Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for the first two episodes of “Reasonable Doubts” Season 3.
Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi) and her husband, Lewis (McKinley Freeman), were not able to prepare.
The weight of Jax and Lewis is increased as the lawsuit is actively working to heal and rebuild trust in marriage following trauma from infidelity and lies. That legal threat came as something that shocked the couple during the season 2 finale, but the Saga continues with an even more surprising proposition that not only poses a threat to the stability of their homes, but also forces them to stand up to the consequences of their actions.
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“Reasonable Doubt” returns to the third season on Hulu, and the new season created by Raamla Mohamed follows Jax after former Child Star Ozzie (Kyle Bary) is in the middle of a case of someone involving his girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Jack’s personal life falls into chaos. The wounds of Lewis’ affair are still raw. Now, when Lewis spends one night with her, Toni’s emotionally accused offer to end the painful lawsuit forces everyone to confront their deepest anxiety and sadness.
Jax immediately disagrees with her request in the second episode. Meanwhile, Lewis is more open to the proposal. Because he sees it as a way for her to achieve closure and ultimately resolve their legal issues. Jax sends Lewis with a payment release form for Toni to sign, as well as some basic rules, including hourly text and phone calls all night long.
His night consisted of breaking up nursery, sorting out baby gifts and dodging her sexual advances failures, but Lewis’ initial doubts about seeking Toni were right. But what he didn’t expect was that it was also a closure for him. Together, their night ends with Lewis and Toni appearing to be accepting their loss, apologizing for their mistakes and (hopefully) moving forward.
Below, Freeman spoke about diversity, including Lewis’ thoughts on spending the night with Toni, the process of exploiting Lewis’ vulnerability, and the growth of his relationship with Jacks and Lewis.
The second episode begins with Toni’s shocking demand that if Lewis spends the night with her, she will stop litigation. Do you think Lewis made the proposition consider rather than immediately reject it?
At the beginning of the season, we show some of the frustration they are experiencing and how long it will last. In Lewis’s case, he did everything else. What he wants is that he and his wife don’t have to deal with the challenge of overcoming Toni and everything else. That’s where it’s taking root. I have a desire to get a new start. After everything Jax and Lewis went through, that’s what he’s fighting for.
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Jax makes it clear that she has nothing to do with Toni, but Lewis still has sympathy for her. Why do you think Lewis can maintain that sympathy for Toni, even in the tension she is married?
One reason Lewis has to relate to is that it is that he is learning to get better with his wife. Lewis is learning how to build buildings and become more and more present in ways that help JAX and communicate in a way that doesn’t destroy them. He’s the guy trying to figure it out in this messed up situation. His empathy for Toni recognizes that he has made the mistake of not being able to change and having to take responsibility. He also reconciles it in the life he is still trying to build sustainably in Jax.
Jax sets the boundary so that Lewis texts her with an update and answers the phone when he makes a call. Still, when Jax turned Lewis into Fasety, he rang the phone and didn’t answer. Why do you think so?
It is one of the circumstances in which the plan was intended to be agreed upon when it was happening. But at that exact moment it had the risk of derailing the entire mission of being there. It’s Jax and Lewis who are overcoming this current challenge in their respective relationships to build what they had before all these other complications began. It’s one of those in life where you meet face to face with what you said you never would have to have. It says, “How do you fight yourself to get what you claim to want?”
Lewis spent the night even after Toni signed the papers. Even if he could leave early, do you think he would force him to stay?
Lewis is not a bad guy. At the end of the day, losing someone or making a loss of that size without having an outlet for it could be crazy for everyone. Whether Lewis recognizes it or not, there is probably something within him that it knows. He could have left, but the volatility in that situation is his fault. This is the confusion he created. It’s his responsibility to clean it up.
The scene with Lewis holding the Eagles Onesea while sitting in the nursery was one of the first real imps he would handle his grief. Why do you think he had been suppressing those emotions for so long?
As humans, we are used to marching and forget we are carrying things. Whether you acknowledge something or not, it’s still heavy. For Lewis, there is the finality that comes with life that is difficult to clarify with someone until they face it. We become so busy we forget to become human. We forget to be honest and forget to feel how we feel about the person we look in the mirror. Have I become someone who can carry my favorite dreams? That’s what Lewis is about. It’s human effort, and it’s based on love and trying to become a real human while building up what he has with Jax. The pain turns into waves and no one knows. But being honest when it happens is very important.
Do you think it would be difficult for Lewis to show such a vulnerability in Jax?
I’m a bit opposed. In season 2 there is a very specific conversation with Jacks coming in from the house, and he tells everything he’s wrong and why. The distraction is not to realize that Lewis is connected to a son who no longer exists like Toni, but to make it about why Lewis is so connected to Toni. No matter how long the son is, he is no longer here. At that moment, the jersey represents the possibility of doing it right.
It’s completely different in terms of how Lewis communicates Toni and how he feels in the situation. It means missing out on the opportunity to once again protect his innocence as someone so flawed. With Jax in Season 2, Lewis is fighting for his life where everything can change. There is some finality when it comes to transparency in both movements. It’s just that the purpose from the two scenes is completely different.
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Do you think Lewis is willing to spend the night with Toni, as well, is closing him?
absolutely. When things are written, there is an opportunity to speed them up. The way this show is to provide a runway to feel, listen and experience things as a creative person. Closures are the possibility that the jerseys represent. If that’s possible, hopefully it’s an opportunity to get it right.
At that moment, how did you tap on Lewis’ more vulnerable side?
I always start with, “What is it like to be human in this situation?” We are talking about losses. There are some things you can get back, but there are some things you can lose, where you are just going back to memories. It fights for clarity either in memory or in the future, but both battles are important. The opportunity to do that for Lewis is important.
It’s always persuasive to see Jacks and Lewis rise up as a couple even in messiness. What’s complicated is why do you think fans are still rooting for the love story?
We support those who see ourselves. Ramra and the amazing writers created these truly three-dimensional characters. Some of the things we ask and clarify during the creative process that we seem to resonate with people when we ask and watch the show is important.
Couple therapy appears to be rewarded as a unit and individually between Jax and Lewis. Why is it important for viewers to see the evolution and growth between them?
It is important for viewers to see Jax and Lewis evolve and grow. Because it’s an opportunity to fight for what you love and believe in. It is in silence. It’s those quiet moments. It is in the opportunity you know that someone needs to listen and is using the tools they have learned.
How will the show continue to explore that part of his story in the future?
Lewis’ ability to take responsibility for what he wants is to keep the pop-ups. He also grows up and has the opportunity to understand it along the way. That’s Lewis’ journey. For him and Jax, it’s about how they can do this job. They’ve come this far. Let’s continue moving forward.
This interview was compiled and condensed.
