What is the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode?
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is the last episode of the first season of the American legal drama television series "Presumed Innocent". It originally aired on CBS on May 14, 1990.
The episode was written by David E. Kelley and directed by James Hayman. It guest stars Ed Begley Jr., Jessica Steen, and Scott Paulin.
In the episode, Rusty Sabich (played by Brian Dennehy) is on trial for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus (played by Barbara Garrick). The jury is deadlocked, and a mistrial is declared. Rusty is released on bail, but he is still presumed innocent.
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, and won one for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
Presumed Innocent Finale Episode
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is the last episode of the first season of the American legal drama television series "Presumed Innocent". It originally aired on CBS on May 14, 1990.
- Tense: Present
- Mood: Indicative
- Voice: Active
- Aspect: Perfective
- Person: Third
- Number: Singular
- Gender: Neuter
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, and won one for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.
Tense
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is written in the present tense. This means that the events of the episode are happening right now, in the present moment. This is in contrast to the past tense, which is used to tell about events that happened in the past, or the future tense, which is used to tell about events that will happen in the future.
- Facet 1: immediacy and engagement
The present tense creates a sense of immediacy and engagement. It makes the events of the episode feel like they are happening right now, which can be more exciting and engaging for the viewer. For example, when Rusty Sabich is on trial for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus, the viewer feels like they are right there in the courtroom with him, experiencing the events as they happen.
- Facet 2: universality and timelessness
The present tense can also be used to create a sense of universality and timelessness. By using the present tense, the writer can make the events of the episode seem like they could be happening at any time, in any place. For example, the themes of justice and innocence that are explored in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode are relevant to any time period or culture.
- Facet 3: ongoing and unfinished
The present tense can also be used to indicate that an event is ongoing or unfinished. For example, the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode ends with Rusty Sabich being released on bail, but he is still presumed innocent. This suggests that the story is not over, and that there is more to come.
- Facet 4: narrative and descriptive
The present tense is often used in narrative and descriptive writing. This is because the present tense can help to create a sense of immediacy and engagement, and it can also be used to create a sense of universality and timelessness. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the present tense is used to create a sense of immediacy and engagement, and it also helps to create a sense of universality and timelessness.
The use of the present tense in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of immediacy and engagement, universality and timelessness, and ongoing and unfinished. This helps to make the episode more exciting and engaging for the viewer, and it also helps to give the episode a sense of importance and relevance.
Mood
The mood of the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is indicative. This means that the episode is written in a way that suggests that the events depicted are factual and true. The writer does not use any subjective language or emotional language, and they present the events in a straightforward and objective manner.
- Facet 1: Objectivity and Factuality
The indicative mood is often used in writing that is intended to be objective and factual. This is because the indicative mood does not express any opinions or emotions, and it simply presents the facts of the matter. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the writer uses the indicative mood to present the events of the trial in a straightforward and objective manner. This helps to create a sense of realism and authenticity, and it makes the events of the episode more believable.
- Facet 2: Clarity and Precision
The indicative mood can also help to create clarity and precision in writing. This is because the indicative mood does not use any ambiguous or vague language, and it simply states the facts of the matter in a clear and concise way. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the writer uses the indicative mood to present the legal arguments and proceedings in a clear and concise way. This helps the viewer to understand the complexities of the case, and it makes the episode more engaging and informative.
- Facet 3: Authority and Credibility
The indicative mood can also convey a sense of authority and credibility. This is because the indicative mood suggests that the writer is confident in the truth of their statements, and that they are not trying to deceive or mislead the reader. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the writer uses the indicative mood to present the verdict of the trial in a confident and authoritative manner. This helps to create a sense of closure for the viewer, and it makes the episode more satisfying and impactful.
The use of the indicative mood in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of objectivity, factuality, clarity, precision, authority, and credibility. This helps to make the episode more believable, engaging, informative, and satisfying for the viewer.
Voice
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is written in the active voice. This means that the subject of the sentence is performing the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence "Rusty Sabich is on trial for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus," Rusty Sabich is the subject of the sentence, and he is performing the action of being on trial. This is in contrast to the passive voice, which is used when the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence "Carolyn Polhemus was murdered by Rusty Sabich," Carolyn Polhemus is the subject of the sentence, but she is not performing the action of being murdered. Instead, she is receiving the action of being murdered, which is being performed by Rusty Sabich.
The use of the active voice in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of urgency and suspense. The active voice makes the events of the episode feel more immediate and exciting. For example, when Rusty Sabich is on trial for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus, the viewer feels like they are right there in the courtroom with him, experiencing the events as they happen. This is in contrast to the passive voice, which would have created a more detached and less engaging experience for the viewer.
The active voice is also more concise and clear than the passive voice. This is because the active voice uses fewer words to express the same idea. For example, the sentence "Rusty Sabich is on trial for the murder of Carolyn Polhemus" is shorter and clearer than the sentence "Carolyn Polhemus was murdered by Rusty Sabich." This makes the active voice more effective for conveying information in a clear and concise way.
Overall, the use of the active voice in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of urgency, suspense, and clarity. This helps to make the episode more engaging and informative for the viewer.
Aspect
The perfective aspect is a grammatical aspect that is used to indicate that an action is completed or perfected. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the perfective aspect is used to indicate that the trial has come to an end and that a verdict has been reached.
The use of the perfective aspect in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is significant because it creates a sense of closure for the viewer. The viewer knows that the trial is over and that a verdict has been reached, which provides a sense of resolution and satisfaction. This is in contrast to the imperfective aspect, which would have indicated that the trial was still ongoing, which would have created a sense of uncertainty and suspense.
The perfective aspect is also used in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode to create a sense of urgency. The viewer knows that the trial is coming to an end, and this creates a sense of anticipation and excitement. This is in contrast to the imperfective aspect, which would have created a more relaxed and less urgent atmosphere.
Overall, the use of the perfective aspect in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of closure, urgency, and suspense. This helps to make the episode more engaging and satisfying for the viewer.
Person
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is written in the third person. This means that the narrator is not a character in the story, and they are telling the story from an outside perspective. The narrator uses third-person pronouns such as "he," "she," and "they" to refer to the characters in the story.
- Facet 1: Objectivity and Detachment
The third person perspective allows the narrator to maintain a sense of objectivity and detachment from the story. This is important in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, as the trial is a complex and emotionally charged event. The narrator is able to present the facts of the case in a clear and unbiased way, without getting caught up in the emotions of the characters.
- Facet 2: Multiple Perspectives
The third person perspective also allows the narrator to present multiple perspectives on the story. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the narrator is able to show the events of the trial from the perspectives of the different characters involved. This helps the viewer to understand the motivations and actions of each character, and it also creates a more complex and nuanced understanding of the story.
- Facet 3: Dramatic Tension
The third person perspective can also be used to create dramatic tension. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the narrator is able to withhold information from the viewer, which creates a sense of suspense and anticipation. The viewer is constantly wondering what will happen next, and this keeps them engaged in the story.
- Facet 4: Universality and Timelessness
The third person perspective can also give a story a sense of universality and timelessness. By using the third person, the narrator can remove the story from a specific time and place, which makes it more relatable to a wider audience. The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is a story about justice and innocence, and these are themes that are relevant to any time period or culture.
Overall, the use of the third person perspective in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of objectivity, detachment, multiple perspectives, dramatic tension, universality, and timelessness. This helps to make the episode more engaging, informative, and thought-provoking for the viewer.
Number
In the context of the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the use of the singular number is significant in several ways.
First, the singular number is used to emphasize the individuality of the characters and their experiences. Each character in the episode has their own unique perspective on the events that have transpired, and the singular number helps to highlight this individuality. For example, Rusty Sabich is the main character of the episode, and the singular number is used to focus on his experiences and emotions as he goes through the trial.
Second, the singular number is used to create a sense of intimacy between the viewer and the characters. By focusing on the individual experiences of each character, the singular number helps to create a more personal and immersive experience for the viewer. The viewer is able to connect with the characters on a more personal level, and this helps to make the episode more engaging and emotionally resonant.
Third, the singular number is used to create a sense of urgency and suspense. By focusing on the individual experiences of each character, the singular number helps to create a sense of immediacy and danger. The viewer is constantly aware of the stakes involved in the trial, and this helps to keep them engaged in the story.
Overall, the use of the singular number in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of individuality, intimacy, and urgency. This helps to make the episode more engaging, emotionally resonant, and suspenseful for the viewer.Gender
In the context of the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the use of the neuter gender is significant because it emphasizes the objectivity and impartiality of the narrator.
The neuter gender is typically used to refer to things that are not male or female, or to concepts that are abstract or general. In the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode, the narrator uses the neuter gender to describe the events of the trial, the characters involved, and the legal process itself. This helps to create a sense of detachment and objectivity, which is essential for a fair and impartial trial.
For example, the narrator refers to the defendant, Rusty Sabich, as "the defendant" or "he" throughout the episode. This use of the neuter gender helps to emphasize that the narrator is not taking sides in the trial, and that they are simply presenting the facts of the case in a fair and unbiased way.
The use of the neuter gender in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is also significant because it helps to universalize the story. By using the neuter gender, the narrator is able to remove the story from a specific time and place, and to make it more relevant to a wider audience. The story of "Presumed Innocent" is a story about justice and innocence, and these are themes that are relevant to any time period or culture.
Overall, the use of the neuter gender in the "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is effective in creating a sense of objectivity, impartiality, and universality. This helps to make the episode more engaging, informative, and thought-provoking for the viewer.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Presumed Innocent" Finale Episode
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is a highly acclaimed and thought-provoking conclusion to the first season of the television series. It raises several important questions about justice, innocence, and the legal process.
Question 1: What is the significance of the ending of the episode?
The ending of the episode is ambiguous, with Rusty Sabich being acquitted of the murder of Carolyn Polhemus but still being presumed innocent. This ending leaves the viewer to ponder the nature of justice and innocence, and the question of whether or not Rusty is truly guilty.
Question 2: What are the strengths of the episode?
The episode is praised for its strong performances, particularly from Brian Dennehy as Rusty Sabich. The writing is also praised for its intelligence and complexity, and the episode's exploration of moral and ethical issues is thought-provoking.
Question 3: What are the weaknesses of the episode?
Some critics have argued that the episode is too slow-paced, and that it spends too much time on legal details that may be confusing to some viewers. Additionally, some have criticized the ending of the episode as being too ambiguous.
Question 4: How does the episode compare to the book?
The episode is based on the novel of the same name by Scott Turow. The episode is generally faithful to the book, but there are some changes made for television. For example, the episode includes a subplot involving Rusty's relationship with his wife, which is not in the book.
Question 5: What is the legacy of the episode?
The episode is considered to be one of the best episodes of television ever made. It was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, and won one for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. The episode is still studied and discussed today, and it continues to be a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of justice and innocence.
Question 6: What are some of the key themes of the episode?
The episode explores a number of key themes, including the nature of justice and innocence, the power of the legal system, and the importance of truth. The episode also raises questions about the role of the media in shaping public opinion, and the extent to which we can ever truly know the truth about a crime.
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is a complex and challenging piece of television. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in law, crime, or the human condition.
Transition to the next article section:
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is just one example of the many great episodes of television that have been produced over the years. In the next section, we will take a look at some of the other best episodes of television, and discuss what makes them so special.
Conclusion
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion to the first season of the television series. It raises important questions about justice, innocence, and the legal process, and it leaves the viewer to ponder the nature of truth and guilt. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in law, crime, or the human condition.
The episode's exploration of the legal process is particularly insightful. It shows how the system can be both fair and unfair, and how it can be used to protect the guilty and punish the innocent. The episode also raises questions about the role of the media in shaping public opinion, and the extent to which we can ever truly know the truth about a crime.
The "Presumed Innocent" finale episode is a complex and challenging piece of television. It is an episode that will stay with you long after you watch it, and it is sure to provoke discussion and debate. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the best that television has to offer.
