With not much else going on in TV land these days due to the holiday hiatus, I’ve been spending some quality time with my Ally McBeal DVDs. I’m still working my way through Season 1, and am about halfway done so far. It’s kind of amazing how many of these episodes and cases I actually remember. I think I remember more from Seasons 1 and 2 (the good seasons) than from the later, more recent seasons. Anyway, here are a few thoughts on the eps I just saw.
1×05 — “One Hundred Tears Away”: Wow, the loneliness angst is really starting to pick up now. Ally was so self-pitying towards the end of the ep that I couldn’t believe it. I think I felt bad for her when I first watched this series 10 years ago, but now the whole “woe is me, I don’t have a man” angle really grates. No wonder the feminists couldn’t stand Ally back when it was popular! (Not that I’m a feminist, exactly…) Assault over a canister of Pringles? I’m surprised the woman involved didn’t sue Ally in civil court for that.
1×06 — “The Promise”: I liked this episode because the Biscuit and his “tactics” were on full display for the first time. Pouring water out ever so slowly before speaking in court, being “troubled” about what is presented during testimony, taking a moment… These were the beginnings of many of the classic Biscuit moves that are now permanently associated with the character. I liked Harry (the overweight lawyer) too. I liked how he just walked into court already talking about his case, regardless of what else was going on at the time. Ha! And wow, I can’t believe the show actually addressed how Ally wouldn’t go out with someone just because he was fat. Surprising that something like that would get out in such a p.c. age as the late-90′s.
1×07 — “The Attitude”: Meh, this one wasn’t very interesting, save for the fact that it marked the point where Georgia joins Cage & Fish. I love how that place just hires people left and right! I wish I knew firms or companies like that….
1×08 — “Drawing the Lines”: My absolute favorite part about this episode was Richard’s speech about why he and John started the firm and how he just wants to come to work at a place that’s fun. It was a great moment that I clearly remembered from the first time I saw it way back when, too. Loved how he said that he understands employees will gripe because that’s what they do, but that filing a lawsuit like Elaine’s took the gripe too far. I know no “real” employer would treat a sexual harassment suit so cavalierly, but Richard’s speech made for great TV!