ABC
(Season 5, Episode 8)
Alan Shore got to speechify in a case on abortion. He probably got an erection as soon as the case was offered to him. It also featured the welcome return of Ming-Na to television, playing the role of the mother of Alan’s client. Meanwhile, Jerry went apeshit crazy at a “Starbucks” type of establishment, leading into one of those integrated intro segments with Jerry singing and dancing to the opening music.
All in all, this episode was a great mix of fun and serious and a perfect example of why Boston Legal remains one of the sharpest and most relevant shows on television. I don’t even care that the median age of its small cast is 97 years old. I’ve chosen that picture because once again Carl Sack wasn’t given really anything to do and I think that’s how he would feel about it. This is an Emmy-winning actor. Give him a damn role!
I did like the unexpected ethnic twist on the abortion case, as well as the struggle that Judge Peyton clearly had in rendering her verdict. It’s commonly accepted that gender selection upon birth has been happening in China for many years, but it’s one of those things we don’t think about too much any more. I certainly didn’t think that young Kim was looking to abort her baby because it was female. And in this case we got to see the limitations of the law in such complex issues. Judge Peyton was absolutely right in that if we’re going to allow abortion, we can’t turn it into a preliminary interrogation.
I appreciated that Denny was back on the conservative side, arguing that angle intelligently and passionately. And also that Alan was able to acknowledge that no matter how much you support the pro-choice angle, it’s still an incredibly difficult thing to consider. This is a really nasty issue and I certainly don’t want to get into any debates about it here. I just would like to applaud Boston Legal for presenting it in a very real and complicated manner, showing all sides of the issue and leaving us the only way it can. Thinking about it with no clear direction.
As for Jerry, I still don’t think that he should have defended himself in this case, nor am I sure that a sane and right-minded jury would have found in his favor. Yes, bullying happens all the time and it would be an exhilarating rush to finally find yourself “winning” such an encounter, but it is still assault no matter how you look at it. I guess it’s a big deal for Jerry himself to have defended himself, and then defended himself the defending of himself by himself. Or something.
So do you think Jerry and Katie should get together? While I’d like to see Jerry get into a real relationship, I’ve found myself really enjoying their friendship as it is. I know the idea of a male/female friendship that doesn’t become something more is almost unheard of in television (see what happened to Rebecca and Justin on Brothers & Sisters).
Clacked by Jason Hughes 
on Nov 11, 2008 @ 18:16 EST5EDT
Wow – what a great episode. I will miss this show. This is the show that I would have liked to see deal with the election, instead of what we got last week. What this show has always done so well is provide insight into both sides. Tonight was no exception. Well played. Very well played.
To be truthful, Ming-Na guest-starred on ‘Private Practice’ last week.