Lincoln Lawyer Season 3 Ending Explained: Who Killed Gloria Days?

Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer weaves a dramatic plot of corruption that adds fresh pieces to the jigsaw until the end, eventually answering the mystery of who killed Glory Days and why.

The third season of The Lincoln Lawyer, based on Michael Connelly’s The Gods of Guilt, picks up where season 2 left off, with Mickey contemplating whether to take on the case of Julian La Cosse, the man accused of killing his friend and former client Gloria Dayton, alias Glory Days.

Because he feels Julian is innocent, Mickey decides to represent him in his trial.

Mickey and the other Lincoln Lawyer characters on his team dig deeper into the matter, uncovering a complex conspiracy involving DEA agent James De Marco and a narcotics cartel.

The prosecutor, William Forsythe, and former police detective/DA investigator, Neil Bishop, become increasingly hostile as they attempt to disclose the truth.

After another prison inmate wounds Julian, the plot culminates in a fast-paced and horrific conclusion that ultimately answers the season’s core question.

Season 3 of The Lincoln Lawyer delivers another twist-filled conclusion, leaving fans with several burning questions.

As always, the show, based on Michael Connelly’s popular novels, is known for its intricate legal drama, but this season took things a step further, focusing heavily on corruption and misconduct within government systems.

Here’s a breakdown of the season’s shocking finale and what’s next for Mickey Haller.

1. Who Killed Glory Days?

Julian La Cosse might have been initially accused of murdering Glory Days, but the real story is much more complicated.

Glory Days was subpoenaed to testify about Agent De Marco, a corrupt DEA agent who had ordered her to plant a gun in Hector Moya’s home.

This put her life in danger, and unfortunately, it was De Marco who ultimately killed her.

Neil Bishop’s testimony reveals that De Marco didn’t have someone else carry out the murder — he did it himself.

After being tipped off by Bishop, De Marco entered Glory Days’ home, most likely strangling her and breaking her hyoid bone. Some ambiguity surrounds the exact events, but autopsy results suggest this method.

The yelling heard by neighbors could have been from an earlier altercation with Julian or De Marco himself. After the murder, De Marco set a fire to cover his tracks.

2. Neil Bishop’s Tragic End Explained

One of the most emotional moments in The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 finale comes when Neil Bishop, the DA’s investigator, dies by suicide on the witness stand.

De Marco, a dangerous man with no scruples, had manipulated Bishop. By the time Bishop testified, he knew his life was in danger, having been entangled in De Marco’s violent schemes, including his attempts to kill Mickey Haller and silence sex workers who could expose him.

When Bishop began telling the truth on the stand, De Marco was alerted by a DEA lawyer and fled. Despite Cisco’s best efforts, De Marco escaped, setting up further conflict for the future.

3. Vigilante Justice: Hector Moya’s Revenge

Although De Marco initially escapes, justice comes in a different form. Four months after the trial, Izzy receives an ominous envelope containing a picture of De Marco hanging with a snake around his neck.

It’s implied that Hector Moya, wrongfully imprisoned by De Marco, took matters into his own hands. Not only did De Marco set him up, but he was also working with a rival cartel, giving Moya every reason to seek vengeance.

4. Mickey Haller’s Struggles and Renewed Resolve

The aftermath of Julian La Cosse’s trial weighs heavily on Mickey Haller. He becomes despondent, feeling that the justice system failed Glory Days, Julian, and Eddie Rojas. With De Marco on the run, legal justice seems out of reach. Mickey even considers quitting the profession altogether.

However, his daughter Hayley delivers a poignant reminder: “The system will never work if people don’t make it work.” This moment rekindles Mickey’s desire to fight back.

He decides to hit the DA’s office where it hurts by making them pay Julian for wrongful imprisonment, also giving a portion of the settlement to Eddie’s mother. Though it’s not the justice he initially sought, it’s a way for Mickey to find closure.

5. The Season 4 Tease: Mickey Haller’s New Legal Battle

Just when things seem to settle down, the season 3 finale sets the stage for a gripping season 4. When an officer opens the trunk of Mickey’s car, they find a dead body – one that viewers will recognize.

Sam Scales, a con artist and former client of Mickey’s, owed a significant sum to the law firm. Earlier in the season, Mickey had publicly joked that Sam would be dead if he didn’t pay up, a statement that now looks suspicious.

With the means, motive, and opportunity, it seems likely that Mickey will be accused of Sam’s murder. This sets up a legal battle that echoes the plot of Michael Connelly’s The Laws of Innocence, where Mickey must defend himself in court.

6. Izzy’s New Path

Another subplot that reaches a turning point in the finale is Izzy’s career. Though she dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, her studio didn’t pan out as expected. After renting it to a dance TV show, Izzy auditions but ultimately declines the offer.

She realizes that her sobriety might be jeopardized by the physical strain of dancing, which could lead her to pain medications and relapse. Instead, she chooses stability and accepts Mickey’s offer as the law firm’s office manager.

7. Themes of Corruption and Justice

Throughout The Lincoln Lawyer season 3, the show highlights systemic corruption in the police, DEA, and DA’s office.

The message is clear by the end: those who stand by and allow injustice are as culpable as those committing it. Despite the overwhelming corruption, Mickey Haller’s tireless fight for justice offers a glimmer of hope.

As we look ahead to season 4, it’s evident that The Lincoln Lawyer will continue exploring these themes while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its thrilling legal battles.

8. Final Thoughts

The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 finale wraps up major storylines while setting up exciting new conflicts for the future.

With Mickey facing a personal legal challenge, a corrupt DEA agent meeting vigilante justice, and the constant fight against systemic corruption, fans are in for another intense ride in season 4.

9. About The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer is an American legal drama television series created for television by David E. Kelley and developed by Ted Humphrey, based on the books of Michael Connelly.

It stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, a defense attorney in Los Angeles who often works out of a chauffeur-driven Lincoln Navigator. Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, and Christopher Gorham also star.

The first season is based on Connelly’s 2008 novel The Brass Verdict, a sequel to his novel The Lincoln Lawyer. It premiered on Netflix on May 13, 2022. It received generally positive reviews from critics. In June 2022, the series was renewed for a second season.

It is based upon Connelly’s 2011 novel, The Fifth Witness (the fourth book in The Lincoln Lawyer series), and it streamed in two parts. The first part was released on July 6, 2023, and the second released on August 3. In August 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, which was released on October 17, 2024.