how Aaron was adjusting outside of prison. She even knew to check in with him. You could tell it affected him spending the night in that place again.

Through their conversation, we know that Aaron is seeing a therapist. While he had some gripes, and they both poked fun, I'm happy he's getting some help.

Between therapy and his conversations with Masry, it prompted him to forgive Marie. Life isn't binary, and he slowly realized that his black or white way of thinking was interfering with his happiness and ability to cope with the world.

Marie's infidelity is a hard pill to swallow, but they both wanted and needed to work through this. In the end, they're better together than apart, and they've improved their communication.

It's not too late for the Wallaces, even if it may be for Masry and her wife.

Masry was brave to walk through the prison in full PPE to see what the hell was going on. And one of the best things about Masry is that the prisoners respected her. She's this thin, nowhere near intimidating looking woman, and she earned the respect of all of these so-called hardened criminals.

You could see the relief on some of their faces when they recognized her. They always knew that she cared about them and making their lives better. They could always trust her regarding that.

Each little head nod was enough to make you smile, and her final exchange with Jamal was enough to make you sigh in relief. Jamal knew in that instant that Aaron and Masry were going to make things OK, and they did.

It was hard not to get emotional when they went through and called out the prisoners for release. As we know, some of them were good men and are, as Marie said, Aaron's brothers.

Goodleaf is as loyal as they come, and he's always been a friend to Aaron. He's always been a standout, and you want nothing but good things for this man.

The expression on Greenleaf's face when he found out he was going home was priceless. When he fist-bumped the window as he saw Aaron standing outside watching the buses leave, it got dusty in the room. I'm just saying.

And it's the same with Hassan. He told Aaron not to forget him, them, the prison, and what they've gone through, and Aaron didn't.

He's such a quiet but wise man, devoted to his faith, and a straight-shooter. I have no doubts he was a great prison rep, and I cannot be happier about him going home.

Somehow, they found some happy endings here, and with characters whom we've grown invested in and fell in love along the way without even realizing the full extent of it.

It made for a beautiful ending to the hour.

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Over to you, For Life Fanatics. What did you think of their take on COVID? Are you happy for Hasan and Goodleaf?

Are you relieved that Aaron and Marie made up? How badass is Masry? Hit the comments below!

You can watch For Life online here via TV Fanatic. 

The post For Life Season 2 Episode 6 Review: 354 appeared first on TV Fanatic.