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Boston Legal Season 1 Episode 12

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8.6

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 1/16/05

Lori, along with Denny and Shirley, defends a school superintendent who fired two science teachers because they refused to teach creationism and is now being sued by them. Alan learns his assistant has expressed concern about their work relationship. While dealing with that issue, Alan discovers that his client Bernard Ferrion, who killed his mother, needs legal help again. One of the members of the firm is fired and learns that a close associate is not too keen on lending a supportive hand.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

Good episode

9.0

By DonStants2, Oct 20, 2009

After my mini rant on the last episode, this was a nice chilled one, if a little slow in places.

I think it was inevitable that Sally's time would come to an end on the show- she hasn't really offered to much. Nevertheless, Lake Bell's acting in her final episode was very well done, and her departure made sense, as well as being well written.

Shirley and Lori's case rasied some interesting debates- I, for one, am against creationalism being taught as a science. Nevertheless, the case didn't have the same impact as some of the other ones so far this Season.

The return of Bernie was entertaining, although not as good as last week. There were some good moments, however, namely Alans line "you killed someone over a fake word!" and Bernie wearing a helmet to "protect himself".

Overall, the episode seemed quite a filler episode, but had some classic moments, for example Alan's sexual fantasty carrying around his secretaries head, and Tara pulling back the chair. Furthermore, the scene with Catherine Piper was just hilarious- one of the best so far.

Missing the Alan and Denny action, but that does get a lot of sceen time next episode.moreless
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A already brilliant programme with great guest stars,what more could a girl want?

9.0

By i_lv_chocolate, Oct 31, 2006

There are loads of reasons that I liked this episode so hre we go:

1-The return of the mini man:Bernie,the mother killer from the previous episode is back after killing his next door neighbour who knew he killed his mother.He was so funny and the relationship between him and Alan is hilarious!!!

2-Candice Burgen:I have loved this programme from the beginning but she brings something special that wasn't there before.I think it is the presence of a strong female,as the strongest characters before were Denny and Alan.

3-Getting rid of Sally:She had come to a dead end and if I really think about,she hasn't really had a reason to be there.She is always on the side lines.

So after all of that a little bit of a summary for all the people who are too lazy to read the whole review...BRILLIANT!!!moreless
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Going from strength to strength.

9.2

By ccomley, Jul 26, 2005

BL just keeps getting better. I'm impressed that the makers felt able to start slow and build (most are keen to make that Big Bang first impression) but they've surely done it.

And now Schmidt's here...

More power to shows which have more than just one or two "main characters" and a bunch of supporting droids. You never know with BL who you're going to root for today.

Favourite moments tonight?

Alan pushing Tara's chair back, Shirley and Denny sparking off, and yet more evidence that Alan isn't the shallow sexist he tries oh so hard to make us believe he is.

Keep 'em coming...moreless
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More lawyer style fun

8.0

By ACharmedJedi, Jul 21, 2005

Having just watched this episode a few nights ago for the first time, I have to say, while it is not my favourite Boston Legal episode so far, it was still far better than most episodes of various other shows that I have watched recently.

I was glad to see the return of Bernie as the interaction between him and Alan Shore was on form as usual, "You murdered someone over a fake word!" Watching the pint size man trying to justify killing another elderly woman with a skillet provided much amusement.

While there wasn't any of that proper Alan/Denny interaction which I love so much, the competitive banter between Schmidt and Denny is definitely making up for it as I feel that Shirley Schmidt is a great character who really plays up the aspects of William Shatner's character that can make me roar with laughter. The senile dimensia trait is fast becoming one of the main reasons I tune in to watch Boston Legal every week. "Then what the hell am I doing here?" Of course him saying his name ("Denny Crane!!!) at random intervals throughout each episode are definitely not a hindrence either.

While I do like Lake Bell's character Sally, I cannot honestly say that she is a great loss to the show, as compared most of the other riotous characters in the series she seemed bland and rather uninteresting the majority of the time.

Overall it was a good episode and I look forward to seeing how Alan will get on with his new assistant, Mrs. Piper, who has already made a good first impression on me, simply by using the word "Dushbag."moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Rhona Mitra	Tara Wilson
William Shatner	Denny Crane
Mark Valley	Brad Chase
James Spader	Alan Shore
Monica Potter	Lori Colson
Candice Bergen	Shirley Schmidt

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Jodi Lyn O'Keefe	Nora	Guest Star
Sam Anderson	Walter Fife	Guest Star
Frank Birney	Judge William Howe	Guest Star
Betty White	Catherine Piper	Recurring Role
Rene Auberjonois	Paul Lewiston	Recurring Role
Leslie Jordan	Bernard Ferrion	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (7)
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- Shirley: God forbid, the next court says it's okay to ban evolution from the schools.
  Lori: Yeah. God forbid.
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- Denny: You hear the one about the fella who died? Went to the Pearly Gates and St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument and says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oooohhh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."
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- Lori: What are you doing out here?
  Shirley: Just looking at the city. Still trying to fathom that…
  Lori: The Red Sox won?
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- Catherine: Alan! Hello!
  Alan: Mrs. Piper?
  Catherine: You remember! Ha, ha. Oh, I always say, "Shake a man's hand with dog poop on your glove, he'll remember you for life."
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- Alan: Shirley? (sighs) What about senior partners? There would be nothing wrong with me... lusting… say… after… you? Would there?
  Shirley: Go subscribe to National Geographic. Make a list of all the places you'll never get to visit. Add to that list, Schmidt.
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- Bernie: Alan, she said she was gonna call the police. She said what she heard would not be hearsay. She looked it up, she said, because we were arguing, it would, it would qualify as an excited blutterance. Suddenly the skillet was in my hand and I swung.
  Alan: Blutterance isn't even a real word. Much less a defense. You murdered somebody over a fake word.
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- Denny: Lock and load. Where is everybody?
  Paul: This is an administrative meeting Denny.
  Denny: Oh! What the hell am I doing here?
  Shirley: Remember the good old days when you liked to know what was going on? When you could go from your office to the elevator without a roadmap?
  Denny: Didn't need a roadmap to find my way around your body, did I Shirley?
  Shirley: I wouldn't know. I was usually asleep.
  Denny: I once had her... and Streisand... at the same time. Remember that?
  Shirley: Hahhh, I do Denny. Ha ha. And not to burst your bubble but that was a female impersonator. Perhaps the penis might have been your cue.
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NOTES (7)
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- Original International Air Dates:
  Slovakia: September 16, 2010 on JOJ
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- Re-aired on Tuesday, August 23rd @ 10 PM, its new 2005-2006 timeslot.
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- Betty White was nominated for a 2004 Emmy Award for her role as Catherine Piper in the Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series.
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- Even though she is reprising her role from The Practice, Betty White did have a guest spot on Ally McBeal (a Kelley show set in Boston) as Dr. Shirley Flott.
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- Even though they do not share any scenes together, Candice Bergen and Leslie Jordan previously worked on Murphy Brown.
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- This is Lake Bell's final appearance as a cast regular.
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- In this episode, the show ended with Shirley and Lori on the balcony having a cigar (or at least trying to) instead of Denny and Alan.
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