Firstly, if you haven’t watched season 3 yet — you should probably leave now.
The Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 took fans on a relentless rollercoaster, with LA’s favourite defence attorney, Mickey Haller, facing an all-new level of peril. But it’s the finale’s shocking last moments that leave us all breathless—and dying for answers. When Mickey’s pulled over by the police, they discover a dead body stashed in the trunk of his car. For an attorney known for pulling his clients out of tight spots, Mickey suddenly finds himself in the most twisted one yet.
So, who’s the guy in the trunk? What could this mean for Mickey’s future? Let’s break down everything you need to know about this explosive ending and what it might mean for Season 4.
Who’s the Man in the Trunk?
The body belongs to Sam Scales, a con artist Mickey had defended in the past. While Sam’s name might not spark immediate recognition for all viewers, he’s a recurring character for readers of Michael Connelly’s Lincoln Lawyer series. Sam’s reputation precedes him: he’s an infamous grifter with a long list of scams, often playing on people’s sympathies to pocket their hard-earned money. Sam Scales had a lot of enemies, and even though Mickey represented him, the two shared a tense, complicated history.
The chilling part here isn’t just the fact that a dead body is in Mickey’s car, but that the body belongs to someone from his own orbit — a former client with a history of deception and an extensive network of people who might have wanted him dead.
The Stakes for Mickey Haller
The Season 3 ending twist introduces Mickey to something entirely new: being a suspect in a crime. Up until now, Mickey’s clients have been the ones fighting accusations, with him in their corner, pulling the strings to clear their names. But with Sam’s body in his trunk, Mickey’s not the clever attorney anymore — he’s potentially a murder suspect.
How does someone with Mickey’s legal savvy navigate this impossible situation? It’s a captivating role reversal, and Season 4 (if renewed — but obviously it has to be now) would likely focus on Mickey facing the ultimate professional and personal nightmare. Suddenly, his own freedom hangs in the balance, and he’ll need to pull all the strings, and then some, to defend himself.
A Familiar Plot with a New Twist: The Law of Innocence
This scenario is more than a random twist for Netflix viewers — it’s a direct nod to Michael Connelly’s novel The Law of Innocence. In the book, Mickey is similarly framed when a body is discovered in his car, forcing him to use every legal strategy at his disposal to avoid prison. If Season 4 follows this plotline, we’re in for an exhilarating blend of courtroom drama, criminal investigation, and personal turmoil.
But the series has already shown it’s willing to make tweaks, so don’t expect a beat-for-beat adaptation. The show’s creators have a knack for keeping book fans on their toes, and it’s likely they’ll add a few original twists along the way to surprise even the most devoted Connelly readers.
Season 4: What Could Happen Next?
While Netflix hasn’t yet confirmed The Lincoln Lawyer for Season 4, the finale’s cliffhanger practically begs for a continuation. So, if we get another season, here’s what we could expect:
• Mickey Defending Himself: This time, Mickey may not just be defending his innocence; he might be uncovering a larger plot aimed at taking him down. Was Sam’s death an elaborate setup? If so, who has it in for Mickey, and how far have they gone and are willing to go?
• New Allies and New Foes: Fans could see familiar faces stepping up to support Mickey — Izzy, Lorna, Cisco, and possibly even Andy who have been instrumental throughout. But we might also see new allies as Mickey works to clear his name and a cast of new foes as Mickey will no doubt be spending some time behind bars where he might not have too many friends.
• Lorna To Represent Mickey: Towards the end of Season 3, Lorna showed us why she belongs in the courtroom helping Mickey to win his case. Will she be the one who steps up to represent Mickey in court to prove he is not guilty?
Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 Release Date
As we mentioned — Netflix has yet to ‘officially’ confirm Lincoln Lawyer Season 4, but we will be watching the newswire for the moment more information is released.
Watch the Lincoln Lawyer now on Netflix.
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