The Practice virgin’s diary – Great guests, so-so cases, and Jimmy in a death spiral

(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.

Second was the insurance scam that Rebecca happened into when she got into a car accident. I think the sting is a bit much, but Jimmy is great in his role as a shady lawyer — The Grunt strikes again — and Ellenor starting to date the crooked chiropractor was an inspired twist. This should be interesting.

The main theme this time, of course, was Lindsay’s equity demand. The inevitable infighting begins, and we learn that Ellenor has been interviewing for jobs — let her go! Not to mention that Lindsay inadvertently admitted her prior relationship with Bobby … not that there were many not in the know at this point.

So, Bobby makes it happen: the practice is to become a partnership, with a seniority sliding scale determining equity, Eugene at the top and Rebecca (sweet, but what?) at the bottom. And no Jimmy for another year. Back to that in a minute, but first — what exactly was Bobby fighting here? I think, more than money, he was bucking at the challenge to his leadership and management, two things that he sucks at. Wake up and smell the overdue bills, pal!

I was so excited when Jimmy pouted about getting cut out, talking about how he’s earned respect (maybe disre-), and telling Bobby that he was going to quit. How joyous I was … for a few minutes. Seems like he’ll be back.

2.26 “Axe Murderer”

I never had the desire to, but boy am I glad that I never tried Ally McBeal! Calista Flockhart and Gil Bellows guested in this cross-over episode, with the extent of her lawyering being making different faces in court. Plus, I can’t believe the stupidity of the murder trial that they brought to Bobby. And then questioning what he needs to do to get the job done? Go back to whatever co-ed bathrooms you came from. Daniel Dae Kim, as a testifying police officer, saved the guest cast on this one.

However, this was one of my “Wow!” moments, when Dr. Peters (Kelly Connell) stood up in court and shot himself in the head. David E. Kelley has finally starting showing me a little bit of his Boston Legal magic, pushing the limits of what we can expect from television. I knew I was right to stick this out.

Meanwhile, Ellenor finds out that her boyfriend is the shady doc in Rebecca’s sting, and Lindsay takes it upon herself to offer Helen not only a job, but also equity, at Donnell and Associates (now a much longer name that I won’t bother to learn). The only things that Helen will bring with her is tension, and change — we don’t need either.

2.27 “Duty Bound”

Jimmy might die! I know, I’m a terrible person, but when he got shot and the doctor said it didn’t look good, I got so excited that I started to cheer for his death. Obviously, that wasn’t going to happen, but I managed to keep myself mixed up in the euphoria for most of the episode. Then he woke up — Bobby had told him that “if you could try to wake up, it would be best” — and the bubble burst. But it was nice while it lasted.

Another great guest in Christian Clemenson, but his character sucked. Jerry Espenson as a psychopathic murderer? Nah. Dann Florek, from Law & Order: SVU, played the priest who’s framed for the murder, due to the sanctity of the confessional seal. I have no interest in getting into religion; I just think that this topic has been over-played on TV. Yes, this episode aired eleven years ago, so maybe it wasn’t then, but we’ve all seen the priest who refuses to unseal the confessional, and the police/lawyers who can’t believe what he’s doing … it’s stale.

Lindsay starts a full-court press on Helen to come work with the firm, and Ellenor comes clean with her doc boyfriend about the sting operation. She likely will refuse to ever see this guy again, and she puts Rebecca and Jimmy in danger? And then defends the bum? Find her something real to do, or let her leave the show.

2.28 “Rhyme and Reason”

The opening of this episode, with the thirteen year-old shooting his mother, blew me away. And terrified me, because, can you even imagine?…

Helen and Bobby battle over how to try this kid, adult or minor, but I have to say: he committed a very adult crime. I think there’s no question here. So what if his life is over if he’s tried as an adult … isn’t his mother’s? And, do you really imagine that if he’s tried as a minor, his life wouldn’t be over anyway, after what he did?

Lindsay’s giving the office a face-lift, and faking it to land an asbestos class-action prosecution. I found it extremely distasteful that they’d pretend to be whatever, just to impress these people; if they, and their records, aren’t enough to land the case, the clients should not be reeled in by lies.

Eugene defends a murderer whose confession was attained through illegal methods. It’s a tough line to walk, defending the guilty over legal technicalities, but that’s what criminal defense attorneys do. I like that Eugene seems to believe in it, and I loved how he went off on the judicial panel when they denied his claim, even though they knew they were enforcing an illegal argument. We even got to hear why he became what he is, as he explains it to his son. But, did he really need to question what he does, yet again, in conversation with Bobby? It’s just such a tired, and lame, position for these attorneys to keep taking. If they’re really unhappy, then leave. If not, shut up about it already. It’s ruining a lot of really great plots.

With season two of The Practice drawing to a close, and the fall season about to explode onto our TVs, now’s the perfect opportunity to put a question to you: should I continue with my virgin diary now, or wait until the networks are on a break, and we could use a little relief from reruns and reality programming?

And, either way, a random question for you to ponder: why do they all address judges as “Judge?” Isn’t it “Your Honor?” Think on it….

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 17, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT