Gobi

It did make sense for Crowe's firm to take this case and then plead it out. This looks like an unwinnable case for the defense, so the plea would have been seen as a win (and was by Stone, for example). Once Naz rejected the plea, she was stuck with the case. To get out would have required a Motion to be Relieved as Counsel, and the reason "he wouldn't take the plea" isn't going to work. It also makes sense to have Chandra try the case. It is quite common in law firms to pass off a loser trial onto a new associate. If Chandra loses, no one is surprised and she gets some valuable trial experience. If she wins, the firm gets to bask in the glory.

Exactly. And the guy from the rehab center would have been more than happy to sell the records to a tabloid.

Did anyone recognize the kid spray painting the lockers? Was it Stone's son? Naz's brother?

The police did a less than exhaustive investigation from what we've been shown. Granted the evidence against Naz looks overwhelming, but even so they should have been working to eliminate any other possible suspects, or at least investigate as to whether Naz was acting alone. For example, the DA showed how Naz wanted the first two passengers out of his cab, only to have Andrea immediately get in it. "Was he waiting for her?" seems like something they should have wondered about. Then, there's Dwayne Reed (whom the DA might not know about yet), a man with a violent criminal record with an MO that matches this crime and was at the scene. It'll look bad for the prosecution when Stone springs this and points out that the prosecution not only didn't investigate it, they didn't even call his companion as a witness. And, of course, the stepdad's motivation for wanting Andrea dead. The show hasn't connected them yet, but I wonder if the stepdad was the brains and Dwayne was the brawn in the killing. I don't think stepdad would have done it himself, as he would need an airtight alibi since he couldn't possibly know that Naz would show up and he is otherwise the prime suspect. And that effing deer's head that was shown again (on Stone's phone). I'm convinced that is going to figure in the outcome. I wonder if we're being set up for Naz to beat the rap, only to have to kill one of the inmates (the one he caught having sex) and going to prison for that.

My guess is because It wasn't sanctioned by Freddy, who may have other plans for the victim.

The prosecutor has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Naz did it, which is not the same as probably did it.

Kay: Regarding your hidden comment, I was not aware of that.

We're getting down to the wire (in a show with two "The Wire" alums, no less), so let's see where we are. At the risk of offending, here's a tongue in cheek politically correct view of the suspects. Naz - politically incorrect suspect. Duane Reade and friend - politically incorrect suspects. The limo driver who was eying Naz and Andrea at the gas station - politically incorrect suspect. The neighbor - politically correct suspect. Andrea's drug dealer - politically correct suspect. Paulina (Stone's gay or transgender client) - politically incorrect suspect. The stepfather - politically correct suspect. If we get a politically correct solution, my money's on him. Other thoughts - We keep getting shots of that deer head, I can't help but think it will play into the solution. Surveillance camera inside, perhaps? Also, the police took a blood sample from it. How did that get there? It was too far from the murder scene, and neither Naz nor Andrea (who had both cut themselves) were shown touching it on the way upstairs. The knife Naz had on him is not the murder weapon. When Box was discussing the case with the prosecutor, he said something like "it almost matches the wounds." My fear is that we may get a Deus ex Machina solution, such as the police showing up with someone in handcuffs and saying his wife/mother/father/brother/whatever was suspicious, they checked it out and found his clothes covered in Andrea's blood and he confessed.

I think Duane is a red herring. His friend lied about him being with him, and he ran away from Stone, because his MO fits the crime. I just don't think he did it, although he may know something about it. I have some other thoughts that I'll post in speculation.

In Scotland, they have (or used to have) a verdict of "Not Proven". It meant: yeah we think you did it, but there wasn't enough proof.

I'm pretty sure the stepdad was there.

By the way, a lawyer having sex with a client is highly unethical, and could get the lawyer disbarred. And if, as was implied here, the sex was payment for legal services, would definitely get Stone disbarred if anyone found out about it.

When his shirt was lifted, you could see eczema on his back, also. Plus it was on his legs, too.

I think HBO gets a pass in this instance, as Stone was trying to hide his eczema from his partner.

I know nothing about the BBC show. Here are my suspects: Naz - Not likely, but I wouldn't rule it out. The two guys Naz encountered outside. There had to be a reason for that long glance at the brownstone by one, either he did it or he knows something that will be important. And why did his friend tell the police he was alone? What's he hiding? The stepdad, a cliche maybe, but still a suspect. The neighbor. Did he have a key to the brownstone? Did he get in, one way or another, saw Naz passed out, and decided to kill the girl, maybe after a failed pass at her? Then reported the break in to divert suspicion. Paulina - Stone's other client. He was present in the police station, so he was out and about that night. He got a lot of screen time for a seemingly unimportant character, and his comment about using a machete to cure eczema raises some hackles. He's my dark horse favorite for now.