The Practice virgin’s diary – Getting to know you, getting to know all about you

(Season 1, Episodes 1-6)

I got myself suckered into this gig. One mention of how I didn’t know Dylan McDermott from anything landed me an ultimatum: watch The Practice, or die. Okay, not die, but Rich can be a hard-nosed guy sometimes. Oreo, too.

Let me ask you all a question; what does it say about a show, when it’s not being released on DVD, can only be found on Hulu, and only the first three seasons, at that? Plus, season one is all of six episodes, and season three’s got episodes missing? Welcome to the world of David E. Kelley’s The Practice. No wonder the creator keeps trying to develop new projects … no DVD royalty money.

What I’ve discovered thus far is this is no ordinary legal drama. There are few parallels to be drawn between this show and Kelley’s Boston Legal, classics like L.A. Law, up-and-comers like Raising the Bar, or even personal favorites like Eli Stone. Nope; this is one legal series where the feel is more akin to Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue, The Wire, or Homicide: Life on the Street. Real gritty cop shows, where both the law, and the lighting, are dark. Apparently, the world of criminal defense doesn’t stray far from there. But, is that what I’m looking for?

The show is heavy on court cases, so the storylines aren’t necessarily something that need rehashing. One of David E. Kelley’s strengths, however, are the characters that he creates. In this, The Practice does not disappoint. From the word go, we’re introduced to Bobby Donnell (McDermott), the founder of a small law firm that is struggling to keep its head above water. Bobby is melodramatic and emotional, and, at times, McDermott can appear to be simply trying too hard.

His associates include: Ellenor Frutt (Camryn Manheim), a mouthy and un-personable attorney whose legal ability I question, Eugene Young (Steve Harris), a former PI turned “preacher” lawyer, whose talent is matched only by his ego, and Lindsay Dole (Kelli Williams), a weak newbie fresh out of law school. Their office is managed by Rebecca Washington (Lisa Gay Hamilton), an extremely intrusive woman, who I’m betting will end up becoming a fantastic lawyer as the show progresses.

Like with Boston Legal, Kelley builds characters whose recurrence on the show dictates that we become somewhat intimate with them. It’s interesting to note that, so far on both of his shows, the opposing lawyers, who have larger roles, barely make an impact on me, while the judges stick for good. As opposed to his next legal series, Kelley constructed these adjudicators as strong-willed, intrusive, and far from bumbling. I think the bench is a funhouse-mirror reflection of the firm they keep seeing in their courtroom.

And, just keep the following in mind: I’m watching this in reverse order; Boston Legal, then The Practice. And Boston Legal is one of my favorite shows … it’s impossible for it not to color this experience.

1.01 “Pilot”

I was a bit shocked at the closing arguments that Bobby made in his case. While defending an innocent teen, arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, he essentially admitted that most of his clients are guilty (not a surprise), and continued to provide any future DAs, or juries, with his tells for when he knows it: words or phrases that he’ll use, in order to avoid perjuring himself. Kelley was going for emotion, but instead blew apart the entire legal side of the series. Oops. Good thing no one noticed.

Bobby’s firm is one that cares … that much is transparent. But I was thrown for a loop, when awaiting the verdict in the girl’s trial left me nervous (she was found innocent). It’s a much steeper hurdle to make us care, too. Nice one.

1.02 “Part I”

A case here, a case there … the main thing from this episode was the appearance of the theme music; total train wreck. In a way, it reminded me of The Wire’s own weird dalliance, except I always felt some connection to the show in The Wire’s nonsense. I can only hope that noise doesn’t await me for another seven seasons.

The other tidbit that stuck with me, is that Bobby seems to be on the wrong side of the fuzzy line of right and wrong, and he spends a lot of time rationalizing it to himself. Sticking his client with more years, in order to get Eugene’s client a pass? I didn’t get any positive vibe from that, even though he was a kid.

And, taking a bank loan using unlikely fees from Lindsay’s tobacco case as collateral? This being TV, Lindsay, et al, will likely miraculously pull out a settlement in the tobacco case, but Jimmy Berluti’s (Michael Badalucco) a sap, and Bobby’s a bad friend.

1.03 “Trial and Error”

Guest star alert: Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) and John C. McGinley (Scrubs) go head-to-head in a murder trial. Preparing to be a jurist, Jane? I liked Dr. Cox acting like an adult, too.

Is Bobby the only qualified attorney in his firm? Why else would he jump onto every trial team? And, if so, why’d he hire the rest of them in the first place?

Plus, hiring Jimmy the corrupt banker? He could be his grandfather, and that still doesn’t give Bobby a good enough reason to hire the guy. Sure, he got fired for getting Bobby a bank loan, but who told him to defraud his own bank? And, from Bobby’s own declaration, the guy sucks as an attorney; Donnell and associates better hope that just applies to trial law, so at least Jimmy can carry his weight in the library.

This episode, the judges on the show added abusive to their list of sins, and to their differences from their brethren on Boston Legal. I prefer the banter and sparring of an Alan Shore.

1.04 “Part IV”

Justice, or injustice, continues on both the tobacco case and the Braun murder trial. I’m glad the firm lost a case; it’s a tool Kelley should have utilized a lot more often on his next series. There’s only so far our credulity will stretch.

The utter absurdity of them receiving a settlement offer in the tobacco case … no jury would have found for their client! And, how about Gilmore Girls’ grandpa, (Edward Herrmann)? Totally not formidable, and Lindsay should be ashamed of herself for acting like a star-struck tourist.

The cases aren’t long-term significant, but the invocation of God in what Gerald Braun (Jack Laufer) did was a bad move by the writers; very big turnoff, no matter where the story may go. There’s no reason for this show to become a discourse on theology … it’s about lawyers, for goodness sake. Godless heathens!

1.05 “Part V”

Out of episode titles so soon? Real catchy.

Kelley seems to like having at least one lawyer who sees his clients as faceless names (Eugene and Alan Shore), as well as one who likes to gamble on the outcome of cases (Eugene and Shore, again. Boston Legal had a bigger firm, so it had two of each: Denny Crane fit both bills.) The difference is, I see Eugene reforming as the series progresses … he has a fiery, preacher quality to his courtroom persona, and I think he’s going to grow into a Bobby, not an Alan.

How can Ellenor give her date the same treatment she so loathes getting herself? Shouldn’t it be enough that he liked her?

Bobby is the boss, not the father. What’s with the constant steering, lecturing, instructing, and oversight? I get that that’s him, but I’d be out of there immediately, were I on the receiving end of that. Plus because of the whole “non-assured paycheck” thing.

1.06 “Part VI”

Why would Bobby not drop Dr. Braun as a client? Isn’t there a point at which, when a client refuses to listen to your advice, and is making reckless decisions, you should just sever all ties? Braun is a stubborn moron, and should be set adrift.

Instead, Bobby serves up some over-the-top, ham-filled, overkill melodrama, as he’s already shown himself prone to in these few episodes. I’d much rather see him practice the law, then strum his tiny violin. A “moral” execution? Religious justification? I hate to say that I was with Ellenor on this, and her stance not to get involved because of how distasteful the whole thing was. But, that doesn’t mean I like her attitude!

Eugene seems to have already been washed over with the sentiment elixir, pleading for a judge to allow his 19 year-old client, and the client’s 14 year-old pregnant girlfriend, to get married. Big jump from charges of statutory rape.

Apparently Bobby doesn’t plan to keep Jimmy in the library; at least, Jimmy doesn’t seem inclined to stay there. One thing, buddy: zip it! Bobby should hit him in the face with a briefcase the next time he opens his mouth to the press.

Overall so far, different, but enjoyable. You have to care to not like a character!

So, this one kind of got away from me. I promise … a lot of this was introductory material. Season two, part one, coming soon.