TVSquad

How wonderful it is that tvsquad is reviewing Boston Legal again. I was very sad when Richard decided to drop it. I haven't seen this episode yet, just wanted to share my elation at a review being back.

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I thought that this was one of the best episodes of the third season, which has been progressivly weaker than the second. I hope more episodes go this way. I have to disagree about the Claire issue. I think she is one of the best additions to the show in a long time, aside from Coho, who is already, and saddly, gone. I am to the point where I find Denny's "antics" more stupid and annoying than anything, and I want to see less and less of him. And I am at the point that if they continue to do as much as they are with Denise Bauer I would almost consider not watching the show. They have made her into an insidious character that I can't stand to see at all. That is one of the largest reasons that this was one of the best episodes in a long time, us not having to deal with her boring whiney crap.

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As usual, Boston Legal was great, but I still think this cast is way too large. Talented actors like Zimmer, Bowen, Auberjonois, and Valley are wasted. For the first time, however, I was annoyed at a political statment made by the show. Bethany informs Denny that you are never, never, never allowed to criticize Israel because to do so is anti-Semitism?! Alan tells Denny that Jews debate Israeli politics among themselves, but Gentiles aren't supposed to?! Well, this Israel supporter and Gentile with more than a little bit of Jewish blood running through his veins thinks that's a load of BS! First of all it belittles the word anti-Semite to equate criticism of Israel with hatred of the Jewish state and all Jews. It belittles the millions of people who died in Hitler's ovens. It belittles the thousands of Jews who lost their lives in the Warsaw Ghettos. It belittles the millions of Jews throughout history who lost their lives and/or saw their livelihoods ruined due to European pogroms. It is one thing to criticize Israeli political decisions because you don't believe the state of Israel should even exist, that's anti-Semitism; it's another to intellectually discuss the pros and cons of Israeli politics, which can sometimes be very self-destructive. Just because Israel is surrounded by enemies doesn't mean she's exempt from making mistakes or having someone call her on those mistakes. To say otherwise is un-democratic and, damn it, un-American. It's like saying I can't discuss racism because I'm not a minority. It's like saying I can discuss women's issues because I have a penis. That kind of thinking is just backwards and unproductive to both Jews and Israel. OK, I'm off my soapbox now. Still love the show; hope ABC doesn't cancel it.

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Jimmy, while I agree with you, coming from a family where Bethany's statement is basically gospel, I was glad that they addressed the issue, and I'd like to see more shows tackle it. Brothers and Sisters would be a great venue for that discussion.

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"It is one thing to criticize Israeli political decisions because you don't believe the state of Israel should even exist, that's anti-Semitism"

What?

Uh, no. It isn't.

Many anti-Semites do make that claim, but that doesn't make the claim anti-Semitic.

While I agree with you that the character in question was incorrect in saying that non-Jews shouldn't criticize Israel's policies, I certainly don't have a problem with that character making that claim. It seemed like a remark that was pretty much in-character, so the scene worked.

I think it's important to remember, in cases like this, that these are characters. THIS character believes one thing. THAT character believes something else. When a character explains his/her motivations for saying something, that's not necessarily the same thing as the show endorsing a certain point of view. Unless it was written by Aaron Sorkin.

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I have been a faithful fan since the beginning. The show has had it's ups and downs but over all I love all the characters and story lines. Some come and go, but it good to keep things from getting boring.
Keep up the good work.

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Don't be sad for Coho, he has his own series. Valley is leaving to another series. Bowen will be a semi regular because of the baby. Not sure if, they will be bringing in new charcaters or just working with the ones there. But, should be interesting.Will keep everyone updated on this Casting God

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I liked Clair's storyline. It showed a lawyer actually using the law for once and not jury nullification. She took advantage of the noob lawyer and got get client off. I hope they bring Jermaine back to show if he does change his ways. I loved the baby blue tux.

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i disagree with you, claire was interesting in that she wasn't typical boston legal interesting. what i mean is that she argued the law and not a bunch of extraneous bullshit. that having been said... it was essentially the same as a Lake Bell story in the first season, minus the fact that she got lucky with an Alan Shore stunt closing and Claire's character is a competent lawyer...

btw, it's good to have a reviewer back on tvs but when you say "this episode was almost perfect blah blah" and it includes a plot as well done and as significant to a character as Alan's a bit more depth would be nice. it was more than just the purchased identity, it was Alan pulling himself out of the malaise he's been under all season and showing his backbone and personal worth in confronting mullally's character. it would be nice to read fewer vague encapsulations, less about superficial stuff like megan mullally being really hot in that scene (and she was) and more about the characters or something equally involved. their development. their lack of development. how it relates to past seasons. etc.

don't take this all the wrong way paul, when it's all said and done i'm still glad to have a tvs.com BL review again. keep them coming!

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Paul - are you going to be reviewing BL every week?? Because I really love this show and was super disappointed when Richard decided to drop it; so if you will be doing it every week, that is fantastic.

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I too was totally diverted in the opening striptease. Besides the obvious, I was trying to place Megan M. (I thought she was a SNL alum at first). It was probably she wasn't using the "karen" voice. Before I knew it, the scene was over and I'd missed valuable exposition...something about scissors? and passing out? ah well, it all became clear soon enough.

Also, I'd follow Claire into any courtroom anytime.

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I also got diverted lol. I tried so hard to concentrate. Read the above post and was like, i dont remember her saying scissors...

I probably wont get very exicted. Just read a review on TV.com about how the episode is unoriginal spin on a movie titled Primal Fear. The kid also had faked 2 identities to get off murder. And while i was watching, i thought it was the angle they were going then it reminded me of an episode in Ally Mcbeal only that was so badly executed.

Anyway, before i read the review, the episode's twist was the coolest i've seen. And the closing wasnt dissappointing to me. I love what Alan said about how ppl just think laterally especially when it doesnt concern them. Ppl shld be able to view things from different perspectives and try to understand why other ppl do what they do instead of just criticizing.

Did i ever mention how much i love Zimmer's characters? i mean just the image of her laughing when the dude asked her to dance... almost had an "accident" that involved my pants:P

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