BOSTON LEGAL: TEA AND SYMPATHY (TV)
Summary
One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, one Simon Griffin announces that is "a walking AIDS cure," having miraculously reversed his own HIV status, and seeks the lawyers' help in monetizing his status – but then learns that his internist, Dr. Malcolm Freemont, has filed a patent on his blood. Judge Gloria hires Alan to defend her when she is arrested for possessing an illegal hallucinogenic tea, and Clarence agrees to help a young woman, Marcie Cooper, kicked out of her sorority, Gamma Kappa Tau, for being "socially awkward." Gloria explains that the district attorney prosecuting her is in fact her ex, and Alan is irked when Denny, naturally, begins hitting on Gloria. When Clarence learns that Jerry Espenson is representing the sorority, he demands an extravagant settlement fee for Marcie. Judge Robert Sanders is baffled by the "vampire doctor's" claim of legally owning another person's blood, and Clarence tries to reason with Jerry, wondering how he can defend the sorority when he himself is decidedly "socially awkward" as well.
Paul observes a conflict between Denise and Brad and learns that she objects to her fiancé's desire for a strong military presence at their wedding, though Brad refuses to "get all girly" and explain his feelings on the matter. Freemont argues that his study of Simon's blood could lead to a cure for HIV/AIDS, and Clarence and Jerry face off in the courtroom as Marcie explains how she was ostracized from the social group. Alan tries to persuade A.D.A. Frank Ginsberg to drop the charges against Gloria, pointing out that accusing her of drug use could invalidate some of her convictions and hurt his own win record. Simon takes the stand to explain why he wants a private company of his choosing, rather than the government, to do the research on his unusual blood. Clarence tells Alan of Jerry's surprisingly "mean" behavior and wonders if he will have to assume his more boisterous persona, Clevant, in order to cross-examine the sorority leader, Pat Ontario, though Alan assures him that he can do it as himself.
Pat defends ousting Marcie, explaining that all Greek societies, as well as country clubs and other private social communities, maintain their images by seeking only people who are "fun to be around." Jerry is outraged when Clarence asks if Gamma Kappa Tau would ever have a member with Asperger's Syndrome, feeling that it is a "cheap shot" to attack him personally. Freemont's attorney argues that a potential cure for AIDS is of paramount importance and trumps Simon's personal desires, but Shirley counters that, while Simon is personally unlikable, he still has the right to prevent the government from taking his bodily property. Denny spies on Gloria and Alan as they celebrate her dropped charges, and Clarence closes his arguments by denouncing social intolerance. Jerry, however, points out that college prepares one for "the real world," where people are, in fact, often social intolerant, noting that his own close friends have exploited his disorder for professional gain. Brad finally explains himself to Denise, citing his father's challenging homecoming from Vietnam and stating that today's veterans "need us to be proud of them" in a demonstrable way. Sanders, apparently displeased with Simon's money-grubbing attitude, rules in favor of Freemont, and Judge Kolodny rules in favor of Pat and Gamma Kappa Tau. Later, Alan confronts Denny about his flirtation with "his girl," and Denny uncharacteristically expresses support of Alan potentially falling in love with Gloria – though reminds him that no woman can interfere with their "special time." Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: May 1, 2007 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:91436
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama, legal; Lawyers; HIV/AIDS
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Georgia Rule" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "Lucky You" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - Applebee's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Association of American Publishers for reading
- TV - Commercials - Behr house paints
- TV - Commercials - Chase Freedom credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Cheez-It Stix crackers
- TV - Commercials - Cingular and AT&T cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Crest Nature's Expressions toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Dr. Scholl's Massaging Gel insoles
- TV - Commercials - Enterprise Rent-a-Car services
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios cereal
- TV - Commercials - IBM computers
- TV - Commercials - Lexus automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Make-A-Wish foundation
- TV - Commercials - National Association of Realtors
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Outback Steakhouse restaurants
- TV - Commercials - The Foundation For A Better Life organization
- TV - Commercials - The Will Rogers Institute
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Visa check cards
- TV - Promos - "Boston Legal" upcoming episode
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
- TV - Promos - "Lost"
- TV - Promos - "National Bingo Night"
- TV - Promos - "Notes From the Underbelly"
- TV - Promos - "Traveler"
- TV - Promos - "Ugly Betty"
CREDITS
- Janet Leahy … Executive Producer
- Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by
- Mike Listo … Co-Executive Producer
- Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
- Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
- Craig Turk … Co-Producer
- Anne M. Uemura … Co-Producer
- Michael Reisz … Co-Producer
- Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
- Lawrence Broch … Consulting Producer
- Phoef Sutton … Consulting Producer
- Susan Dickes … Consulting Producer
- Jeff Bleckner … Director
- Sanford Golden … Writer
- Karen Wyscarver … Writer
- Brooke Roberts … Writer
- Danny Lux … Music by
- James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
- Julie Bowen … Cast, Denise Bauer
- Mark Valley … Cast, Brad Chase
- Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Paul Lewiston
- Constance Zimmer … Cast, Claire Simms
- Gary Anthony Williams … Cast, Clarence Bell
- Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
- William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
- Currie Graham … Cast, A.D.A. Frank Ginsberg
- Joey Slotnick … Cast, Simon Griffin
- Katherine LaNasa … Cast, Pat Ontario
- Shelley Berman … Cast, Judge Robert Sanders
- April Grace … Cast, Attorney Regina Williams
- Victor McCay … Cast, Dr. Malcolm Freemont
- Emily Nelson … Cast, Marcie Cooper
- Lou Beatty Jr. … Cast, Judge Gordon Kolodny
- Gail O'Grady … Cast, Judge Gloria Weldon
- Christian Clemenson … Cast, Jerry Espenson
- Laura Kai Chen … Cast, Mary
- Charlie Hartsock … Cast, Foreman