Alan Shore (James Spader) gets a call from Jerry Espenson (Emmy winner Christian Clemenson). Jerry needs help, but not for his sake. A friend of his, Erica, came home and found her ex-girlfriend hanging from the ceiling, hands tied behind her back. Erica had a blackout, and so might be guilty of murder. Alan later surrenders her to the police. At the arraignment, Jerry gets her awarded bail, but it's possible this was suicide. A further complication arises when Alan finds out Erica hears voices. He plans to enter a plea of insanity. Yet another woman has a holographic will in which the victim left everything to her. It's perfectly legal, but the trial is on the horizon.
Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) tells Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) her work is not up to par. However, Denise can somewhat be forgiven since her fiance recently died in Brazil ("Trick or Treat"). Shirley asks if Denise needs time off. Denise says all she can think about is having sex. Why am I not surprised to see Alan overhear?
He goes to Denise and offers to help her out. She is furious, but does not dismiss the idea completely. After she interrupts Alan and Denny on the balcony, it seems she is contemplating sex with one or both. Yikes! Now THERE’S a scary thought.
During her broadcast, Gracie Jane (Jill Bennett) talks about another judge being killed, and knows Lincoln Meyer (David Dean Botrell) could have done it. He goes to the firm, wanting Denny Crane (William Shatner) to defend him. He hasn't been arrested, but somehow I cannot imagine his luck holding out for long.
When Jeffrey Coho (Craig Bierko) realizes the firm will defend Lincoln, he gets a double shock since Claire Simms (Constance Zimmer) is second chair. Brad Chase (Mark Valley) walks up, and she hides behind Jeffrey. After Brad asks what the problem is, Claire says she patently does not like him.
Brad goes to Denise, complaining how bad a person Jeffrey is. She asks if perhaps the problem is Brad. Alan pops his head in and suggests a plan to "get the new guy". Brad is agreeable, and before long, Brad and Jeffrey have a confrontation.
It happens in the men's room. The conversation is indelicate, but Jeffrey goes too far when he says a military man should be able to go with the flow. When Brad mentions they should go to the next level, Jeffrey snidely questions if Brad means sex. Brad responds by punching Jeffrey across the mouth. He gives Jeffrey the chance to return fire. However, Jeffrey is taken aback when Brad's next punch leaves him breathless. Jeffrey should have taken his licks and gone away, but they get into a full-blown fight. Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois) witnesses their altercation, and tries to stop proceedings by hitting them with his newspaper. It's a clever bit, but does it solve anything? Of course not.
Article comments
1 - Ty
"After Shirley marches into Jeffrey's office, saying all she asked was that he not step on any toes, he says he handled a murder trial without support from anyone ("The Verdict"). He asks her to dinner, and she turns him down, saying she is much older than he is. He makes it appear they have already had sex. She finally agrees to have dinner with him. When she doesn't appear, Jeffrey asks Denny where she is. Denny says he should stay away from her."
Now this Coho guy wants Shirley too?
Come on, this is ridiculous, she is so god damned old and not hot.
Candice Bergen was hot...in "Lawrence of Arabia!"
2 - NancyGail
I didn't say he WAS sleeping with her, only that he suggested it. The actors aren't that far apart in age, really. I got the impression she was trying to discourage him due to their working relationship.
3 - Ty
I know he suggested it, but I think it is disgusting.
Although they show Denny Crane hit on everyone, he only gets with people a bit older or different (little persons, etc)
With Shirley, everyone wants the old female in the office??? Come on now. If they were all drooling over Julie Bowen, I get that. Or some other hottie, like Marisa Coughlin. Or back in the early days Rhona Mitra, Lake Bell, Monica Potter.
But Candice Bergen is so old now and looks it that it is unbelieve that every guy wants her.
I will probably throw up and call "TOTAL AND COMPLETE UTTER BS" if they show Brad wanting to get with Shirley.
4 - NancyGail
Ugh! I tend to doubt that, he's with Sally anyway, remember? At some point, Denise will HAVE to tell Brad about Daniel dying, so it just might pave the way for them to get back together. That is, if Jeffrey doesn't get to her first....