It wasn’t that long ago that our fearless leader pointed out that, should one cast a Cylon in something, it would be wise to use him.  It’s a maxim that has existed for millennium. Okay, more like a couple of months, but the idea has been around forever. Hell, just take a look at every piece of stunt casting the Law & Order franchises have done over the years, and you’ll get what I mean.

So, when Christian Clemenson showed up as Lisbon’s therapist this season, you had to know something was up. Was he going to be a recurring character, there to help out several members of the team like Adam Arkin (The West Wing) and Amy Madigan (Grey’s Anatomy) before him? Or was he going to turn out to be a creep like some of the roles he’s been known for in the past? Last night we found out.

Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 2, Episodes 25-28)

Not surprising that Donnell and Associates is beginning to take on a new look. I’m actually surprised that it took this long for the little cash and respect that they’ve earned to begin to transform the place. Did I expect it would involve reorganization? No — I just thought that they might move offices, or at least make theirs look more presentable. Will the new order change things at the down and dirty criminal defense firm? Only time, and speculation, will tell.

2.25 “Food Chains”

Let’s away with Ellenor first: her chimp case was another one of these ridiculous romps to get someone a bit of screen time, but I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t moved by just how much the ape reminded me of a child. I would never argue that you could have the same connection, or that apes and humans are on level playing-fields, but there is enough there for an emotional tug. Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 5, Episodes 12/13 – “Made in China/Last Call” – Series Finale)

A day late maybe, but not a dollar short if Denny Crane has anything to say about it. We could just get married. The gang pulled out almost all the stops on this final run through Crane, Poole & Schmidt. With two episodes back-to-back we got not one, not two, but three balcony scenes (though the third one was a bit of a special occasion).

We did get resolution on the financial problems at the firm, the Sack-Schmidt union and the return visit to the Supreme Court. On a character front, I’m pretty well satisfied with how things are left, but I can’t say the same for the firm. I understand that David E. Kelley likes to get his pot-shots in and he likes to shoot big with his targets, and I don’t fault him the target at all. Still, I can’t say as I enjoyed how things turned out for the firm. And poor Shirley.

Read the rest of this entry »

(Season 5, Episode 11 – “Juiced”)

It’s all coming to an end so quickly. Why couldn’t ABC have just given us a full season of Boston Legal this season instead of this truncated half-season? Did I really just use the word “season” three times in one sentence? I want a season six! There, said it again.

In one respect, it looks like David E. Kelley is looking to have some fun as he goes out, with Carl enabling Catherine Piper’s craziness by taking a case against the television networks to court for … wait for it … not programming for people over 50. Why, the only show on television brave enough to have stars over 50 is Bo– Well, that would break the fourth wall, wouldn’t it Carl?

Fun stuff indeed, as well as raising a lot of valid points. Why isn’t television that skews older allowed to thrive on television? They do have more money than those of us under 50. They certainly have more money than I do (he said while scraping remnants from the bottom of a can of potato soup). Kelley balanced his direct attack against ABC with the somber revelation that Denny’s Alzheimer’s is no longer something that is coming, but is in fact here. Now.

Read the rest of this entry »

ABC

(Season 5, Episode 8)

Alan Shore got to speechify in a case on abortion. He probably got an erection as soon as the case was offered to him. It also featured the welcome return of Ming-Na to television, playing the role of the mother of Alan’s client. Meanwhile, Jerry went apeshit crazy at a “Starbucks” type of establishment, leading into one of those integrated intro segments with Jerry singing and dancing to the opening music.

All in all, this episode was a great mix of fun and serious and a perfect example of why Boston Legal remains one of the sharpest and most relevant shows on television. I don’t even care that the median age of its small cast is 97 years old. I’ve chosen that picture because once again Carl Sack wasn’t given really anything to do and I think that’s how he would feel about it. This is an Emmy-winning actor. Give him a damn role!

Read the rest of this entry »

ABC

(Season 5, Episode 7)

Can I just come out and say that I have absolutely fallen in love with the friendship that’s developed between Katie Lloyd and Jerry Espensen on this show the past two seasons. There’s a reason Christian Clemenson was offered a full-time position on Boston Legal after awhile in a “featured player” role. He plays the role of Jerry with such a passion and sincerity that you fully believe his every tic and mannerism.

And since Katie has moved into his office, they’ve become one of the sweetest pairings on television. While I’m not sure they could carry a show on their own, they are a wonderful addition to the general insanity of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. And so tonight, they each got to sit in front of the executive committee and discuss whether Jerry should be offered full partnership in the Firm, and each was just beautiful with their words.

Read the rest of this entry »

ABC

(Season 5, Episode 6)

The formula was certainly shaken up this week to accommodate Denny’s and Alan’s trip to a dude ranch. I have to think this was done in large part due to William Shatner’s love of horses. After all, it’s the last season of the show and why not have some fun. It was fun seeing Melvin Palmer at the dude ranch. He’s someone who’s always driven me crazy, that’s what he is. Every time he’d appear opposite Alan and call him a hoot. I’d never realized that Denny hadn’t met him ever before tonight.

The small cast continued to be a bit jarring at times. Particularly with Denny and Alan out of the office, it only left Katie, Jerry, Carl and Shirley, and then when Shirley got called to trial to help out Catherine Piper (Betty White) again, we got a somewhat odd and forced little discussion on “the little kid inside.” I really wish they’d fleshed the cast out a bit again this year, like they’ve done in every previous year, so we could get a more natural flow between the characters.

Read the rest of this entry »