end of The Lincoln Lawyer season 3, he was pulled over by a police officer, who noticed red liquid dripping from his trunk. Opening it up, he was faced with the body of Sam Scales, with Mickey getting arrested because of the discovery.

Season 4 will focus on Mickey getting framed for Sam's murder, likely sitting behind bars while he and his team try and clear his name. The storylines that follow will likely be some of the most unique in the series so far, especially because of the main character essentially being the client of the season. While this is a good sign for the show's future, it also indicates the high expectations present for The Lincoln Lawyer's characters and stories going into season 4. This pressure is increased by what the show's highest-rated episode currently is.

The Lincoln Lawyer's Season 3 Finale Is The Show's Highest-Rated Episode On IMDb

It's The Highest-Rated Episode By A Clear Margin

As of writing, The Lincoln Lawyer season 3, episode 10 is the highest-rated episode of the series on IMDb. The season 3 finale, titled "The Gods of Guilt," has an 8.6 out of 10 based on an estimated 1,100 reviews, putting it at the top of the list of highest-rated episodes of the series. It managed to sur the previous record-holders, season 1, episode 9, "The Uncanny Valley," which sits at an 8.3 out of 10 based on 1,500 reviews. The finale's high rating signifies how much the latest episode of the show managed to sur everything that came before.

The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 reviews may have been positive overall, but the season's final episode is clearly the one that resonated with audiences the most. Not only did it lay the groundwork for season 4's new premise, but it also offered a satisfying yet bittersweet conclusion to the case of Gloria Dayton's murder. The themes of corruption and justice explored in season 3 culminated in the finale, while also offering a hook that could continue to dig deeper into these ideas with Mickey's arrest.

The Lincoln Lawyer's Season 4 Premiere Has More Pressure To Continue Season 3's Momentum

Season 4 Faces A Difficult Challenge Because Of The Season 3 Finale

The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 finale ended on a high note for the series' quality, its rating on IMDb reflective of the expectations for the show moving forward. Its promising storyline where Mickey is on the receiving end of the law reveals how much the legal drama has evolved, and how this evolution has resulted in certain aspects bolstering its quality. This includes the tension of how season 3 ended, alongside just how intriguing its cliffhanger ended wound up being. But this also puts pressure on season 4 to deliver a strong continuation reflective of this new audience praise.

By coming off the highest-rated episode of the series, The Lincoln Lawyer season 4's story will need to raise the bar in order to keep up the momentum of its predecessor. This means finding a way to continue where season 3 left off while keeping that same level of tension in those final few minutes. Doing so can help the episodes stand out in their own way, showing the consequences of Mickey's arrest. It's an expectation the series may have to consider given how well-received the season 3 finale was.

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 Episode 1 Will Likely Be The Show's Most Intense Premiere Yet

The Series Will Likely Return Right Where It Left Off

Season 3 left off on Mickey's arrest, meaning season 4 is likely going to begin not long after. Season 4, episode 1 may even start on the same night, revealing the fallout of his being charged with Sam's murder and what it means for him and his team. By getting into the action right away, season 4 has a chance to keep up the momentum of the season 3 finale. Building on Mickey's arrest gives the show the perfect opportunity to have a premiere episode that could become just as highly-rated as its finale.

[B]y embracing the chaotic tension of Mickey getting arrested, the season 4 premiere might be able to rival the highest-rated episode of the show.

With The Lincoln Lawyer's return comes the high bar of expectation set by the season 3 finale. However, by embracing the chaotic tension of Mickey getting arrested, the season 4 premiere might be able to rival the highest-rated episode of the show so far. It won't be easy for the series to maintain that same high level of quality, but, with a game-changing case now underway, it has an opportunity to be the most memorable season so far.

All episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer seasons 1 through 3 are streaming on Netflix.