The Deep End Episode 1.03 To Have and to Hold

Mei Brundage is a Chinese woman who is pregnant with the baby of a Marine killed in Afghanistan. The government says her proxy marriage to the baby's father is invalid because he was killed before they could consummate the union. Mei was recently let go from her job, so her work visa is invalid, as well. Hart and Dylan plead Mei's case, but the judge rules that she must return to China.

Dylan manages to convince a judge to issue a temporary restraining order until the baby is born. That day comes sooner than expected, as Mei gives birth to a bouncing baby boy. Unfortunately, now the restraining order is void. Mei knows that life in China will be hard for her son, so she wants her husband's parents to adopt him. Dylan says, "Hang on. You're not giving up your baby yet."

Mei's doctor tells Dylan that her former employer asked a lot of questions about her pregnancy. Dylan realizes they may have manufactured a reason to cut her loose so they didn't have to cover future medical costs. That's not gonna fly. Dylan and Hart threaten to drum up a class action suit against Mei's old company unless they hire her back immediately. Looks like Mei and her baby are in the States to stay.

Susan gets a pretty sweet job offer from Tom Lynch, a senior partner at a rival law firm. Hart tries to convince her to stay at Sterling. But things are tough at Sterling mainly due to the situation with Cliff. Hart suggests they talk it out. Think they will?

Malcolm is stuck in court. He asks Addy to pick up his 11-year-old brother Eric, who has been suspended for bringing a weapon to school. Turns out it was a Cub Scout knife, fork and spoon set. Addy convinces the principal to hold off on the suspension. This upsets Malcolm, who wants to care for his brother without help.

When Malcolm talks to the principal about the suspension, she tells him they have a zero-tolerance policy at the school. He later apologizes to Addy for acting like a jerk. Hey, it was no biggie. Addy suggests a way to help his brother. The Cub Scouts meet at the school, therefore their activities are sanctioned by it. Malcolm thanks Addy for her help by inviting her over to dinner. But Eric has given her a heads up about Malcolm's lame culinary skills, so she brings a pan of lasagna. Could these two be becoming more than just coworkers?

Cliff assigns Addy and Beth to a sexual harassment case in which they'll be representing the harasser. Make that "alleged" harasser. Robin Reynolds is the CEO of American Lingerie. The accuser claims Reynolds created a hostile work environment with his suggestive comments and lewd behavior. When Addy and Beth meet with Reynolds, they witness some of his suggestive comments firsthand.

At the deposition, Addy and Beth do a fine job of discrediting the plaintiff. Reynolds compliments them by making several disparaging remarks about his accuser, as well as all women. The guy's pretty slimy and research suggests that Reynolds has been sexually discriminating against his female employees for years.

Cliff asks Susan to talk to Reynolds and convince him to settle the suit. Even though this particular accuser doesn't have a strong case, it's his pattern of conduct that could be called into question. Susan says, "You're going to settle, you're going to change and you're going to stop sending underwear to my lawyers because, while it may not be actionable, it's ugly. And obvious." Susan storms out. Addy and Beth love it! We do, too.

Beth is a little turned off by the fact that Liam only wants to get together to have sex. Rowdy takes Liam aside to coach him on the fine art of courting the ladies. First, Liam tries being sensitive to Beth's feelings. That doesn't work. Then he sends her flowers, chocolates and a stuffed wallaby (because he's Australian). That doesn't work either. Apparently, Beth is allergic to lilies and not a fan of fake marsupials.

At the end of the day, Liam finally speaks from the heart and Beth is still listening. Of course, she's not so sure she wants to keep listening once Liam mentions he wrote her a poem. He even set it to music. That explains why Rowdy is outside her office with a ukulele. It turns out to be a sweet little bit of prose. Beth obviously thinks so, too. She rises from her desk and closes her office door as Rowdy strums away down the hall. Nice.