That is one of the many inquiries raised continuously time of HBO's "Perry Bricklayer" change, which closes with our legend (Matthew Rhys) alone in a dim prison cell, having accomplished half triumphs in his enormous case and in his life. One Gallardo sibling is sentenced, one is justified. Camilla (Trust Davis) is being scrutinized, however Lydell (Paul Raci) is in the breeze. Della (Juliette Rylance) is a lawful legend carrying on with another twofold life. Paul (Chris Chalk) needs no more Bricklayer cases. Also, another boat bursts into flames off the shoreline of Los Angeles.
"Bricklayer," which had a good while possibly not extremely extraordinary first season in that frame of mind while, become one of the current year's best shows, with its great cast and provocative subjects. It's a show based on nuances, so it's fitting that the season finale is tranquil and sharp, bringing up issues even in the wake of conveying replies. The enormous uncovers all came in Episode 7, and in the last portion Perry, Della, Paul and the rest manage knowing reality without being sure that equity will follow.
It turns out Camilla was the invisible hand behind the murder of Brooks McCutcheon (Tommy Dewey), to keep him from testifying about her very illegal scheme to sell oil to Japan (on the eve of World War II, there were dire implications). Mateo (Peter Mendoza) and Rafael Gallardo (Fabrizio Guido) were collateral damage, even if Mateo did pull the trigger as a hitman. The problem of proving any of this is left to Perry, Della and Paul, whose backs are against the wall when the finale begins.
In the end, Mason and company don't do anything wild to save Rafael from prison and Mateo from the gallows. Mason falls on his sword for concealing the murder weapon, earning a four-month jail sentence and placating the judge. That keeps the trial going and allows his team to bring their evidence to District Attorney Burger (Justin Kirk), after getting rid of the blackmail material that Camilla had on the DA (pictures of him with a man). Burger, after some convincing, agrees to do the right thing and investigate Camilla and cut Mateo a deal.
And that's the end of it. Mateo goes to prison for 30 years without the possibility of parole. Rafael goes to art school. Mason begins a short stint in jail, but his paramour Ginny (Katherine Waterston) agrees to wait for him. Della, scared by the way Burger was blackmailed, strikes up a phony relationship with him, leaving her real lover Anita (Jen Tullock) on the outside. Paul goes to work for local boss Melvin Perkins (Christopher Carrington), to the relief of his family. And Detective Holcombe (Eric Lange) lights his gambling boat on fire, just like the one that went up in flames in the season premiere.
Maybe it all feels underwhelming after Mason's fisticuffs in the last episode or the drama of overdosing and spying in earlier installments. But "Mason" is a show that succeeds at the little things even more than the big ones. The original 1957-66 Raymond Burr series was known for its oration and righteousness, but the remake is best when it has its fascinating and realistically flawed characters share a drink on the couch, and wonder whether anything they do matters. Season 2 ends in a bit of a mess, but life is messy.
Vijay Kumar