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The Practice 3/7/04
As soon as Shore mentions that the defendant went to his mother's house, and he admits to hiding out in the treehouse, I figured that was where the murder weapon was stashed.
Shore's face when confronted with the knowledge that he kept a guilty man out of jail (after all that spiel of 10,000 innocent people being sent to prison each year) was classic (Spader's still the man). |
Excellent hour of television
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I was waiting for someone to post about this episode. Thanks, Patman.
I really liked this episode -- and this storyline as a whole .. up until the last few minutes. This "accused-friend/acquaintance/relative/etc-who's-freed-but-really-turns-out-to-be-guilty" notion seems to turn up OVER and OVER again for DEK (especially the last 2 seasons before this year). Soon, we'll be getting the "money shot" of Shore -- the camera will start zooming in slowly on <strike>Bobby's blue</strike> Shore's eyes as he argues the <strike>morality</strike> im-morality of his case while fighting back tears.. Goes without saying, of course, that this season is MUCH better than it's been in the past. But those last few minutes really irked me. |
Very good episode.
I hope they figure out a way to bring Betty White's character back. Alan and her need their own show. |
I thought it was a great story arc, but the twist left me cold and diminished the overall story a little.
I liked the idea that this ethically-challenged and somewhat corrupt attorney stood up for his childhood friend and saved an innocent man. I liked that he had to screw over others so this wronged man could go free. To find out that he was guilty the whole time doesn't leave me with a 'WOW!" feeling like I guess it was supposed to do. I've seen it too often on this (and other) shows. Instead it made me think what a waste of some great character development on the part of Shore. |
Actually, the ending put Shore where the priest was, holding onto a secret that could destroy his foundation.
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I like how they decided in the last episode that they needed Jimmy to be the face of council, but in this episode he never says a word.
Legal question : Shouldn't Shore have been notified that Mrs Piper was changing her testimony? I would have assumed that fell under the discovery guidelines. |
That was kind of trite (I knew it was going to spiral down when we got the extended treehouse coda), but having said that, it was brilliantly played. Spader and Dempsey were both perfect. I almost wanted to hear Dempsey's explainaton, because he seemed so sincere...
It's also funny/intriguing that Shore makes himself out to be so jaded and still never seems to have contemplated the possibility. "I insist that you stop referring to him as 'witless'." :lol: |
Originally posted by MrX Alan and her need their own show. [Well, not with Betty...] the Practice To Come To An End? Legal drama The Practice is expected to come to a permanent end when its eighth season wraps in May. Producer David E. Kelley, married to Michelle Pfeiffer, is currently in talks with ABC to make a new legal drama, which could replace The Practice. Although ABC and Kelley were encouraged by a revamp of the show - which saw the dismissal of Lara Flynn Boyle, among others, and placed James Spader at the center of the series - financial concerns are expected to lead ABC to opt for a new series which could include Spader and other actors from the Practice. 'Practice' For Real Thing James Spader didn't sign on to "The Practice" to become a big-name TV star. He had been a highly recognizable film actor appearing in such movies as "sex, lies and videotape" and "Secretary," and was concerned that being in a mainstream TV series wouldn't give him the freedom to take on a quirky role. "I didn't want to do this show if people weren't going to continue to allow me to do those things," Spader told the Daily News. Producer "David [E. Kelley] assured me that I'd still be able to play in the nether regions. That's proven to be true to a certain degree. I'm constantly trying to push it toward that." But, six months into his run on the ABC drama as maverick attorney Alan Shore, Spader is a certified TV star, credited in part for reigniting a series that less than a year ago teetered on the edge of cancellation.And he's getting a lot of screen time. For instance, on tomorrow's episode, (Ch. 7, 10 p.m.), Spader will wrap up a three-week story arc that has Shore defend his best friend from a murder rap. In Sunday's show, Spader will get heavy camera time, alongside a guest cast that includes veterans Jill Clayburgh, Ed Asner, Betty White and Patrick Dempsey. "It's when David reaches further and further afield with Alan that I enjoy it the most," said Spader. "What's fascinating to me is playing with such dichotomy and opposites in the same character. That I love." Off-screen, the story is spinning around Spader, as well. ABC hasn't renewed "The Practice" for another season yet, leaving Spader's future uncertain, according to industry sources. Earlier this week, ABC Entertainment TV group president Lloyd Braun sparked further speculation about the eight-year-old drama's fate after he told reporters network brass was talking with Kelley about developing another show that "will share some of the same blood" with "The Practice." A spokeswoman for Kelley said no final decision has been made regarding the next season of "The Practice." |
Gee, I thought Spader was already doing his own show.
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I love how whenever they seem to mention David E. Kelley in an article, they always follow his name with "married to Michelle Pfeiffer" instead of something like "acclaimied TV producer"
I liked this show although I was kind of disappointed by the twist at the end. After the questioning with the mother and how distraught that she got after Spader asked her if she was in love with her son, I figured that the mother would have done it. Oh well. Still, some great storytelling. |
One thing I kept noticing in this episode was how Patrick Dempsey kept calling Tara "Torah". I thought that was kind of odd how he kept mispronouncing her name.
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Originally posted by tofu I love how whenever they seem to mention David E. Kelley in an article, they always follow his name with "married to Michelle Pfeiffer" instead of something like "acclaimied TV producer" It's not like the guy doesn't have a pretty decent resume and name recognition on his own... |
Okay, Practice fans. Should I start watching again? I've heard it has rebounded this season. I haven't watched the Practice in years - I think not since Lindsay and Bobby got married - got too outlandish for my taste. James Spader is one of my favorite actors, so would it be easy for me to pick it back up again just in time for the Spader spin-off next season, which now sounds like a reality?
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You've missed some pretty entertaining Spader episodes already. Just know that his Alan Shore character is a bit on the shady side, will bend the rules to win a case, and has a odd sense of justice that allows him to appear just a little bit human even with all his other flaws and broken moral compass. He's flirtiously nimble, and he make his intentions clear and to the point. His court room style makes my LOL many times this seasons. He doesn't waste time stating the obvious even if the delivery lacks tact or considerations for the feelings of the offended party if he thinks it'll help to win a case.
The show is much more watchable this season than the past seasons. |
Originally posted by Patman and has a odd sense of justice that allows him to appear just a little bit human even with all his other flaws and broken moral compass. Pretty funny - that describes the people who are thought of as the most compelling characters on television nowadays: Vic Mackey Tony Soprano Andy Sipowicz (although more in the past) Christian Troy Lionel Luthor |
But only Alan has a law degree...
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I've watched The Practice all along, except I stopped after it got moved around last year, but by that point it had lost my interest anyway. I think people aren't watching because they're associating it with the Practice of the last 2 years - aka BAD.
Spader is awesome on this show, and I think the storylines have been much better this year, but a brand new show, even if only by name, I think will give this show a jumpstart back to where viewers will watch again. |
If Spader has a new show, I'd name it "Shore Leave". :D
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