(S03E07) You're not getting in this dress. -- Alan Shore, dressed like one of the Lennon sisters, to Denny Crane, also dressed like a Lennon sister. Don't ask.
After last week's intense, and somewhat oogy, episode of Boston Legal, we get a palette cleanser of sorts this week as some storylines are closed and others are opened. It was also an extremely subdued episode. Even bombastic characters like Alan Shore and Denny Crane were unusually quiet this time around. It was so calm that I almost fell asleep halfway through the episode. Oh, that wasn't because the show was boring. It was more a result of traipsing out with the kiddies for a marathon trick-or-treating session.
Let's move along now, shall we?
Well, they certainly closed up the Denise Bauer/Daniel Post relationship pretty quickly with Daniel dying off camera. Even though this is a trick that has been used many a time in other shows, it worked here because it gave us a chance to see a bit more of Julie Bowen. Like co-star Mark Valley, Julie has been under-utilized this season. I wish the producers would give us more episodes with Bowen and Valley, and less with Alan or Denny. Sure, we'd miss their antics for at least one episode, but it would give the others a chance to shine.
Lincoln Meyer is back this episode to sue Jeffery Coho, as well as the firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, for the way he was treated in and out of court. That guy is creepy with a capital 'C'. It's not only his voice, but his face as well. David Dean Bottrell does a very nice job of showing how deeply disturbed Lincoln is. On the outside you see someone who is trying to be nice to everyone, but inside he's quite the murdering bastard. And, he does murder someone at the end of the episode. So, it looks like his story will continue on BL.
Jerry Espenson returns, this time charged with perjury in a federal death penalty case. It seems he said he was in favor of the death penalty during jury selection, but told a reporter afterwards that he was against it. Alan, with one of his best closing statements this season, gets Jerry acquitted. Personally, I'm getting a bit tired of Jerry and all of his quirks. I think it's time that they give his character a break (although it seems he'll be on again in the next episode).
Oh, here's the Denny Crane moment of the week. Bethany wants Denny to meet his mother, who is played this episode by a slimmed down Delta Burke. It turns out Denny and Bethany's mom were engaged, and that the diminutive lawyer may be Denny's daughter. I like this little plotline going on between Denny and Bethany. It's actually showing another side of Crane that we normally don't see with anyone except Alan. Oh, by the way, the running joke of Denny not knowing Bethany was listening to a conversation came up again. I knew when it was going to happen, and it was still funny when it did.
All right. No new Boston Legal until the end of November. It's Election 2006 coverage next week, and then Show Me the Money, the William Shatner hosted game show, the next week.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-01-2006 @ 8:33AM
corbett said...
The Denny not seeing Bethany thing cracks me up every single time. Love the look on Shatner's face, as if its the first time its happened.
And you're right about Jerry Espenson. He seems to be around more and more, and what bothered me about this episode was how exaggerated his quirks became. With the hopping and that noise he makes, he went from being a character to a caricature.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 12:26PM
CastingGod said...
I'm on the same page as everyone else, The Jerry thing is getting older by the minute.
Lincolm Meyer is also getting boring. If, they want to bring back people what about Betty White. She has such great timing with everyone. I almost didn't reconize Stuart Pankin( The now dead judge), he slimmed down so much.Well, I guess we will have to wait till after all that election crap to find out about Denny and Bethany.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 11:06AM
Akbar Fazil said...
I agree that we have had too much Jerry this season.
Slimmed down Delta Burke? Maybe, but when she first appeared on screen I yelled out "BOTOX!"
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 11:33AM
Christian H. said...
Man, I had tears in my eyes from laughing when I saw James Spader and William Shatner in that costumes! They look so ridiculous! :) And Denny checking out Alan at the end of the episode? Priceless...
On a different subject: I was somewhat confused by the Daniel Post storyline... It seemed rather absurd even for Boston Legal. I was dead sure that this whole story was nothing but a hoax and that at the end they would find the head and it would say "Hi, found me!" because Daniel was alive and sitting in a box or something and was just messing around with everyone (and had paid all the other persons the set his joke up)...
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 5:55PM
Harish said...
I agree that Jerry Espenson is on the show way too often. He is a good character for one or two episodes a season, but his antics run dry fast. I was actually disappointed that he wasn't convicted this episode - I was hoping for eighteen months, or three years Espinson-free. Btw, what's with the cringe worthy moments this season? First was the episode last week with Mom and Son kissing, then this week learning that Denny Crane's been making out (maybe more?) with his own daughter? It was still funny, and should breed some interesting storylines, but cringeworthy nonetheless. The Daniel Post storyline was cool, and I'm curious as to where this is going to lead in following episodes. Any ideas?
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 12:19PM
R-Bro said...
Sigh... to me this show has become repetitive, predictable and boring this season. And if I see that idiotic, overplayed Jerry character one more time, I'm done.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 12:28PM
BigT said...
For a long time, I have been one of Boston Legal's big fans, but for goodness sake, they need to lose one once in a while. The Jerry thing was a loser. He did the crime, he needs to do the time. It's getting so that people who know Alan, like the Betty White character before, see knowing Alan as a "get out of jail free" card.
That being said, I'll miss my weekly dose of Shatner between now and the end of the month. I think his Denny Crane role is one on the greatest Hollywood reinventions I have ever witnessed.
And yes... the Bethany thing works on me every time also. Especially last week, when Denny said "I'm am NOT going to look down!"
Reply
11-06-2006 @ 2:26PM
David said...
They made the joke that they never lose a few weeks ago, it's priceless. The show is really just making fun of L&O because they have never lost, ever.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 3:40PM
Charles said...
Agreed about Jerry. It makes me nervous to watch him. The Lincoln character is fun, but seriously disturbed. I guess they are trying to recreate a Leslie Jordanesque character.
I also think the funniest line of the show was when Denny looked down at Bethany and said, "Whose your daddy?" I cracked up.
Can't wait for the new shows at month end.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 5:37PM
Jim said...
So what did Julie and Shirley see at the haunted house that made them scream like a couple of banshees? I missed what Shirley said just before they went to examine the head.
Reply
11-03-2006 @ 5:28PM
Bobby said...
David E. Kelly seems to go overboard with the quirky characters (Jerry). I too miss Betty White. She was a great foil for Alan. That Denny/Bethany bit never gets old.
Reply
11-02-2006 @ 10:22AM
Erik said...
David - As an avid L&O watcher I can say that I've seen them lose plenty of times. Yes, they win more then they lose, but they do lose.
Reply
11-03-2006 @ 9:07AM
imdennycrane said...
They lose on L&O alot...I'm not sure which show you're referring to: BL or L&O.
Bethany Crane...pls make her a regular. I just like her style. Plus we'll always get a "do you think Bethany knows?" moment!
Lincoln as a killer could get interesting. He's such a unlikable character - you knew the judge was cooked once he told Lincon he was disturbed.
Reply
11-04-2006 @ 11:55PM
David said...
I think with Alan's secretary gonig to the dark side that Betty White should come back and do that job again.
Reply