'The People v O.J. Simpson' Recap: 5 Things to Know About 'Conspiracy Theories'
The five most significant parts of the episode for those who need to catch up.
— -- "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."
For those who watched the actual O.J. Simpson murder trial in 1994, one of -- if not the most memorable -- moments of the sensational trial was when Simpson struggled to fit his hands into the black gloves that could prove his involvement in the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. On Tuesday night, a whole new audience relived that moment and got a closer look at the details surrounding the trial at that point in time.
In the latest episode of "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" titled "Conspiracy Theories," the audience is finally introduced to the glove that arguably changed the entire course of the trial. ABC News is recapping the five most significant parts of the episode for those who need to catch up.
Top 5 Highlights from "Conspiracy Theories"
1. Johnnie Cochran's "Big Moments" Strategy
Simpson's defense attorney Johnnie Cochran, played by Courtney D. Vance, continued to treat the courtroom as a stage for his theatrics, which was being consumed by not just the members of the jury, but by viewers across the country.
In the new episode, Alan Dershowitz -- who was teaching a course at Harvard while his entire class watched the trial -- faxed Cochran an alternate theory idea for the murder, and the class watched as Cochran spun Dershowitz's two-word fax into an plausible alternate theory.
Cochran's strategy proved to be a key element in the trial, and although prosecutor Marcia Clark, played by Sarah Paulson, laughed off Cochran's theatrical antics, her co-prosecutor Christopher Darden, played by Sterling K. Brown, expressed worry that Cochran's mannerisms were influencing the trial.
2. The Smoking Glove
Clark and Darden were able to verify that Brown had in fact purchased two pairs of extra-large Isotoner gloves -- the same type of glove that was found at both the crime scene and at the guest home at Simpson's estate.
The prosecution believed that this incriminating evidence would be able to prove Simpson's involvement in the murders.
3. Robert Shapiro Suggests Simpson Take a Plea Deal
The defense team was worried about the gloves being introduced into court because the evidence that the prosecution was building around the gloves was alarmingly incriminating. However, one member of the Simpson's "Dream Team" was panicking more than the others.
Robert Shapiro, played by John Travolta, expressed his concerns about the glove to Robert Kardashian, played by David Schwimmer, and suggested that Simpson might be better off taking a plea deal. Shapiro tries to convince Kardashian to get Simpson on board with a plea, and even suggests that Kardashian himself turn himself in as an accessory to the crime, which Kardashian refuses outright.
4. The Prosecutor's Relationship
Love seems to be in the air for Clark and Darden as they embark on a getaway trip to Oakland together. There are moments of romantic tension between the two prosecutors, but ultimately nothing happens between the two, leaving the audience to wonder if Clark and Darden ever actually became more than just colleagues.
5. If the Glove Doesn't Fit...
The last scene in the episode portrays the moment when things started spiraling downhill for the prosecution. Against Clark's advice, Darden insists that Simpson, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., try on the black glove in the courtroom, seemingly to create a Cochran-esque "big moment" in favor of the prosecution.
However, as the episode shows, the prosecution's plan to prove Simpson's guilt ends up backfiring when the former pro-football player can barely fit his hands into the black gloves, handing Cochran and the rest of Simpson's legal team an even stronger defense than they had previously counted on.
"The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story" airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.
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