BOSTON LEGAL: MADE IN CHINA / LAST CALL {SERIES FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The series finale in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this two-part episode, Denny and Shirley are shocked to learn from Paul that their nearly-bankrupt firm is being purchased by a private Chinese company, and Denny vents his feelings on the "Commies" with a paintball gun. Later, Shirley tries to discuss her objections with Paul, but they then learn that Denny has been arrested for breaking into Penelope Kimball's home and climbing into her bed. He dismisses it as a misunderstanding between friends, though a frustrated Alan reminds him that they are headed to the Supreme Court in a few days to plead their case for the experimental Alzheimer's drug. Shirley decides to get an injunction to stop the sale, and Penelope arrives to tell them that Denny was profoundly confused when he broke into her house. Denny admits that he did not know where he was and is now even more desperate for the drug, though Katie and Jerry are still searching for a precedent-setting case.
Paul accuses Shirley of bigotry when she argues with him about the Chinese company, and Carl agrees that she may need to reassess her emotions on the subject. The D.A. drops the charges against Denny because of Penelope's statement, and Alan is baffled when Denny proposes to him, saying that he wants him to have the legal rights to make important decisions as his disease worsens. The partners vote on the sale and though the "yeas" win out, Shirley remains resolute in her plans to stop it. As she continues planning her wedding to Carl, Denny tells her that he will support her fight against Paul. An elated Jerry finally finds a case to support their plea for the drug, and Paul and Shirley face off in court, where Shirley describes in detail her objections to the Chinese government's many human rights violations, emotionally concluding that the firm represents her life's work. Carl and Shirley try to keep their minds on their upcoming wedding, but Shirley then learns that her injunction has been denied and decides to resign from the firm in protest, though Carl tells her that the others need her leadership.
Jerry poses as a belligerent Supreme Court justice as Alan attempts to argue his case, but they then learn that they have all been fired by the new owners, "especially" Denny. Shirley debates moving on with her life and her new marriage, but Alan suggests that they themselves should "fire" the Chinese. They demand a meeting with the new owners and Alan makes one of his trademark fiery speeches about how an American jury will surely object to their purchase of the firm and that he, Denny and Shirley all have great personal popularity, reminding them that "fear sells." The plan works and the lawyers are reinstated, though Alan suspects that they will still gradually be let go, and Alan considers starting a free legal aid firm instead. Denny again suggests his marriage plan, pointing out that he could leave his vast fortune to Alan and avoid certain taxes if they are spouses and that they do in fact love one another, and Alan finally agrees. At Shirley and Carl's wedding rehearsal, however, things quickly go sour as the two begin arguing about their different religions.
Alan and Denny apply for a marriage license and Shirley is appalled at their scam, and they soon receive a notice of injunction from a gay rights group. Denny is then shocked to hear that the firm's name is to be changed to "Chang, Poole and Schmidt," reflecting that he feels "truly small" for the first time. In court, Alan argues that marriage was originally a financial arrangement and that the personal aspects of his relationship with Denny are private, but the plaintiff, Pinnard, argues that they are manipulating the same-sex marriage laws in a harmful way. Carl and Shirley continue debating their personal values, and Paul explains that he has been appointed in charge of litigation and that he cannot "save" Denny from being fired, but Shirley argues that his cognitive health could improve with the new drug. The judge decides that Denny and Alan's partnership is valid despite the fact that it is non-romantic and denies the injunction, though elsewhere the Chinese partners reiterate that Denny is a danger to the firm and add that they will also fire Alan if need be.
Denny runs into Attorney Brooks and explains about his Alzheimer's, but she maintains that the drug requires more testing before it can be given to patients. When they reconvene in front of the Supreme Court justices, she states that the Constitution does not give one the rights to experimental drugs, pointing out that no one will enter clinical trials if they are allowed access to unapproved medications and that millions will then be endangered. Shirley and Carl make up, and Carl suggests that they take a road trip to Canada to have a joint wedding with Denny and Alan. Alan takes the stand and the justices order him to forgo his usual "spiraling rants," and he points out that they often throw out precedence when need be and that in this case, Denny is "the little guy" who needs their help. He sincerely explains that his best friend is suffering from a terrible, fatal disease and tells them that they are his "last, best hope" for treatment and a bit of dignity. The impatient justices take the weekend to decide and the two happy couples head to a resort in Nimmo Bay, where they encounter Justice Scalia attempting to enjoy his vacation. Exasperated, he informs Denny that he has won the right to the drug, and then hurriedly performs the double marriage ceremony.
Carl allows Denny to have the ceremonial first dance with Shirley, while elsewhere the Chinese lawyers vent about their crazy new partners. Jerry and Katie return from Canada and finally share a proper kiss, and the newly-wed Alan and Denny relax on their balcony, excited about the prospect of the drug. Denny admits that he had one of his "moments" in which he affectionately mistook Alan for his son, and Alan declares that he wants a proper "wedding dance" with his new husband. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: December 8, 2008 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:57:48
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 101860
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Abilify medication
- TV - Commercials - Applebee's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Aveeno lotions
- TV - Commercials - Best Buy stores
- TV - Commercials - Black & Decker AccuMark leveler
- TV - Commercials - Blu-Ray movies
- TV - Commercials - Boys Town National Hotline
- TV - Commercials - Braun electric razors
- TV - Commercials - Chase credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Citi credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Crest SpinBrush Pro toothbrushes
- TV - Commercials - Crest Whitestrips teeth whitening
- TV - Commercials - Dyson vacuum cleaners
- TV - Commercials - Enterprise Rent-a-Car services
- TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift wrinkle cream
- TV - Commercials - Habitat for Humanity
- TV - Commercials - Halls throat lozenges
- TV - Commercials - Head & Shoulders shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Jared jewelers
- TV - Commercials - Kay jewelers
- TV - Commercials - Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Kohl's stores
- TV - Commercials - L.L. Bean clothing
- TV - Commercials - Lowe's stores
- TV - Commercials - Macy's stores
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Maybelline Colossal Mascara cosmetics
- TV - Commercials - Old Navy stores
- TV - Commercials - Outback Steakhouse restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Pacific Life insurance
- TV - Commercials - Pizza Hut restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Plavix medication
- TV - Commercials - Samsung cellular phones
- TV - Commercials - Sprint cellular services
- TV - Commercials - St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
- TV - Commercials - T-Mobile cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Target stores
- TV - Commercials - The UPS Store
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - United States Department of Education Federal Student Aid
- TV - Commercials - Victoria's Secret stores
- TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Zales jewelers
- TV - Commercials - Zantec heartburn relief
- TV - PSA - TV Boss censoring device
- TV - PSA - United States Department of Health and Human Services adoption program
- TV - Promos - "Bedtime Stories" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Dirty Sexy Money"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "Homeland Security U.S.A."
- TV - Promos - "Lost"
- TV - Promos - "Private Practice"
- TV - Promos - "Scrubs"
- TV - Promos - "Seven Pounds" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Bachelor"
- TV - Promos - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Dark Knight" home video
- TV - Promos - "The Day the Earth Stood Still" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "True Beauty"
- TV - Promos - "Yes Man" motion picture
CREDITS
- Mike Listo … Executive Producer
- Lawrence Broch … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer, Director
- Susan Dickes … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
- Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
- Anne M. Uemura … Co-Producer
- Sanford Golden … Co-Producer
- Karen Wyscarver … Co-Producer
- Den Menchaca … Associate Producer
- Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
- Lauren MacKenzie … Writer
- Danny Lux … Music by
- John Larroquette … Cast, Carl Sack
- James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
- Christian Clemenson … Cast, Jerry Espenson
- Tara Summers … Cast, Katie Lloyd
- Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
- William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
- Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Paul Lewiston
- Roma Maffia … Cast, Judge Victoria Peyton
- Chuck McCann … Cast, Judge Byron Fudd
- Bess Armstrong … Cast, Penelope Kimball
- Ming Lo … Cast, Hyung Lee
- Jack Shearer … Cast, Justice Antonin Scalia
- John Posey … Cast, Chief Justice Roberts
- Raymond Ma … Cast, Zhu Chang
- Vito D'Ambrosio … Cast, Justice Samuel Alito
- Jim Jansen … Cast, Marshall Kennedy
- Steven Anderson … Cast, Walter Seymore
- Jim Turner … Cast, Father Joseph Martin
- Pamela Dunlap … Cast, Adams
- Kevin Cooney … Cast, Atty. Smith
- Marianne Muellerleile … Cast, Evelyn
- John Thaddeus … Cast, Detective John Stephenson
- Chris McGarry … Cast, Mark Pinnard
- Michael Holden … Cast, Rabbi Saul Levine
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley … Cast, Attorney Elisa Brooks
- Stu Levin … Cast, Justice Breyer
- Roz Witt … Cast, Justice Ginsburg
- Walter Addison … Cast, Justice Kennedy
- Lee Duncan … Cast, Justice Thomas
- Pamela Shaddock … Cast, Marshall of the Court
- Ping Wu … Cast, Chinese Businessman #1
- Joey Yu … Cast, Chinese Businessman #2
- Peter Kim … Cast, Chinese Businessman #3
- Jim Lau … Cast, Chinese Businessman #4
- Ewan Chung … Cast, Chinese Businessman #5
- Elaine Tan … Cast, Lisa
- Randall Barnett … Cast, Evans
- Paul Buxton … Cast, Thomason
- Soren Hellerup … Cast, Xavier
- Eugene Boles … Cast, Reid
- Frank Stirling … Cast, Underwood
- Elgin Brown … Cast, Zinberg