The writers must have gotten bored. Usually their titles are more original than this.
As the episode opens, Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) is having a meeting with a client (Ed Begley, Jr.) going through a divorce. The marriage is ending and there is one item in dispute. While married, the couple amassed a collection of Victorian erotica. Each wants to keep it all. Even after Shirley points out that, legally, the wife is allowed to have part of it, the husband is extremely reluctant to give it up. He says that his family has done business with the firm for a long time and he wants her to take action. The wife shows up with her lawyer, Ivan Tiggs (Tom Selleck in a recurring role). Shirley mentions that the two of them were involved and either party would be wise to seek alternate counsel. However, neither wants to give up their lawyer.
Ivan is still in love with Shirley, or so he says. She says that since he remarried, he belongs with his wife, Missy.
In the boardroom, Shirley meets with Denny Crane (William Shatner) and Brad Chase (Mark Valley). Since Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) is taking care of his granddaughter, Fiona, after his daughter Rachel went into rehab for cystal meth addiction ("Stick It"), he isn't around the office much. After Denny makes a comment about Paul's "druggie" daughter, Brad says that Rachel is merely someone who needs help.
One thing Paul has to do is interview a couple of junior associates. This is because Sara Holt (Ryan Michelle Bathe) and Garrett Wells (Justin Mentell) left the firm. With the way the show has been running, though, I would hardly be surprised if one or both returned.
I understand that this season is longer than it would be if last season had not been interrupted for the sake of Grey's Anatomy. The longer storyline arcs are the same technique used on The Practice, when Alan Shore defended a childhood friend accused of murder. For those interested, he lost. Something has gone wrong, here though, in midseason. This show is simply nowhere near the fun and entertaining piece of work it once was.
.jpg?t=20130517094513)
Article comments
1 - Angie
I LOVE Tom Selleck's character!! Ivan is so intriguing and so sexy! You never know what he is going to do or say next! How does Shirley continue to resist his charms??? She has more willpower than I do! I can't wait to see what happens next between Ivan and Shirley! I hope Ivan will become a regular cast member and that he and Shirley will continue this romantic storyline!
2 - NancyGail
If there are going to be more season regulars, I suspect it would not happen until next fall. Easier. But I think Tom Selleck might be in another episode before this season runs out. Not sure, though, so don't quote me on it.
3 - Imamess
Enjoyed your thorough review. May I point out an error? Alan did not lose the case in the three episode arc in The Practice where he defended his childhood friend. Or do you consider his finding out at the end of the episode that his friend WAS guilty, losing? James Spader did a great job of conveying his horror at that revelation. And without saying a word! By the way, did you know that was the episode he chose to submit for Emmy consideration. And he won!
I don't agree that Catherine Piper should have stayed away after Shirley fired her. I love how her character seems to exasperate Alan. Do you really think she has enough pull that the producers would use her for that? I thought that's what they used actors like Michael J. Fox and Tom Selleck for.
4 - Joanie
Congrats! Your article was placed on Advance.net
5 - NancyGail
Imam-
obviously the jury thought the state failed to prove its case. But if Alan's friend DID commit the crime he was accused of, Alan lost too. The evidence should have proven that. I suspect Mr. Shore was taken advantage of.