BOSTON LEGAL: GUARDIANS AND GATEKEEPERS (TV)

Summary

One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, Jerry and Katie assist teenager Lauren Addario, who was raped by a guard at a private prison, and they are disgusted by blowhard defense attorney Melvin Palmer flippant suggestions of a settlement. Shirley's 17-year-old granddaughter Marlena explains that she has been arrested again for voting in the primary election – and encouraging other teens to do so as well – as a form of "civil disobedience." Denny collapses and briefly stops breathing, casually admitting that he is taking "30 or 40" different prescription drugs. Despite Palmer's warnings that a trial will re-traumatize the victim, Katie and Jerry reject the settlement offers, and Lauren takes the stand and explains that, after being convicted on drug charges and choosing a "treatment facility" over a state-run prison, she was then assaulted in her cell. Palmer, however, points out that she flirted with and consensually kissed the guard in question prior to the rape, suggesting that she "invited" his attack.

Denny decides to sue the drug companies over their aggressive and arguably misleading advertisements, and A.D.A. Lennox tries to challenge Marlena's argument that she understands current political issues well enough to make an informed vote. Katie is impressed when "new Jerry" destroys prison CEO Michael Ryder on the stand, explaining how he makes millions from incarcerating minors and does not sufficiently train or investigate his staff. Shirley is frustrated when Marlena refuses to accept a plea deal and Carl admits that he agrees with her defiant position, and when the pharmaceutical representatives threaten to counter-sue Denny, Alan coldly compares them to "big tobacco," pointing out that they "brainwash" their customers through marketing tactics without caring about the dangers of their products.

Carl counters Lennox's arguments about 17-year-olds' general immaturity by stating that the country is already in a dire state, and the very teens whose futures are at stake should be allowed to have some say in politics, comparing the current age limit to other bigoted voting policies that aim to silence anyone who is not "old, white and rich." Palmer tries to argue for the positive elements of private prisons, but Katie points out that for-profit companies have no incentive to actually help or rehabilitate their "customers," drawing a parallel to private military companies who knowing put military personnel in danger in order to save money. Surprisingly, Judge Brown agrees with Carl's arguments and dismisses the criminal charges against Marlena, and Judge Peyton allows Alan's case against the pharmaceutical company to go ahead after his convincing rant about how their manipulative and dangerous methods and preference for promotion over research can have deadly results for consumers. Lauren wins her civil case and is awarded $1.7 million, though Palmer vows to appeal, and Katie and Jerry happily agree that they make a good team – of lawyers. At home, Denny and Alan ponder "the end," agreeing that their friendship is "till death" and possibly even beyond. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: September 29, 2008 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:57:08
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 113839
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers; Voting rights; Rape
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "Body of Lies" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "Boston Legal" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Flash of Genius" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" home video
  • TV - Commercials - "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" home video
  • TV - Commercials - AT&T LG Shine cellular phones
  • TV - Commercials - Avon Anew Rejuvenate cream
  • TV - Commercials - Conservation.org website
  • TV - Commercials - Enterprise Rent-a-Car services
  • TV - Commercials - Federal Student Aid financial services
  • TV - Commercials - Fisher-Price Learn About Town toys
  • TV - Commercials - Ford automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Girl Scouts of America organization
  • TV - Commercials - Hunt's tomatoes
  • TV - Commercials - Mazda automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - MetLife insurance
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Olive Garden restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Outback Steakhouse restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Parker Brothers Pictureka board game
  • TV - Commercials - Target stores
  • TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - USO organization
  • TV - Commercials - Verizon Wireless cellular services
  • TV - Commercials - Walmart stores
  • TV - Promos - "Boston Legal" upcoming episode
  • TV - Promos - "Dirty Sexy Money"
  • TV - Promos - "Life On Mars"
  • TV - Promos - "Opportunity Knocks"
  • TV - Promos - "Private Practice"
  • TV - Promos - "Pushing Daisies"
  • TV - Promos - "Samantha Who?"

CREDITS

• Lawrence Broch … Executive Producer
• Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
• Mike Listo … Executive Producer, Director
• David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Susan Dickes … Co-Executive Producer
• Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
• Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
• Anne M. Uemura … Co-Producer
• Sanford Golden … Co-Producer, Writer
• Karen Wyscarver … Co-Producer, Writer
• Den Menchaca … Associate Producer
• Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
• Corinne Brinkerhoff … Writer
• Danny Lux … Music by
• James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
• John Larroquette … Cast, Carl Sack
• Christian Clemenson … Cast, Jerry Espenson
• Tara Summers … Cast, Katie Lloyd
• Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
• William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
• Henry Gibson … Cast, Judge Clark Brown
• Christopher Rich … Cast, Attorney Melvin Palmer
• Allison Miller … Cast, Marlena Hoffman
• Roma Maffia … Cast, Judge Victoria Peyton
• Don McManus … Cast, A.D.A. John Lennox
• Francesca P. Roberts … Cast, Judge Jamie Atkinson
• Bradford English … Cast, CEO Michael Ryder
• David Bowe … Cast, Jeffrey Addario
• Cas Anvar … Cast, Dr. Paul Harris
• James Rebhorn … Cast, Wade Mathis
• Tina Ivlev … Cast, Lauren Addario
• Tim Snay … Cast, Grant Kennard
• Timothy R. McFadyen … Cast, Clerk
• Perry Cornelius … Cast, Paramedic
• Michael Strickland … Cast, Foreman