BOSTON LEGAL: THANKSGIVING (TV)

Summary

One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston.

In this episode, Shirley is bewildered when she is mugged by a young boy, "Turnip" – who turns out to be disgraced partner Edwin Poole's foster son. Alan is outraged to learn that Denny has made Thanksgiving plans with annoying attorney Melvin Palmer, who "saved" them from legal peril back at the Utah dude ranch. Shirley confides toEdwin that the firm is in fact bankrupt. Shocked, Edwin ends up inviting himself to Shirley's Thanksgiving dinner, intended to be a private affair for herself and Carl; Katie, Jerry, Denny, Alan and Melvin somehow end up on the guest list as well. Carl tries to reassure Shirley that the bizarre group won't cause trouble, but a theological squabble over grace quickly turns into an argument about race. Alan aggressively declares that Barack Obama's recent election doesn't mean America – or the firm – is suddenly free from its systemic racism.

Denny is offended when Shirley and Carl "rub his nose in" their happy romance. Jerry laments that he still feels like the firm's weirdo "mascot" even after finally making partner; he ends up insulting Katie and her "maternal lectures" when she tries to reassure him. Shirley is alarmed by Denny's confusion when he seems to think the dinner party is for his January birthday. Alan attempts to make excuses for his friend's worsening "Mad Cow." An unconcerned Edwin and Melvin sing songs around the piano as Jerry apologizes to Katie – and then reveals that he's in love with her. The guests make an another attempt at dinner, with Denny asking how the eccentric Edwin managed to get custody of a child, and Shirley confesses that she is struggling to handle her first Thanksgiving since her father's death. Edwin lets slip about the firm's dire financial situation, angering both Denny and Alan. As a flustered Katie suggests "couples therapy" for herself and Jerry, Carl reveals that he planned to propose to Shirley after dinner, a plan now ruined by the unexpected guests.

Alan encourages Carl to go ahead with his plan, and Denny eventually demonstrates his acceptance of the relationship by proposing "for" Carl. Though taken aback, Shirley happily accepts. As the group sits down for dessert, Alan reflects on how much he has enjoyed the lively, argumentative family holiday. Back on the balcony, Alan assesses Denny's feelings on the day's events, reiterating his promise to euthanize him if need be, but suggesting that he'll "beat the odds" and outlive them all. Denny reflects on the afterlife, wondering if he and his best pal will be reunited after death. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: November 24, 2008 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:57:43
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 115386
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers; Thanksgiving; Alzheimer's disease
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - "Valkyrie" motion picture
  • TV - Commercials - Apple MacBook computers
  • TV - Commercials - Apple iPhone 3G devices
  • TV - Commercials - Audi automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - BlackBerry cellular phones
  • TV - Commercials - Cialis medication
  • TV - Commercials - Enterprise Rent-a-Car services
  • TV - Commercials - HealthNet Medicare programs
  • TV - Commercials - Honda automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Jared Galleria of Jewelry
  • TV - Commercials - Kay jewelers
  • TV - Commercials - L.L. Bean products
  • TV - Commercials - Macy's stores
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Men's Wearhouse stores
  • TV - Commercials - Olay Age-Defying body wash
  • TV - Commercials - Olay Regenerist facial serum
  • TV - Commercials - Royal Caribbean cruise lines
  • TV - Commercials - Southwest Airlines
  • TV - Commercials - Subaru automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - T-Mobile wireless networks
  • TV - Commercials - Target stores
  • TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Visa credit cards
  • TV - Commercials - Walmart stores
  • TV - Commercials - Walt Disney Resort theme parks
  • TV - Promos - "Boston Legal" upcoming episode
  • TV - Promos - "Dancing With the Stars"
  • TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
  • TV - Promos - "Live with Regis & Kelly"
  • TV - Promos - "Oprah"
  • TV - Promos - "Private Practice"
  • TV - Promos - "Saturday Night Football"
  • TV - Promos - "Scrubs"

CREDITS

• David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
• Mike Listo … Executive Producer, Director
• Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
• Lawrence Broch … Executive Producer
• Susan Dickes … Co-Executive Producer
• 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
• 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
• Larry Miller … Cast, Edwin Poole
• Christopher Rich … Cast, Attorney Melvin Palmer
• Kwesi (see also: Kwesi Boakye) … Cast, Turnip Graves
• Barack Obama