Alan takes a case to the Supreme Court when a mentally impaired man faces execution.
I caught just the last half and I wasn’t happy. What Alan did in front of the Supreme Court was just too far out there. When he forgot all about the actual case and started ranting about politics, I was sure it was going to be a dream sequence. If he had woken up in the hotel and said “Denny, you wouldn’t believe what I did!”, that would have been better, and the writers would still get their digs in. It was redeemed somewhat when Larroquette started to chastise him for it, but when he ended up calling him a hero, I’m just groaning.
Good job though, casting actors who looked like the judges.
My reaction was like yours, AuntiePam, and I can’t decide to give a shit if Espenson ever has a normal love life. The tics have worn thin by now and running another disappointing “lover” in to fill time between Alan and Denny scenes just seems wasteful. I’d almost rather they brought back Pretty Boy or The Midget.
When it’s hot, it’s hot; and when it’s not, it’s not.
Last night: not.
Yep, it’s almost patronizing, what they’re doing with Jerry. Same with Shirley.
And Katie – who wrote her dialogue? I thought for a minute I was watching Deadwood.
I don’t know. I laughed at how many jabs the writers could make at the SCOTUS in such a short period.
“Justice Thomas, put the magazine down.”
One of my favorite things on NPR is listening to Nina Totenberg’s (sp?) Supreme Court reporting. I was looking forward to some sharp legal analysis (even though I probably wouldn’t understand it) – Alan being well-prepared and blowing the opposition out of the water. So while the jabs were pointed and Alan delivered them well, they weren’t what I wanted.
He actually delivered them really well. It looked like he was losing control of himself – great performance.
And he got Clarence Thomas to speak!
two questions:
If you filter out the MESSAGE from Alan’s arugument, did he actually make a case for the death penalty to be overturned?
What do the creaters have against Louisiana? this is the 2nd or 3rd episode poking at La.
Maybe their etouffe was burned? Or they lost money investing in FEMA trailers?
I thought so, but I’ve never been in favor of it anyway. I think he made a good point with the inconsistency/arbitrariness argument. Why execute this guy but not that one? The crime was the same, they just committed it in different states.
Also the possibility of executing an innocent person – that should be enough.
While I agree that Alan’s antics before the SCOTUS were “out there”, even for him, I still found it entertaining. Remember, this show doesn’t even try to portray the realities of trial law; its focus is more on entertaining the viewers with good, offbeat storylines. And on that score, it succeeds (at least for me) week after week.
I don’t think the relationship between Jerry and Dana is over by a longshot. Either he’s going to realize that she really does love him, or she’s going to quit her call-girl gig, or something, but there will be a resolution soon.
I have a question for regular viewers. I don’t think a final decision has been made regarding BL’s renewal for next season. Has anyone else noticed a lot of foreshadowing for the possibility that it will be canceled?
Denny has been getting worse with his “mad cow”. He’s also seen his possible future in the person of Shirley’s dad’s death.
Shirley made a comment last week about the probability of having to fire Alan one day for all his nonsense. His actions before the SCOTUS may provide the impetus for that.
Saffron Burrows’ character revealed that she still runs an escort service, which could cause serious repercussions for the firm.
Shirley’s father’s death may get her to thinking about retiring so she can enjoy life in the time she has left. With the possible departure on two of the “name partners”, could it be the end of Crane, Poole and Schmidt?
Of course, if the show is renewed, all this could be resolved or put on the back burner till next season, which would probably be its last.
Any thoughts?
You could be right. They seem to be pointing us towards specific possibilities for the characters and for the show as a whole.
I didn’t care about Jerry and his lover that much.
Alan did go off on quite a few tangents, but then, he usually does.
Are we ever going to find out the results of this Supreme Court case?
Couldn’t Denny have been cited for contempt of court for pooting?
In reply to your basic question,
I have spotted those same signs. In fact the whole end of the episode with all the “we’re moving to Wednesdays” stuff sounded like a desperate last gasp to save the show.
I hope it stays. I love it, too, in spite of feeling a bit put out with the SCOTUS jabs. But the zingers those guys get in every week are worth all the weird characters and trumped up love affairs and office diddlings. The balcony bits at the end also keep me coming back.
I just get the feeling that the places to take the show (characters, cases, etc.) may be wearing thin and maybe ABC thinks they can get something better in that slot. I doubt that! For my money, BL is all ABC has.
Re: hints of next season
[On the balcony]
Alan: Where to next?
Denny: I’ll think of someplace…'cause we’re not done, Alan.
Alan: No we’re not. <clink glasses> Not even close.
IMHO still the most entertaining show on TV.
When Jerry said (last week) “I met someone during the strike.” I almost fell off my chair.
For me David Kelley always brings his shows to a point where he just ruins it for me. It is like he feels he needs to scuttle the ship before it runs aground. This episode may have been the beginning of the end for me. I had to walk out of the room when he started ranting. It was out of character even for Alan. He was fighting for someones life, not trying to make a political point. Ridiculous.
In keeping with the tone of the show, my take on this is the writers view Louisiana as a symbol of “bureaucratic incompetence” (read: Katrina) and so they keep referencing that state.
I will be sad if this is BL’s last season because I do not think it is the best one. Shows like this seem to be a dying breed…think of another hour-long drama/comedy in the lineups this year. I can’t think of one!! Lots of dramas, but none with the mix of funny/serious like BL does so well.
I loved the bit at the end with Denny and Alan: We are not finished, not by a long shot!
The presentation by Alan before SCOTUS was fun, but I can’t believe no one has mentioned how disgusting Katie and Madame Whatshername were towards Jerry. Purposely destroying his relationship like that made me sick. The appropriate thing to do would be to go to his girlfriend privately and let her know she needs to take action or they would.
Near the end Katie tries to tell Jerry to be more open-minded, but how open-minded was she when she went to him with the news like the girl was a serial killer?
Good point, Flex727. Really, Jerry should be more upset at the nosy busybodies than he is at his squeeze. I can see where they were coming from not wanting Jerry to get hurt, etc, but you are right, they should have gone to Dana first.
Another funny moment from the show: Denny hugging the La. atty right before they left the SCOTUS parking garage and squeezing her rear!!! He is too much!
The fact that they write that stuff and that Shatner pulls it off is what keeps the show clicking for me. Did anybody else think “Priceline” when Denny was doing his singing bit?
And I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the sound effects in the SCOTUS scene were real Shatner contributions and not canned ones.
Nice to know Shatner hasn’t lost that singing voice.