Yes, I did like the plot trajectory of the episode. I’d read somewhere that CA doesn’t require a law degree, so that’s a nice bit of plotting.
Yes, California is one of four states that allows one to “read the law” to become eligible for the bar exam. It is a legacy of the early 19th century when it was unusual for a lawyer to be a graduate of a law school. There is apparently an effort to re-invigorate this method of becoming a lawyer in order to provide better avenues for the economically disadvantaged (one website estimated that the cost of reading for the law versus law school was about $6,000 versus about $150,000)
It’s not like this method didn’t result in some pretty accomplished lawyers, like Clarence Darrow or the rascal who said:
“If you wish to be a lawyer , attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get books, sit down anywhere, and go to reading for yourself. That will make a lawyer of you quicker than any other way.” - Abraham Lincoln
I’m assuming they meant later when they probably were at the hospital or morgue with the body. In the heat of the moment sure, but between then and the burial the parents would have been able to tell that it wasn’t their kid.
Granddad “took pity on them” and identified the body.
I’m just spitballing here. 
Who knows how the heck this will turn out.
I might give this a shot, understanding that it’s nothing like the original TV series. I loved the TV series when I was a little kid, though I have absolutely no idea what season it was in when I first started watching it. I remember Perry Mason only as a staid, successful lawyer, not like what I’ve heard about the early episodes. Even as a kid I found it odd that Hamilton Burger could hold on to his job, since he never seemed to win a case against the invincible Mason. And Tragg, too, seemed like an incompetent old fart compared to Paul Drake’s suave Bond-like superpowers. 
If not for long drawn out scenes where Perry or E.B. are woefully depressed, despondent or pouring drinks, the episodes would be like 20 minutes long.
Mad magazine did a story called “the day Perry Mason lost a case” it was funny.
BTW Kim Kardashian says she is reading law to be a lawyer. I guess we will find out in a few years if she passes the bar but I would be shocked if she even takes the bar exam.
And this is a tangent I would never have expected…
Good episode. Nice scene with Della discovering E.B.'s body, and then she and Perry making it seem as if he died in his sleep. (An autopsy, if performed, would find evidence of gas poisoning, I assume). Ian Lithgow, John’s son, played E.B.'s embittered son, Byron, at the cemetery.
Interesting to hear that the slimy DA may be planning to run for Governor. I liked Hamilton Burger’s appearance at the restaurant, helping Perry cram for the bar exam (the questions for which haven’t changed since 1923?!?).
Don’t know why the weasely new lawyer appointed to represent Emily wouldn’t have Perry charged with assault for grabbing him and throwing books at him. He seemed totally cowed. I wonder what earlier incident(s) made Perry hold him in such contempt.
Clever of Della to fake E.B.'s signature as to Perry’s apprenticeship with him to help make him a lawyer ASAP. Nice scene with Perry’s swearing-in. And you can tell he takes his new gig seriously - he actually shaves! Lawyer Lesson #1, though, Perry: don’t say “I will prove your innocence” to your first client. It’s the prosecution that bears the burden of proof.
I also liked the scene with Perry, his son and his ex-wife (Gretchen Mol, whom I haven’t seen in years, still looking good and acting well).
Yes. The actor, Andrew Howard, who’s Welsh, played a Russian thug very effectively in Limitless, too. Here’s a scene:
Della might have told Perry that he was bringing all of EB’s notes to the prosecutor.
FYI, the show was renewed for a second season.
This is a constant irritant to me: the practice of using early-21st-century ideas of ‘cool’ in period pieces. Sure, there are 1930s movies with unshaven anti-heroes—but they didn’t go unshaven to courtrooms, religious services, and meetings with important clients the way we’ve seen Perry do in this show. Obviously, someone thinks Matthew Rhys won’t be found attractive or sympathetic by viewers unless he’s sporting The Scruff.
Anyway, in response to a couple of other comments in your post:
- Andrew Howard really IS good—I hadn’t recognized him as the Limitless movie’s villain.
- What a casting coup to get John Lithgow’s son to play his son! Not only does he look like his father, he sounds so much like him I was doing a double take. (Wikipedia says John is from Rochester, New York; I wonder if his so-recognizable accent is common, there?)
As far as the idea that the dead child isn’t Charlie: that certainly would be the kind of twist these shows delight in, but they really will have to point up “the mother caught only a glimpse of the dead child” in order to make it work. We’ll see, I guess.
Just caught the episode. Surprised they made Perry a lawyer so fast. I was expecting more buildup, but I’m glad to see it. No use wasting time on that (so they can waste time on other stuff - I kid, maybe).
Glad to hear season 2 is on the way.
With Hamilton Burger, I believe our TV cast is now complete.
Did they imply that he’s gay because he drinks tea with lemon? 
Speaking of anachronisms: I believe Perry exclaims “No fucking way!” at one point. The phrase “no way!” was not in use in 1972, much less 1932. It dates back to the Bill & Ted/Wayne’s World era.
Way! 
We used that phrase in the mid 70s, and the Dictionary of American Slang has it originating in the 60s. But definitely not the 30s.
Yeah. It’s possible to make a period piece that’s overly precious in its use of period language, costuming, hair-dressing, and so on. It’s also possible to make one that’s filled with distracting anachronisms.
I suppose HBO’s Perry Mason falls somewhere in the middle. But the “no fucking way” dialogue is rather insulting to viewers–it seems to take for granted that we wouldn’t understand or be moved by exclamations that are right for the period.