The Practice virgin’s diary – Jimmy the Grunt, defender of the law

(Season 7, Episodes 1-2)

I realize it’s only temporary, but it is so sweet to start a new season with Lindsay in jail and effectively not around. And while that’s the most obvious difference right now, subtle changes in the show’s focus are becoming clear. Jimmy, Ellenor, and Rebecca look to be taking the primary roles that Eugene, Lindsay, and Bobby once occupied (is that the two groups that stay and go in season eight?). Unfortunately that leaves a bunch of miserable and/or inexperienced lawyers at the helm, but I guess criminals get what they deserve.

7.1 “Privilege”

Lindsay’s absence really makes the show that much more enjoyable. And even her scenes were great, as the prospect of her going to jail for a long time (yay life!), and the sight of her in prison were fantastic. I imagine I had a very different reaction than most viewers, but what can you do?

It was bordering on offensive that the firm asked the sentencing judge to reduce the charge to voluntary manslaughter. The audacity that Donnell and Associates has to assume that they’re special … like Bobby asking Helen not to pursue justice immediately in the kidnapping case she had against Jimmy’s client? That’s gross.

That case, by the way, was fascinating. A woman comes to an attorney confessing to kidnapping her daughter sixteen years earlier, wanting to help the girl’s mother and the suspected kidnapper without paying for her sins at all. The legal side of such an overwhelmingly emotional subject is fascinating. How funny was it when Jimmy said, “You know I’m not going to tell” when asked to reveal who his client was? Jimmy, the attorney who almost lost his bar card for violating a client’s privilege. That was hilarious.

I wasn’t expecting a new face, although it makes sense given Lindsay’s predicament (as well as the lack of cast turnover seven years in). Jamie Stringer (Jessica Capshaw) is still a question mark in my book, but now I know why people were already familiar with Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy.

Lindsay and her scenes with her son would have been touching had this not been essentially the first and only time that we’d seen her in her capacity as a mother. It came off looking like the type of thing you want juries to see, and it stunk.

7.2 “Convictions”

I was surprised to see that Helen was still allowed in the interrogation room after her checkered past lying to suspects. But there she was again, getting a confession out of the innocent woman suspected of the kidnapping from the previous episode.

Jimmy impressed me, sounding halfway competent throughout most of his legal arguments. Of course he was full of it half the time, since it was his guilt that drove him to defend Bernice White (Cristine Rose), but still … not bad.

Helen should be punished for prosecutorial misconduct, not told to stand in the time-out corner in court. What was wrong with Judge Kittleson? And do I smell renewed romance between her and Jimmy?

Even before they had the conversation, it was clear that Rebecca should have been arguing inadequate counsel in Lindsay’s appeal. I said at the time that Ellenor was the wrong choice to lead Lindsay’s defense, so it didn’t surprise me in the least that Bobby and Eugene thought to go with ineffective assistance.

I was disappointed, however, that it wasn’t even necessary to go there, and the appeals court ordered a new trial based on fifth and sixth Amendment violations. I can only hope that this mistake will cause Walsh his job, because if he can’t keep Lindsay in jail for murdering a man in cold blood….

Jamie overstepping and going to talk to Melissa Halpern (Mary Page Keller) was like early Lindsay all over again. Is the “Lindsay” role really such a crucial one on this show that we’ll need two once Lindsay is inevitably released and she mistakenly returns to practice law?

Because I’m good with none.

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jun 17, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT