L.A. LAW {LA LAW}: CHARIOTS OF MEYER {SEASON TWO FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The second season finale in this series of legal dramas set in the Los Angeles law firm of McKenzie Brackman. In this episode, a distressed Roxanne claims to have been robbed, while elsewhere the male partners are intrigued by a visit from two plaintiffs, the highly attractive Debeque twins. Roxanne, still embarrassed over her disastrous date with Dave, is flustered when he visits and offers to alleviate her financial woes by loaning her one of his cars. Pompous Vernon Kepler, who is being sued for striking a cribbage rival with his prosthetic leg, meets with Leland and introduces his pretty granddaughter Jennifer, a law student. Kepler maintains that the man slandered him, but Leland and Jennifer persuade him to at least try to settle the "frivolous" suit. In court, Grace questions jewelry store owner Julia Clarent about James Ray Edwards, the would-be thief who shot and paralyzed her security guard, Walter Briles, though Atkins, Edwards' attorney, cajoles Clarent to admit that she found Edwards "suspicious" purely because he was black. Grace complains to Michael that Atkins is "pandering" to the jury by focusing on race, vowing that she will beat him fairly.
Roxanne is touched when Dave sends flowers with a lunch invitation, though Elizabeth notes that he likely expects more than that in return for the car loan. Arnie begs Michael for details about his possible dalliance with the twins, though reveals that he himself would marry his judge lover right away were she actually divorced. Henderson refuses to settle with Kepler, and an annoyed Leland states that he is through representing his old friend's petulant cases. On the stand, Kepler declares that he was excessively provoked by Henderson's rude comments, though the defense attorney points out that he overreacted with violence. Briles testifies that Edwards "went nuts" and shot him when he stopped him for stealing a pair of earrings, though Atkins argues that has a habit of falsely accusing black customers of theft and suggests that he used a slur toward Edwards, to which Briles and Grace react with outrage. Henderson defends his comments towards the cantankerous Kepler, and the scene descends into chaos as an enraged Kepler hurls his leg at Henderson yet again. At lunch, Roxanne awkwardly tells Dave that she appreciates his kindness but does not have romantic feelings for him, but he explains that he is content to be friends and enjoys helping her wherever possible.
In their closing arguments, Henderson's attorney tells the jury to "send a message" denouncing Kepler's violent behavior by finding in favor of his client, though Leland shocks everyone by telling them not to find in favor of either person, as they are both "rich eccentrics" who are monopolizing the court's time with a petty squabble. Kepler rages that he will sue Leland in turn for his shoddy representation, though Leland counters that he is simply a bitter retiree with "nothing better to do" than pick fights, and Jennifer again manages to calm the situation. On the stand, Edwards swears that he is innocent of the theft but feared for his life all the same when Briles stopped him, as he is well aware of police brutality against unarmed black men. When Grace tries to dismantle his argument, Atkins declares that she herself is biased because of her recent mugging, and she furiously demands a mistrial, though is denied. She angrily accuses Atkins of trivializing issues of racism by unfairly applying them to the case and playing on the jury's "white guilt," but he states that he is simply doing his job and will use whatever tactics he must to free his client. The jury finds for both Kepler and Henderson, meaning that neither of them will receive money, and an abashed Kepler apologizes to Leland for his childish behavior. Atkins delivers a convincing closing argument about Briles' "paranoia" and Edwards' understandable fear of racist treatment, but Grace states that prejudice is not a factor, as he did in fact steal the earrings and then shoot the guard. Roxanne ends up accepting Dave's offer to "house-sit" at his luxurious mansion, and when Edwards is found not guilty, Michael points out to a frustrated Grace that Atkins' defense was a solid one and that they, as white people, have the "luxury" of not having to think often about race, unlike black individuals. Leland dines with the Keplers and offers Jennifer a clerkship, but he is stunned when she turns it down, coolly explaining that it would be inappropriate because of her romantic interest in him. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: May 5, 1988 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:42
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:30569
- GENRE: Drama, legal
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal; Women's Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1986-1994
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven Bochco … Executive Producer, Created by
- Gregory Hoblit … Co-Executive Producer
- Rick Wallace … Co-Executive Producer
- Phillip M. Goldfarb … Coordinating Producer
- Terry Louise Fisher … Supervising Producer, Created by
- Scott Goldstein … Producer
- David E. Kelley … Co-Producer, Writer
- Robert M. Breech … Supervising Associate Producer
- Michael M. Robin … Associate Producer
- Win Phelps … Director
- Jacob Epstein … Writer
- William M. Finklestein … Writer
- Mike Post … Music by
- Harry Hamlin … Cast, Michael Kuzak
- Susan Dey … Cast, Grace Van Owen
- Corbin Bernsen … Cast, Arnie Becker
- Jill Eikenberry … Cast, Ann Kelsey
- Alan Rachins … Cast, Douglas Brackman, Jr.
- Michele Greene … Cast, Abby Perkins
- Jimmy Smits … Cast, Victor Sifuentes
- Michael Tucker … Cast, Stuart Markowitz
- Susan Ruttan … Cast, Roxanne Melman
- Richard Dysart … Cast, Leland McKenzie
- Blair Underwood … Cast, Jonathan Rollins
- Dan O'Herlihy … Cast, Vernon Kepler
- Peter Hobbs … Cast, Steven Henderson
- Michael Fairman … Cast, Judge Douglas McGrath
- Philip Sterling … Cast, Judge Jonathan Cramer
- Larry Drake … Cast, Benny Stulwicz
- Carmen Argenziano … Cast, Lawyer Neil Robertson
- Dann Florek … Cast, Dave Meyer
- Dana Sparks … Cast, Jennifer Kepler
- Lenka Peterson … Cast, Julia Clarent
- Nick Angotti … Cast, Walter Briles
- Ellen Blake … Cast, Elizabeth Brand
- James Earl Jones … Cast, Lee Atkins
- Scott Lawrence … Cast, James Ray Edwards
- Denise Gallup … Cast, Brynn Debeque
- Diane Gallup … Cast, Holly Debeque
- James Tartan … Cast, Jury Foreman
- Catherine Blue … Cast, Jury Foreperson
- Ray Glanzmann … Cast, Young Man
- Jill Vance … Cast, Judy