The Practice virgin’s diary – Anderson Pearson, snooty professor at law, goes to trial for murder

by Aryeh S.

the practice 3.4 the defenders

(Season 3, Episodes 1-4)

Thanks to everyone who voted, and who shared their opinions last time; your voices have been heard. I think I’m going to try continuing this on a weekly basis, but I will see how my new TV load holds up; presumably, if I begin to crumble under the weight, you are too, in which case I’ll likely go the twice-monthly route.

3.1 “Passing Go”

Weird season premiere, this one. I think the show is still floundering a little bit at trying to get everyone involved in every episode. With this number of characters, they have too few to give some a week off, but too many to shoehorn them all in, so some have to double up. This week saw Bobby getting hit by a car, the hitter being a client of Ellenor’s. Neither one of them was really playing much of a role on a weak story. And what was up with Ellenor’s attitude and demeanor?

Eugene battled Helen in court, defending one of two young men accused of rape and murder. The question of who to deal with was an interesting one, but I think the story was a little too muddied for me to figure out whether Helen really did get that one wrong.

What happened to the kid who shot his mother in last season’s finale? I figured it was a no-brainer that it would be the central trial in the first few episodes of this season. The Practice seems to be more about the emotion of a trial than the drama of the courtroom, at times. Even the courtroom scenes sometimes ignore the law for the heart; Eugene’s and Bobby’s righteousness can often overlook the plight of the victims themselves.

I really liked Charles Durning as Bobby’s father. Great casting there; I wish we’d see more of him. And look at Rebecca, passing the bar after attending law school at night! Only Jimmy would say, “You passed first try.” Good for her, and good luck to her on her stolen bike case — she’s gonna need it with Jimmy supervising.

3.2 “Reasons to Believe”

I didn’t so much get this, other than the fact that it was inevitable; why in the world would Anderson Pearson (Edward Herrmann) hire Bobby to defend him in a murder case, and why would Bobby accept? This guy’s been bad-mouthing the firm since we’ve first seen him … a little self-respect, no? On both sides.

I hope this trial sees Pearson get his comeuppance, because I really don’t like how he treats Lindsay, or how she gets around him. And, Lindsay, I think it’s okay to stop calling him “professor” as he’s being led to a police cruiser in handcuffs.

With Rebecca’s move to attorney, the office manager/secretary role is filled by Lucy (Marla Sokoloff). And it looks like she’s here to stay. It will be hard to find something positive to say, so for now I’ll skip it.

Is it not a total conflict of interest for everyone in Bobby’s firm and the district attorney’s office for Helen and Lindsay to now be living together? Sure, it’ll be easier for Bobby to go from one bedroom to the other, but for everyone else?

The kid eyewitness case was really terrible, from every angle. The little boy having to take the stand would have been traumatizing; the guy having his rights violated to spare the kid was equally wrong. Nevertheless, Helen resting and letting the murder walk free? Is she sure she wants to be an attorney?

And I can’t believe that Rebecca won her stolen bike case; just totally farfetched. She needs to take a deep breath and calm down a bit, though, even with the win. She’ll be awesome … just take it slow.

3.3 “Body Count”

The Pearson case prepares for trial. Why did the writers decide that, in no other aspect but this one, Lindsay should be weak? For her, the trial is a “chance to ratify what we are” as a firm. She still has to prove something to this disgusting person? Lindsay’s one of my favorites, but this side of her is ugly.

George Vogelman (Michael Monks) returned with a head in a bag. I know he’s scared and angry, but yelling at Ellenor is probably not the smartest of moves. Then again, Ellenor played the old “when I put on a serious voice and yell, the client will tell me the truth.” Sure, it’s a real breakthrough in legal skills, but maybe it’s not for every situation. Or any.

There is a flip-side to trying to shoehorn everyone in: when there’s something to occupy multiple people’s time (Pearson), it also occupies a lot of the episode. So we get a doozy like Rebecca and Jimmy defending a guy being accused of thinking about attempting to attempt murder. Next!

3.4 “The Defenders”

I really think Lindsay ought to be sued for malpractice following her conduct on the Pearson trial. She wasn’t being his lawyer, she was being the student looking to impress her professor. Is Bobby blind to this, or just choosing to turn a blind eye?

I notice that the firm views an awful lot of porn in their office. They’re not a vice squad; what the hell? Speaking of, that George is not only crazy, but he’s also a bit of pervert. Definitely forgot to mention that on his online dating profile.

There are a tremendous amount of inappropriately close relationships on this show. Was it like that on Boston Legal? I think only for Alan, and his many sexual partners.

Glad Pearson got the guilty verdict. Will this wake Lindsay up to the fact that he’s not a saint, or forever haunt her for having let him down and sending him to jail? Stay tuned.