PRACTICE, THE: PUBLIC SERVANTS {FIFTH SEASON FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The fifth season finale in this series of dramas about the idealistic attorneys at a struggling Boston law practice. In this episode, Helen watches in horror as Richard dies after being shot multiple times by Jackie Cahill's assassin. The firm reacts with shock, and an angry Bobby snaps at Ellenor to be Rebecca's second chair in her murder trial, but Jimmy takes the case instead. Helen goes straight to Jackie and declares that she intends to publicly state that he is a snitch and then put him into general population unless he gives her the names of everyone involved in Richard's death, and he considers. Rebecca's client Wendell refuses to accept a manslaughter plea, swearing that he did not kill his wife. Bobby decides to take time off indefinitely, telling a reluctant Eugene that he will make a good leader in his stead. Powell objects to Helen's impatient demands, saying that she has essentially made a death threat against Jackie, but she offers immunity for Richard's death and a sentence of only twenty years for his other crimes, and he agrees. In court, a policeman and a neighbor testify about Wendell, saying that he is "gentle and kind" and never fought with his wife, but Jimmy still wonders about the timing inconsistencies in Wendell's claims. In response to Helen's demands, Jackie gives up the name and address of the assassin, and Lindsay talks to Helen about her actions since her friend's death, wondering if she is handling her grief.
Dr. Miller explains why he ruled Wendell's wife's drowning death a homicide due to bruising on her neck, but Rebecca forces him to admit that it is "remotely" possible that it was an accident. Helen tells the police captain about the assassin, Bruce Manning, and tells him that his men should be prepared, as the criminal is armed and extremely dangerous. Wendell describes his attempts to revive his wife after finding her in the pool, saying that he grabbed her neck while pulling her out, and Rebecca plays his panicked 911 call. He admits that he was in the house for a long period before finding her, although he told police that he had only just returned home, blaming shock for his inaccurate statement. Helen observes from a distance as snipers surround Manning's house, and when he comes outside, they spot what appears to be a weapon and immediately gun him down as she watches, and she then coldly orders his mother to be arrested as well. Ellenor is taken aback that Helen witnessed the event, and Detective McGuire angrily tells her that Manning was holding a phone, not a gun, and that she more or less engineered "a hit" on him, but she is unapologetic. A.D.A. Bullock then summons Rebecca and Jimmy and reveals that Wendell was previously acquitted of strangling another wife under another name, and also killed two young girls in the same manner as a juvenile as well as "hundreds" of chickens.
Helen then tells Jackie that the deal is off because she doubts that he has given her all of the relevant names, and a furious Jackie threatens her life as well. Rebecca, Jimmy and Bullock argue about Wendell in front of Judge Kittleson, and she regretfully refuses to allow mention of his prior "bad acts," as his juvenile records are sealed and one another accusation does not make a pattern. Rebecca admits to Jimmy that she is feeling disillusioned, having believed that Wendell was innocent and now knowing that he will likely kill again. Bobby tells Helen that he feels like an "accomplice" in Richard's death, and the two attempt to comfort one another. Rebecca regretfully tells the jury that there is no reasonable case against Wendell, as there is no clear motive, but Bullock maintains that he murdered his wife. Judge White scolds Helen for her "deceit" and honors the original deal, but then adds 150 years onto Jackie's sentence for threatening her life. Helen is pleased, but Powell tells her that she has dishonored Richard's memory with her trickery. Wendell admits the truth to Rebecca and Jimmy and explains the sense of power that came with murdering his wife as well as the others, but he is found not guilty, and tells a disturbed Rebecca that he will now try to control himself. Helen then performs Richard's eulogy, talking about his integrity and bravery in the face of his fear right before his death and praising him as an honorable public servant, and the other lawyers say good-bye to their friend. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: May 13, 2001 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:64663
- GENRE: Drama, legal
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2004
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - A1 marinade steak sauce
- TV - Commercials - Amnesty International anti-torture program
- TV - Commercials - Aveeno lotion
- TV - Commercials - Braun Oral-B 3D toothbrushes
- TV - Commercials - Capital One credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Claritin allergy medication
- TV - Commercials - Datek Online services
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
- TV - Commercials - Kia automobiles
- TV - Commercials - L'Oréal Superior Preference hair color
- TV - Commercials - Lexus automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Microsoft software
- TV - Commercials - TGI Friday's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Taco Bell restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Visa Check Cards
- TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Wendy's restaurants
- TV - PSA - Act Against Violence program
- TV - PSA - Selective Service System
- TV - Promos - "America's Sweethearts" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Anne Frank"
- TV - Promos - "Con Air" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Shrek" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Swordfish" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to be a Millionaire Couples Edition"
CREDITS
- Robert Breech … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Christina M. Musrey … Supervising Producer
- Pamela Wisne … Producer
- Todd Ellis Kessler … Producer
- Joseph Berger-Davis … Producer
- Gary M. Strangis … Producer
- Tammy Ann Casper … Supervising Associate Producer
- Steven Lang … Associate Producer
- Dennis Smith … Director
- Marco Beltrami … Music by
- Jon Hassell … Theme Music by
- Pete Scaturro … Theme Music by
- Dylan McDermott … Cast, Bobby Donnell
- Michael Badalucco … Cast, Jimmy Berluti
- Lisa Gay Hamilton … Cast, Rebecca Washington
- Steve Harris … Cast, Eugene Young
- Jason Kravits … Cast, A.D.A. Richard Bay
- Camryn Manheim … Cast, Ellenor Frutt
- Marla Sokoloff … Cast, Lucy Hatcher
- Kelli Williams … Cast, Lindsay Dole
- Lara Flynn Boyle … Cast, Helen Gamble
- Doug Hutchison … Cast, Jackson 'Jackie' Cahill
- Henri Lubatti … Cast, Wendell
- Herb Mitchell … Cast, Judge Rodney White
- Ray Abruzzo … Cast, Detective Michael McGuire
- Steve Gilborn … Cast, A.D.A. Gavin Bullock
- Paul Fitzgerald … Cast, Atty. Powell
- Art LaFleur … Cast, Captain
- Craig Braun … Cast, Dr. Adam Miller
- Anne Gee Byrd … Cast, Miss Mosher
- Adam Clark … Cast, Officer
- Holland Taylor … Cast, Judge Roberta Kittleson
- Vanessa Townsell … Cast, Vocalist
- Christopher Doyle … Cast, Bruce Manning
- Gina Morelli … Cast, Mrs. Manning
- Kevin Dunigan … Cast, Security Guard
- Ajgie Kirkland … Cast, Guard
- Teresa Velarde … Cast, Jury Foreperson
- Eric Ryan … Cast, Paramedic #1
- Elizabeth Forsyth … Cast, Paramedic #2
- Sal Tesoro … Cast, Paramedic #3
- Kevin Thomas O'Connell … Cast, Paramedic #4
- Scott Reitz … Cast, SWAT Officer