L.A. LAW {LA LAW}: THE MOUSE THAT SOARED (TV)
Summary
One in this series of legal dramas set in the Los Angeles law firm of McKenzie Brackman. In this episode, a restaurant owner, Stevens, begs Victor and Leland to help him stop a dwarf-tossing event at his establishment, promising any price. Victor is surprised to hear that his former opponent Hamilton "Mighty Mouse" Schuyler, who is also a dwarf, is defending the contest's right to continue. Michael files an appeal for Earl Williams, unconcerned about the man's unpaid bill, and Stuart, though not a litigator, offers to take over Victor's "dog" of a case involving a woman suing a dating website. Michael meets with a Philip Holden, a crack dealer who swears that Williams is innocent and that he saw the true culprit, an associate known as "Pinto," fleeing the murder scene. Michael, aware that Holden may be providing false evidence to escape a drug charge, orders him to undergo a lie-detector test. Roxanne is annoyed when Arnie "trades" her to Stuart for the duration of his trial, and Ann meets with a friend, Connie, who confides that her teenage daughter recently underwent an abortion and was harassed by protesters outside of the clinic, explaining that she now wants to sue them for causing emotional distress.
In court, Victor and Schuyler immediately butt heads as Schuyler accuses him of being a "dwarf bigot," but the judge sternly orders them both to toe the line. Stevens argues that dwarf-tossing is demeaning to little people, but Schuyler counters that the bar also hosts misogynistic wet T-shirt contests and that dwarves are often employed by circuses as entertainers. Stuart begins to overwork Roxanne with a long list of tasks, and Douglas warns Leland that some of their conservative – and high-paying – clients will object to Ann's pro-choice case. Elsewhere, Schuyler tears down another witness' testimony when he points out that dwarf-tossing is no more physically dangerous than other, more popular sports. Holden passes the lie-detector test and Michael tells Jackie that they have a chance at another trial, though A.D.A. Flanagan is unimpressed with Holden's testimony and suggests that he was high at the time of the alleged sighting, revealing that he has harmed other criminal cases with irresponsible statements and behavior. One of the dwarf participants takes the stand and explains that he makes good money with the contests, though he is angered when Victor pushes him to admit that it is a humiliating way to make a living.
Ann is upset when the other partners tell her to drop Connie's case, pointing out that they frequently defend murderers and rapists, but Victor states that they must "stay out of" the hot-button political issue of abortion. He then makes his closing arguments in court, stating that dwarf-tossing is no different than other forms of demeaning bigotry, though Schuyler notes that dwarves have as much free will as those of average height do and should be allowed to choose whether or not to participate. Ann apologizes to Connie, admitting that she feels like a "meek, aging yuppie," but Connie reassures her, telling her that she must focus on her own unborn child. Abby advises Stuart not to be "too thorough" on his case, suggesting that it shows his inexperience, and Schuyler is pleased when the judge declares that the contests are not a public nuisance after all. Holden is determined not to be a credible witness, and Michael finds himself in a cell alongside Williams when he furiously confronts the judge about her unfair decision. Ann, disillusioned by the partners' choice, suggests to Stuart that they should strike out on their own, and Victor dines with Schuyler, who admits that despite his successful career, he has struggled in finding true happiness. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 23, 1989 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:47:43
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:55301
- GENRE: Drama, legal
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1986-1994
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Writer
- Rick Wallace … Co-Executive Producer
- Alice West … Coordinating Producer
- William M. Finkelstein … Supervising Producer, Writer
- Michael M. Robin … Producer
- Elodie Keene … Producer
- Robert M. Breech … Co-Producer
- Monica Wyatt … Associate Producer
- Sandy Smolan … 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
- Richard Dysart … Cast, Leland McKenzie
- David Rappaport … Cast, Hamilton Schuyler
- Carl Lumbly … Cast, Earl Williams
- Lorinne Vozoff … Cast, Judge Roberta Harbin
- Vonetta McGee … Cast, Jackie Williams
- Jim Haynie … Cast, Judge Nelson Dunley
- Jane Daly … Cast, Connie
- Tommy Madden … Cast, Adam Creland
- Tom O'Rourke … Cast, Mr. Stevens
- Richardson Morse … Cast, Doctor
- Daniel Hutchison … Cast, Phillip Holden
- Veronica Cartwright … Cast, A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan
- Eric Server … Cast, Garry Lowell
- Ellen Blake … Cast, Elizabeth Brand
- Alan Koss … Cast, Kevin Riley
- Jennifer Karr … Cast, Cynthia Halp
- Charles Martiniz … Cast, Patron
- Charlie Holliday … Cast, Foreperson