(Season 2, Episodes 1-4)
Lots of big cases, and lots of questionable ethical, and legal, maneuvering. I’m amazed that Bobby (Dylan McDermott) hasn’t gotten his ticket pulled yet, or at least been suspended. His firm seems bent on breaking the law, a pretty broad step away from the traditional bending that most law firms on TV practice. I’m told that Alan Shore (James Spader) comes in and does the dirty, but, honestly, I can’t imagine how much worse he can do than what these people execute on a daily basis. I guess I’ll just have to be proven wrong in the seasons to come.
2.01 “Reasonable Doubts”
Word comes down from on high that the first six episodes of season two were really part of season one. Well, I’d imagine the only thing that pushing them to season two did was make McDermott’s tax liability marginally higher in 1998.
Kim Raver guests as a black widow of sorts who Bobby represents, and falls for. Were we not meant to completely see through her act from the beginning? I guess maybe that underlined just how blinded Bobby had become…. Even so, opposing council failed to make much more argument than a ton of conjecture. Sure, Vicki (Raver) was guilty as sin, but no one managed to prove it.
Meanwhile, Bobby continues to be a mostly unlikable character. He’s inexplicably sanctimonious, and I can’t believe just how brashly he uses and abuses people, his colleagues chiefly. Are we meant to have some feeling or emotion for him? Not that it would matter; he employs enough of it, inappropriately, in court, on a regular basis.
The whole office-as-a-peanut-gallery thing was really weird, with the writers using office gossip as a technique to feed the audience information. And, speaking of the office, what exactly does Jimmy (Michael Badalucco) add to the firm, and the show? I’m getting nothing enjoyable from him. In fact, he seriously needs to sit down and shut up.
2.02 “Betrayal”
John Larroquette alert! It’s fun to see some of these actors that were eventually to populate the halls of Boston Legal. Of course, he does a much better job as a lawyer than as a sociopath (see The West Wing, too), but what can you do?
The fact that Ellenor (Camryn Manheim) and Eugene (Steve Harris) called Bobby in for help really underscores how he’s the only competent attorney in the firm. I like some of them, but for the sake of the work, I think a massive employee overhaul is called for.
What’s with the constant imploring of clients to plead guilty when they’re innocent? Jimmy’s a moron, and a bad character for the show, but why in God’s name should he have copped to the solicitation plea when he did nothing illegal? How about trying to be lawyers every once in a while?
Although, when they try that they often fail; Eugene’s still playing the thug, and the fact that Bobby et al didn’t get the total manipulation by Larroquette was embarrassing. The first time he started crafting a tale (and pulled the knife out of that guy’s chest) I knew he was just having some fun. Where was everyone on that one? Bobby’s a dope. And a drama queen, but that’s beside the point.
2.03 “The Blessing”
It was clear from the start that something was up with Helen Gamble (Lara Flynn Boyle); she’s generally at Bobby’s beck-and-call, so her fighting him on the euthanasia case was a sign that it meant more to her than the win. Sure enough, she should have recused herself, for conflict of interest, as should have Bobby. Their case should have been declared a mistrial after their closing arguments.
Judge Pratt (Edward Asner) is awesome, and I sincerely hope he’s around for a long time to come. I love how little patience he has for lawyers, and yet his actions are grounded in the law, unlike some of his prickly brethren on Boston Legal. Tiny bladder.
Bobby did raise a question, though, that I think goes to the heart of who he is as an attorney: he said that the doctor had shown “kindness” by euthanizing that woman … is that a legal argument? Euthanasia is illegal; guilty of murder. Next! Does the law ever factor in for Bobby?
Or for Eugene and Lindsay (Kelli Williams)? The “United States of America” defense is preposterous, and should have them all thrown in jail for contempt of court, for failing to stick to the law in a legal proceeding. Yes, I’m being extreme, but come on … a little legal argument, please!
One thing I noticed that I’m wondering about: how do the attorneys keep doubling up on cases? With such a small firm, and such a heavy caseload, how do they manage to keep hopping onto new ones? Weird.
2.04 “Dog Bite”
It was a Jimmy specialty; not law so much as an opportunity to display his heart, which I agree he has in spades. But, what does that matter?
Uh oh; Ellenor and Lindsay played naughty. Sure, Ellenor was right to call Bobby on his double standards, but she was way wrong on this one, too. I’m sure it gets fixed in the long run, but here she potentially took down someone with a little talent, with her. Before, I thought she had a zero legal IQ, and zero social skills … now we’re playing in the deep negatives on both. And, what? Their ethical responsibility miraculously pops up after-the-fact?
No ethics as far as Eugene’s concerned; another case, another cry of racism, and another wager. Can’t he do something other than scream racism, and bully people? We also keep hearing the “getting stuck with the truth,” and “suborning perjury” lines, over and over again. There’s something wrong if clients keep saying they lied to you because you lectured them on how you have an ethical obligation to act if you hear an admission of guilt. How about just let things play out, and then see how they go? This way, you’re guaranteeing a lying, perjuring client.
In the end, Bobby let everyone know that the firm isn’t all shady law, it’s really about what Jimmy did: reduce the firm’s potential fee to make sure that a little girl gets her smile back. But, how about actions speaking louder than words? Prove it, and then we’ll talk.
Some recurring background things going on: dramatic music playing at, well, dramatic moments (really poorly), and a hushed whisper in every courtroom each time there’s a break in the main proceedings. Where’d they get that crappy idea, and who the hell is whispering so much back there?
Cool seeing Lewis from Revenge of the Nerds (Robert Carradine) again, though.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Aug 06, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
John Larroquette doesn’t play the same character on Boston Legal, I don’t know why. He was a sociopath lawyer on West Wing. :-D Ellenor is the reason I watched the show, she is awesome.
*POST AUTHOR*
Ellenor? Really? Does she get better, or is what I dislike what you like about her?