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ABC ORIGINALS: SWING VOTE (TV)

Summary

This made-for-television production is about a new Supreme Court justice forced to make the swing vote on an important abortion case. The program begins by discussing the Supreme Court case of Virginia Mapes, charged with first-degree murder for having an abortion in the wake of Roe v. Wade having been recently overturned. Late that night, a nervous Joseph Kirkland drinks and tinkles on the piano, concerned about reporting to the Supreme Court for the first time the following day. His wife Linda tries to comfort him. The next morning, Joseph arrives at his office, meeting his liberal-leaning law clerk Callie McPherson. Later, Joseph meets his fellow justices: William Dunn, Henry Banks, Sara Marie Brandwynne, Clore Cawley, Daniel Morissey, Eli "Cork" MacCorckle, Benjamin "Rip" Ripley, and Chief Justice Robert. Hank tells Joseph that he is assuming the "fresh eyes" seat on the bench as he takes over for Harlan Greene. Immediately, Joseph faces some friendly hazing from the other eight. Then, the justices consider Virginia's case before going to conference. Callie informs Joseph that the vote is currently 6-2 against Virginia, hoping he'll lean more pro-choice with Will and Hank. Conservative Robert takes charge in the conference, explaining that he wants a strong majority on a unified opinion in order to send a message on "abortion on demand." Will thinks that charging Virginia with murder is "mad." Rip strongly disagrees, saying a first-degree murder charge is the only possible choice. Robert tells Will that he and Henry have no way to win, so they might as well join his side and come up with terms for a reasonable prison sentence.

After Sara reveals that she once had an abortion, she opts to join Will, Hank, and Clore in a vote to reverse. With Robert, Rip, Dan, and Cork adamantly against a reverse, the tentative vote is four-to-four. Joseph refuses to declare a position, saying he wants to make the "right" vote. Afterward, Robert tells Joseph this is no time to "choke up," and he needs to decide his vote before the weekend. Later, Callie informs Joseph that Marley Terrell just called, after which he anxiously phones Linda. Callie questions Joseph's mysterious reaction to the news. Later, Joseph vents to Callie that Virginia has been used as a "test case," not finding her heroic. Returning home, Linda informs Joseph that newscasts have played up that he is the swing vote for Virginia's fate. Joseph is furious, demanding Callie tell him who made the leak to the press. Robert wants an inquiry into which clerk made the leak, then states that he now has Clore's vote. With "judgment day" less than twenty-fours away, Robert thinks it time they make a decision. Meanwhile, outside, Virginia speaks to her supporters. Donning a baseball cap and glasses, Joseph goes to hear her speak. Later, Robert goes to Sara to get her back on his side, but she claims she will go through with her dissent. Robert wants Sara to publicly say that abortion is wrong, promising that she can reduce maximum sentences if she becomes the sixth vote. Marley continues calling, unable to reach Joseph or Linda.

Joseph sprints home to talk with Linda about Marley and her impending arrival. Linda claims it is time to reveal the truth. Joseph is upset as Linda says that she wants him to keep abortion illegal. He accuses Linda of using their daughter Jenny to manipulate his vote. Later, lobbyist Arthur Jacklyn, dubbed by Callie as "the pro-life poster boy," comes by to help Joseph with his decision. Like Linda, he uses Jenny to push Joseph toward a pro-life vote, reminding him that Jenny would be a dead fetus if Marley had gone through with her original contention to abort her. Instead, Marley gave birth to Jenny after receiving a fee. Arthur and Joseph then debate when life begins, what constitutes a human, and when a being can feel pain. Later, Sara drops by Joseph's office, claiming he is exposing himself to an extreme influence by talking with Arthur. Sara wants Joseph to align with her and help convicted women avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Joseph replies that Robert bought her vote "cheap." The next morning, Joseph watches Jenny sleep before revealing to his "precious" daughter that she was adopted. Joseph tells Jenny that her birth mother, Marley, is currently headed to their home. As demonstrations break out around the country, the Supreme Court has to make a decision. Joseph goes to speak with Will, Hank and Dan to discuss his thoughts. Joseph compares the Bible to the Constitution, thinking both offer guidelines that allow one to choose how to live their life. Dan then notes how adoption isn't always a great alternative to abortion, citing that adopted children often suffer. Next, Joseph goes to the hospital to speak with Harlan, asking for help with the notes he's drawn up on the case. Joseph wants to get five votes on the position he's formulated and Harlan claims he can help.

Back at the Supreme Court, Robert asks Joseph about his views on other matters. Joseph wanders if he wants to trade votes. Later, Callie secretly takes Joseph to meet with Virginia, who reveals why she had the abortion. Dan goes to see Harlan, leading to a talk about their past which brings both to tears. Realizing that Harlan wants him to be Joseph's fifth vote, Dan curses him before saying he'll consider his sentiments. Joseph returns home to find Jenny with Marley, laughing together. Privately, Marley stresses how she wanted to abort Jenny. Marley begs Joseph to vote with Robert's faction. The next day, Will tells Joseph that he thinks him wrong, wondering if he will reconsider and asking him to compromise. Joseph angrily responds that he wants to "pass freedom around." At the proceedings, Robert forces Joseph to announce the decision. Joseph speaks passionately before offering the court's decision. Saying that he's a defender of both life and choice, Joseph advocates a twenty-week period before abortion is considered illegal, thus negating Virginia's murder conviction. After outlining conditions which states must follow, Joseph also speaks about the need to examine the adoption process and prioritizes a "pro-child" platform. Cork and Clore then announce that they'll join with Joseph and the stance now supported by Dan, Will, Hank, and Sara. As Robert also concedes, Rip reads his dissenting opinion with all now digesting the new ruling. Includes commercials.

Details

  • NETWORK: ABC
  • DATE: April 19, 1999 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:59:19
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:57050
  • GENRE: Drama
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
  • SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1999
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - "Entrapment" motion picture
    • TV - Commercials - "Life" motion picture
    • TV - Commercials - "Pushing Tin" motion picture
    • TV - Commercials - "The Rugrats Movie" home video
    • TV - Commercials - 10-10-29-7 long-distance calling
    • TV - Commercials - 10-10-321 calling plans
    • TV - Commercials - Almay mascara
    • TV - Commercials - Best Buy stores
    • TV - Commercials - Black Angus restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Carl Jr.'s restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Children First: Education Excellence Partnership
    • TV - Commercials - Clairol Herbal Essences shampoo
    • TV - Commercials - Dexatrim diet aid
    • TV - Commercials - DirecTV satellite television
    • TV - Commercials - Electrasol Tabs dishwashing tablets
    • TV - Commercials - Ethan Allen furniture
    • TV - Commercials - Flonase nasal spray
    • TV - Commercials - GMC automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Grecian 5 hair color
    • TV - Commercials - Green Giant frozen vegetables
    • TV - Commercials - Honda automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Hot Pocket snacks
    • TV - Commercials - Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese
    • TV - Commercials - Kraft shredded parmesan cheese
    • TV - Commercials - Lanacane anti-itch cream
    • TV - Commercials - Land Rover automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Lucky stores
    • TV - Commercials - Mervyn's California stores
    • TV - Commercials - Mission tortillas
    • TV - Commercials - Moen PureTouch water purifiers
    • TV - Commercials - Mystic Cliffs wine
    • TV - Commercials - Neosporin antibiotic ointment
    • TV - Commercials - Odor-Eaters insoles
    • TV - Commercials - Sears stores
    • TV - Commercials - Silence is Acceptance for drug abuse
    • TV - Commercials - Slim-Fast diet bars
    • TV - Commercials - Subway restaurants
    • TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
    • TV - Commercials - Tree Top apple juice
    • TV - Promos - "20/20"
    • TV - Promos - "American Film Institute Salute to Dustin Hoffman"
    • TV - Promos - "Cleopatra"
    • TV - Promos - "Dean Koontz's Mr. Murder"
    • TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
    • TV - Promos - "Double Platinum"
    • TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
    • TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
    • TV - Promos - "Home Improvement"
    • TV - Promos - "It's Like, You Know ..."
    • TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
    • TV - Promos - "Nightline"
    • TV - Promos - "Oprah"
    • TV - Promos - "Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher"
    • TV - Promos - "Spin City"
    • TV - Promos - "Sports Night"
    • TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
    • TV - Promos - "The Hughleys"
    • TV - Promos - "The Norm Show"

CREDITS

  • Jerry Bruckheimer … Executive Producer
  • Rob Fried … Executive Producer
  • Andy Garcia … Co-Executive Producer
  • Chad Oman … Producer
  • Jonathan Littman … Producer
  • Richard Brams … Producer
  • Stephanie Hagen … Associate Producer
  • David Anspaugh … Director
  • Ron Bass … Writer
  • Jane Rusconi … Writer
  • Harry Gregson-Williams … Music by
  • Andy Garcia … Cast, Joseph Kirkland
  • John Aylward … Cast, Benjamin "Rip" Ripley
  • Bob Balaban … Cast, Eli "Cork" MacCorckle
  • Hedy Burress … Cast, Callie McPherson
  • Margaret Colin … Cast, Linda Kirkland
  • Hallie Kate Eisenberg … Cast, Jenny Kirkland
  • Albert Hall … Cast, Henry Banks
  • Lisa Gay Hamilton … Cast, Virginia Mapes
  • Kate Nelligan … Cast, Sara Marie Brandwynne
  • Michael O'Keefe … Cast, Arthur Jacklyn
  • Milo O'Shea … Cast, Harlan Greene
  • Ray Walston … Cast, Clore Cawley
  • James Whitmore … Cast, Daniel Morissey
  • Robert Prosky … Cast, Chief Justice Robert
  • Harry Belafornte … Cast, William Dunn
  • Tracey Ellis … Cast, Marley Terrell
  • Michael Jackson … Cast, Himself
  • Patty Lotz … Cast, News Anchor #1
  • Joe Drago … Cast, Mapes Council
  • Dale Harimoto … Cast, Field Reporter #1
  • Tom Urich … Cast, Field Reporter #2
  • Don Pugsley … Cast, Marshall Cryer