The Black Widow

Season 2, Episode 1, Aired

Episode Summary

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8.8
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Alan Shore and Brad Chase represent Kelly Nolan who is on trial for poisoning her husband. Meanwhile, Tara Wilson second-chairs for Shirley Schmidt and is shocked to find that the opposing counsel is her former lover, Malcolm Holmes. Garrett Wells and Sara Holt assist Denise Bauer on a case where a Jewish man felt violated when his Christian co-workers held Bible readings in the workplace. To make things worse, Denise is served with divorce papers.moreless
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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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  • The Second Season

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By DonStants2, Oct 25, 2009
    I actually watched the seconde season before the first (it was accidentaly how I got into the Series really), but after watching them from start to finish, I have to admit it was bizarre seeing the cast suddenly axed. I missed Lori's presense in this episode, and I don't know what the two junior members can contribute to the team (they themselves are axed later). Nevertheless, the opening credits and beginning of the episode was very well done. Alan's case involving the black widow seems to be intriguing, as well as Denny's attraction to her. Alan's battles with the Judge was one of the best aspects of the episode.

    Denise's character was introduced, and though she becomes one of my favorites, she didn't really interest me in this episode. The religious persecution case annoyed me, simply because I hate religion in the government- I am not a big fan of american christians! Tara also goes up against her old boyfriend in a case- which I guess spells the end of her and Alan. I think she was the only pairing with Alan (except for Lorraine in Season 4) that actually worked- I'll miss her in the cast. Rhona Mitra is also very hot! Overall, the premiere seemed a little rushed, and a little lacking- but nevertheless had some brilliant moments. Afterall, the Season was cut short last time, so all things considering they did a great job.moreless

  • I must say! Rupert Everett? As...Holmes? ;) I get it. What a crumpit ^_^.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By SourGoddess89, Aug 10, 2008
    Quite a surprise. But, with the obvious Sherlock Holmes hint, this quirky intro to season 2 is not rejectable. I don't think there is anymore to say that has not been said already. I just mean to add to the reviews, to voice my agreement that this episode, like most of the Boston Legal episodes, is a spectacular fillers to our pre-bedtime.

    The monologues by dear John Spader are as always interesting & thought provoking. But for me, the addition of guest star RUpert Everett is an English sang froid that really makes a new season seem so0 fresh & unpredictable.moreless

  • Well, the black widow case itself and even Tara's mute cellist case with an ex-boyfriend as opposing counsel was good as usual. But the no explanation loss of a major character like Lori, without any explanation and the addition of a bunch of 'children'..moreless

    5.1
    "Mediocre"
    By BiniBeans, Sep 22, 2007
    that's disappointing. I don't know the new senior associate yet to make me care at all about her difficulties concentrating because she got her divorce papers served. I can hardly be expected to be interested in two new characters, one of which looks like a 18 year old and the other so far remains pale.
    What I do think is that the audience should be treated better and get a storyline about how this change in cast came about. And maybe it would have helped if the new people introduced were either more sympathetic or at least more interesting.
    Anyway, so far I am not impressed with them.

    However, this is only one episode and I am hopeful, the brilliance of the show will continue from now on.moreless

  • A new season.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By farscapefanuk, Apr 29, 2007
    A new season with new charactors and new stories. In this season opener. Alan and Denny reprsent a woman who is known as the black widdow because all of her partners die mysteriously. Together Alan and Denny try to get the woman to not go to court but eventually the judge forces a trial. Meanwhile we are introduced to Denise Bauer a new female laywer. Rhona meets her ex partner and causes Alan to become a little jellous. Rhona and Shirely have a case together about a man accused of assult. Overall loved this season opener. It a shame Monica Potter is off the credits now and soon so will Rhona, well at least the show is still on top form. Funny and compelling as ever.moreless

  • New Cast...

    7.8
    "Good"
    By Fat_Boy_PT, Jan 20, 2006
    "Where is Lori? And who are these people?"
    These were the first things on my mind on the season premier of "Boston Legal". Maybe I'm old fashioned. I don't know. But in my humble opinion you cant take important characters without any kind of explanation and push new characters without any kind of introduction. So this woman is divorcing. Why should I care? Who is she? Then there's a new black girl. Chelina was beautiful and was an interesting character. Why replace her?
    I watch "Boston Legal" for two reasons. Denny Crain and Alan Shore. Still I liked the "old" cast and these changes just seem too extreme and pointless. It's a shame Monica Potter and Rhona Mitra are gone.
    As to the episode itself it wasn't as good as to be expected either. Still there were those classic moments we all love and awesome lines as always so its worth watching just for that. And Heather Locklear is just too hot to be missed. So still great TV. Just not the "Boston Legal" I wanted.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (2)

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    • There is some controversy if the character that Anthony Heald as Judge Harvey Cooper is the same Judge Cooper from a 2 part show of The Practice. In TP his character name was Judge Wallace Cooper but they both said Massachusetts real funny. Why the first name change unless he just started using his middle name.

    • Anthony Heald first played Judge Wallace Cooper on a two-part episode of The Practice in 2000. He also played teacher Scott Guber on David E. Kelly's Boston Public which had a crossover with The Practice.

  • QUOTES (8)

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    • Alan: (talking about Bernard) He seems to take particular delight in all of this. Does he not, Catherine? Catherine: We all do. It's fun to see pretty people fall. Alan: Your little boyfriend is twisted. Trust me when I tell you, he's not finished killing.

    • Shirley: You know, I hate to break up the tea party but... Malcolm: Careful, we're still a bit thin-skinned on that one. Such a waste of proper tea.

    • Alan: I can see you're aroused. You might consider the last man to make love to her, died while doing so. (Denny looks over Kelly Nolan's body) Denny: I'll take my chances.

    • Denny: Certainly you'd want me by your side at this trial. Kelly Nolan: I'm sure you're very sweet, but old men tend to die on me. Denny: I'm Denny Crane. No bigger ass--asset! You want me at your table.

    • Denny:: My God, you're even more striking in person. Kelly: Who is this man? And why is his face about to explode? Alan: Kelly Nolan, this is Denny Crane. Success has caused his head to swell.

    • Denny: Not everything is about money, Shirley. Sometimes sex counts, too. It used to count with you. One minute you couldn't get enough of me, the next you lose interest. What happened, Shirley? I need to know. Shirley: They invented color television. Denny: You and me. In my office. Give me 2 minutes. Shirley: If you could last 3 I might consider it.

    • Kelly: (to Denny) How 'bout you go back to your office? I'll have a pair of my pants delivered. You can try and get in them on your own time.

    • Judge Peter Harding: And how are we supposed to understand what she's saying? Malcolm: Well, we have her affidavit, plus as it happens I speak cello.

  • NOTES (9)

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  • ALLUSIONS (3)

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    • The mute plantiff also plays the Wicked Witch theme from The Wizard Of Oz when interacting with Shirley.

    • As Shirley stands up for a cross examination, the mute plaintiff begins playing the theme from the movie Jaws (1975), which became the highest-grossing movie of all-time (though other movies have since earned higher box office receipts).

    • The music played near the beginning of the episode is the famous "Peter Gunn" theme by Henry Mancini. Peter Gunn was a highly stylized half-hour crime drama airing from 1958 to 1961. It featured Craig Stevens as the urbane private eye Peter Gunn and Herschel Bernardi as N.Y.P.D. detective, Lt. Jacoby.

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