TVSquad

Let me just say Paul, you're incredibly enthusiastic about the shows you review, even the sorta crappy onesl ike Prison Break but it really is so refreshing to see this on TVS.

There are a lot of writers here that go through the motions but you're really doing this right, nice job.

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I loved it. Hubby and I were both in aww. Man.... Shatner COULD act.

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I'm not sure how you discerned that the "Playhouse 90" footage was a live performance (other than knowing the show's format)? All videotape of that vintage has the shimmery look, and since practical videotape editing equipment didn't exist, taped shows were "camera cut", just like live broadcasts. A half-dozen or so episodes of "The Twilight Zone" were made this way, e. g., and they really stand out visually from the filmed episodes, but they were not broadcast live.

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Okay, despite my best efforts, I fell asleep (it wasn't the show - it was me trying to watch after a 90 minutes dance troupe practice) So did the old man kill the mother after all?

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As much as I adore this shows antics, its great to see a serious Denny out there. Great use of the entire cast. It was great to see Paul at action again, I'm glad the writers put him at the head of the jury instead of Shirley. And Brad was a great comic adition. Yah, so Shirley really was underutilized, but considering how important she usually is. . .

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I couldn't agree with you more. William Shatner is often dismissed for his sometimes over the top performances -- you know what I mean, "Khan! Khan!" -- but this episode showed that Shatner really is a talented actor when he's given the right material. This was just an exceptional episode and while the bomber plot was a little over the top, it didn't distract from the great performances. If this doesn't get Shanter another Emmy then the television Academy is a bunch of losers.

On another note, it was nice to see Julie Bowen and Rene Auberjonois featured so front and center in an episode, it was long overdue for both of them. You had to feel just a little sad for Mark Valley. While his character was feature more in this episode than any other this season, it was mostly his ass that got airtime.

This episode proves, once again, why Boston Legal is such an under-rated series.

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Excellent review of an excellent episode, Paul.

This was a huge deviation of the normal Boston Legal fare we all tune-in for, but it didn't disappoint.

I loved the final scene with Alan and Denny--as I always do--and it was very telling to hear them talk about their fathers. And what it is like to have a father's disapproval. I think a lot of men can relate to that; I do.

So the show wasn't funny ha ha like other episodes, but it was very deep and profound. Thanks David E. Kelly and gang!

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This episode gave me goosebumps, especially the first time they went to a flashback and I suddenly realized it really *was* William Shatner. It was just incredible. I'm still stunned that they managed to so seameleslly pull it all off. I loved the ending balcony scene. It was so sad when Denny revealed that his father had disowned him. Great performances all around. And I adore Bethany. What a wonderful performance when she told the tale about her "stunted growth." LOL!

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The original program was 'Studio One', not 'Playhouse 90'. Picked up the DVD of it last week and it's an interesting show in itself.

Did Ralph Bellamy even get a screen credit for his "contributions"? I hope so, otherwise it would have felt like he was being "used" literally and figuratively.

There was so much more between father and son that they could have drawn from, but the scenes used really did nail down the their dynamic. Interesting though that aside from so many other differences from the original source (character names, Joe's orientation, Joe's casting(!)), they even changed the outcome between father and son. I suppose this way gave a more dramatic flourish for Shatner in the end....

I figured they might have just focused on the father/son dialogue exchanges, but if they weren't going to bother using any of the footage featuring Steve McQueen as their client, why even bother to cast someone who somewhate resembled him (with makeup)?

If you ever get a chance to see the original production, Martin Balsam played the prosecutor and look for an unbilled Ed Asner as Juror #2!

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By the way - nice choice of the 'Nick of Time' screen shot of Shatner.

It looks like he's got his finger on the button!

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Excellent comments on last night! Does anyone know what the music/song was that concluded the episode?

Thanks for the help! and, IT is a good day to be Denny Crane!

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Heh...

http://playgroundsandplanets.blogspot.com/

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The song used repeatedly in last night's episode is "And So It Goes," by Billy Joel...first appearing on the album "Storm Front" (same album with "We Didn't Start the Fire").

It's already been said, btu I'll echo it as well: great episode and a perfect example as to why this is one of television's true gems. Shatner certainly looked like he may have earned himself an Emmy with that performance.

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Yes, another great episode.

Misty, to answer your question: the man, who hadn't testified in his own defense, "testified" in this trial, saying he had been in the bldg and fled upon hearing the noise, that it was he whom the dead woman's husband saw, but he fled and stayed silent because he's gay and couldn't out himself or his married lover who lived in the bldg. The "jury" unanimously found him not guilty. No proof offered.

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Great review, Paul! I was a little turned off to you when you wrote about all the gameshows you've been on and all the stuff you won, but I'm beginning to think that you're one of the best bloggers here. You actually seem to enjoy television - and it shows!! You, Adam and Jay seem to enjoy what you're doing here and it's infectious.

My opinion of Shatner was raised a couple of notches after this episode. I saw no sign of captain Kirk in that old performance. He was engaging. Makes me want to get a hold of a copy of that old episode.

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Wow! This is what we watch "Boston Legal" for folks. This episode really did have it all and no scene or line of dialog seemed wasted. Mark Valley may have gotten the butt end of things here, but you won't ever forget that he was there. Shatner did what he has done time and again with Denny Crane, coming out of nowhere with a comedic character and makes him the dramatic center of everything going on, then gently slipping back into the character we know. It doesn't happen often (they are good at not overdoing it) but when it does, Shatner rises to the occasion. We will never look at Denny Crane quite the same way again. For those who have complained here that Boston Legal has lost it's way this season, you have but to view "Son of the Defender" and then catch the Emmy's this fall when Shatner picks up his third award.

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The relationship between Denny Crane and Alan's character can never be equalled. I look forward to their conversations after the end of the day as if I am eavesdropping. Every morning at 8:00A.M.
I watch the reruns of The Practice for the brilliant writing, but when Boston Legal evolved I was thrilled with the cast you assembled especially Candace Bergen and Rene D'Auberjenois and the woman who plays the "little person". Please don't mess it up the way The Practice was messed with.

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Our power went out just before the end of this episode. We saw the man 'testify' in his own defense and the jury come back, but how was the bomber disarmed? I can't wait to see if this episode shows up in a rerun!

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Hands down,the best episode this season. This one may save this season.

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