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Boston Legal Season 4 Episode 1

Beauty and the Beast

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8.8

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 9/25/07

New York attorney Carl Sack joins the Boston branch of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, ruffling feathers amongst the staff, including Denny who is arrested for soliciting a prostitute, and Clarence who is targeted for performing in a drag show. Meanwhile, Alan defends Shirley when she is sued for withdrawing a large contribution to an academic study, but is distracted by the familiar opposing council. Jerry helps freshman lawyer Katie Lloyd try her first case involving a murder suspect who refuses to cooperate.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

Fantastic episode!

10

By farscapefanuk, Feb 02, 2008

Wow what a really great start to season 4. I was expecting it to be a little weird without Denise and Paul and the rest but it was not. I really like the new characters and it was nice to see more of Jerry and Clarance. But what exactly is going on with Carl and Shirley? I cannot believe she is sleeping with him when Denny opened up his heart to her and sang to her. But i fear that Denny's getting worse, it seems funny but untimatley i don't know what will happen. I hope there is still a change for Shirely and Denny. Well it was nice that Brad made an appearance but i hope Dennise will come back after her time off. But overall this was a very exciting episode and i cannot wait to see what will happen in the rest of this season. But so far so good, and what a very promising start to a new season....moreless
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hmmm...

8.8

By ella_19, Oct 06, 2007

To be honest i expected something more enjoyable to watch like in the second season opening with the black widow or the third with the Shirley doll ( i don't remember the doll's name that well but anyway), and these episode although it was a good episode i feel that something was missing. In the mean while one thing is for sure, Denny hasn't changed, a hooker ho turned out to be a police officer was a series classic. The greatest seen from these episode is when Gloria tells Allan that she want a baby...it was so funny i didn't see it coming,wonder what will happen next, and i am curious about these new guy they brought in, i wanna know more about him, but the fresh out of collage blond one i don't really find her character to interesting...but ho knows.moreless
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Absolutely superb! David E. Kelly more fully develops his characters and their interractions each season. Kudos to writers, director and cast!

10

By 1-Lola, Sep 30, 2007

The addition of John Larrouquette is sheer genius. The combustible combination of the team of Denny and Alan vs Carl Sack will add more pizazz to an already incredible show. It was nice to see that Carl has a 'human' side in a few of the scenes. How poignant the scene when Shirley laid her head on Denny's shoulder while he sang "You are my sunshine'. The question - are Carl and Shirley an 'item'? Will Alan and the Judge have a baby? ( I find this hard to believe...) This promises to be the most exciting and titillating season yet.moreless
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A decent season premiere, but improvement is needed.

8.0

By ultimateguy, Sep 28, 2007

The first thing I noticed when watching the episode is the shuffling of the cast once again. Brad Chase is apparently gone to another firm, and his wife Denise is said to be on maternity leave, although I question if we will ever see her again in the show. Paul Lewiston has simply vanished without explanation, which makes me angry because I really liked his character, and Claire is also gone, which is slightly less disappointing but kind of a letdown nonetheless because her and Clarence had some interesting chemistry.

The new addition to the cast is some blond British 25-year-old whom I can't remember the name. Her character seems slightly interesting, although that's probably because I think she's hot. John Laroquette also makes his debut appearance, and I absolutely loathe his character. I hope Alan ends up taking him on at some point in the season. Jerry Espensen is now a part of the cast which is a great addition, although I still find it funny because he almost killed Shirley in the second season.

This episode was kind of mixed for me. We have the new blond defending a large black man who is on trial for murder. He acts like a lunatic and refuses to talk to anyone and treats his lawyers like crap. Then we find out that he is acting like this because he is innocent. I found this pretty stupid because if he was innocent, the guy should realize that his lawyer's are trying to help him and therefore he should try not to spit in their face. This had me not liking this guy and wishing that he ended up in prison anyway.

The other storylines were standard BL fare with Alan and Denny sharing a funny moment in the restroom, and Clarence took a good stand against John Laroquette's character, who should be gotten rid of by the second episode.

So it was an alright premiere, I just hope it gets better.moreless
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The iceman cometh?...

9.5

By FrakkingFrakker, Sep 26, 2007

I have to start out by admitting that I missed the first half hour. I am silly and had not realized it was 90 minutes long. So, I'm sure there are some who will dismiss this since I didn't see the full episode.

..what I did get to see however was very good. Some very classic Boston Legal moments, and it was great to see some new characters (which I always greet with apprehension.)

Clarence and Jerry are becoming a very nice duo who I enjoy watching. Alan and Denny (though very little together in what I saw) are still the powerhouse of fun and excitement we expect.

Shirley gets her vulnerable moment and shares with some of the men in her life.

I'll admit that the classic and oft used Boston Legal scenario of new lawyers getting a tough murder case their time out can wear a little thin, but this new gal is sublimely mesmerizing. Her scene with Jerry in the empty courtroom towards the end was a good solid scene that spoke volumes.

And Lorraine looks like she could be a hazzard for Emmy's darling Alan.

I would be remiss to saunter away without mentioning the intimidating and wonderful John Larroquette. I have yet to see this man in a show I didn't like. Once again he brings gravitas and humor to a series and a situation. He merely appeared in one of the one of the episodes greatest scenes and had an effect that was priceless (the one in the bathroom.) I'm keen and interested on watching him and his relationships develop. Kudos, a great addition to the show!

A good and funny episode with some nice underlying sentiment. A show that preaches be yourself and also practices what it preaches. I'm so glad to see it continue! The summer break is over. Court is now in session. Sorry bout the cliche.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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James Spader	Alan Shore
John Larroquette	Carl Sack
Christian Clemenson	Jerry Espenson
Gary Anthony Williams	Clarence Bell
Tara Summers	Katie Lloyd
Saffron Burrows	Lorraine Weller

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Obba Babatundé	Dr. Victor Rivers	Guest Star
Yvette Nicole Brown	Doris Thumper	Guest Star
Bellamy Young	Cynthia Nichols	Guest Star
Shelley Berman	Judge Robert Sanders	Recurring Role
Jill Brennan	Gracie Jane	Recurring Role
Gail O'Grady	Judge Gloria Weldon	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (2)
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- Denise is on maternity leave.
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- During the scene when Joseph Washington jumps out of his chair, his right handcuff comes off.
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QUOTES (1)
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- (Alan and Denny are at adjoining urinals and Denny looks over.)
  Alan: What are you doing?
  Denny: I'm checking on your flow. I've got 'Weak Stream Syndrome.' You got nice velocity there. Look at me.
  (Alan takes a look)
  Alan: That's not so bad.
  Denny: Oh, please. I've seen drip coffee percolate faster.
  Alan: Denny, you're 75. It's fine.
  (Denny grunts)
  Alan: Oh, see, that was good.
  Denny: You're not just saying so?
  Alan: (Makes a no sound.)
  Denny: You're looking a little red there.
  Alan: It's ashamed. Knows it's been bad.
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NOTES (6)
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- This was a reunion between William Shatner and John Larroquette. They appeared together in Star Trek III The Search For Spock.
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Slovakia: January 13, 2011 on JOJ
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- Mark Vallely's character Brad Chase left the firm and is now with the D.A.
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- This episode was nominated for a 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (one-hour).
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- Julie Bowen, Mark Valley, Rene Auberjonois and Constance Zimmer are removed from the opening credits, while John Larroquette, Christian Clemenson, Tara Summers and Saffron Burrows join the regular cast.
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- 90 minute season premiere.
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ALLUSIONS (1)
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- Clarence and Doris performed "Big, Blonde And Beautiful". It was originally performed in "Hairspray" by the character Motormouth Maybelle (Mary Bond Davis in the 2002 play, and Queen Latifah in the 2007 movie).
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