(S04E20) "Shirley, it was good that we oppose." - Carl Sack leaving himself wide open.

Shatner and Spader's celebratory dance upon learning they were accepted into the Coast Guard may have been the best acting I have seen out of the two of them all season.

When I read the synopsis of the season finale I really didn't know what to think. At first glance, of course, the idea of one city seceding from the United States seems ridiculous. However, this being Boston Legal I knew there had to be more to it.

Gallery: Boston Legal Finale

Watching Denny and Carl stroll into the courtroom was all I needed to understand how great this was going to be. Not only will we finally be treated to both sides of the debate about how America has lost it's way but my three favorite characters are right in the middle of it.

One thing I really disliked was the constant attempts by Shirley to get everyone off the case. Yes, it's ridiculous. Yes someone is bound to come off looking very bad. Yes, it may well be the nail in the coffin of Denny's career but we all know that without both Denny and Alan giving their closing speeches, the entire episode would be pointless.

As for Shirley's claim that Denny was no match for Alan, I don't agree. Sure, Denny has become a shadow of the brilliant lawyer that he once was, but he's never been more passionate about a case and as we've seen many times on this show, that kind of passion overcomes a working knowledge of the law every time.

I was elated to see Anthony Heald again. Boston Public not withstanding, Heald's best work has been done under the eye of David E. Kelley. When he first appeared on The Practice playing a similar character with a similar name, I knew he would be one of my favorite DEK characters.

As much as I like watching Tara Summers walk around in her short skirt, she didn't seem to do much else in this episode. It seemed like the only reason she was even on-screen was because Katie and Jerry share an office. Too bad, considering this is the first episode in a long time where she hasn't been involved in the prostitution nonsense.

Denny's explanation to Alan as to why he was offended by the Secession was awesome. Not only did it fit right in with the theme of friendship in the show but he made Alan realize something about himself. Sometimes a friend will ask you to do something or in this case, not do it and that's all the reason you need. Unfortunately Alan, as usual, was too concerned with making a spectacle to think about his best friend. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, "A friend helps you move. A real friend helps you move a body."

While the scene between Denny and Shirley in the bathroom gave me Ally McBeal flashbacks, it was nice to see Shirley admitting she was wrong and showing Denny that she still cared.

The entire ending sequence was sweet and if it turns out to be the last image I have of BL (god forbid) at least I'll always have the balcony.