(Season 2, Episodes 17-20)
That is, she takes them on in what should have amounted to the most wildly appealed case of judicial and legal misconduct that I’ve ever seen on TV. Opposing lead counsels were sleeping together; one of Bobby’s co-counsel and Helen are best friends; Helen interceded on Jimmy’s behalf when he had his prostitution arrest; Bobby and the judge are buddies. And on the circle goes. But who cares about accuracy, so long as it makes for good drama, right?
2.17 “Burden of Proof”
The all Jimmy show. Tiny violins play for him on a regular basis, not to mention the really sad music every time he starts in on his “Guys like me” speech. You’re a loser buddy; pack it in.
Plus the complete malpractice he exhibited in representation of his clients, when he turned down a $6 million settlement offer without bringing it to them first. And then, not recommending the $8 million offer? Why was Bobby tiptoeing around his feelings? Yank him off the case, and if the clients don’t get in line, dump them mid-trial. I feel badly for them, but Jimmy’s like the moron little brother that everyone feels the need to defend. He’s an adult; make him act like one.
And, this has nothing to do with the fact that the judge overturned the jury’s verdict for his clients, and they in the end got not even a guilty verdict. Jimmy’s a child, he sucks, and he’s reckless. He needs to go.
2.18 “Ties That Bind”
Donnell and Associates is back in money trouble territory. With Lindsay rejecting drug cases, they’re top-heavy on murders and … their clients haven’t been paying their legal bills? What in God’s name does that mean? Is the concept of wage garnishment foreign to them? Upfront payment, or down-payment? Being in business? Hello!!!
Since The Practice seems to lean heavily on cliches (I’m surprised, David E. Kelley), here’s another for us to ponder: the old “I’m going to kill you” line in the midst of an argument qualifying as a verifiable threat. No, I don’t toss the line around, but I’d bet that less than 0.000000001% of people who’ve said it have killed the person they were talking to at some point in the future. Can we retire it from TV?
Rebecca’s case from eons ago is back on the front burner. So is a little secret from Lindsay and Bobby’s relationship — Lindsay likes having her elbows sucked. Right. Nice move thinking it was universal and trying it with Helen, Bobby. Now she knows you two had a thing (also because Lindsay admitted it). And now Lindsay misses Bobby?
Meanwhile, Ellenor gets a tip that the DA’s office is gunning for Bobby and the kids … foreshadowing, anyone?
2.19 “The Trial”
That would be a big check, as Helen takes on Bobby and the entire gang in a front-page murder sensation. I thought it was hilarious that Bobby was called “prolific” in murder trials; more so than the financial thing, this respectability thing has really come out of nowhere, and is still ignored when it suits the cast. Make up your minds.
Jeffrey Winslow (Chris Sarandon) brings with him the mythical $1 million retainer that Bobby told Rebecca about last episode. He also squares Bobby and Helen off, and brings Judge Hiller (Linda Hunt), Bobby’s buddy, into the mix. What does his money buy? The entire firm … we know how that worked out the last time (the capital punishment appeal).
This is the first time we’ve seen Bobby’s ego as an active force. It’s apparent when he does all the lawyering himself, but this time, he talked about how being sought out for his legal ability made him want this case. I knew it was there, but ego isn’t a pretty color on Bobby.
Rebecca’s uncle Ty (Carl Gordon) made for a funny side-show. I liked the “a pig is legal tender” argument that Eugene made, but originally he had considered once again going with his patented “United States of America” defense. Eugene’s a lot better than that.
2.20 “Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes”
I enjoyed the spectacle of this murder case, even if it should have never played out with this cast of characters. The downside was, with the entire firm active participants in this trial, the deficient elements of the show were more apparent. For starters, the courtroom legalese is written terribly. I sometimes shake my head thinking this is the same mind who brought us Boston Legal.
Second, Eugene’s the only competent trial attorney in the bunch, while Lindsay is the only one good on motions. I know people have strengths and weaknesses, and the firm does utilize their skills appropriately, but what do you do with all of the not-good attorneys? It’s not that they’re “not quite” as good, it’s that you need to leave “quite as” out of the sentence. Also, Bobby? Stop yelling at your clients. Now.
I also don’t so much like being told that things are a certain way, and that we just have to accept them. Jimmy’s paying the victim’s ex to be in the courtroom was strategy; the fact that the judge even dared to question Bobby on it, let alone yell at him, is absurd. Crossing the line? Um … was it legal? Yes. That’s it.
Distasteful, too, was Ellenor telling Karen Winslow (Jacqueline Hahn) that she “had to” pretend that her marriage was fine for the sake of the trial. Yes, it would help her husband, but she “[has] to”? Because it’s written where? Because she signed what document? Because what will happen to her when she doesn’t?
Of course, Bobby lost, his client is going away forever, and the wife actually killed her (great ending; I was sure Helen would lose, get fired, turn into an alcoholic, and then come work for Donnell and Associates). But that doesn’t mean she should have been required to pretend anything!
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Sep 03, 2009 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
