BOSTON LEGAL: DANCES WITH WOLVES (TV)

Summary

One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, at a bar, Jerry requests Denny's support in his quest for partner, though Denny reminds him that he is "weird." On the way out, they are stopped by a would-be mugger, but Denny brazenly pulls his own gun and shoots the man several times. He is later arrested for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and, with Alan "too anti-gun" to represent him, enlists Carl and Jerry to defend him. Alan's former flame Joanna arrives and explains that her ex-husband Martin is seeking sole custody of their daughter Daniella, saying that she is unfit because of her career as a sex surrogate, and he agrees to defend her. As Denny antagonizes his nemesis Judge Clark Brown, Alan banters with Martin's lawyer, Emma Path, who deems Joanna a "perv" and a bad influence. Joanna notes that Alan was particularly aggressive with Emma and suggests that he is a sexist, to which Alan reacts with great indignation.

In court, Carl points out that Denny saved his own and Jerry's lives with his gun, permits or not, and Alan argues that Daniella will actually benefit from having a mother who is educated in matters of sexuality, adding that Martin was aware of Joanna's career when they married. Denny responds with predictable unconcern when Alan asks him if they are indeed sexists, and on the stand, Joanna explains that her job involves mostly talking and education, not sexual activity. She notes that men can "love their wives but hate women," and Alan is "unsettled" by what he perceives as a personal shot. Denny declares that he has the right to self-defense no matter what, suggesting that government's rules about gun control are arbitrary at best. Carl and Shirley marvel at Denny's complete lack of concern for the consequences of his actions, and when Alan bursts in to question Shirley, she informs him that he is indeed an "iconic lech" towards women. Jerry nervously prepares for his closing argument, and Denny hints that he will not only be made partner if he gets him off, but will also ensure more lax gun laws for all.

Daniella seems unfazed by her mother's job, describing an ordinary home life with Joanna, and A.D.A. Palmer closes his arguments with comments about the need for reasonable gun control. Jerry, however, goes on an epic, Alan-like rant about "The Big Five," the notoriously conservative Supreme Court members, including "Big Tony" Scalia, who hold hypocritical views about gun control and have manipulated the meaning of the Second Amendment. He sarcastically states that Denny is "a real American" for behaving inappropriately with a gun, and though Carl berates him for apparently tanking the case, a satisfied Denny reveals that he intends to lose – so that he can appeal to the SCOTUS. Alan talks about society's paradoxical views of sex, noting that Joanna is being punished for teaching true intimacy and healthy behavior, and admits that it is easy to "get lost" in the world of sex. The judge agrees and grants shared custody of Daniella, while elsewhere Denny is, somehow, found not guilty, much to his own annoyance. Alan admits that, while he does not share Denny's "lunatic" obsession with guns, he himself owns a firearm, wondering why people cannot take a more moderate view of things. He sadly concludes that he is sexist after all and sees women as physical objects first, but Denny dismisses "P.C. behavior" and urges him to "embrace his inner wolf." Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: October 6, 2008 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:57:52
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 114035
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Body of Lies" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "Changeling" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "Sleeping Beauty" home video
  • TV - Commercials - Alliance for Climate Protection
  • TV - Commercials - Apple iPhones
  • TV - Commercials - Avon Anew Rejuvenate cream
  • TV - Commercials - CVS pharmacies
  • TV - Commercials - Charles Schwab investment firm
  • TV - Commercials - Claritin allergy medication
  • TV - Commercials - Conservation.org website
  • TV - Commercials - Dentyne chewing gum
  • TV - Commercials - Enterprise Rent-a-Car services
  • TV - Commercials - Excedrin Extra Strength pain reliever
  • TV - Commercials - Federal Student Aid financial services
  • TV - Commercials - Fisher Price GeoTracks toys
  • TV - Commercials - Folgers coffee
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Girl Scouts of America foundation
  • TV - Commercials - Hefty garbage bags
  • TV - Commercials - Lexus automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Lincoln automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Lowe's stores
  • TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Outback Steakhouse restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Target stores
  • TV - Commercials - The Home Depot stores
  • TV - Commercials - Verizon Wireless cellular services
  • TV - Promos - "Boston Legal" upcoming episode
  • TV - Promos - "Dirty Sexy Money"
  • TV - Promos - "Eli Stone"
  • TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
  • TV - Promos - "Life On Mars"
  • TV - Promos - "Private Practice"

CREDITS

• Lawrence Broch … Executive Producer
• Mike Listo … Executive Producer
• Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
• David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Susan Dickes … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
• Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
• Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
• Anne M. Uemura … Co-Producer
• Sanford Golden … Co-Producer
• Karen Wyscarver … Co-Producer
• Den Menchaca … Associate Producer
• Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
• James Bagdonas … Director
• Danny Lux … Music by
• James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
• John Larroquette … Cast, Carl Sack
• Christian Clemenson … Cast, Jerry Espenson
• Tara Summers … Cast, Katie Lloyd
• Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
• William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
• Henry Gibson … Cast, Judge Clark Brown
• Jane Lynch … Cast, Joanna Monroe
• Pamela Adlon … Cast, Attorney Emma Path
• William Russ … Cast, A.D.A. Christopher Palmer
• Brian Howe … Cast, Martin Monroe
• Chris Butler … Cast, Officer Kent Stone
• Avery Kidd Waddell … Cast, Dan
• Lainie Kazan … Cast, Judge Paula Stern
• Nicole J. Butler … Cast, Clerk
• Steve Hasley … Cast, Foreman
• Sierra McCormick … Cast, Daniella Monroe