(S03E24) Before I forget, I have to say that Brad's baby is adorable. Great casting. OK, now that I've got that out of the way...
This was a near perfect season finale with the firm of Crane Poole & Schmidt swinging for the fences. With Jerry and Clarence suing a casino and Denny guaranteeing a win this episode was way out of bounds. The fact that Alan had the balls to refer to himself and Denny as a comedy team was awesome.
I really appreciated seeing Denny questioning his own usefulness. Personally, I can really relate. There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to recognize that your life is not what it used to be, and to imagine other people seeing you differently than they used to can be a scary thought. As funny as it is to see him make a fool of himself, it was nice to see both Denny and Shatner putting things in perspective.
Alan & Denny's trial was a great old-fashioned mystery. It reminded me a lot of The Practice, although, thankfully, the trial ended up going in a different direction. In the end, it didn't matter who did it, only that Denny's perfect record remains intact. How perfectly Crane-ish.
Usually, I'm upset when there are loose ends left untied, but I really wasn't bothered one bit. Honestly, I was more concerned with whether or not Aisha Tyler would be in more episodes next season. She is a fine actress and it's good to see her on something worthwhile again.
If Alan & Denny are the Burns & Allen of Boston Legal than Clarence & Jerry have to be Martin & Lewis. Seeing the two of them hopping together was hilarious. More importantly, watching Jerry reconcile his two halves to be a more effective lawyer was incredibly satisfying. I hope this means we'll be seeing both sides of Jerry and Clarence next season.
I know there are some people who are bothered by the flashes of post-modernism on Boston Legal. Whether it's Jerry singing the theme song, Denny mentioning that he once piloted a spaceship or Tom Selleck and Bill Shatner comparing their leading man status, I can't get enough. Tonight's balcony scene was made perfect by Denny & Alan acknowledging their imaginary lives. To next season, indeed.
I give this near perfect episode a six.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-30-2007 @ 9:13AM
Karen said...
It is the references to the fictional side of the characters that I enjoy the most. This is especially true when it fits into an exceptional episode. This is my favorite show and last night was good.
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5-30-2007 @ 9:29AM
h8rain said...
I personal love the small tidbits that they throw in about it being a show (like the next season comment). Jerry singing the theme song, was easily my favorite scene of season.
Overall a great episode, and I can't wait for it to come back. Side note, I am glad it did not end on a cliffhanger. To me that is so overused and unnecessary. If a show is good, viewers will come back.
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5-30-2007 @ 10:07AM
David said...
I had my own spaceship once. :)
And last year's ending was "I hope we don't change nights next season". :]
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5-30-2007 @ 10:25AM
Alberto said...
I love the references as well... and you guys are forgetting the best one of them all. Denny meeting Coho and Claire coming out of the elevator in this season's second episode, and telling them they couldn't be joining the firm because they weren't in the season premier. That was hilarious... Denny ends his speech by saying... 'queue the music' and the theme song came out. That was just brilliant!!!
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5-30-2007 @ 10:57AM
Forrest said...
I was really hoping the balcony scene would say something to the effect of this:
Allen - Did you hear that we weren't good enough for sweeps? They decided a show about beautiful women swooning after a man in uniform was what America wanted to see.
Denny - You've got to give the people what they want Allen. Wait...did you say beautiful women?
Allen - Yes Denny...that's what I said.
Denny - You know, I think I still have my dress blues around here somewhere (starts to walk towards his office)
Allen - Denny you were never in the military.
Denny - Oh yeah...(puffs on cigar)...I wonder if they'll find a cure for this madcow next season?
Allen - Nah...(sips on scotch)...it's part of who you are Denny.
Denny - Oh well...ya gotta work with what ya got. (raises glass) To next season???
Allen - (raises glass) To making sweeps next season!!!
Denny - sounds good...(long drink of scotch) ahh...still undefeated! God I love being Denny Crane...
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5-30-2007 @ 1:40PM
David said...
How could that be the end scene when it was pulled for sweep only about 5 days before it was originally going to air?
There was also the time where Allen was talknig to one of the woman that was kicked off the show after season 1 was cut short. They went "Last time I saw you we were on Sunday nights and then we got cut and you disaspeared..." itr went on an on explainnig everything that happened.
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5-30-2007 @ 4:03PM
jessica said...
great show. great comedic moments (I, too, love the fiction references). great review (love the SIX!).
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5-30-2007 @ 8:59PM
Noran said...
Sounds likes I missed a great time!
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5-30-2007 @ 10:09PM
Maria said...
Unfortunately I missed this great episode! Does anyone know how come ABC does not broadcast Boston Legal on their website like they do for most of their other shows? Any ideas on how I might be able to see this episode? Thanks!
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5-30-2007 @ 10:39PM
Alicia said...
I think the best line of this season was also the line in the second episode about Claire and Coho. But the, "I had my own spaceship once" I just about peed myself. As always an excellent show and I am very very happyt o see that it will be back next year!
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5-31-2007 @ 1:31AM
Drew said...
I agree that Clarence & Jerry should be partnered up as much as possible next season. They make quite the team.
As for Maria's question... I do believe that ABC does not own the show, only the ability to show them. I think Fox owns the show. It's kind of the same situation with House. NBC Universal makes and owns the show (Which allows them to show that week's episode on USA-a property of theirs), while Fox just shows the show four times a week. If anyone knows (and more importantly, if I'm wrong) please tell me because I want to know how it all works.
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5-31-2007 @ 6:05AM
courtney said...
I love this show - and really, Clarence's expressions are absolutely priceless - I rewound his scenes each time just to catch them again because they are truly flawless and hysterical. Love those two together.
Can't understand why this show hasn't got a huge following - maybe because there are so many people over the age of 40 in it? Such a shame - glad it's coming back next year.
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6-03-2007 @ 5:39PM
Elaine said...
I watched way too much TV this year, but.......... even when I wasn't watching a lot of it, I still made time for Boston Legal. I love the tidbits they throw in too .. the spaceship one gave me my biggest "surprise" laugh of the season on any show. So glad it's coming back. Let's hope the rest of America wakes up to the funniest and most creative show on TV.
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6-03-2007 @ 10:15PM
Dian McKaig said...
I HAAAATE that I missed the finale.......I'm glad to know it's coming back next season...I can't get enough of Denny and Alan...theirs is a truly unique and quirky friendship. Any idea when I can catch the finale re-run??
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6-05-2007 @ 11:34PM
rippe53 said...
Now that we've read about the blood bath at "The Firm" can the end be far behind? Mark Valley and Rene gone? This probably was their over all best season yet. Why the wholesale changes? The book "Inside Boston Legal" after the finally ends I think would be a very interesting read...
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