Critic Reviews

Reasonable Doubt is enjoyably Shonda-esque, in that it's a steamy, speed-plotted soap built around a morally ambiguous female power player whose life is filled with ridiculously attractive men. But Mohamed also weaves in frank and nuanced stories about marriage, parenting, and the importance of (and challenges with) female friendships.

Reasonable Doubt — which was created by Scandal vet Raamla Mohamed and boasts a premiere directed by Scandal star Kerry Washington — fares better than plenty of other would-be watercooler shows in that regard, grounding its drama in enjoyable characters, believable relationships and no shortage of platonic and sexual chemistry.

Despite this season’s missteps, with several jaw-dropping twists and a spectacular hip-hop soundtrack pulsating throughout, “Reasonable Doubt” is always entertaining. Season 2 takes a little time to find its footing, but when it does, viewers are reminded how electric Jax’s world can be.

There’s a lot to like about “Reasonable Doubt,” which is sharp and fun and moves at a good clip. And it’s smart about keeping things just this side of ridiculous.

Watchable, despite all of the ridiculousness. ... We’re going to give Reasonable Doubt a chance because Emayatzy Corinealdi is a sexy force to be reckoned with as Jax, and her cloudy ethics and taste in men is what gives some of the silliness in the series some depth.

Reasonable Doubt might not be as crazy as it was during its first season, but Emayatzy Corinealdi’s lead performance as Jax is as strong as ever.

Corinealdi handles all of Jax’s contradictions with fiery aplomb, bobbing from one end of Jax’s impulsive, messy whims to the other. ... That said, the ongoing push-and-pull of her many love interests grows a bit tiresome as the season progresses, especially as Lewis grows less and less sympathetic. The rest of the cast don’t fare as well, unfortunately, the scripts saddling them with some pretty corny dialogue and paper-thin character traits. ... But when “Reasonable Doubt” indulges in its seedier, soapier side, it can be trashy fun.