(S04E05) "It's not everyday you encounter compelling characters, is it?" - Patrice Kelly

There's been a lot of talk about the rhetoric that Boston Legal has concerned itself with lately. It seems a lot of you have an opinion on the political views taken by the show. In an effort to "reach across the aisle" let me point out something that I'm sure we can all agree on...Boston Legal has some of the most original storylines on TV.

Personally, I am hard pressed to think of any show wherein a character asks one of the stars to advise her on how to be found "not guilty by reason of temporary insanity" before committing the murder. This episode had me on the edge of my seat from the very first scene.

For all Alan's protestations, he sure followed instructions when he got in the courtroom. It's refreshing to see Alan so passionate on a case where I am totally on his side. The temporary insanity defense is bull and has been ever since the Harvey Milk trial. I'll pause for a moment to allow some of you to Google.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Paul Dooley play a judge on Ally McBeal? I'm pretty sure he had a different name but this is the second time I have seen an actor from another DEK show in a different role. My feeling is that when you cross over your shows and their subsequent spinoffs, you have got to keep things straight.

As for the case, I have a hard time blaming the town for wanting sex offenders gone. The storyline reminds me of an episode of Picket Fences in which a similar plotline occurred. In the end, the new resident ended up killing himself (instead of being murdered) when even Douglas Wambaugh wouldn't take his case. I understand the point being made here, but as a parent, I prefer to err on the side of caution and if a few people have to be sent packing to keep all the children safe, so be it.

Thank heaven for Carl Sack. He was able to come up with the perfect solution by looking at the case with a non-biased point of view. In other words, being a good lawyer. Sack is quickly becoming my second favorite character on the show just for his awesome head of hair alone. If he and Denny go head-to-head and a toupee joke is made, Sack takes the top spot.

I'd like to comment on the scene between Alan and Lorraine, but unfortunately I fell asleep shortly after it started. I really have a hard time mustering up sympathy for a character like Alan, who spends a lot of time and energy bedding beautiful women and then suddenly tries to make it seem like some kind of pathological problem.

Aside from the Winningham storyline, which was wisely spread out over more than one episode, this particular offering was a disappointment. Maybe next week will be better. After all, hope springs a kernel!