PRACTICE, THE: SHOW AND TELL (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas about the idealistic attorneys at a struggling Boston law practice. In this episode, Bobby prepares for the retrial of Scott Wallace, accused of murdering his wife. A documentary crew films both the defense and the prosecution as they work on the case, and Bay lectures his witnesses on technique and strategy with the help of a shrink. Bobby is sure that Bay will "cheat" in some way and will focus on the damning video tape of Wallace's initial interrogation, in which he does not verbally deny killing his wife when asked. In court, Detective Larson states that Wallace gave a "silent admission" of guilt, but Bobby argues that he is not a psychologist and cannot attest to his state of mind. Rebecca comments on Bobby's passion in his early days, and another witness explains that he heard the Wallaces fighting on the night in question but did not intervene, which annoys Bay, though it helps to set up his timeline of events. Bobby reiterates that Wallace passed a polygraph, musing that lawyers have become more obsessed with winning and losing than with "brotherhood."
A forensic pathologist states that Mrs. Wallace's injuries were consistent with homicide, and Bobby challenges him, causing Bay to believe that he is getting desperate. He then opts not to bring Kyle, the victim's brother, to the stand, saying he is not helpful "this time," though he was essential to the previous trial. Bobby brings a doctor to the stand to testify that Mrs. Wallace was depressed, as he is arguing that she committed suicide, and the doctor states that the tape of Wallace is not definitive proof of guilt. Bobby then turns on him, however, saying that he did not admit to treating the woman to avoid being connected to her death, just as Bay had guessed that he would. When asked, Ellenor says that Bobby's life will change significantly after the birth of his child, and he will no longer be the fiery defense attorney that he is now. He preps Wallace for his pivotal testimony, and Eugene considers that Bobby may intend to use the documentary footage as proof of Bay's tricks in order to cause a mistrial.
Wallace takes the stand and describes the night of his wife's death, saying that she told him that she was leaving him and then killed herself with carbon monoxide in the garage, adding that her head trauma came from his attempt to save her. He states that he did not clearly deny killing her when asked due to his state of shock, but Bay uses a new tactic and suggests a motive of money, noting that his wife's insurance policy had been changed shortly before her death and that troubles at work caused Wallace to "snap." He denies the claim, but becomes angry when Bay badgers him, seemingly supporting the idea of his having a temper. Bobby is incensed at the "unfair surprise" of the new motive, but the judge permits Bay to continue. Bay grows frustrated at the documentarian's accusatory tone, and Bobby admits that he has made mistakes in getting emotionally attached to the case. In closing arguments, Bay says that the motives and the events clearly point to murder, and Bobby argues that the suicide scenario is plausible and that Wallace's emotional state is only reasonable. Jimmy comments on Bobby's "hibernation" while the jury debates, and when they return, Wallace is found not guilty on all counts, to everyone's shock. Wallace and Bobby are thrilled, though the judge admits that she cannot say for sure if the verdict was fair or not. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: November 12, 2000 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:62302
- GENRE: Drama, legal
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2004
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - BMW automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Bounce fabric spray
- TV - Commercials - Carl's Jr. restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Charles Schwab investors
- TV - Commercials - CoverGirl cosmetics
- TV - Commercials - Energizer batteries
- TV - Commercials - Fidelity investment company
- TV - Commercials - Go.com website
- TV - Commercials - Home Depot stores
- TV - Commercials - HomeGrocer.com website
- TV - Commercials - Kia automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Lexus automobiles
- TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena anti-wrinkle cream
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Old English furniture polish
- TV - Commercials - Pantene Pro-V shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Quick & Reilly financial advisors
- TV - Commercials - Samsung electronics
- TV - Commercials - Sprint cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Taco Bell restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Target stores
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
- TV - Commercials - eToys.com website
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "ABC News Special: A Nation Waits"
- TV - Promos - "Bounce" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
- TV - Promos - "Gideon's Crossing"
- TV - Promos - "Joseph: King of Dreams" home video
- TV - Promos - "Monday Night Football"
- TV - Promos - "Once and Again"
- TV - Promos - "Oprah"
- TV - Promos - "The Beatles Revolution"
- TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV - Promos - "The Geena Davis Show"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice" upcoming episode
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to be a Millionaire Celebrity Edition"
CREDITS
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Robert Breech … Co-Executive Producer
- Christina M. Musrey … Supervising Producer
- Tammy Ann Casper … Supervising Associate Producer
- Joseph Berger-Davis … Producer
- Todd Ellis Kessler … Producer
- Gary M. Strangis … Producer
- Pamela Wisne … Producer
- Steven Lang … Associate Producer
- Alex Graves … Director
- Tom Hiel … Music by
- John Hassell … Theme Music by
- Pete Scaturro … Theme Music by
- Dylan McDermott … Cast, Bobby Donnelly
- Michael Badalucco … Cast, Jimmy Berluti
- Lisa Gay Hamilton … Cast, Rebecca Washington
- Steve Harris … Cast, Eugene Young
- Jason Kravits … Cast, A.D.A. Richard Bay
- Camryn Manheim … Cast, Ellenor Frutt
- Marla Sokoloff … Cast, Lucy Hatcher
- Kelli Williams … Cast, Lindsay Dole
- Lara Flynn Boyle … Cast, Helen Gamble
- Linda Hunt … Cast, Judge Zoey Hiller
- Zach Grenier … Cast, Detective R. Larson
- John Bellucci … Cast, Documentary Interviewer
- Peter Michael Goetz … Cast, Dr. Dennis Murphy
- Christine Healy … Cast, Psychologist Cindy Keller
- Tim Lounibos … Cast, Dr. Michael Wang
- Charley Garrett … Cast, Dr. Jeffrey Weinberg
- Allan Royal … Cast, Dr. Bernard White
- Michael Spound … Cast, Michael Berenson
- Bruce Davison … Cast, Scott Wallace
- Marjorie Harris … Cast, Corridor Reporter #1
- Paul Richard Kessler … Cast, Corridor Reporter #2
- John Marrott … Cast, Corridor Reporter #3
- Patrick William O'Connor … Cast, Jury Foreperson