A new section, which I hereby solemnly open: With the Rewatch reviews, we now regularly look at highlights from series that are a little longer in the past. These can be individual episodes, seasons or entire series (although that would in principle be a series tip). Some time ago I watched the first episode of “The Walking Dead” in rewatch mode and wrote something dauu afterwards – in the review you can read how much better the series actually was at the beginning than in the lame part in the last third the series.
So be it, today it’s about a long-completed and also long-ago series that has set standards in many respects: “Boston Legal”, a law series by David E. Kelley. It is a spin-off and a continuation of “The Practice”, also by David E. Kelley, who has a certain soft spot for legal series (“Ally McBeal” or “Goliath” could also be mentioned here).
Boston Legal – that’s what it’s all about
The focus of the series is what is happening at the Boston law firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt. The series is full of innuendos, sexual harassment, chauvinistic rhetoric and politically incorrect opinions. However, none of this is glorified or endorsed, but discussed and evaluated by the characters themselves in the context of the series.
The main characters of the 101-episode series are attorney Alan Shore (played by James Spader) and law firm namesake Denny Crane (played by William Shatner). Both are best friends, but also regularly clash because the characters – apart from their fondness for women and slumber parties – are fundamentally different. Since the successful law firm name partner, who seems to be past his prime, is also a gun nut, a staunch Republican and has racist views here and there. On the other hand, the equally successful lawyer Alan Shore, who is currently in the prime of his career, sometimes appears cheeky and provocative, refuses weapons and appears as a Democrat. At the end of almost every episode, the two are sitting on the office balcony, smoking a cigar, drinking a glass of whiskey and reflecting on the day’s experiences and often on current political and social events in the real world.
The show ran for five seasons from 2004 to 2008, and after a 17-episode premiere season, there was a lush, 27-episode second season. Season 3 saw a change in the staff of the series – minor characters were repeatedly exchanged and replaced by new ones. Only Alan Shore and Denny Crane always stayed.
New Kids on the Block: Episode 2 of Season 3
David E. Kelley has a penchant for making references to movies, musical groups, or song titles in episode titles. It’s no different here: “New Kinds on the Block” alludes to the ’80s and ’90s boy band, also from Boston. At the same time, the title signals that new characters will arrive in Boston Legal. Constance Zimmer as Claire Simms and Craig Bierko as Jeffrey Coho join, actually (unfortunately) only for Season 3. And they don’t come by in episode 1, but in episode 2, which is the focus here. A point that law firm owner Denny Crane picks up on right at the beginning of the episode when Jeffrey Coho introduces himself: “Oh please, to be new, You should have come in the last episode!” Denny Crane unpacks his whole sexist repertoire, makes allusions to his cigar – a gift from Bill Clinton, although one does not know what he has already done with the cigar – and goes for the new one Attorney to: “If you are a client, I am your man, if not, the offer still counts.”
Then it’s straight on when Denny Crane officially introduces himself: “Crane, welcome to Boston Legal.” So he doesn’t greet the newcomers in his office, but in the series, and then ends by looking directly into the camera and breaking the fourth wall by saying: “Start the music!” Then the actually begins Opening credits, which will be included in the plot a few more times during the season.
There is so much charm in the first few minutes alone – “Boston Legal” at the highest level of entertainment. It goes on like this, the episode is really packed and full of content, but also with gags and sayings. Jeffrey Coho snaps up a high-profile case that will span multiple episodes. Alan and Claire, on the other hand, represent the transvestite Clarence / Clarice. This is actually going to be a charming story about identity, prejudice and how to deal with it. At the end of the episode, Alan and Claire stroll to Clarence’s house, where another identity of Clarence answers – who says the other two aren’t there right now. A great topic, of course attacked again by Denny, who actually wants to throw himself at Clarice, but isn’t sure whether it might not be a man. He speaks his conflict in the office quite openly.
Denny himself has enough to do when it comes to relationships. He met Batheny through a dating app, but he didn’t see from her profile photo that she was short. This irritates him greatly and he disappears, injuring Batheny. This makes for a nice Season 3 Running Ga because whenever Denny talks to Alan about Batheny, at one point Alan points out that Batheny is standing between them – she just wasn’t in view, either for Denny or for viewers thanks to the elevated camera setting.
In this episode, a lot of points are set for the rest of the season as well as for the series itself. Season 3 definitely feels the best, and this episode really is so brilliantly told (by David E. Kelley himself) and directed (by producer Bill D’Elia) that it definitely qualifies as a must-read for anyone who loves “Boston Legal.” “ want to get to know each other and have fun. I also made it twice at the rewatch – great fun!