Pearlman is thrilled when her partner Cedric Daniels is touted by the papers as a potential replacement for Commissioner Burrell. Daniels is concerned that his history of corruption might surface, but does not confide in Pearlman. Daniels' fears are allayed when Burrell accepts a deal to leave quietly and Pearlman attends a press conference at which Daniels' promotion is announced. In the end-of-season montage, she is shown on the bench wearing judge's robes and recusing herself from a case in which Daniels is a defense attorney.