Cancer Man

Is Boston Legal on a downward slide, is it showing signs that it's running out of good ideas already? Have there been any abrupt cast changes, ever more ridiculous plots and stupid musical numbers yet? Those were the kind of things that happened in other popular David E Kelly shows such as Boston Public and Ally McBeal started to go downhill.

Has Boston Legal lost it yet?

Red Dog

Hell no. The episode a couple weeks ago where they go fishing was one of the best. Ridiculous plots are a staple of DEK television.

Decker

Don't you mean "Jumped the Salmon"?

Rogue588

Not at all.

While I really wish Rhona and Kerry were still there and that they gave Mark more to do, it's just as great as ever.

calhoun07

I would say wait until season three, when DEK will find a way to get more singing into the series.

NORML54601

nope

tofu

Boston Legal is all about jumping the shark. With characters like Alan Shore and Denny Crane, there's no way to jumpt the shark

Patman

Actually, with Denny, it's all about humping the shark.

calhoun07

But the shark didn't complain.

Patman

"Denny Crane..."

nightwing82

Do you have to use that stupid 'jump the shark' phrase?

Anyway, no, Boston Legal hasn't.

kvrdave

Last week (not this week) was really poor. But otherwise they have all been good. And those were actually shows from last season, iirc. It has unlimited potential so long as they have decent stories and don't cock it up.

Decker

BL is a weird show. Every episode has great bits and cringe-worthy segments, great performances and mind-numbing gags. I'm a fan and I still don't quite know what to make of it. They roll characters in and out like you wouldn't notice the difference and preach in a manner completely unsuited for the lighthearted nature of the series. Still when the veterans (Spader, Shatner, Bergen, White and Auberjonois) are out there, they're awful fun to watch.

rkndkn

The integration of the new characters, the holdover shows from last season, and some apparent rearrangement of story orders have made the season feel a little strange. However, the show's main entertainment comes from the interplay between certain characters like Crane and Shore, and that has been retained. I don't feel the new characters are very likeable or interesting, though. I cannot understand why the show doesn't give Mark Valley more to do instead of bringing in new characters. As we've seen from "Keen Eddie", he certainly has the capacity to display a quirky sensibility that would fit right in.

Decker

Just brought this thread back. Watched a couple of eps off the TIVO last night. I think I've found the show's big problem : They've softened the hell out of Alan Shore. He's the de-facto Bobby Donnell now. What happened to the hookers, the evidence tampering, the extortion? It's all gone. The constant preaching is bad enough, but I guess DEK figured if he was going to have Alan do it, he had to make him a morally upright person as well. By neutering what was such a fascinating character, the show has really lost it's punch.

So in answer to the OP's question : Yes I think it has now.