List of The Practice episodes
The Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centring on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The series was broadcast for eight seasons from 1997 to 2004, initially as a mid-season replacement. The Practice won many Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series in 1998 and 1999. As part of the fictional universe in which many shows produced by David E. Kelley are set The Practice had crossover story arcs with Gideon's Crossing, Boston Public, and Ally McBeal in addition to its own more jovial spin-off series Boston Legal, which was broadcast from 2004 to 2008.
The Practice focused on the law firm of Robert Donnell and Associates (later becoming Donnell, Young, Dole, & Frutt, and ultimately Young, Frutt, & Berluti). Plots typically featured the firm's involvement in various high-profile criminal and civil cases that often mirrored current events at the time of the episodes' initial broadcast. Conflict between legal ethics and personal morality was a recurring theme.
Series overview
| Season | Originally aired | Viewers (in millions) |
Viewer Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | ||||
| 1 | 4 March 1997 | 8 April 1997 | 9.2[1] | #43[1] | |
| 2 | 20 September 1997 | 11 May 1998 | 10.0[2] | #82[2] | |
| 3 | 27 September 1998 | 9 May 1999 | 12.7[3] | #34[3] | |
| 4 | 26 September 1999 | 21 May 2000 | 17.9[4] | #8[4] | |
| 5 | 8 October 2000 | 13 May 2001 | 18.3[5] | #9[5] | |
| 6 | 23 September 2001 | 19 May 2002 | 12.9[6] | #26[6] | |
| 7 | 29 September 2002 | 5 May 2003 | 9.8[7] | #55[7] | |
| 8 | 28 September 2003 | 16 May 2004 | 9.1[8] | #63[8] | |
Episodes
Season 1: 1997
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Pilot" | Mick Jackson | David E. Kelley | March 4, 1997 | 1ABQ79 |
| Bobby defends Rachel Reynolds, a young woman facing drug charges, and Ellenor second chairs. Bobby is stressed because it looks bad for Reynolds, as she is not a drug dealer, but was trying to cover for her brother. Lindsay represents Emerson Ray, who is suing a tobacco company in a wrongful death suit. Lindsay is surprised that her favorite law professor, Anderson Pearson, represents the defense. Eugene represents "Free Willy", a man who has a problem with exposing himself in public. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Part II" | Michael Pressman | David E. Kelley | March 11, 1997 | 1ABQ01 |
| Bobby represents a man facing armed robbery charges. His strategy is to keep it from going to trial and to plead out to lesser charges. Eugene's client fears for her and her 11 year old son's safety, at the hands of her ex-husband. Eugene makes several attempts to get a restraining order, and even crosses the line by making threats of his own. The situation goes from bad to worse, and has deadly consequences. Bobby pays a visit to friend and banker Jimmy Berluti in an attempt to secure a loan. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Trial and Error" | Rick Rosenthal | David E. Kelley | March 18, 1997 | 1ABQ02 |
| Bobby pays attention to The Commonwealth V Ronald Martin, as he plans to represent Gerald Braun in a wrongful death suit against Martin. "Free Willy" returns, after being arrested in a peculiar position with a hooker. Defense Lawyers in the Emerson Ray case make a motion to have the case dismissed. Bobby fears that the judge is biased, and uses a controversial card to have the judge removed. Jimmy is fired for approving a construction loan under false pretenses. Bobby decides to hire Jimmy. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Part IV" | James Frawley | David E. Kelley | March 25, 1997 | 1ABQ03 |
| Lindsay prepares to take on her first case against the tobacco industry. Dr. Braun's anger takes a fatal step. Jimmy and Braun's Rabbi make an appearance on a talk show. The Rabbi's comments on the show make the case even more difficult for Dr. Braun, and could result in accessory charges of his own. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Part V" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | April 1, 1997 | 1ABQ04 |
| Eugene defends Steven Frenault for armed robbery, and makes a bet with the D.A. that he will win the case. Ellenor meets George Vogelman, a man that answered her personal ad. Dr. Braun refuses to explore temporary insanity as a defense for the murder of Ronald Martin. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Part VI" | Dennie Gordon | Ed Redlich | April 8, 1997 | 1ABQ05 |
| Gerald Braun goes on trial for murdering his daughter's killer, and Bobby argues the execution was moral. Meanwhile, Eugene defends a 19-year-old accused of statutory rape. | ||||||
Season 2: 1997–1998
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Reasonable Doubts" | Michael Pressman | David E. Kelley | September 20, 1997 | 2ABQ01 |
| Bobby's judgment is called into question by the firm's other members when he becomes romantically involved with a beautiful, icy client who shot to death a male neighbor she claims was attempting to rape her. The prosecution says it was murder. | ||||||
| 8 | 2 | "Betrayal" | Thomas Schlamme | David E. Kelley | September 23, 1997 | 2ABQ02 |
| The firm defends Joey Heric, a colorful client on trial for the murder of his lover. Jimmy is tried on solicitation charges by a vengeful district attorney. | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | "The Blessing" | Lee Bonner | David E. Kelley | September 27, 1997 | 2ABQ03 |
| Bobby and Gamble clash in and out of the courtroom when an emotional assisted-suicide case forces them to confront painful memories. Meanwhile, Lindsay goes head-to-head with her ex-boyfriend when she defends an elderly bookie. | ||||||
| 10 | 4 | "Dog Bite" | Steve Miner | David E. Kelley & David Shore | October 4, 1997 | 1ABQ06 |
| Jimmy finally gets his first case, that of a little girl bitten by a dog. A juror approaches Lindsay with inside information on a case. Eugene defends a one-legged mugger. | ||||||
| 11 | 5 | "First Degree (Part 1)" | Joe Napolitano | David E. Kelley, Michael R. Perry, Stephen Gaghan & Alexis Ganya | October 11, 1997 | 1ABQ07 |
| Ellenor and Lindsay face disbarment proceedings for their unethical conduct. Bobby defends a man accused of murdering his lover's husband. Eugene represents a police officer applying for disability, claiming the job made him a racist. Jimmy shares a secret with Lindsay. To be continued... | ||||||
| 12 | 6 | "Sex, Lies, and Monkeys (Part 2)" | Lee Bonner | David E. Kelley, Ed Redlich, Stephen Gaghan & Michael R. Perry | October 18, 1997 | 1ABQ08 |
| Bobby tries to right a wrong after finding the truth about his client. Ellenor is sued by George Vogelman, her podiatrist friend, for causing him emotional distress, while Jimmy defends a man who lost his job because in the eyes of his boss, he looks like a monkey. Lindsay has hazy recollections about a night out with Chris Kelton. | ||||||
| 13 | 7 | "Search and Seizure" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | October 25, 1997 | 2ABQ04 |
| Rebecca's friend enlists the firm to try to set a legal precedent by forcing his wife to have a C-section against her wishes. Benny Small is tried for drug possession, leading to another battle with Dickie Flood. Helen asks Bobby out to a Halloween party. | ||||||
| 14 | 8 | "The Means" | Oz Scott | Todd Ellis Kessler | November 8, 1997 | 2ABQ05 |
| A black client is tried for the brutal beating of a department store security guard during a riot. Bobby plans to use a defense very unpopular with both his client and second-chair Eugene. Meanwhile, Ellenor's obnoxious cousin wants to sue the travel agent that booked her honeymoon on allegations of 'emotional distress'. | ||||||
| 15 | 9 | "Save the Mule" | John Patterson | Ed Redlich & Andrew Smith | November 15, 1997 | |
| Lindsay is hired by a drug dealer to defend his "mule" who has been caught smuggling drugs over the border. Jimmy takes on a case of a community stricken by cancer. Bobby must decide with whom he wants to pursue a romance. A former activist enlists Bobby's help after being underground for 25 years. | ||||||
| 16 | 10 | "Spirit of America" | Michael Schultz | Ed Redlich | November 22, 1997 | 2ABQ07 |
| Donnell & Associates travel to another state in a last minute attempt to get a stay of execution for convicted murderer Randall Jefferson while a documentary crew watches their every move. | ||||||
| 17 | 11 | "Hide and Seek" | Steve Miner | David E. Kelley | November 29, 1997 | |
| Bobby and Lindsay second-chair Bobby's old mentor, Raymond Oz, when Oz fears he's losing his memory. Eugene struggles with his conscience when he defends a man on trial for raping and murdering two boys. Jimmy's fantasies come true when a childhood sex symbol seeks his legal counsel. | ||||||
| 18 | 12 | "Race with the Devil" | Oz Scott | David E. Kelley & David Shore | December 13, 1997 | 1ABQ09 |
| Bobby's priest performs an exorcism on a parishioner, who dies during the procedure. Bobby must manipulate the system to shield Father Martin from murder charges. Eugene represents Martin Parks in a bizarre malpractice suit. Jimmy decides to tape a television commercial, a decision that proves unpopular with his colleagues. | ||||||
| 19 | 13 | "The Civil Right" | David Jones | B.J. White, Joseph Telushkin & Allen Estrin | December 20, 1997 | 1ABQ10 |
| Jimmy is furious when his mother reveals her love for another woman. He feels obligated to represent her in court when she requests he argue her right to marry her lover. Bobby and Rebecca deal with a large crowd that is responding to Jimmy's grunt commercial. Meanwhile, Eugene refuses to defend a rapist after he runs into one of his client's victims in a clothing store. | ||||||
| 20 | 14 | "The Pursuit of Dignity" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | January 3, 1998 | 1ABQ12 |
| Bobby reconnects with an old girlfriend who needs his help after she is arrested for prostitution. Ellenor and Rebecca fight to keep a 12-year-old Lisa with Tourette's Syndrome in school. Rebecca takes an active role in Lisa's behalf. Lindsay represents a woman who is suing her doctor for sewing live maggots into her leg to prevent post-surgical infection. | ||||||
| 21 | 15 | "Line of Duty" | Robert Mandel | David E. Kelley | January 5, 1998 | 2ABQ08 |
| Bobby is arrested and tried for the deaths of three police officers, after he tips off a client, using information obtained during a sleepover at Helen's, that the police are planning to raid him. Jimmy has to defend himself when an opposing attorney claims he's unfit to practice law. | ||||||
| 22 | 16 | "Truth and Consequences" | Stephen Cragg | David E. Kelley, Joseph Telushkin & Allen Estrin | January 12, 1998 | 2ABQ09 |
| Rebecca's life is threatened after she witnesses a murder and picks the killer out of a police lineup. Jimmy continues his case against the electric company. Helen pushes the envelope in order to protect a witness. | ||||||
| 23 | 17 | "Burden of Proof" | Daniel Attias | David E. Kelley | January 19, 1998 | 2ABQ10 |
| The trial against Boston Electric begins, with Jimmy bringing both a weak case and doubts as to whether his star witness will be sober, into court. Jimmy also must bear the pressure and doubts from Bobby. | ||||||
| 24 | 18 | "Ties that Bind" | Mel Damski | David E. Kelley & Larry Mollin | February 2, 1998 | 2ABQ11 |
| Lindsay and Ellenor defend a pornographic star accused of killing her co-star. Complications arise in the Moreno case when it appears Rebecca's ID of the suspect may have been tainted. Lindsay's fondness for having her elbows sucked works against Bobby when he sucks on Helen's elbows. | ||||||
| 25 | 19 | "The Trial (Part 1)" | Dennie Gordon | David E. Kelley | February 9, 1998 | |
| Bobby's firm is given a referral by a big law firm to Dr. Jeffrey Winslow when his mistress is found brutally murdered. Due to large retainer that Winslow offers the firm, Bobby accepts the case even though he knows that Helen is the D.A. assigned to the case. Neither lawyer will recuse themselves from the case, putting their personal relationship into jeopardy. Eugene defends Rebecca's irascible uncle on tax evasion charges. To be continued... | ||||||
| 26 | 20 | "Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (Part 2)" | Dennie Gordon | David E. Kelley | February 16, 1998 | 2ABQ13 |
| The entire episode is dedicated to the Commonwealth V Winslow murder trial. All of the lawyers of Robert Donnell & Associates are on the case. Helen Gamble gets a considerable amount of pressure from her boss to get a win. Tactics used by lawyers on both sides anger Judge Hiller while adding fuel to the war between Bobby and Helen. | ||||||
| 27 | 21 | "In Deep" | Oz Scott | David E. Kelley | March 2, 1998 | 2ABQ14 |
| The Luis Moreno case finally comes to trial with Rebecca more determined than ever to testify. Ellenor rushes off to defend Cruikshank again, leaving Lindsay to defend a man being cited for using too much water in his toilet. Eugene faces his own prejudices during an altercation with a dry cleaner. | ||||||
| 28 | 22 | "Another Day" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley | March 9, 1998 | |
| Bobby is called on to defend Joey Heric on murder charges once again. Lindsay goes up against her former professor, Anderson Pearson, when she represents a client who is addicted to cigarettes. Lindsay sues Pearson himself when she suspects his firm of burying damaging information. Ellenor defends Cruikshank against anti-tourism charges, earning herself several trips to jail when she vehemently disagrees with the judge's decidedly biased position. | ||||||
| 29 | 23 | "Checkmate" | Adam Nimoy | David E. Kelley | March 16, 1998 | 2ABQ16 |
| Joey's case comes to trial. Ellenor represents a woman heckled by a carnival clown. Bobby recruits Lindsay to second chair Ellenor's case, even though both Lindsay and Ellenor object. | ||||||
| 30 | 24 | "Trees in the Forest" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley & Frank Renzulli | March 30, 1998 | 2ABQ17 |
| Lindsay drops a bomb during a staff meeting by asking to have equity in the firm. Bobby takes the request as a threat. Eugene defends a gang member for murder who says it was an accident. Rebecca is being honored for animal rights, but it is at risk because she kills a rat that is loose in the office. Helen gets a hit and run case dropped on her, and her only witness is a homeless person. Helen has to bring it to trial because the case already had been continued too many times. | ||||||
| 31 | 25 | "Food Chains" | Stephen Cragg | Ed Redlich & David E. Kelley | April 6, 1998 | 2ABQ18 |
| The furor over Lindsay's demand for partnership continues. Bobby discovers that Lindsay's not the only associate looking for another job. Rebecca is involved in a car accident she believes is a scam. Rebecca and Jimmy go undercover to ferret out the guilty. Ellenor meets up with an old friend in the midst of a chimpanzee custody trial. | ||||||
| - | - | "The Inmates (Part 1)" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | April 27, 1998 | AM19 |
|
Billy takes on a case of a woman charged with murdering her husband. Georgia represents a man fired from his job for being heterosexual. Renee is arrested for assault and battery after attacking her date when he tried to pressure her into sex. To be continued... Part 1 of a crossover between the Practice and Ally McBeal. Broadcast as part of Ally McBeal. | ||||||
| 32 | 26 | "Axe Murderer (Part 2)" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley & Todd Ellis Kessler | April 27, 1998 | 2ABQ19 |
| Bobby works with Ally McBeal and Billy Thomas (of the law firm of Cage and Fish) to help in the defense of Marie Hanson, an apparent axe murderer who may have been Lizzie Borden in a past life. Bobby's infamous "plan B" strategy has shocking results. Ellenor discovers that her new boyfriend, Fred Spivak, is the crooked chiropractor treating Rebecca, while Lindsay and Helen discuss Helen's future with the DA's office. This episode features actress Donna Murphy as Marie Hanson. Part 2 of a crossover with Ally McBeal. | ||||||
| 33 | 27 | "Duty Bound" | Elodie Keene | David E. Kelley | May 4, 1998 | 2ABQ20 |
| Jimmy's faith in his priest is shaken when Father Ryan is arrested for the murder of a 16-year-old boy. Jimmy desperately tries to track down the real killer before Father Ryan's case goes to trial. Ellenor struggles over her sense of ethics and her blossoming relationship with Fred Spivak. | ||||||
| 34 | 28 | "Rhyme and Reason" | Jesus Trevino | David E. Kelley | May 11, 1998 | |
| Bobby defends a young boy who killed his mother over a seemingly inconsequential argument. Eugene wrestles with his conscience over the morality of his profession and its possible effects on his son, Kendall. Lindsay tries to land a class action asbestos suit. | ||||||
Season 3: 1998–1999
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 1 | "Passing Go" | Dennis Smith & Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | September 27, 1998 | 3ABQ01 |
| Because he is distracted while girl watching, Bobby gets hit by a car. Meanwhile, Ellenor advises a client to do something that helps to hide the fact that he was drinking. Realizing later that her actions were unethical, she has serious doubts that she is able to keep from crossing that line. Eugene's case deals with a murder where two roommates are in a joint trial, both pointing the finger at the other one. Bobby is still resisting changes that Lindsay is making to the office, prompting him to pay a visit to his father. Rebecca shocks the firm when she announces she's passed the bar exam. | ||||||
| 36 | 2 | "Reasons to Believe" | Jace Alexander | David E. Kelley | October 4, 1998 | 3ABQ02 |
| Helen and Lindsay move in together. Rebecca tries her first case, even though most of the firm tries to get her to plead out. Anderson Pearson calls on Bobby and Lindsay to defend him when he's arrested for the murder of a stalker. Helen struggles over a probable cause hearing for a murder, when all they have is a four-year-old child as an eyewitness. | ||||||
| 37 | 3 | "Body Count" | Oz Scott | David E. Kelley | October 11, 1998 | 3ABQ03 |
| Bobby and Lindsay lay the groundwork for the Pearson trial. George Vogelman, the podiatrist that answered Ellenor's personal ad comes into the office with a severed head in his medicine bag. Ellenor and Eugene try to determine the best course of action. Jimmy and Rebecca defend Jesse Manning, an elderly man accused of plotting to murder his wife. | ||||||
| 38 | 4 | "The Defenders" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley | October 18, 1998 | 3ABQ04 |
| Lindsay and Bobby try the case, The Commonwealth V Anderson Pearson. District Attorney Gavin Bullock surprises Bobby with his strategy in how he tries the case. Meanwhile, Ellenor's efforts to build a defense for George Vogelman do not go well, as the police do not investigate other suspects. Pornographic material is found at Vogelman's home, which is sure to be used against him. Eugene is investigating to find other possible suspects, and agrees to take first chair in Vogelman's defense. | ||||||
| 39 | 5 | "The Battlefield" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | October 25, 1998 | 3ABQ05 |
| Lindsay desperately works around the clock on Pearson's appeal, and if necessary, strategy for sentencing. Her efforts in trying to save Pearson start to wear on her. Ellenor tries to find another viable suspect in the Vogelman case. Jimmy represents a cousin being sued by a former employee, fired solely because of her Iranian nationality. | ||||||
| 40 | 6 | "One of Those Days" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley | November 8, 1998 | 3ABQ06 |
| The Commonwealth V Vogelman case is tried. Tensions mount in the firm over strategy, as there is not much to offer for a defense. Eugene does not feel good about using a "plan b" defense. Ellenor's examination of Helen on the witness stand draws ire from Helen, as well as Lindsay and Bobby. | ||||||
| 41 | 7 | "Trench Work" | Oz Scott | David E. Kelley | November 15, 1998 | 3ABQ07 |
| Bobby fears that Lindsay is too emotionally involved as she takes her last shot at saving Pearson. Steve Robin, who claims the firm slandered him in the Vogelman trial, sues the firm. Eugene strikes an illegal deal with Helen to help his client, Kevin Peete in exchange for damaging information on the Harrelson killer. | ||||||
| 42 | 8 | "Swearing In" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley & Alfonso H. Moreno | November 29, 1998 | 3ABQ08 |
| Rebecca is faced with an ethical dilemma in the days leading up to her swearing-in ceremony; turn in a client she suspects of being a serial killer or fulfill her legal obligation. The firm prepares to defend itself against Tommy Silva, naming Jimmy as lead counsel. Bobby prepares to defend a babysitter against charges that she shook a baby to death. | ||||||
| 43 | 9 | "State of Mind" | Adam Nimoy | David E. Kelley & Jill Goldsmith | December 6, 1998 | 3ABQ09 |
| Bobby declines Helen's offer of manslaughter, instead forging ahead in the Evelyn Mayfield baby-shaking trial. Rebecca defends young Michael Baylor again, this time on sexual harassment charges. The firm debates whether Jimmy should represent them in the Silva trial. Lucy surprises Bobby with an impulsive kiss. | ||||||
| 44 | 10 | "Love and Honor" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley | December 13, 1998 | 3ABQ10 |
| Robin V Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt is heard in court. Tensions rise as the firm faces an uphill fight. Jimmy feels that Ellenor and Eugene do not fare well on the witness stand. Ellenor and Eugene are not happy with Jimmy's strategy. | ||||||
| 45 | 11 | "Split Decisions" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley | January 3, 1999 | 3ABQ11 |
| Eugene defends a high school friend, Jerry Green, when Jerry is arrested after a high-ranking politician solicits him for sex. Helen is pressed to go after the politician, destroying Green's life in the process. Ellenor's proposed new client, an asbestos company, is rejected by a partnership vote, enraging Ellenor. Bobby discusses inappropriate questions with Lucy. | ||||||
| 46 | 12 | "A Day in the Life" | Martha Mitchell | David E. Kelley & Jill Goldsmith | January 10, 1999 | 3ABQ12 |
| Bobby and Eugene travel to a friend's home to counsel him when his daughter's newborn child is smothered. Jimmy and Rebecca have probable cause hearings, while Helen represents the commonwealth in Jimmy's case. Lindsay comes to Jimmy's aid when she sees opportunity to help kick the charges. This is to the dismay of Helen, as she was hoping to escape for the day with Lindsay for a day at the spa. | ||||||
| 47 | 13 | "Judge and Jury" | Allan Arkush | David E. Kelley | January 17, 1999 | 3ABQ13 |
| Judge Roberta Kittleson, presiding over a case Bobby's working on, informs him that she's had an erotic dream featuring him and proceeds to inquire whether he's interested in her. Bobby responds negatively and worries that it affected Kittleson's judgment when ruling after ruling goes against his client. Helen prosecutes a TV newsmagazine producer as an accessory for murder after he inadvertently encourages a Kevorkian-like suicide doctor to capture a death on videotape. Lucy teaches Eugene's son, Kendall, to dance. | ||||||
| 48 | 14 | "Of Human Bondage" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley, Catherine Stribling & Jill Goldsmith | February 7, 1999 | 3ABQ14 |
| Bobby takes over the defense of a teenage prostitute accused of murder when her previous attorney withdraws, claiming he represents her 'john' (who is also her alibi). Ellenor revisits her past when her very first client is found passed out in a dealer's apartment with a bag of cocaine on his chest. Jimmy cuts a deal with opposing counsel so that both parties in a very bitter divorce get satisfaction. | ||||||
| 49 | 15 | "Lawyers, Reporters, and Cockroaches" | Dennie Gordon | David E. Kelley | February 21, 1999 | 3ABQ15 |
| Tensions boil over at the firm when Ellenor discovers Lindsay's salary is more than double hers. Ellenor approaches Jimmy about partnership, hoping it will give her an ally for voting. Bobby and Lindsay represent a restaurateur forced out of business by a deceptive television reporter. The reporter, under the guise of doing a positive feature, aired an exposé on cockroaches in the kitchen. Helen's plans to enter a quick plea and run off to the spa change after meeting Sylvie Tyler. She then pushes for jail time for a teenager who killed Tyler's cat in a cruel fashion. | ||||||
| 50 | 16 | "End Games" | Keith Samples | David E. Kelley | February 28, 1999 | 3ABQ16 |
| The office is thrown into turmoil when Ellenor's client Leonard Sowers rushes through the door with policemen giving chase and throws a bag of heroin onto her desk. Ellenor is arrested for possession of the heroin. A proximity search of her desk turns up a bloodied knife which turns out to be the weapon used to murder Susan Robins. The firm is dealt a surprise when Dickie Flood charges Ellenor with first degree murder. Lindsay & Ellenor bury the hatchet when Lindsay takes over her defense. The police, hoping to make another case for the murder, arrest George Vogelman for concealing a murder weapon and perjury. Meanwhile, Bobby defends Judge Kittleson when she's sued by a former clerk claiming sexual harassment. Jimmy is mesmerized by Judge Kittleson's frank sexual discussion. | ||||||
| 51 | 17 | "Target Practice" | John Patterson | Cindy Lichtman & Alfonso H. Moreno | March 7, 1999 | 3ABQ17 |
| Jimmy (with Lindsay as second chair) represents a couple suing a gun manufacturer for indirectly causing their daughter's death. Jimmy argues that the company targeted advertising at criminals and also circumvented gun laws by selling mail-order build-it-yourself assault weapons. Eugene is stunned to learn his son Kendall is selling drugs. Bobby, Ellenor and Rebecca all work to help Kendall. Eugene is determined to beat the case, and Bobby and Ellenor have to step in to do what is best as lawyers. The incident causes problems with Eugene and his ex-wife over what is best for Kendall. | ||||||
| 52 | 18 | "Crossfire" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley, Jill Goldsmith & Alfonso H. Moreno | March 14, 1999 | 3ABQ18 |
| Young V Young Commonwealth V Strunk Eugene battles his ex-wife Sharon for custody of Kendall. Sharon claims Eugene's profession and questionable tactics are sending the wrong message to their son. Sharon's lawyer uses several of previous storylines against Eugene. Helen prosecutes a young man for stealing a girl's car, but begins to doubt the alleged victim's story when the accused makes a very credible witness. The witness claims she was car-jacked. The accused adamantly maintains that the girl loaned him the car. Rebecca represents a psychologist fired from his job after suffering a head trauma that left him cross-eyed. | ||||||
| 53 | 19 | "Closet Justice" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | March 28, 1999 | 3ABQ19 |
| Judge Hiller assigns Lindsay the repugnant task of defending nun-killer Michael Kingston. Lindsay discovers that the police search that found the body was unconstitutional and, against all her morals, moves that Kingston be released. Helen delivers an impassioned argument, stating that the constitution was designed to protect the innocent, a category that doesn't include Kingston. Jimmy and Rebecca defend a man on solicitation charges, claiming that the undercover officer aroused the man, then announced she was a prostitute. Jimmy and Judge Kittleson arrange a private meeting. | ||||||
| 54 | 20 | "Home Invasions" | Jeannot Szwarc | Jill Goldsmith & Alfonso H. Moreno | April 18, 1999 | |
| Lucy is stunned to learn her landlord has planted video cameras in her apartment and is uploading sensitive videos featuring her onto the Internet. Judge Kittleson is outraged when she finds details of her private life on the 'net, including photos of her and Jimmy. Helen recruits Ellenor to advise a witness when he announces plans to change his story, clearing his father of charges of murdering his mother. | ||||||
| 55 | 21 | "Infected" | Dylan McDermott | David E. Kelley | April 25, 1999 | |
| Helen brings felony murder charges against Gary Armbrust for lying to save his father. Rebecca takes a pro bono case for a man accused of attempted murder. Judge Swackheimer makes several decisions that make it tough for Rebecca to try a fair case. Bobby and Eugene work on a wrongful death suit for a woman dying shortly after routine cosmic surgery. | ||||||
| 56 | 22 | "Do Unto Others" | Mel Damski | David E. Kelley | May 2, 1999 | |
| Commonwealth v. Richard Jacobs Eugene defends a rabbi accused of rape. The rabbi admits a pre-existing relationship with the woman and claims that when she tried to break off the relationship it was merely a means to arouse him. Eugene struggles with ethical questions when it's made known the rabbi had previously been accused of rape. | ||||||
| 57 | 23 | "Happily Ever After" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley | May 9, 1999 | |
| An unknown assailant that was wearing a nun's outfit during a late night at the office stabs Lindsay. Lindsay manages to utter the word 'nun' to Bobby before she passes out. Based on the information, Helen drags nuns into the courthouse for interrogation, reasoning that a nun upset over Michael (the nun killer) Kingston's acquittal may have committed the crime. Jimmy finds a photo of Lindsay with her image defaced in Judge Kittleson's office; bring a fleet of police to her home. | ||||||
Season 4: 1999–2000
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | 1 | "Free Dental" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley | September 26, 1999 | 4ABQ01 |
| Commonwealth v. Henry Olson Bobby and Jimmy defend dentist, Dr. Henry Olson, accused of murdering a frequent patient... but eventually discover he's hiding a sordid fetish. Vogelman is back, looking for more legal services. His co-op voted him out of the building because of allegations of killing Susan Robin. The case later leads to Vogelman inviting Ellenor to his place for dinner. | ||||||
| 59 | 2 | "Boston Confidential" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | October 3, 1999 | 4ABQ02 |
| Bobby gets a murderer off on a technicality when the arresting officer illegally searches the car and finds a corpse. Jimmy urges Henry Olson to come forward with what he saw, to try to clear him of murder. When Olson refuses, Jimmy breaks his confidence. Lindsay tells Helen that she is moving out so that she can move in with Bobby. Ellenor suggests that she move in with Helen. | ||||||
| 60 | 3 | "Losers Keepers" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley & Christopher Mack | October 10, 1999 | 4ABQ03 |
| Commonwealth v Ronald Vega Lucy finds an envelope containing a picture of a nun (from the neckline down), holding a Boston Herald, and the paper is dated the day before. This raises suspicions that Lindsay's attacker is alive, and getting bolder. And has easy access into the office. Jimmy also fears his apartment has been broken into. Rebecca defends Ronald Vega, a young man who confessed to a hit and run accident. Vega recants his confession after the woman who was hit, dies from her injuries. | ||||||
| 61 | 4 | "Legacy (Part 1)" | Dennie Gordon | David E. Kelley, Todd Ellis Kessler & Jill Goldsmith | October 17, 1999 | 4ABQ04 |
| Bobby's old mentor, Raymond Oz, calls on Bobby to represent him when his wife tries to have him declared incompetent. Bobby has reservations after observing Oz in a clearly disturbed state of mind. Eugene co-counsels for an incompetent lawyer who has never won a jury trial. Ellenor sinks into depression in the aftermath of the Vogelman affair. Eugene meets the world's worst attorney, Harland Bassett for the first time and has to help him with a case. To be continued... | ||||||
| 62 | 5 | "Oz (Part 2)" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley | October 24, 1999 | 4ABQ05 |
| Commonwealth v Raymond Oz The legendary Raymond Oz works on what will likely be his last case, defending himself for the murder of his wife. Oz works to secure his freedom, as well as his legacy. Bobby and Lindsay stay on as co-council. Bobby urges Oz to change his plea to not guilty due to insanity. | ||||||
| 63 | 6 | "Marooned" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley & Todd Ellis Kessler | November 7, 1999 | 4ABQ06 |
| Rebecca and Eugene defend Jan Carlson who is accused of killing her mother. Carlson claims she suffers from flashbacks involving child molestation by her father and that her mother knew. Carlson's sister claims she was not molested. Lindsay and Bobby argue over wedding dresses. | ||||||
| 64 | 7 | "Victimless Crimes" | James Frawley | David E. Kelley & Samantha Howard Corbin | November 14, 1999 | 4ABQ07 |
| Commonwealth v Darlene Keating Jimmy represents Keating for murdering her rapist. It turns out to be an uphill fight when Keating refuses to say she was temporarily insane at the time. Lucy accuses her dentist, who also happens to be Bobby's cousin, of sexual battery. When the dentist seeks out Bobby for legal counsel, Lucy becomes more frustrated when it appears that Bobby is willing to defend him. | ||||||
| 65 | 8 | "Committed" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley & Todd Ellis Kessler | November 21, 1999 | 4ABQ08 |
| Richard Bay salivates at the prospect of going after Eugene's son Kendall, his mother's lover is found dead in her bed. Ellenor is the attorney of record for Kendall. Lindsay tries the petition of Walter "The Hummer" Arens, a man who was found not guilty of five murders by reason of insanity. The five victims were all women and were stabbed. Arens spent 20 years in a mental facility and petitions to be let out, claiming he is cured. | ||||||
| 66 | 9 | "Bay of Pigs" | Oz Scott | David E. Kelley | November 28, 1999 | 4ABQ09 |
| Ellenor takes on Richard Bay in a case wherein a little old lady is accused of attempting to run over her husband in her car. Bay and Ellenor clash both in and out of court. Jimmy evaluates his relationship with Judge Kittleson when he represents an old girlfriend in a suit regarding the sale of reproductive eggs. | ||||||
| 67 | 10 | "Day in Court" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | December 12, 1999 | 4ABQ10 |
| Tempers flare over a particularly tough case. Bobby defends old client, drug dealer Eddie Wick against the murder of an addict. Eddie claims it is self-defense. D.A. Helen brings the coroner to testify that it wasn't. The coroner's testimony is damaged by prior odd behavior. Eddie attacks Helen to try to force the judge into a mistrial. Bobby & Swackheim nearly come to blows. Each of the participants, Bobby, Helen & Swackheim, expresses their outrage with the legal system. | ||||||
| 68 | 11 | "Blowing Smoke" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley & Samantha Howard Corbin | January 9, 2000 | 4ABQ11 |
| Lindsay sues a cigar company for breaking up a friend's marriage. She alleges that the husband's addiction was the deciding factor in the divorce. Rebecca gives legal help to her ex-boyfriend and Boston police officer Armstrong of murder. Armstrong shot and killed a teenage boy in a grocery store claiming he saw a gun. The cashier says otherwise. | ||||||
| 69 | 12 | "New Evidence (Part 1)" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley | January 30, 2000 | 4ABQ12 |
| Lindsay takes the firm to Los Angeles to defend an acquaintance who is on trial for murdering his on-line girlfriend. As evidence mounts against their client, Bobby and the rest deal with a controlling judge, an antagonistic detective and the victim's sister, a nun with issues. This episode aired after the Super Bowl; Los Angeles was chosen as the setting due to its lack of an NFL team. It remained the series' most-watched episode for the rest of the series' run. To be continued... | ||||||
| 70 | 13 | "Hammerhead Sharks (Part 2)" | Dwight Little & Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | February 6, 2000 | 4ABQ14 |
| California v Mills Dennis Mills maintains his innocence. The firm continues the trial, striving against all odds to exonerate Mills. Lindsay struggles to look for a hail mary to try to save Mills. | ||||||
| 71 | 14 | "Checkmates" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley, Alfonso H. Moreno & Jill Goldsmith | February 13, 2000 | 4ABQ13 |
| Ellenor defends a 'slow' teenager accused of killing a younger boy. A witness comes forward claiming to have information exonerating her client, but Ellenor suspects he's lying. Helen calls in a police officer when his son is under suspicion in a homicide. Representing the accused, Bobby argues the officer was acting as an agent of the court, not a father. | ||||||
| 72 | 15 | "Race Ipsa Loquitor" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | February 20, 2000 | 4ABQ15 |
| Jimmy is tempted to compromise his integrity to get convicted murder (and insect admirer) Henry Olson released. Eugene and Rebecca represent a woman who is suing a plastic surgeon when her husband dies during a liposuction procedure. They soon realize they're as much on trial as the surgeon when the opposing attorney makes several references to their race. | ||||||
| 73 | 16 | "Settling" | Arvin Brown | Todd Ellis Kessler | March 12, 2000 | 4ABQ16 |
| A red flag is raised when Bobby does not show up for a deposition. Little does the firm know, that Bobby has been kidnapped by a former client named Patrick Rooney (Donnie Wahlberg). Rooney, who spent 12 years in prison all the while maintaining his innocence blames Bobby for his incarceration. | ||||||
| 74 | 17 | "Black Widows" | Mel Damski | David E. Kelley | April 2, 2000 | 4ABQ17 |
| Bobby defends the so-called 'Black Widow'; a woman who is accused of murdering her recently deceased husband and whose two previous spouses also died mysteriously. Helen lies to a 15-year-old girl who killed her unborn child, coercing her into giving a statement. | ||||||
| 75 | 18 | "Death Penalties" | Keith Samples | David E. Kelley | April 9, 2000 | 4ABQ18 |
| Bobby and Helen clash in an assisted suicide case. Bobby remembers his experiences of 'pulling the plug' on his mother and acts as though he were on trial. Meanwhile, Ellenor flies to Pennsylvania to see if there are possibilities that could exonerate a 31-year-old death row inmate who claims to be innocent of a double homicide. | ||||||
| 76 | 19 | "Till Death Do Us Part (Part 1)" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley & Alfonso H. Moreno and Adam Armus & Kay Foster | April 30, 2000 | 4ABQ19 |
| Ellenor pursues the Donovan case, hoping to forestall his execution. Meanwhile, Rebecca's case representing a woman with Alzheimer's trying to keep her marriage from being annulled becomes complicated when questions arise about the death of her client's first husband. To be continued... | ||||||
| 77 | 20 | "Liberty Bells (Part 2)" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley & Alfonso H. Moreno | May 7, 2000 | 4ABQ20 |
| Time is running short on Stuart Donovan, as well as options to prevent his execution. Eugene, Jimmy and Lucy join Ellenor in Pennsylvania to help investigate, and look for a last minute miracle to save Donovan's life. | ||||||
| 78 | 21 | "The Honorable Man" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | May 14, 2000 | 4ABQ21 |
| Eugene is disgusted by his client, a homeless man accused of murdering a woman and raping her corpse. Jimmy represents an old friend who is being sued for notifying employees that one of their co-workers has AIDS. | ||||||
| 79 | 22 | "Life Sentence" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley | May 21, 2000 | 4ABQ22 |
| Commonwealth v Burg Ellenor defends a deaf woman who shot and killed the man who allegedly murdered and raped her young daughter. The client's crime is captured on video in front of dozens of witnesses, leaving no doubt as to who committed the act. The only to way to exonerate the client is to manipulate the jury's heartstrings. Meanwhile Lindsay learns that Bobby hates weddings and decides to spring a surprise elopement. | ||||||
Season 5: 2000–2001
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 | 1 | "Summary Judgements" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley | October 8, 2000 | 5ABQ01 |
| Commonwealth v Wallace Bobby doesn't want a client to testify to avoid introducing videotape that could be perceived as an admission of guilt. Helen and Richard Bay may have coached a witness. Helen believes that witnessed lied. Ellenor and Lindsay represent a parent whose three children have all contracted learning disabilities. | ||||||
| 81 | 2 | "Germ Warfare" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley | October 15, 2000 | 5ABQ02 |
| Bobby struggles to overturn the guilty verdict in the Scott Wallace case. Bobby's refusal to allow Wallace to testify may be grounds for a new trial. Ellenor and Lindsay continue their attack against the EPA, but a hostile judge may thwart their efforts. Helen faces a crisis when doing the right thing over Richard's coercion of a witness may cost her a job. | ||||||
| 82 | 3 | "Officers of the Court" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | October 22, 2000 | 5ABQ03 |
| Ellenor continues the Jamison case, challenging Judge Aldrich's decision to cut her client's award. Jimmy is upset when he learns that former client Jennifer Cole is pregnant and has been arrested for possession of cocaine. He conspires with the D.A. to install Jennifer in a rehab program. Bobby continues to work Scott Wallace's appeal. Helen faces alienation from her colleagues in the wake of her unpopular actions in the Wallace trial. | ||||||
| 83 | 4 | "Appeal and Denial" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | October 29, 2000 | 5ABQ04 |
| Bobby takes the Scott Wallace case to appeals, hopefully proving that prosecution witness Kyle Barrett perjured himself. Helen faces Rebecca in the courtroom in an emotional case when an abused spouse claims that she was mistaken in identifying her husband as her attacker. Bobby and Lindsay announce that they're expecting a child but Lindsay suspects she may not be the only pregnant woman in the office. | ||||||
| 84 | 5 | "We Hold These Truths" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley | November 5, 2000 | 5ABQ05 |
| Eugene defends a man accused of murder in a trial where the outcome hinges on the honesty of a police office who has been living a lie. Jimmy confronts a judge whose propensity for giving moral lectures to defendants has made him a laughingstock. Bobby continues preparations for the Scott Wallace retrial. This time the case is in Judge Hiller's courtroom. | ||||||
| 85 | 6 | "Show and Tell" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | November 12, 2000 | 5ABQ06 |
| The long-awaited Scott Wallace retrial. | ||||||
| 86 | 7 | "Brothers' Keepers" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley & Alfonso H. Moreno | November 19, 2000 | 5ABQ07 |
| Bobby defends a man on trial for allowing his wife to be murdered in an 'honor killing'; an ancient cultural ritual used to punish adulterous behavior. Eugene reluctantly aids incompetent attorney Harland Bassett yet again. Ellenor announces that she's pregnant, encountering some adversity. | ||||||
| 87 | 8 | "Mr. Hinks Goes to Town" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | November 26, 2000 | 5ABQ08 |
| Lindsay defends a psychiatric patient who claims to be a serial killer. His psychiatrist claims he's only a disturbed individual looking for a little notoriety. | ||||||
| 88 | 9 | "The Deal" | Daniel Attias | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | December 10, 2000 | 5ABQ09 |
| Scott Wallace, William Hinks, and a high profile kidnapping case converge to make this one of the most explosive episode of The Practice thus far. First, Bobby is forced to choose between his responsibilities to his client and the life of a 7-year-old girl when his client knows the kidnapped girl's whereabouts but refuses to divulge her location unless he receives a cushy plea bargain. William Hinks, the acquitted serial killer, begins stalking Lindsay. Meanwhile, an increasingly agitated Scott Wallace is fired from his job and tries to convince his employer that he deserves to be rehired. | ||||||
| 89 | 10 | "Friends and Ex-Lovers" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | December 17, 2000 | 5ABQ10 |
| Despite a restraining order, William Hinks continues to harass Lindsay, as more questions arise as to whether or not he's the real serial killer. Meanwhile, Bobby blames himself for Scott Wallace's latest offense. | ||||||
| 90 | 11 | "An Early Frost" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | January 7, 2001 | 5ABQ11 |
|
After Scott Wallace kills his friend, Jimmy becomes a witness for the prosecution. Bobby, meanwhile, is still defending Wallace. Lindsay is convinced that serial killer William Hinks has claimed another victim, and fears for her own life. To protect her, Bobby takes matters into his own hands. | ||||||
| 91 | 12 | "Payback" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley & Marc Guggenheim | January 14, 2001 | 5ABQ12 |
| Bobby is arrested for conspiring to murder serial killer William Hinks. The entire firm, with Eugene at the helm, must now rally to defend him. Meanwhile, Rebecca discovers foul play in the wrongful death suit of a friend's husband. | ||||||
| 92 | 13 | "The Thin Line" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley & Lynne E. Litt | February 4, 2001 | 5ABQ13 |
| Tensions at the firm are at an all-time high when Bobby is tried for the murder of William Hinks. Bobby is acquitted, though there is little to celebrate when a mysterious cassette recorder is sent to the office. Lucy and Rebecca hear Hinks' voice on the recorder, just before it triggers an explosion. | ||||||
| 93 | 14 | "The Day After" | Alex Graves | David E. Kelley | February 11, 2001 | 5ABQ14 |
| Unconscious and in critical need of blood, Rebecca's fate is left to a higher power when her mother refuses to allow a transfusion because of the family's religious beliefs. Bobby is awestruck when Lindsay gives birth to their son a month early. In a crossover with Boston Public, coach Kevin Riley asks Ellenor Frutt to represent him in a school board meeting when he's fired from Winslow High. This episode of The Practice is Part 2 of a 3-part Boston Public story arc (taking place between Season 1, Episodes 12 and 13 of that series). | ||||||
| - | - | "Chapter Thirteen" | Jonathan Pontell | David E. Kelley | February 12, 2001 | 1ADU13 |
|
When Coach Riley is fired for withholding information about Buttle's affair, he hires the best attorneys in Boston – Ellenor Frutt and Jimmy Berluti. Ellenor immediately begins subpoenaing witnesses, sending a message to Winslow High that she means business. Meanwhile, Lauren discovers that Harry had dated another co-worker, Jenna, before her. Disturbed that Harry would have a relationship with a woman Lauren deems unsavory, she becomes concerned about her own relationship with Senate. This is the 13th episode of Season 1 of Boston Public, concluding the crossover story arc with The Practice. | ||||||
| 94 | 15 | "Awakenings" | Charles McClelland | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | February 18, 2001 | 5ABQ15 |
| Ellenor's chosen "sperm donor", Michael Hale (Ted McGinley), has second thoughts about the agreement over the rearing of her soon-to-be-born child. Meanwhile, Rebecca emerges from the I.C.U. and gets lost in the hospital. Additionally, Helen prepares to prosecute the rape of an eleven-year-old girl. | ||||||
| 95 | 16 | "Gideon's Crossover (Part 1)" | Michael Schultz | David E. Kelley, Peter Blake & Lynne E. Litt | March 11, 2001 | 5ABQ16 |
| Helen prosecutes an accused rapist, while doing her best to keep the 11-year-old victim off the witness stand. Meanwhile, Ellenor has complications with her pregnancy and is treated by Dr. Ben Gideon, (Gideon's Crossing). To be continued... | ||||||
| - | - | "Flashpoint (Part 2)" | March 12, 2001 | G243 | ||
|
Ellenor names Jimmy guardian of her baby while making Gideon promise to put her baby's life before her own. With some "dumb luck" Ellenor and her baby both survive. Part 2 of a crossover story with Gideon's Crossing. The conclusion is "Flashpoint", Episode 17 of that series. | ||||||
| 96 | 17 | "What Child is This" | Steve Gomer | David E. Kelley & Lynne E. Litt | March 18, 2001 | 5ABQ17 |
| Bobby and Jimmy employ the firm's notorious "Plan B" strategy in a last-ditch effort to save a client accused of raping and murdering his teen-aged stepdaughter. Bobby makes a case that the client's wife is actually the murderer. Meanwhile, Ellenor goes into labor with only a panicky Helen Gamble there to assist her. | ||||||
| 97 | 18 | "The Confession" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | April 1, 2001 | |
| Helen Gamble uses trickery to coerce a confession from an alleged carjacker represented by Jimmy Berluti. While Gamble feels that her means were legal and necessary to get a dangerous man off the streets, Berluti and Eugene disagree and ask a federal judge to rule the confession inadmissible, a decision that would set the carjacker free. | ||||||
| 98 | 19 | "Home of the Brave" | Keith Samples | David E. Kelley & Lynne E. Litt and Adam Armus & Kay Foster | April 22, 2001 | 5ABQ19 |
| Lindsay presses Richard Bay to explain a questionable arrest of her client, who is an illegal alien. She ultimately discovers that the police planted drugs on her client, in order to force him to testify in a murder trial. The client refuses to testify, as the murderer is his own brother, and allows himself to be deported to Colombia. Meanwhile, Lucy's actions as a rape counselor are called into question during a date rape trial. | ||||||
| 99 | 20 | "The Case of Harland Basset" | Daniel Attias | Alfonso H. Moreno & Peter Blake | April 29, 2001 | 5ABQ20 |
| Eugene and Jimmy agree to help the mistake-prone Harland Bassett (Ernie Sabella) in the case of a young girl who developed liver damage from an antibiotic. With the odds stacked against them, the trio take on a politically tied, deep-pocketed drug manufacturer. | ||||||
| 100 | 21 | "Poor Richard's Almanac" | Jeannot Szwarc | Jill Goldsmith, Lukas Reiter & Jill Shapiro | May 6, 2001 | 5ABQ21 |
| Richard Bay prosecutes a murderer being defended by Bobby. The killer warns Richard that if that jury returns with a guilty verdict, Richard should fear for his life. | ||||||
| 101 | 22 | "Public Servants" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | May 13, 2001 | |
| Helen is enraged by Richard Bay's execution and determined to punish Jackie Cahill and all other responsible parties. She makes a deal with Cahill, offering him immunity on Bay's murder plus the added bonus that she won't announce that he's a snitch and release him into the general prison population if he gives up the shooter. He agrees. After the shooter has been killed by police, Helen reneges on the deal, claiming Jackie hasn't fulfilled the terms of the agreement. Jackie's lawyer protests and drags Helen into court. However, because Jackie threatened to put a 'hit' on Helen from within prison after she reneged on the deal, the judge adds 75 years to each of Jackie's counts, meaning he will be up for parole in 150 years. Meanwhile, Rebecca and Jimmy defend a man on charges that he strangled his wife. Rebecca is adamant about the man's innocence, arguing that the only reason he's being prosecuted is because he was stunned by his wife's death and gave the investigating officer erroneous information. Rebecca and Jimmy are shocked to later learn that their client has a history of strangling both women and chickens. | ||||||
Season 6: 2001–2002
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 1 | "The Candidate (Part 1)" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | September 23, 2001 | 6ABQ01 |
| A man is murdered in a state senator's house, and Ellenor is called to defend the senator, who also happens to be a personal friend. To be continued... | ||||||
| 103 | 2 | "The Candidate (Part 2)" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | September 23, 2001 | 6ABQ01 |
| A sensational homicide case rocks Boston in the series' two-hour, sixth-season opener. The defendant is a charismatic state senator, who is charged with killing the man purported to be his wife's lover. Pretrial drama centers on the accounts of two key witnesses: the politician's intransigent spouse and his reticent teenage daughter. Later, courtroom skirmishes are interwoven with the sometimes contentious strategizing of prosecutor Helen Gamble and her associate, Alan Lowe; and squabbling on the defense team, led by Ellenor. | ||||||
| 104 | 3 | "Killing Time" | Daniel Attias | Peter Blake | September 30, 2001 | 6ABQ02 |
| Ellenor learns that Marsha Ellison is guilty of the crime for which her husband was convicted. Ellenor goes to Keith Ellison, who is now in prison, and urges him to come forward with the truth, though he refuses. Meanwhile, Eugene Young represents a man who is up for parole, Leonard Marshall (Charles Dutton). Eugene insists that the best chance for parole is to confess to the crime and beg forgiveness. During the parole hearing, Leonard refuses to admit guilt, though the parole board still sets him free. Also in this episode, Rebecca assists a powerful attorney, John Mockler (guest star Ron Silver), who is famous for fighting death penalty cases. Rebecca discovers that Mockler picks only the cases that he feels are worthy. If he doesn't believe a client has a good chance of getting his penalty overturned, he will not fight for the case. Instead, he urges the doomed clients to find religion. Rebecca believes that every person, no matter what the case, should be defended to the full extent of the law. She tells Bobby about John Mockler's questionable tactics, and they attempt to get a stay of execution for Mockler's latest case. Their argument is not successful, and the death penalty is carried out. | ||||||
| 105 | 4 | "Liar's Poker" | Dwight Little | Gardner Stern & Lukas Reiter | October 7, 2001 | |
| Lindsay represents a young man, Martin Jenks, accused of murder. There is only one eyewitness in the case, but Lindsay doesn't believe that she can keep Jenks out of jail. She goes to A.D.A. Ron Lowe and offers a plea bargain, but the deal is rejected. After the eyewitness dies unexpectedly, Lowe then decides to accept the original plea bargain. Lindsay has difficulty convincing her client to plead guilty, but he reluctantly accepts the offer and gets the five-year sentence. When Lindsay discovers that Lowe tricked her, she goes back to the judge and argues that her client should be set free. In a closed-door meeting in the judge's chambers, the judge says that he cannot free Jenks. But the judge also chastises Ron Lowe and D.A. Kenneth Walsh for their unethical behavior. Meanwhile, Jimmy represents a seedy client, Sid Herman (Jeffrey Tambor), who is a bookie. Jimmy has incurred a serious gambling debt, and represents Sid in a hostile divorce as a way of paying off the debt. When Sid's wife is murdered, Sid is charged with the crime. | ||||||
| 106 | 5 | "Vanished" | Arvin Brown | Crystal Nix Hines | October 14, 2001 | 6ABQ04 |
| Bobby represents a couple, the Baldwins, who are haunted by the kidnapping of their son 18 years earlier. The Baldwins believe that a man named John Pierce, who is serving a prison sentence for molesting children, is the guilty culprit. At the time of the disappearance, Pierce was a suspect, but the police did not have enough evidence to charge him with the kidnapping. The Baldwins believe their son was murdered, and they just want to know the location of the body. They persuade Bobby to bring a civil lawsuit against John Pierce for the "wrongful death" of their son. They believe that under the threat of a lawsuit, which could jeopardize his parole, Pierce will tell them the location of their son's body. Bobby moves forward with the case, though on the witness stand, Pierce insists that he did not kidnap the boy. At the end of the episode, Bobby is approached by a young man who believes that he is the boy who was kidnapped years ago. Meanwhile, Jimmy still owes money to his bookie, Sid. After being seriously threatened, Jimmy "borrows" money from a client's trust fund. He uses the money to bet on horses, and he wins enough to pay back the bookie. Jimmy returns the client's money, but not before Eugene and Bobby discover his reckless action. To be continued... | ||||||
| 107 | 6 | "Vanished (Part 2)" | Duane Clark | Gardner Stern | October 21, 2001 | 6ABQ05 |
| Chad Baldwin, the boy who was kidnapped 18 years ago, shows up at Bobby's office, along with the woman who raised him, Allison Tucker. She claims that John Pierce "left" the boy with her, claiming that the child was his own son. Allison Tucker agrees to testify as part of the trial against John Pierce, and can provide crucial testimony to keep him behind bars. But she is worried that she could also be charged as an accessory to the crime, so she first cuts an immunity deal with the district attorney's office. After she testifies, however, unsettling news is uncovered. According to Allison Tucker's sister, Allison had a few miscarriages, and once threatened to "go to a hospital and steal a baby." Bobby believes that Allison Tucker is the real kidnapper, and that she brilliantly framed John Pierce. He shares this news with the Baldwins, who ask that Bobby not tell the district attorney the truth. They are desperate to restore their relationship with their estranged son, and are afraid of attacking the woman who raised him. In the end, John Pierce accepts a plea bargain for seven more years in prison, as he knows the case against him is overwhelming. | ||||||
| 108 | 7 | "Honor Code" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | November 18, 2001 | 6ABQ06 |
| Bobby, Eugene and Jimmy work with an insurance company to settle the claim of a 10-year-old accident victim. But when the case presents a dilemma of moral and ethical proportions, the tension that's been brewing between Jimmy and Eugene finally boils over. | ||||||
| 109 | 8 | "Suffer the Little Children" | Dennis Smith | Lynne E. Litt & James Solomon | November 25, 2001 | 6ABQ07 |
| Lindsay is assigned a case involving a mentally challenged man who was released from prison after DNA evidence exonerated him of the murder of his wife. The man is searching for his daughter, who believed that he murdered his wife, her mother. Ellenor is working on a gang killing case. Alan Lowe is using unscrupulous tactics in order to get the former-gang member's family to turn on him. | ||||||
| 110 | 9 | "Dangerous Liaisons" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley | December 2, 2001 | 6ABQ08 |
| Bobby has feelings for a client (Gabrielle Anwar) accused of murder. Lucy counsels an octogenarian rape victim, who then takes vengeance on her rapist. | ||||||
| 111 | 10 | "Inter Arma Silent Leges" | David Semel | Lukas Reiter | December 9, 2001 | 6ABQ09 |
| Eugene and Helen are against each other in a case. Eugene's client insists on an argument that hinges on the existence of "Cross Racial Impairment", a psychological condition proposed by one of Eugene's witnesses. Rebecca represents a legal immigrant of Middle Eastern descent who is being held in against his will in something like Kafka's The Trial. | ||||||
| 112 | 11 | "Eyewitness" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | January 6, 2002 | 6ABQ10 |
| Lindsay and Jimmy defend a man accused of killing a woman's husband. A minister tells Lindsay and Jimmy that one of his congregants committed the murder. Ellenor defends someone who is accused of being a repeat thief; the DA on the case, Mitchell, sexually harasses Ellenor. The major theme of the episode is about corruption within the system and why the process is important. | ||||||
| 113 | 12 | "The Test" | Christina M. Musrey | Lukas Reiter | January 13, 2002 | 6ABQ11 |
| Bobby and Eugene defend Russell Hampton, a man who was shot in a drug feud. Bobby, believing Russell to be dead, tells the police about the feud. Russell attacks Bobby. Lindsay tries to get a DNA test for one of her first clients who is now serving time in prison for multiple rapings. The theme in this episode is biological (blood and DNA) identification, and how these tests alone do not necessarily indicate guilt or innocence. | ||||||
| 114 | 13 | "Pro Se" | Michael Zinberg | Jonathan Shapiro | February 10, 2002 | 6ABQ12 |
| Bobby deals with having been attacked by one of his clients, Russell Hampton, from the last episode. Bobby considers leaving criminal defense. Ellenor defends a man named Ray (who wants to defend himself) who is accused of murdering someone while in prison. The theme in this episode is about how prison and the prospect of serving time makes one desperate, and that defense attorneys put themselves in danger by interacting with those who have little to lose. | ||||||
| 115 | 14 | "Judge Knot" | Dennie Gordon | Jeff Rake | February 17, 2002 | 6ABQ13 |
| Bobby and Helen are called by the US Attorneys office to pull a sting on the possibly corrupt Judge Charles Fleming. The book the judge is holding is titled "Justice for All", and is not a real book. It is unclear what the paper Helen shreds says. | ||||||
| 116 | 15 | "Man and Superman" | Jeannot Szwarc | Lukas Reiter | February 24, 2002 | 6ABQ14 |
| Jimmy and Lindsay represent an old friend of Jimmy's who now believes he's Superman. Bobby searches for a baby sitter. | ||||||
| 117 | 16 | "M Premie Unplugged" | Dennis Smith | John Tinker | March 10, 2002 | 6ABQ15 |
| Fallout from the death of Judge Fleming and Bobby having worked with the US Attorneys office. Eugene and Rebecca defend a man whose daughter is on life support, and whose wife has control over the disconnecting of life support due to him being accused of shaking the baby to near-death. Ellenor has a case against Mitchell, the DA who sexually harassed her. Mitchell quits his job and Ellenor starts to date Mitchell. We learn Mitchell and Ellenor have been friends for a long time, even having gone to school together. Mitchell decides to leave Boston. | ||||||
| 118 | 17 | "Manifest Necessity" | Christina M. Musrey | Peter Blake | March 17, 2002 | 6ABQ16 |
| Bobby and Jimmy go against Helen and Kenneth Walsh in a case where the defendant has a background in organized crime and won his last case, 12 years prior, against Walsh. The question of prosecutorial misconduct is the crux of this episode. Lindsay is defending an old man who wants to go to prison. | ||||||
| 119 | 18 | "Fire Proof" | Andy Wolk | Jonathan Shapiro | April 7, 2002 | 6ABQ17 |
| Jimmy and Bobby defend one of Jimmy's father's old friends who is accused of setting fire to his building to collect the insurance and is suspected, by Kenneth Walsh, of laundering money involved with organized crime many years past. Helen suspects Walsh has coerced a witness. A boy who has a crush on Lucy commits wire fraud, and he is charged by the FBI. | ||||||
| 120 | 19 | "The Return of Joey Heric" | Dwight Little | David E. Kelley | April 14, 2002 | 6ABQ18 |
| Joey Heric arrives at the office and announces he's become a lawyer. Ellenor and Bobby help Joey in his first murder trial. Jimmy's former client Jennifer, a prostitute, accuses a lawyer of raping her. The firm stands against the lawyer and his big firm. | ||||||
| 121 | 20 | "Eat and Run" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | May 5, 2002 | 6ABQ19 |
| The firm defends a man who believes he is Hannibal Lecter. The man, O'Malley, threatens Lindsay, who is especially upset because she was stabbed a few years ago. Bobby does a poor job on his closing so Eugene steps in and finishes it. The defendant is acquitted of all murder charges. Lindsay and Bobby admit to having problems within their relationship. | ||||||
| 122 | 21 | "Evil-Doers" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley | May 12, 2002 | 6ABQ20 |
| A continuation of the Eat and Run storyline. O'Malley calls Lindsay, and she gets a restraining order. Eugene and Jimmy try a case defending a man accused of rape who has a twin brother, claiming to be the real rapist. O'Malley shows up at the Donnells' home, and Lindsay shoots him. | ||||||
| 123 | 22 | "This Pud's for You" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | May 19, 2002 | 6ABQ21 |
| A continuation of the Eat and Run storyline. O'Malley died in the shooting. Rebecca defends a man who nicknamed his penis "Pud", accused of rape and murder. The Pud fellow's victim shows up on a video tape. Bobby and Lindsay's relationship starts to crumble under the stress. The firm is allowed to be Lindsay's attorney, and relies upon the defense of Battered Woman Syndrome. | ||||||
| 124 | 23 | "The Verdict" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | May 19, 2002 | 6ABQ22 |
| A continuation of the Eat and Run storyline. Larry King is a guest on the show. Joey Heric also gets a short cameo. Lindsay's trial occurs, and she is found guilty. Lindsay's stress pushes her beyond the breaking point. | ||||||
Season 7: 2002–2003
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | 1 | "Privilege" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | September 29, 2002 | 7ABQ01 |
| Lindsay is sentenced. Jamie Stringer is hired. Jimmy is hired by a woman who told him she had kidnapped a girl 16 years ago and had raised as her daughter. This woman hired Jimmy to tell the person whose daughter she had kidnapped about the kidnapping, as well as the person accused of kidnapping that he knew she was innocent. | ||||||
| 126 | 2 | "Convictions" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | October 6, 2002 | 7ABQ02 |
| Rebecca takes Lindsay's case to the Supreme Court. Lindsay isn't allowed to see her child. Jimmy continues on the case of the kidnapping. An innocent woman is charged. Rebecca gets a new trial for Lindsay. The woman who kidnapped the daughter is convinced by Jamie to come forward. | ||||||
| 127 | 3 | "Of Thee I Sing" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley | October 13, 2002 | 7ABQ03 |
| Jamie is given her first solo case, a man who flashed some kids and claims free speech. The rest of the firm is working on prosecutorial misconduct for Lindsay. The judge dismisses Lindsay's case with prejudice; she gets out of prison. Kenneth Walsh shows signs of cracking. | ||||||
| 128 | 4 | "The Cradle Will Rock" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | October 20, 2002 | 7ABQ04 |
| Bobby and Eugene defend a family of Christian Scientists whose son died from a lack of medical care. Walsh loses control in front of a judge when going against Ellenor and Jamie in an unborn baby case. Lindsay decides to start her own practice and faces stress from having been in prison. Walsh decides to "take some time" off. | ||||||
| 129 | 5 | "Neighboring Species" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | November 3, 2002 | |
| Eugene, Ellenor, and Jamie defend a stem-cell research firm whose location was zoned against by the city. Lindsay defends a woman who is sued for singing loudly. Eugene gets into arguments with both Jimmy and Bobby over religion and Catholicism. | ||||||
| 130 | 6 | "The Telltale Nation" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley | November 10, 2002 | 7ABQ06 |
| Eugene and Ellenor sue for a man whose friend recommended he see a priest that had raped him, and eventually raped their client. The opposing attorney is Father Patrick. Eugene is upset with Bobby because Bobby is a Catholic. Lindsay and Jamie arbitrate a feud between former lovers. They are neighbors, and the woman screams loudly during sex, which he claims is a nuisance. The man is shot by the woman. Bobby and Jimmy discuss the scandals of sexual abuse within the Catholic church. Bobby leaves the Catholic church, but "not the faith". | ||||||
| 131 | 7 | "Small Sacrifices" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | November 17, 2002 | 7ABQ07 |
| Bobby and Jimmy are assigned the case of a child molester and go against Helen Gamble. Features Anton Yelchin as the abused boy, Justin. Meanwhile, Ellenor defends an animal cruelty case where a man who practices Santaria slit the throat of a goat and the media got it on video. Bobby's priest recommends he quit being a defense attorney. | ||||||
| 132 | 8 | "Bad to Worse" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | December 1, 2002 | 7ABQ08 |
| Ellenor and Eugene defend a fiery yet frightened client named Cassie Ray, a murder suspect with a shadowy past. Moreover, Cassie's alibi witness has significant skeletons in her own closet. In a separate case, Lindsay reluctantly defends an airline that refuses to carry passengers of Arab descent. | ||||||
| 133 | 9 | "The Good Fight" | Dwight Little | Jonathan Shapiro | December 8, 2002 | 7ABQ09 |
| A cop-killing case rattles Bobby, whose anemic defense of an unsavory client leads Helen to suspect that he's "tanking the trial"; a drug bust raises search-and-seizure issues. | ||||||
| 134 | 10 | "Silent Partners" | Dennis Smith | Lukas Reiter | December 15, 2002 | 7ABQ10 |
| Bobby has been benched due to his erratic behavior, so Eugene must take his place as lead counsel in a controversial murder case. Meanwhile Lindsay defends a killer, against her own better judgement, and Jamie is placed in a compromising situation involving a judge. | ||||||
| 135 | 11 | "Down the Hatch (Part 1)" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | January 27, 2003 | 7ABQ11 |
| Ellenor fights to save Denise Freeman, a rehabilitated death-row prisoner who has devoted her prison time to helping younger inmates. In a last-ditch effort to stay her execution, Ellenor bases an appeal on the medication the court ordered Denise to take at trial, which prevented the jury from observing her schizophrenia. Eugene argues a civil suit that blames a beer company for the death of a college-age youth. To be continued... | ||||||
| 136 | 12 | "Final Judgment (Part 2)" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley | February 3, 2003 | 7ABQ12 |
| Ellenor continues her desperate attempt to stop the execution of a mentally ill woman Denise Freeman on death row. The firm is torn over a controversial settlement in their case against an alcohol company. | ||||||
| 137 | 13 | "Character Evidence" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | February 10, 2003 | 7ABQ13 |
| Jimmy Berluti defends his high school crush, who is under investigation for a suspicious homicide, and Claire Wyatt interviews for a job at Lindsay's newly formed law firm. Eugene helps an executive in a sexual harassment case. | ||||||
| 138 | 14 | "The Making of a Trial Attorney" | Arvin Brown | David E. Kelley | March 3, 2003 | 7ABQ14 |
| A wrongful-imprisonment suit occupies Bobby, whose client spent 15 years in jail for a killing he didn't commit; a case involving a youth's soccer injury tests Claire's mettle in court. | ||||||
| 139 | 15 | "Choir Boys (Part 1)" | Duane Clark | David E. Kelley | March 10, 2003 | 7ABQ15 |
| Helen faces up against the firm in a case involving an accused killer whose protective mother provides alibis. A disturbed former client jarringly reenters Lindsay's life. To be continued... | ||||||
| 140 | 16 | "Special Deliveries (Part 2)" | Rod Hardy | David E. Kelley | March 24, 2003 | 7ABQ16 |
| Psychopaths plague Lindsay and Helen. The latter is sued by an acquitted killer for defaming his mother; the former is hounded by a deviant she once defended. | ||||||
| 141 | 17 | "Burnout" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | March 24, 2003 | 7ABQ17 |
| The firm defends Kyle Healy (Christopher Reeve), a wheelchair-using man whose wife is charged with murdering his brother, the heir to a multimillion-dollar estate. Jimmy and Ellenor's defense is damaged by compelling circumstantial evidence; testimony about the defendant's stability — and the prosecution's playing of a shattering trump card. In other storylines, Jamie champions the cause of a lawyer who claims firms won't hire her because she's a rape victim; and Bobby, whose marriage is in trouble, links up with an old flame (Teri Polo). | ||||||
| 142 | 18 | "Capitol Crimes" | Joseph Berger-Davis | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | March 31, 2003 | 7ABQ18 |
| Jimmy, Eugene, and Sarah Barker go to a death penalty hearing held by a committee of prosecutors who have decided to ask for the death penalty for one of the firm's clients. The committee recommends life in prison without parole to the client, but the Attorney General still attempts to go for the death penalty. Bobby has dinner with Sarah, and Sarah claims he is starting an affair. Bobby and Lindsay's marriage takes a turn for the worse when Lindsay tells him that she doesn't love him. Lindsay says that she still wants their marriage to work out. Bobby kisses Sarah, and Lindsay sees. | ||||||
| 143 | 19 | "Les is More" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | April 7, 2003 | 7ABQ19 |
| Fallout from when Lindsay saw Bobby kissing Sarah. Jimmy is held hostage with CBS President Les Moonves and a client, Grace Chapman. Sarah Barker and Lindsay talk a few times: about the kiss, chiefly discussing Bobby's inability to communicate, about Bobby's losing faith in being a criminal defense lawyer, and the marriage. Bobby and Lindsay talk about their marriage and say that they aren't leaving because of their child. Bobby self-analyzes. Lindsay leaves Bobby. | ||||||
| 144 | 20 | "Heroes and Villains" | Lisa Gay Hamilton | David E. Kelley | April 21, 2003 | 7ABQ20 |
| A date-rape case links the accused to Jamie, a former victim; the return of crazed Stanley Deeks prompts terrified Lindsay to take drastic action that could jeopardize her career. | ||||||
| 145 | 21 | "Babylove (Part 1)" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley, Bill Chais & Pamela Wisne | May 5, 2003 | 7ABQ21 |
| The collapse of Bobby's marriage is a prelude to a professional crisis. Also, the firm defends a wife on trial for slaying her abusive husband and represents a 10-year-old in a liability suit. To be continued... | ||||||
| 146 | 22 | "Goodbye (Part 2)" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | May 5, 2003 | 7ABQ22 |
| Shocking twists in the trial of an accused wife-killer rattle Jimmy and Rebecca. Bobby's news to the firm devastates Eugene and has an impact on Lindsay. | ||||||
Season 8: 2003–2004
| No. in series |
No. in season |
Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Production code[9] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147 | 1 | "We The People" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | September 28, 2003 | 8ABQ01 |
| With only Eugene, Ellenor, Jimmy, and Jamie remaining at the firm, Ellenor defends a man accused of killing his wife and unborn son. He contests that it was suicide. Eugene and Jimmy defend a woman who shot a crack dealer on her street. Alan Shore comes to Ellenor looking for a job after he was fired for embezzlement. He is given a case where a woman files charges against a homeless man who "Halle Berry'd" her (i.e., he came out of nowhere and kissed her, a reference to actor Adrien Brody's impromptu kiss of actress Halle Berry at the 75th Annual Academy Awards Ceremony in 2003). Shore uses insurance fraud to coerce the woman into dropping the charges. | ||||||
| 148 | 2 | "The Chosen (Part 1)" | Leslie Libman | David E. Kelley | October 5, 2003 | 7ABQ02 |
| Alan Shore agrees to help friend Sheila Carlisle, a successful attorney who claims God speaks to her, and who has subsequently been fired from her law firm for being mentally incompetent. Meanwhile there are startling new developments in the case of Brad Stanfield, whom Ellenor and Jamie are defending for allegedly poisoning his pregnant wife. | ||||||
| 149 | 3 | "Cause of Action (Part 2)" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | October 12, 2003 | |
| Eccentric attorney Sheila Carlisle, whom Alan Shore hired on a temporary basis without consulting anyone else, takes on a lawsuit on behalf of the firm; and Ellenor finds herself in a moral dilemma when faced with the truth about her client. | ||||||
| 150 | 4 | "Blessed Are They (Part 3)" | Simon Curtis | David E. Kelley | October 19, 2003 | 8ABQ04 |
| Alan Shore is troubled by Sheila Carlisle's increasingly erratic behavior and fears for her mental—and legal—competence. Meanwhile, Shore is ordered by the court to represent a man who refuses to divulge his identity for fear that the unsavory nature of his crime will be made public. | ||||||
| 151 | 5 | "The Heat of Passion (Part 1)" | Nick Gomez | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | October 26, 2003 | 8ABQ05 |
| A complex murder case implicating a white supremacist embroils Eugene; malpractice fears haunt Jamie; the defense of accused killer Roland Huff embattles Shore, whose tactics astonish Tara and precipitate a run-in with a judge. To be continued... | ||||||
| 152 | 6 | "The Lonely People (Part 2)" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | November 2, 2003 | |
| Eugene and Jimmy's defense of the leader of a white supremacist group takes an unexpected turn when surprising new developments come to light. Meanwhile, Shore continues in his quest to free Roland Huff from prison, and Jamie and Eugene must come to terms with their differences. | ||||||
| 153 | 7 | "Rape Shield" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | November 9, 2003 | 8ABQ07 |
| A rape case rattles Jimmy, ill-prepared to defend a client who maintains his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. Also, ethics violations catch up to Shore, who has a showdown with Eugene. | ||||||
| 154 | 8 | "Concealing Evidence" | Bill D'Elia | David E. Kelley & Lukas Reiter | November 23, 2003 | 8ABQ08 |
| Alan Shore uses questionable, if legal, tactics in representing his clients — Ted Grayson, a mentally unstable man accused of murder, and Karen Evanson, a woman who claims her husband's suicide was induced by a prescription drug. | ||||||
| 155 | 9 | "Victims' Rights" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | November 30, 2003 | 8ABQ09 |
| Alan Shore defends a twelve-year-old girl who is trying to escape an arranged marriage in her home country. Meanwhile, Eugene tries to help a man who is seeking justice for the brutal murder of his wife. | ||||||
| 156 | 10 | "Equal Justice" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley | December 7, 2003 | 8ABQ10 |
| Alan Shore uses unorthodox tactics when he's appointed by the court to defend a young man accused of murder. Meanwhile, Tara must try her first case when she's thrown into covering Shore's previously scheduled client. | ||||||
| 157 | 11 | "Police State" | Andy Wolk | David E. Kelley | January 11, 2004 | 8ABQ11 |
| When the police torture a man they believe shot one of their own, Eugene, barely able to contain his emotion, takes the lead in seeking justice. | ||||||
| 158 | 12 | "Avenging Angels" | Joseph Berger-Davis | David E. Kelley & Peter Blake | January 18, 2004 | 8ABQ12 |
| Jimmy Berluti and Jamie Stringer defend an elderly man, Walter Josephson, who is accused of killing a member of the local Irish mob, and Alan Shore agrees to help a friend — by any means necessary — who discovers his wife is cheating on him. | ||||||
| 159 | 13 | "Going Home (Part 1)" | Michael Zinberg | David E. Kelley | February 15, 2004 | 8ABQ13 |
| When his best friend from childhood is accused of murdering his mistress, Alan Shore returns home to defend him. | ||||||
| 160 | 14 | "Pre-Trial Blues (Part 2)" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | February 22, 2004 | 8ABQ14 |
| An ongoing, sensational murder case besets Shore with pre-trial anxieties centering on jury selection; a hostile judge; a priest's confession; and suspicions of malpractice that involve a manipulative witness for the prosecution. | ||||||
| 161 | 15 | "Mr. Shore Goes To Town (Part 3)" | Dennis Smith | David E. Kelley | March 7, 2004 | 8ABQ15 |
| Fireworks erupt at Dr. Stewart's trial when shocking testimony is elicited from the defendant's strong-willed mother, a conflicted priest and a crackpot. | ||||||
| 162 | 16 | "In Good Conscience (Part 1)" | Kelli Williams | David E. Kelley | March 14, 2004 | 8ABQ16 |
| There are major shake-ups at the firm, as tensions rise between Eugene and Alan Shore. Meanwhile, the firm takes the case of a young man who is suing the doctor he feels is responsible for the death of his wife during childbirth. [The final seven episodes of The Practice, as a story arc, function as a pilot for the spinoff series Boston Legal.] | ||||||
| 163 | 17 | "War of the Roses (Part 2)" | Joseph Berger-Davis | David E. Kelley | March 21, 2004 | 8ABQ17 |
| Tensions between Shore and Eugene rise to the boiling point when Shore retains the services of a high-profile law firm to go head-to-head with Young, Frutt & Berluti in the face of his abrupt firing from the firm. | ||||||
| 164 | 18 | "The Case Against Alan Shore (Part 3)" | Bill D'Elia | David E. Kelley | March 28, 2004 | 8ABQ18 |
| Eugene and his firm stand against Alan Shore and his "new" firm. The entire episode revolves around Eugene, Ellenor, and Jimmy testifing that Alan doesn't deserve the amount of money Alan proposed. Can Ellenor really testify against her friend? How will Alan go against his old firm? | ||||||
| 165 | 19 | "The Firm" | Christina M. Musrey | David E. Kelley | April 18, 2004 | 8ABQ19 |
| Friction at the firm gets to Jimmy, who's torn between loyalties and principles. Meanwhile, tension besets Shore as he crosses swords with his brilliant but erratic new boss, whose behavior raises questions of competence. | ||||||
| 166 | 20 | "Comings and Goings" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | April 25, 2004 | |
| Eugene is presented with an offer he finds hard to refuse, and Ellenor is shocked when she hears the news, knowing full well that any departure by Eugene would mean the beginning of the end of the practice. Meanwhile, Jimmy is confronted by crooked lawyer Lenny Pascatore, who claims that the neighborhood only has room for one practicing attorney. Across town at Crane, Poole & Schmidt, Hannah Rose enlists Shore's help in handling an assault case involving two hockey players. | ||||||
| 167 | 21 | "New Hoods on the Block" | Bill D'Elia | David E. Kelley & Frank Renzulli | May 2, 2004 | |
| Eugene considers an exciting new offer for his future... could this mean the end of the practice? Meanwhile, Jimmy is shaken by an ominous run-in with neighborhood lawyer Lenny Pescatore, as their turf war heats up, and Ellenor clashes with sexy and ruthless attorney Hannah Rose of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. | ||||||
| 168 | 22 | "Adjourned" "Cheers" | Jeannot Szwarc | David E. Kelley | May 16, 2004 | |
| How it all ends for the cast: The firm closes; Eugene becomes a Judge; Jimmy and Jaime become Neighborhood Lawyers with their own firm; Ellanor takes a hiatus from practicing law to raise her daughter; Alan Shore hooks up with Sally and continues working for Denny Crane. The final shot is of old music playing as the camera moves through the firm's offices which are packed up and all the lights are still on. Bobby Donell is sitting at his old desk crying. Despite all he had said he was the only person not to move on. [Alan, Tara, Denny, and the other attorneys of Crane, Poole & Schmidt appear next in the spinoff series Boston Legal.] The alternate episode title "Cheers" was used on the Bonus Disc of early copies of the Boston Legal Season 1 DVD Box Set. | ||||||
See also
- List of Ally McBeal episodes - includes crossover episode "The Inmates"
- List of Boston Public episodes - includes crossover episode "Chapter Thirteen"
- List of Gideon's Crossing episodes - includes crossover episode "Flashpoint"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Complete TV Ratings 1996-1997". Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #434. 29 May 1998. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket A Final Tally Of The Season's Shows". GeoCities from Entertainment Weekly. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Top TV Shows For 1999-2000 Season". Variety. 6 August 2000. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Bitter End". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #598. 1 June 2001. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "How did your favorite show rate?". USA Today. 28 May 2002. Retrieved 24 August 2008.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Rank And File". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #713. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "I. T. R. S. Ranking Report FROM 09/22/03 THROUGH 05/30/04". ABC Medianet. 2 June 2004. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 "PRACTICE, THE". 20th Century Fox. Archived from the original on 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
External links
- List of The Practice episodes at the Internet Movie Database
- List of The Practice episodes at TV.com
- The Practice at epguides.com