Boston Legal – Mad Cows

ABC

(Season 5, Episode 7)

Can I just come out and say that I have absolutely fallen in love with the friendship that’s developed between Katie Lloyd and Jerry Espensen on this show the past two seasons. There’s a reason Christian Clemenson was offered a full-time position on Boston Legal after awhile in a “featured player” role. He plays the role of Jerry with such a passion and sincerity that you fully believe his every tic and mannerism.

And since Katie has moved into his office, they’ve become one of the sweetest pairings on television. While I’m not sure they could carry a show on their own, they are a wonderful addition to the general insanity of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. And so tonight, they each got to sit in front of the executive committee and discuss whether Jerry should be offered full partnership in the Firm, and each was just beautiful with their words.

Pleadings

• Loved loved loved the One Day at a Time theme song accompanying Valerie Bertinelli’s introduction. She is still as beautiful now as she was then. Why is she stuck doing guest spots and Lifetime movies? Is it because she was fat?
• It seemed a pretty blatant Democrat slant at the beginning to have Denny justify his Right-wing voting by saying it was the reasons of salmon and women. I know Hollywood leans left, but I was hoping that Denny and Alan could each intelligently represent their side if it came to it.
• It’s interesting that during the second political/voting discussion Republican Denny was wearing the blue tie while Democrat Alan was wearing the red.
• “This man makes partner or I walk and take my name off the door with me … Denny Crane, have a good day.” –Denny Crane on behalf of Jerry Espensen
• At the end, Denny referred to Valerie as Valerie in explaining why he was turned on. I don’t know why I love the little inside nods to awareness that this is a television show. From Alan citing sweeps everywhere you look to Jerry threatening to leave the firm for a spin-off, they always know just how far to take it without destroying the narrative.

The show wrapped with a blatant plea for people to vote, including a shot of Shirley Schmidt voting in Colorado because her vote would matter more there. At least the montage didn’t seem to be pushing any political agenda, just encouraging voting in general. Considering the political overtones that have permeated BL for years, it makes perfect sense for this plea to be here.

I’m not at all sure how I feel about the implied “left wins all around” discussion on the balcony to end the show. Without even discussing my own political leanings, the strength of the relationship between Alan and Denny was in large part because of how different they were in their fundamental beliefs. Alan was the bleeding heart liberal while Denny was the gun-toting conservative. To lose that dynamic, even in the slightest bit, just to push the political leanings of the creator of the show is a disservice to the characters.

Clacked by Jason Hughes
on Nov 04, 2008 @ 11:00 EST5EDT