The third season of Illegal picks up from a similar point where the previous season had ended, and follows the journey of the protagonist often termed as ‘the mad lawyer’ whose ambition of becoming a top lawyer hasn’t slowed down one bit. Would she or wouldn’t she make it to the top, and if so then at what cost is what the show accounts for. From a storytelling point of view, there is a clear course correction as far as the tone of the drama is concerned. As a result, you are privy to a rather cerebral drama that is less pulpy with motives and politics that play out almost as an undercurrent. And honestly, I enjoyed this approach that did not spoonfeed the audience with the hidden motives and instead, relied on the intellect of the viewers to decipher the proceedings. The screenplay standing at 8 episodes of 30 odd to 40 odd minutes each is compelling and definitely manages to hold your attention although a slightly more trimmed length would have ensured for a crisper watch. 

I must say that I did take a while to warm up to the drama that needed a much calmer start with the world building that needed to be reinitiated owing to the course correction. And credit to the writers Radhika Anand(story), Sudeep Nigam and Bharat Misra(Screenplay) for taking this risk which I am sure wasn’t an easy creative decision with the way things stood from the previous season. So you are introduced to the main principal characters even as a case revolving a land issue takes centerstage. And if you have been following the news, you would know that some of the incidents throughout the show have been handpicked from real controversial incidents that act as an underlying political layer in the drama. This, even as the limitless ambitions of the protagonist take centerstage as she continues to switch sides for personal gains. As a byproduct, she does bring forth dissent and support in equal measures from folks around her. 

The proceedings are engaging and absorbing with the drama essentially divided into three tracks, or rather three subplots. One revolves around a case about domestic abuse wherein the accused is a business tycoon who is under a media trial. The other being a more emotional subplot of a young man wishing to opt for Euthanasia and the final plot that did connect the current season with the previous one on the murder of Akshay’s mother by the character of Randeep. And each of these subplots bring a unique flavour to the proceedings with a common thread being of the protagonist wherein she does account for her ambition even while briefly showcasing her humanitarian side. However on the downside, I did feel that some of the subplots like the personal life of Shanaya didn’t quite come together, something that perhaps could have been edited for a tighter edit. 

The lines between right and wrong often blur in almost all of the cases which are unfolding, that does result in a conflict for the viewers as well. And this for me was the biggest victory of the writers wherein neither side was completely black or white. And hence, the cerebral nature along with the character motivations does come to the forefront, something that does keep you consistently compelled in the drama. The events leading to the final act are interesting too resulting in the conclusion of all the cases, and most of them are satisfying and at times emotionally gut-wrenching. The extended climax too was a good one wherein you can make out that the writing is layered and does stimulate your intellect towards the end. My only gripe was the pre-finale twist involving a character being shot down that didn’t quite add up to the overall conclusion. But a little setup at the end does warrant an interesting fourth season thereby summing up a screenplay that was very well written here.