L.A. LAW {LA LAW}: SPEAK, LAWYERS, FOR ME (TV)
Summary
One in this series of legal dramas set in the Los Angeles law firm of McKenzie Brackman.
In this episode, the loathsome Dave Meyer happily declares that he plans to get the divided firm "back on track," and Douglas balks at having to represent Susan Convers, a trans woman model who was fired when her gender identity was discovered. In court, Susan explains how her pricey contract with Lady Brite cosmetics was abruptly terminated, though opposing counsel tries to embarrass her by highlighting how she kept her transition a secret from both work and friends. Ann and Stuart are embarrassed when Dave bombards them with highly personal questions about their medical issues; elsewhere, Tommy represents the family of Calvin Webster, a college athlete who committed suicide as a result of steroid use, for which the family blames the coach and the university. Kenny Webster emotionally describes how his brother felt pressured to bulk up in order to perform better on the field, swearing that the school purposefully turned a blind eye to his drug use.
The Lady Brite employer, Bruce Ingalls, states that his company sells "sex appeal" with its products and claims that Susan's gender identity would've hurt sales, though Douglas points out that plenty of models have had cosmetic surgeries to alter their looks. Further, he notes that Susan was a sought-after "cover girl" until a medical exam revealed her past. Dave and Arnie squabble in the office as a doctor testifies about the dangers of steroid use, including potentially fatal "'roid rages." Elsewhere, Tommy declares that Coach John Lungren had to have known the reason behind Calvin's sudden and unnatural change in size and musculature. Michael, Victor and Grace meet with the other lawyers and request to take their top twelve clients – 70 percent of their business – with them to their new firm, and the meeting quickly dissolves into more arguing. Susan's ex-boyfriend takes the stand and somewhat regretfully admits that he ended their relationship upon learning that she was born biologically male. Though Coach Lungren protests that he always discouraged steroid use among his players, Tommy points out how much he and the school stood to profit financially from a successful football team, suggesting that he was willing to overlook illegal activity in order to win.
Susan, though aware that the jury and possibly Douglas feel a sense of "revulsion" toward her for being trans, firmly declares that she will not settle with Lady Brite and will not apologize for making herself "finally whole." In court, the lawyers are furious when Dave recommends a six-month receivership – or total dissolution – and the in-fighting finally takes a toll on Benny, who has a complete breakdown and enters a near-catatonic state of depression. Douglas, struck by Susan's words, urges the jury to see the bigotry in Lady Brite's actions. Meanwhile, Tommy declares that greed killed Calvin Webster, though the defense attorney argues that he alone made the choice to take drugs – and then to take his own life. Susan wins her case and is awarded $400,000 in compensatory salary; Michael, distressed by Benny's condition, withdraws his petition for the receivership and agrees to leave McKenzie Brackman's clients alone, praising his former colleagues as talented lawyers. Leland bids a heartfelt farewell to his honorary son, and everyone celebrates as Dave is ousted from the office. Abby visits C.J. and, announcing that she and Jonathan are returning to the firm, asks her out on a formal date to celebrate. The Websters are awarded $3.2 million in damages for Calvin's death, and Tommy urges a guilt-ridden Coach Lungren to "do something" to save his athletes from similar fates. Finally, Michael, Grace and Victor depart their former office for the last time. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: April 25, 1991 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:46:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:30574
- GENRE: Drama, legal
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBTQ+ Collection - Drama; Drama, legal; Lawyers; Transgender people
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1986-1994
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rick Wallace … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Writer
- Alice West … Coordinating Producer
- Patricia Green … Supervising Producer, Writer
- Elodie Keene … Producer
- Robert Breech … Producer
- James C. Hart … Producer
- Alan Brennert … Producer, Writer
- Monica Wyatt … Associate Producer
- Paul Lazarus … Director
- Steven Bochco … Created by
- Terry Louise Fisher … Created by
- 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
- Blair Underwood … Cast, Jonathan Rollins
- Larry Drake … Cast, Benny Stulwicz
- Amanda Donohoe … Cast, C.J. Lamb
- John Spencer … Cast, Tommy Mullaney
- Cecil Hoffmann … Cast, A.D.A. Zoey Clemmons
- Richard Dysart … Cast, Leland McKenzie
- Dann Florek … Cast, Dave Meyer
- Claudia Christian … Cast, Susan Convers
- Paul Gleason … Cast, Coach John Lungren
- Michael Fairman … Cast, Judge Douglas McGrath
- Paul Regina … Cast, Lawyer Felix Echeverria
- Jodi Long … Cast, Christina Leong
- Eriq LaSalle … Cast, Kenny Webster
- John Calvin … Cast, Bruce Ingalls
- Michael O'Hare … Cast, Dr. Michael Lattimer
- Geof Prysirr … Cast, Dennis Rhodes
- Warren Munson … Cast, Judge Matthew Saucier
- Ken Tobey … Cast, Judge Kent Watson
- Gene Whittington … Cast, Arthur Webster
- John Harnagel … Cast, Dr. Kyle Waits
- Marty Brinton … Cast, Foreperson
- Anne Etue … Cast, Foreperson