Episodes: 12 (half-hour)
Seasons: One
TV show dates: October 28, 2014 — December 30, 2014
Series status: Cancelled
Performers include: Eliza Coupe, Jay Harrington, Oscar Nunez, Maria Bamford, Jolene Purdy, and Carter MacIntyre.
TV show description:
This single-camera comedy follows a high-powered corporate lawyer who experiences a fall from grace and lands in the rough and tumble world of public defenders.
Nina Whitley (Eliza Coupe), a distinguished corporate lawyer, has given up everything in her climb up to the top. But, when she learns that her ex-fiance is getting married and that she hasn’t made partner at her high power firm, Nina snaps. She ends up breaking vases and burning bridges.
Shunned by the corporate world, the only place she can get a job is at the Public Defender’s office — home to the underfunded, understaffed, and overworked lawyers.
In addition to her new clients, Nina must learn to connect with her co-workers. They include charmingly disheveled Phil (Jay Harrington), idealist Carlos (Oscar Nunez), useless and empathetic Cheryl (Maria Bamford) and dedicated intern Micah (Jolene Purdy).
If all of that isn’t tough enough for Nina, she’ll also be going head-to-head with her ex-fiance Trent (Carter MacIntyre), the rising star of the District Attorney’s office.
Episode #12 — Brief Encounters
Nina wonders if her night with Trent was a dream. Nina apologizes again to Phil for the whole PD of the Year award thing and he assures her that everything is fine. Afterward, Carlos asks if the thing between Phil and Nina is still happening. Phil says he’s not Nina’s type so he must have misread the signals. After an encounter in the broom closet, Trent tells Nina they have to file papers to disclose their relationship if they want to make it official.
As Nina considers this, she tells Cheryl and Carlos that she’s helping her friend “Penny” decide whether or not to go public about getting back together with her ex. Nina’s argument is pretty convincing — especially to herself. However, when it comes time to submit the form to the clerk’s office, Nina hesitates.
It’s Phil’s job to get Nina to show up to Don Guardo’s for the surprise party celebrating her PD of the Year win but Nina isn’t sure what to make of Phil’s invitation. Nina tells Cheryl and Carlos that “Penny” suddenly has cold feet because she just got butterflies for another guy.
Nina lets Trent know that she’s having second thoughts. Old Nina wanted him so badly but she has grown and changed. Phil admits to Morris that his lights were off until Nina walked in like a crazy train. Now they’re back on again.
Nina tells Phil she’s had a change of heart about the drinks. She’s in. But Donna the court clerk doesn’t rip up Nina’s form like she asked. Instead Donna gives it to Judge Nelson who immediately spreads the word.
Phil gets the same text, which makes him leave the party. Nina chases after him and asks him not to disappear. He says that he’ll see her on Monday.
First aired: December 30, 2014.
What do you think? Do you like the Benched TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a second season?
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