TV.com

Boston Legal

Mad Cows

Season 5, Episode 7, Aired Nov 03, 2008

Next
Episode Previous
Episode

Episode Summary

EDIT

8.4

EPISODE RATING: Great

111 votes

Your Rating: 10

"Perfect"
Your Rating: 9.5

"Superb"
Your Rating: 9

"Superb"
Your Rating: 8.5

"Great"
Your Rating: 8

"Great"
Your Rating: 7.5

"Good"
Your Rating: 7

"Good"
Your Rating: 6.5

"Fair"
Your Rating: 6

"Fair"
Your Rating: 5.5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 5

"Mediocre"
Your Rating: 4.5

"Poor"
Your Rating: 4

"Poor"
Your Rating: 3.5

"Bad"
Your Rating: 3

"Bad"
Your Rating: 2.5

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 2

"Terrible"
Your Rating: 1.5

"Abysmal"
Your Rating: 1

"Abysmal"

Rate Now!

Alan goes up against Denise Bauer and the USDA when he represents a cattle rancher who is suing the government for not allowing her to test all her livestock for Mad Cow disease. Meanwhile he and Denny argue over the upcoming presidential election, and Jerry goes before the senior partners, including Paul Lewiston, who are reviewing his application for partnership.moreless

WRITE A REVIEW

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

GUEST STAR
Julie Bowen

Denise Bower
GUEST STAR
Ned Vaughn

U.S.D.A. Rep Joel Beavis
GUEST STAR
Jim Jansen

Marshall Kennedy

James Spader

Alan Shore
John Larroquette

Carl Sack
Christian Clemenson

Jerry Espenson
Tara Summers

Katie Lloyd
Candice Bergen

Shirley Schmidt
William Shatner

Denny Crane

Watch Online

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

See All

A Very Special Episode about The Issues.

7.0

"Good"

By p3epe, Jun 10, 2011

Oh remember how they just dropped the character of Denise a few seasons ago without ever mentioning her again? Well at least now they had the decency to wrap it all up! We finally know why she quit the firm and what Brad is doing these days. Oh wait we don't! All we know is that he's "traveling" for some bizarre reason (wasn't he working for the DA's office now?). Nice to see you Denise, your cameo just goes to show how much the writers of this show care about character development, continuity and having a character-based plot that's going somewhere.

Paul made a cameo as well. Honestly speaking, this show never treated Auberjonois with the respect he deserved. During the time he was a regular, he only got ONE court scene and they cut it before he even said a word.

I realized why this is the last season: The election's are over, nothing to preach about anymore.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
3 1

Flag
Share Hide
Politically motivated claptrap

1.0

"Abysmal"

By judithstein, Jun 10, 2011

Boston Legal is usually one of my favourite shows. I normally enjoy their up-to-date issues and occasional political biases. However, this episode was nothing more than a 40 minute campaign ad for Obama. I am a UK resident and if I were able to vote in the US election I would have voted for McCain. My political leanings, however, are irrelevant in this case. The argument between Alan and Denny is unfair to say the least. Alan shouts louder and does not give Denny a chance to voice his opinion. Also Denny's reasons for voting McCain at the beginning of the episode are ridiculous to say the least and make McCain supporters look foolish at best. Whilst it may be argued that this answer is typical Denny, the end of the episode is completely out of character. This is nothing more than a high budget below the belt shot at McCain. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this episode was funded by the Obama campaign.
I really and truly think that the purpose of this episode was to influence voters. TV shows should be here for entertainment purposes only and whilst it does make for great entertainment to use contemporary issues in the show - using the show as a blatant political forum is unacceptable at best.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
5 16

Flag
Share Hide
Politically motivated Sh!t!!

1.0

"Abysmal"

By coxm11, Jun 20, 2010

I love Boston Legal, I watch it religiously but this wasn't an episode of Boston Legal, It was 40 minutes of McCain bashing the night before the elections!! As a UK resident who can't vote in the US elections but would have voted for Obama given the choice, this was an episode dedicated to swing votes in Obamas favour and the writers have embarressed themselves with this. I'm considering selling my boxsets on Ebay and washing my hands of Boston legal forever after this outrage. i'm just upset that the lowest score i can give is 1 and not a zero because this episodes and the writers aren't worth a single point more. i'm not even going to comment on what happened because all that did happen was political bias. Terrible episode and terrible writing. you dont need to wonder who the writers voted for in the election, they made it clear in 40 minutes. Did Obama donate to or direct this episode? it might as well have been a promotional video for Obama!!moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
3 10

Flag
Share Hide
Valerie Bertinelli is a cattle rancher that wants to test all of her cows for Mad Cow. Alan represents her as plaintiff against the FDA and Denise Bower (Julie Bowen). Kate gets called before the partners to discuss Jerry's impending partnership.moreless

8.5

"Great"

By jyarter, May 21, 2009

Improvement over last week but we still have cattle to contend with. Sorry! :) The FDA has ruled that this rancher can't test her cows because then it makes it look like other ranchers meat is dangerous even though she accepts the cost herself? The complaint becomes secondary when Bower and Shore spend all of their time sparring back and forth and Denny is infatuated with Valerie. Let's face it you know how this works out and even though Alan wins he doesn't if you know what I mean.

Denny and Alan go all paint ball on each other over the politics of the election that is coming up. Shirley is lucky and misses all of this as she is voting in her secondary residence Colorado.

Kate played brilliantly by Tara Summers is called in as a reference for Jerry on his partnership appointment. When it becomes clear that there is a good ole boys club at the top many words are spoken and she does an excellent job with the scene. Jerry does make it after a little theatrics later, but the highlight of the episode was Kate and her part in the process.

The episode ends with it showing everyone doing there civic obligation of voting etc... Kate gets this episode an 8.5. Thanks for reading...moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
2 0

Flag
Share Hide
Polotics and ermm more polotics, mixed with tears of joy.

10

"Perfect"

By ChrisNWUK, Nov 11, 2008

As a Brit who doesn't exactly understand the whole American way of polotics, I might be forgiven for writing many words about how dull and boring this episode was, thankfully that was not the case. I was lucky enough to be able to pause the episode after the paint gun fight.. tears running down my face, stomach aching with laughter no way could I just continue watching. RE Jerry Esp.. no spoilder here.. just have the tissues handy, any chance of a spin off of B.L. featuring Jerry and Alan??? This was one of the best ever for me.moreless
DO YOU AGREE?
5 0

Flag
Share Hide

WRITE A REVIEW

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

FILTER BY TYPE

TRIVIA (3)
ADD TRIVIA
- Last time Denise Bauer was seen on the show was in the episode "Trial of the century" from season three.
  EDIT SHARE
- Denny calls Valerie Bertinelli by her name twice, rather than her character's name (Carol or Ms. Hober) at the conclusion of the hearing.
  EDIT SHARE
- As Alan and Carol Hober, and finally Denny, leave Alan's office at the beginning of the episode, the song "One Day at a Time" is played, a clear reference to Valerie Bertinelli, who plays Carol, and her stint on "On Day at a Time," the sit-com that ran from 1975 to 1984 that she starred in. That song was the theme song of that show.
  EDIT SHARE
QUOTES (2)
ADD QUOTES
- Denise: And Alan, Brad and I would love to have you to the house sometime for dinner. Alan: (pause) You're an evil little vixen.
  EDIT SHARE
- Carol: Mr. Shore, thank you. And may I say before I leave, my gratitude notwithstanding, you two are the weirdest lawyers I've ever met. (points to Denny) You, in particular, should be institutionalized. Denny: Thank you.
  EDIT SHARE
NOTES (3)
ADD NOTES
- Alan: Everywhere you look... sweeps, sweeps, sweeps! This is the first episode of November sweeps this season.
  EDIT SHARE
- International airdates: Latin America: November 17, 2009 on Canal FX.
  EDIT SHARE
- Candice Bergen ("Shirley") had no lines.
  EDIT SHARE
ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Alan: But you didn't ban the advertising, Mr. Beavis. Or is it Butt-head? Alan is referring to Beavis and Butt-head, a pair of teenagers who engage in sarcastic conversation, fantasize about sex and masculinity and put as little effort as possible into everything they do.
  EDIT SHARE