BOSTON LEGAL: ROE V. WADE: THE MUSICAL (TV)
Summary
One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, Shirley is alarmed by the reappearance of Missy Tiggs, who explains that her new therapy has taught her to see life as a musical, causing her to frequently burst into song. She then adds that she is dating someone new and is pregnant, but reveals that she obtained his sperm covertly and impregnated herself against his wishes. Her "boyfriend," a black man named Terrence, explains to Alan that he cares about the issue of absentee black fathers and wants Missy to have an abortion, as she obtained his DNA unfairly. Elsewhere, Jerry's objectophile ex-girlfriend Leigh Swift asks for his help, as she has been fired from her teaching job for innocently hugging a student. In court, she explains that she defied the school's no-contact policy because the girl was upset, but the opposing counsel, Isaacs, points out that she has repeatedly broken the rule in the past and asks her about her sexual fetish, though Jerry argues that it is irrelevant. Alan declares his intentions to represent Terrence and secure a court-ordered abortion for Missy, and Shirley is appalled, citing Roe vs. Wade, but Katie points out that Missy could be made to take a simple pill, as she is only five weeks along.
In court, the school principal explains the reasoning behind the no-hug rule, though the student's mother defends Leigh, saying that her daughter needed comfort. Jerry is worried, though Leigh seems hopeful, and she apologizes to him for their break-up. Hearing how Missy stole Terrence's sperm, Judge Peyton orders them to a hearing, and Shirley is disturbed to hear that Carl sides somewhat with Terrence. Alan asks Lorraine to assist with the case, but she refuses, finding the idea "repugnant," and he realizes just how little say men have in reproductive law. On the stand, Missy describes her strong attraction to Terrence after just two dates and explains how she procured his sperm through oral sex in order to have a "little Obama baby." She declares that she will be a good mother, reminding them that the child's rights are important as well. Alan tells Terrence that he need not testify, deciding to make one of "his big, long speeches." Jerry practices his closing argument and admits to Katie that he was never hugged as a child, and he gives her tips when she frets about closing against the formidable Alan. When Leigh catches them talking, Katie realizes that she is still interested in Jerry.
Isaacs gives his closing arguments, saying that they should err on the side of caution to avoid child abuse. Jerry stresses the importance of positive human contact, admitting that his own strong feelings of isolation led him to suicidal thoughts. Denny offers his archaic ideas about women to Carl, who is worried about his fight with Shirley, wondering if they are not right together. Peyton orders Missy not to sing and states that she will not order an abortion, and Alan and Katie argue about the "combustible" issue of abortion and the relative intrusiveness of the pill. Alan angrily points out that people are not allowed to vote and express their opinions about the issue, then adding that Missy is ignorant of black culture and could not raise the child well anyway. He later warns Terrence that Missy will appeal if she loses, and Terrence admits that he cannot really force her to terminate. The judge rules against Leigh because of the school's clear rules, and she thanks Jerry for his help, suggesting that they resume their relationship. He is unsure, but they attempt a tentative hug. Peyton scolds Missy for her manipulative behavior, but does not grant the abortion order. Terrence tells Missy that he will be involved in the child's life, though firmly states that they cannot be together romantically, and she sadly sings "Xanadu" as he leaves. Later, Alan tells Denny about Katie's skill in the courtroom, and Denny admits his romantic dreams about Hillary Clinton. When Denny asks, Alan admits that his college girlfriend aborted his baby and only told him after the fact, making him feel "invisible." The two muse about having children and families and wonder if they are missing out, but Denny notes that he has family in Alan. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: January 22, 2008 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:92811
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Apple MacBook Air computers
- TV - Commercials - Bayer aspirin
- TV - Commercials - Citi credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Crest Pro-Health toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - DTVAnswers.com informational website
- TV - Commercials - DirecTV television services
- TV - Commercials - Enterprise car rental
- TV - Commercials - Excedrin Back & Body painkillers
- TV - Commercials - Got Milk? campaign
- TV - Commercials - Hyundai automobiles
- TV - Commercials - L'Oréal Preference hair coloring
- TV - Commercials - L'Oréal Skin Genesis moisturizer
- TV - Commercials - Lunesta sleep medication
- TV - Commercials - Make-A-Wish foundation
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Mucinex congestion medication
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Pedigree dog food
- TV - Commercials - Propel fitness water
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - USO program
- TV - Commercials - Windex window cleaner
- TV - Commercials - Zatarain's rice mixes
- TV - Commercials - eBay shopping website
- TV - PSA - ABC A Better Community volunteering
- TV - Promos - "Boston Legal" upcoming episode
- TV - Promos - "Cashmere Mafia"
- TV - Promos - "Eli Stone"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
- TV - Promos - "Lost"
- TV - Promos - "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" motion picture
CREDITS
- Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Mike Listo … Co-Executive Producer
- Lawrence Broch … Co-Executive Producer
- Steve Robin … Supervising Producer, Director
- Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
- Craig Turk … Producer
- Anne M. Uemura … Associate Producer
- Phoef Sutton … Consulting Producer
- Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
- Susan Dickes … Consulting Producer, Writer
- Jill Goldsmith … Writer
- Danny Lux … Music by
- James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
- John Larroquette … Cast, Carl Sack
- Christian Clemenson … Cast, Jerry Espenson
- Gary Anthony Williams … Cast, Clarence Bell
- Tara Summers … Cast, Katie Lloyd
- Saffron Burrows … Cast, Lorraine Weller
- Taraji P. Henson … Cast, Whitney Rome
- Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
- William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
- Roma Maffia … Cast, Judge Victoria Peyton
- Mary Gross … Cast, Leigh Swift
- Meredith Patterson … Cast, Missy Tiggs
- Jere Burns … Cast, Attorney Joe Isaacs
- Ron Canada … Cast, Judge Willard Reese
- Aaron D. Spears … Cast, Terrence Maxwell
- Elizabeth Dennehy … Cast, Samantha Taylor
- Tom Kemp … Cast, Oliver Atkins