This started out with a rather distasteful premise, but managed to make, well, not quite a silk purse out of a sow's ear. And yes, Chekhov's keys in the cocktail shaker. And I suppose this does count as some character development for Neil.
With a tip of the hat to a Taxi tagline from Reverend Jim*
Private clubs whose primary benefit is their exclusivity, corrupt politicians out to scapegoat judges for being soft on crime (i.e., soft on the crimes they aren't committing) -- we get enough of that in real life!
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*After spending the entire episode playing Pac-Man: "I don't know why I play this game. Throbbing noises, flashing lights, monsters chasing you -- I get enough of that in real life."