“Boston Legal”: A Great Pick

Since I make my Pick of the Week choices without seeing the shows in advance, they don’t always pan out as well as I’d like them to. So I’m always very happy when they do…

And that was definitely the case last night with “Boston Legal.” I can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard for that long. In fact, during the scene where Denny was making eyes at the sheep (You had to be there.), I was shrieking so hard I thought the neighbors would come to see if something was wrong with me.

Now granted, the show fell apart just a tad when it started to get preachy, but James Spader (Alan) always finds a way to make it work. And this time the wonderful Christopher Rich (Melvin) was there to lend a hand…

It absolutely pains me to see the lack of love ABC is showing “BL” after all the acclaim it’s racked up over the years. But I am starting to come to terms with the show only getting 13 episodes in its last season and in fact, I’m actually starting to agree with it.

I always start out the season with “BL” and then when it turns unwatchable—which it always does—I stop watching. But we’re halfway through the season and I’m still loving every minute of it. The show is focusing on its strengths—Spader and William Shatner (Denny)—and downplaying its weaknesses—everyone else—to produce a much more even season. If the show was given more than 13 episodes, I’m afraid they’d screw it up. And “BL” deserves better than to go out as a shell of the show it once was.

However, I am starting to feel some concern for how it’s all going to end. Last night, Carl (John Larroquette) made mention of the firm doing something about Denny’s antics. But I don’t want the firm to do anything. I want the show to end with Alan and Denny out on the balcony smoking their cigars, drinking their scotch, declaring their love for each other and then making some inside joke about the show coming to an end. That way we can imagine Alan and Denny continuing on without us watching…

Next week, however, Alan and Denny cross swords as they debate the Presidential candidates. Alan defends a client who Denny swears is Valerie Bertinelli (played by Bertinelli). And Denise (Julie Bowen) returns, but without Brad (Mark Valley). If she returns with Jeffrey (Craig Bierko), I think I’ll cry…

“Boston Legal” airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on ABC…

Photo Credits: Richard Cartwright/ABC & Craig Sjodin/ABC