Philly Da - Episode 8
When civil rights attorney Larry Krasner mounted a long shot campaign to become Philadelphia’s District Attorney, he made a pledge to end mass incarceration from the inside. That bold promise sent shock waves across the country.
In this eight-part documentary series from PBS Independent Lens, filmmakers Ted Passon, Yoni Brook, and Nicole Salazar take viewers behind the scenes of Krasner’s office as he attempts to make his dream come true. Ultimately, this is a compelling look at the interdependent Rube Goldberg components of a big city’s criminal justice system, and how far one prosecutor’s stubborn idealism can go in upending it from the inside.
What is the show about?
In 2017, civil rights lawyer Larry Krasner shocked the nation by winning a landslide victory to become Philadelphia’s District Attorney on a platform to end mass incarceration and excessive sentencing. Now, as he sets out to put the system on trial, he and his team are being challenged by those who see his mission as a threat to their livelihood.
The eight-part documentary series, directed by Ted Passon and Yoni Brook, explores the challenges of a young district attorney trying to make change in a big city that has long been defined by its unsustainable incarceration rates. The series examines a range of issues, including cash bail, probation, the death penalty, the juvenile detention system and police brutality.
But it’s the series’ humanistic side that makes it so powerful. It’s a documentary that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but is also willing to celebrate the choices that made change possible.
The show’s most memorable moments come from its humanistic focus on individuals who have been through a difficult experience in the criminal justice system. This includes LaTonya Myers, a parole activist who gets a job as a bail navigator, and Joseph Chamberlain, who was sentenced to life without parole at 16. Both struggle with the mental toll of their sentences.
Episode 1: The Bellman’s Map
This episode in a series of eight follows the first six months in the office of Philadelphia’s unapologetic District Attorney Larry Krasner. He’s made a big splash with his sweeping reforms but that doesn’t mean the show is going to be a cakewalk; it’s an uphill battle, and one that Krasner is not going to win easily.
It’s no secret that America has a long way to go when it comes to justice and law enforcement, but there’s still room for the good guys to win out over the bad ones. This show is an excellent reminder that the best is still ahead of you. And don’t forget to sign up for WETA Passport, where you can stream tens of thousands of hours of your favorite PBS and local programming without having to wait for the next show to air! We’ll even alert you when your favorite shows are up for renewal. You’ll also be notified about the latest events and programs! oh, and we might have a prize for you! Thanks for your support!
Episode 2: The Big Picture
The promise of using the power of his office for sweeping reform is what got civil rights attorney Larry Krasner elected as Philadelphia’s new district attorney. But his stubborn idealism threatens to alienate those he needs to work with the most. Over eight episodes, philly da explores the tumultuous first term of this unapologetic D.A. and his idealistic team as they try to fundamentally change the criminal justice system from within.
Episode 2 starts with an explanation of the history of mass incarceration in Philadelphia, which Krasner inherited from his predecessor, thuggish cop-turned-mayor Frank Rizzo. But a more contextual approach would have taken the show deeper, showing why the city had been so willing to lock up Black and Hispanic citizens, rather than providing social programs or rec centers. Instead, Krasner’s team of lawyers, bail fund advocates, and community organizers is told to do their best to redress the problems. They do a good job of it, but the story still leaves a lot to be desired. An excellent moment in this episode comes when a bail fund advocate uses his organization’s money to help get three defendants out of jail who can’t pay their bond.
Episode 3: The Big Tent
This episode takes a more rounded look at one of America’s most flamboyant and colorful institutions. In The Big Tent, historian Gregory Renoff tells the tale of a time when itinerant circuses made their home in cities across the country and were an integral part of American life. From a cultural and historical standpoint, it’s hard to deny that this was a major milestone in the development of our nation. This spirited and fun episode will entertain you and pique your interest in the fascinating world of the American circus, while at the same time reminding you that we are not in the dark ages.
Episode 4: Bail Navigator
A pilot project at the city’s police headquarters is helping hundreds of people facing minor charges get out of jail and into the real world. For about a grand, a dedicated navigator or two will help you navigate the red light and onto the pavement. The program is the brainchild of Edmonton police chief Benson Allen and Alberta Justice deputy commissioner Roni Pagliuso. The nippers, or the most important one in the case of the navigator, has been in operation since late last year. The program is a big hit, the best evidenced by the large number of new clients it has added to its client roster.
Episode 5: Parole
Civil rights champion Larry Krasner runs as a reform-minded prosecutor committed to decarceration and changing the culture of the notoriously pro-police district attorney’s office. But as he takes over Philadelphia’s most incarcerated city, his plans face strong resistance from the police union and large swaths of residents who believe Krasner’s policies will increase crime.
Episode 1 centers on the DA’s first major announcement: a new policy on cash bail that puts his staff in the spotlight. In the ensuing battle, he fires a number of longtime prosecutors, alienating many that Krasner needs to implement change.
In Episode 2, tensions in the DA’s office heat up when Krasner’s team uncovers a secret that shakes the police department. He also struggles to win over the community to his plan for safe injection sites, and a local politician rebukes him for focusing on Philadelphia’s murder rate.
In Episode 5, DA Larry Krasner revisits the case of Joseph Chamberlain, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole as a teenager for killing another teenager in 1992. As Chamberlain’s family hopes for his release, and the parents of the victim grapple with forgiveness, DA Krasner works to implement juvenile sentencing reform. Watch Professor Kristin Henning (Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative, Georgetown Law), Nila Bala (Associate Director, Criminal Justice & Civil Liberties, R Street Institute), Michael McNeely (Executive, Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice) and DC attorney Brandi Harden (Harden & Pinckney; former PDS) discuss transforming our juvenile legal system.
Episode 6: The Finale
In this final episode, the series ties up all of the loose ends. Krasner is finally able to make his vision a reality, and the city of Philadelphia has a new district attorney. But he is still under pressure from a system that remains stubbornly resistant to reform.
Watching philly da is like taking a journey into the complex Rube Goldberg components of a big urban machine, where sweeping change requires conviction but also day-to-day political skills. It’s an engaging, timely and revealing look at how a team of idealistic public servants is attempting to fundamentally overhaul the way our cities work.
Ultimately, the show’s final scene is as much about where it’s all headed as it is about where it’s been. Throughout the season, Krasner and his team have worked hard to transform the D.A.’s office from a crusader against mass incarceration to a champion of civil rights. But their efforts are being challenged by a powerful bureaucracy and the local police who have become resistant to his ideas, despite them being the ones most impacted by the city’s crime and poverty.
Hopefully you’ve been able to find some time to catch this compelling, timely and relevant legal drama this spring. If you haven’t, you should definitely give it a try!
