The Practice virgin’s diary – Oh, God!

(Season 7, Episodes 4-5)

I’m not an expert on religion … I’ll be honest that beyond knowing that The Church of Christ, Scientist exists, I know little about the faith (I mean this with no disrespect — Isn’t it misleading to use the word “scientist” in connection with a religion that doesn’t believe in the realness of sickness,  and therefore refuses scientific research known as modern medicine?). But what I do know is that it is a recognized and respected Church. So what in the world was that trial about?

7.4 “The Cradle Will Rock”

Parents charged with murder for practicing their faith by not taking their son to a doctor when he was sick, instead turning to prayer for help … we may not comprehend it, but that’s what freedom of religion is all about in this country. Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in blood transfusions; I understand not grasping the principle behind that, but it is what it is. Would Rebecca’s mother have been tried for murder all those seasons ago had she died?

I was really impressed with the speech that the accused father made on the stand. It was an interesting perspective on the evolution of medicine, and why the nature of science only goes to support the idea of the stability of God. Liberal heathens like David Kelley usually fail when trying to write that sort of thing, so I salute him for a job well done.

But a guilty verdict for both parents? It might be accurate, but wouldn’t that be the real crime?

In a related incident, Walsh went up against Ellenor in an attempt to have the mother’s unborn fetus protected by the state. Whatever your political and/or religious beliefs, the main issue was how out-of-control Walsh has become. Calling Jamie a sperm magnet, and insulting Ellenor’s looks? The man needs to retire. I see serial killer or suicide in his future.

And what’s up with the convict? Sitting by herself in a neighboring office, deciding to open up her own “Attorney at Law, Mother” practice … how does she still have a bar card?

7.5 “Neighboring Species”

It looks like David Kelley had a message to send to the religious right this season. After the accused Christian Scientist father referred to the research last time, this episode had the case of a stem cell lab being closed by a city’s rezoning. The case ignited Jimmy’s Catholicism, and Eugene’s legal best. Closing arguments were fantastic, as Matthew Davies (Zeljko Ivanek as his third different character on the show) discussed God and morality, and Eugene went with democracy. Both the legal research, the writing, and the acting on this show are generally something to be admired.

It’s the firm’s win/loss ratio that stinks. There’s no reason for Donnell and Associates to have won this one, save for Kelley looking to send a message, and that just sucks. You want to call Aaron Sorkin preachy? Try this guy.

The convict defended a woman who was singing “One Moment in Time” too loudly for her neighbor (Friends, anyone? Who can forget, “Morning’s here….”). The prosecution had no case, so the entire thing was a waste of time, but the convict’s closing was one of her more bumbling, aimless speeches, and was a further sign that she shouldn’t be practicing law. Opposing council was played by Phil Abrams … the man’s been in everything, yet I can’t place him.

Funniest thing about the episode was Bobby, dragging out his Catholicism like Tony Soprano used to. It was hilarious when he said “I’m Catholic” to Eugene!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jul 01, 2010 @ 14:00 EST5EDT