PRACTICE, THE: THE THIN LINE (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramas about the idealistic attorneys at a struggling Boston law practice. In this episode, the team wonders if Bobby has any shot of acquittal in his felony murder charge, and Eugene advises Bobby to "look humble, but like a winner" as Detective McGuire testifies about his friend's fervent request to "get" William Hinks, which Eugene points out could simply have meant arresting him. Lucy, on call for her first day as a rape crisis counselor, is called to the emergency room and attempts to help Maddie Werner, though Lucy is quickly overcome with distress at the young woman's condition. Alan Neel testifies that he "owed Bobby his life" after his double-homicide acquittal, and he freely admits to killing Hinks, as captured on the audio tape, on what he believed to be Bobby's orders. Eugene, however, highlights Neel's many past crimes and his obvious incentive to lie in order to obtain a shorter sentence.

Maddie seems to bond with Lucy during her exam, and Eugene and the others debate if Bobby should take the stand, eventually agreeing that he needs to clarify exactly what he asked of Neel. Bobby describes how the wily Hinks evaded convictions for nine murders by manipulating his therapist — whom he then also killed — and then began stalking Lindsay, which eventually prompted Bobby to send Neel to "scare" him into desisting. Fearing that she made harmful mistakes with Maddie, a distressed Lucy tells Rebecca of her intentions to quit the counseling service, though Rebecca encourages her to try again. D.A. Toomey cross-examines Bobby and points out that he told no one, not even Lindsay, of his seemingly harmless "scare Hinks" plan, and also didn't immediately tell the police of the plan once he was found dead, strongly suggesting his desire to avoid incriminating himself.

Back at the office, Lindsay furiously upbraids Ellenor and Eugene from not stopping Toomey's damning line of questioning, and in his closing, Eugene plays Hinks' eerie declaration of his intentions to continue killing and reminds the jury that the untrustworthy Neel is merely trying to save himself, though Toomey points out that Bobby somewhat hypocritically chose to defend both Neel and Hinks, as well as other guilty people, and can't be allowed to behave like a vigilante. Maddie visits Lucy and thanks her for her kindness, and Eugene again reminds Bobby that he can accept a plea deal of only two and a half years in prison, but Bobby refuses. The jury returns and Bobby is found not guilty on all charges — but at the office, Rebecca and Lucy receive a beyond-the-grave recorded message from Lindsay to Hinks, promising to "see her soon," and the two women barely escape as the office explodes. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: February 4, 2001 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:00:02
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:64118
• GENRE: Drama, legal
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal; Trials (murder); Lawyers
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2004
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Hannibal" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - Albertson's supermarkets
  • TV - Commercials - Apple PowerBook G4 laptop computer
  • TV - Commercials - Aquafresh Whitening toothpaste
  • TV - Commercials - Capital One credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Charles Schwab investment firm
  • TV - Commercials - Cingular wireless networks
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  • TV - Commercials - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt
  • TV - Commercials - Disney's California Adventure theme park
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  • TV - Commercials - Lincoln automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Lipovitan B3 energy drinks
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
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  • TV - Commercials - Nicorette smoking cessation gum
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  • TV - Commercials - PUR water filters
  • TV - Commercials - Pedigree Dentabone canine dental aid
  • TV - Commercials - Tide laundry detergent
  • TV - Commercials - Victoria's Secret stores
  • TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
  • TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
  • TV - Promos - "Gideon's Crossing"
  • TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
  • TV - Promos - "Inside the Osmonds"
  • TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
  • TV - Promos - "Once and Again"
  • TV - Promos - "Oprah"
  • TV - Promos - "Profiler"
  • TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
  • TV - Promos - "The Mole"
  • TV - Promos - "The Practice" upcoming episode

CREDITS

• Robert Breech … Executive Producer
• David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Christina M. Musrey … Supervising Producer
• Tammy Ann Casper … Supervising Associate Producer
• Pamela Wisne … Producer
• Todd Ellis Kessler … Producer
• Joseph Berger-Davis … Producer
• Gary M. Strangis … Producer
• Steven Lang … Associate Producer
• Dennis Smith … Director
• Lynne E. Litt … Writer
• Marco Beltrami … Music by
• Jon 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
• Steven Flynn … Cast, D.A. Martin Toomey
• Ray Abruzzo … Cast, Detective Michael McGuire
• Jeremy Roberts … Cast, Alan Neel
• Amy Stewart … Cast, Maddie Werner
• James Karen … Cast, Judge Knapp
• Denise Dowse … Cast, Caroline
• Scott Alan Smith … Cast, Doctor
• Don Richardson … Cast, Reporter #1
• Jennifer Massey … Cast, Reporter #2
• Phillip Palmer … Cast, WXDE TV Reporter
• Gabe Cohen … Cast, Foreman
• Michael Emerson … Cast, William Hinks (voice)