The fourth season of "Criminal Justice," titled "A Family Matter," has arrived on JioHotstar, reuniting viewers with the familiar face of Pankaj Tripathi as Advocate Madhav Mishra. However, unlike previous seasons where all episodes were released at once, this season adopts a staggered release, with only the first three episodes currently available, a decision that has left many fans expressing their frustration online. The new episodes are titled 'A Birthday to Remember,' 'Buried Secrets,' and 'Quid pro quo.'

This season plunges into a disturbing murder mystery involving a teenage girl and explores themes of dysfunctional family dynamics, media trials, and juvenile justice. The central case revolves around the murder of Roshni Saluja, a nurse and caregiver, in a Mumbai high-rise. The prime suspects include Dr. Raj Nagpal, the victim's paramour, and Anju, the doctor's estranged wife, with their teenaged daughter Ira, who has Asperger's syndrome, also present at the scene.

Pankaj Tripathi once again carries the weight of the story, delivering a stellar performance as Madhav Mishra. However, some critics suggest that the series leans too heavily on Tripathi's dependable shoulders, with the plot feeling slow and predictable at times. While Tripathi excels, the series itself has to land absolutely and perfectly well. At this pace, the series makes half-hearted efforts to impress you. A tighter plot, sharper tension and fuller character arcs would have made it a crown-worthy winner of the genre. Right now, it's just a hopeful contestant who fumbled lines at the audition and has been asked to try again next season.

The screenplay keeps viewers hooked with twists that don't feel forced, and the courtroom sequences are crafted with realism and emotional weight. Every episode builds tension with a slow-burn intensity, leading to a satisfying yet thought-provoking climax. Performances across the board are stellar, especially from Tripathi, Swastika Mukherjee, and Purab Kohli.

One of the highlights of the season is Surveen Chawla's performance, who brings emotional fidelity to her character. The series also commits the grave sin of telling its viewers that 'teenagers with Aspergers have violent tendencies', without a single caveat. Yes, this is a series that has taken the trouble to front a character with special needs, but to make such a statement without qualifying it is just plain damaging to those who live with the condition,and are dependent on how they are perceived by the world.

While the series offers a functional crime thriller experience, it sometimes struggles with tonal inconsistencies between workplace comedy and thriller elements. The narrative suffers from being stretched across eight episodes when six would have sufficed, causing the pace to drag and tension to plateau rather than build toward a climactic revelation. The low energy cliffhangers certainly don't help.

Overall, "Criminal Justice: A Family Matter" is a watchable legal drama, elevated by Pankaj Tripathi's performance and some engaging plot twists. However, the stretched narrative and inconsistent tone prevent it from reaching its full potential.