PRACTICE, THE: THE DAY AFTER (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramas about the idealistic attorneys at a struggling Boston law practice. In this episode, Lucy and Rebecca are rushed to the hospital after the explosion in the office, and Lucy, emerging with relatively minor injuries, tells her shocked colleagues that the bomb was sent by the late William Hinks, via his probate attorney, in the form of a tape recorder. Rebecca's mother Helene rushes in and, learning that her condition is serious, informs the doctor that she's a Jehovah's Witness and therefore cannot have a blood transfusion even to save her life, to which Bobby strongly objects. Back at the destroyed office, Ellenor and Jimmy opt to "distract" themselves with new client Kevin Riley, fired from his teaching job for concealing another teacher's affair with a student. Bobby tries to get a court order to grant Rebecca the transfusion, but Judge Fox sees through his need for a "favor" and orders him to bring Helene to court.

Kevin's former principal, Steven Harper, declares him "complicit with his silence" and refuses to rescind the firing, forcing Jimmy and Ellenor to take the matter to the school board. Hinks' attorney, Hofstra, desperately protests that he had no idea about the bomb, and Richard quickly overrides Helen when she tries to have him arrested. In court, Bobby expresses doubt that his longtime friend Rebecca is actually a Jehovah's Witness at all, arguing that they are legally obligated to act in the best interest of her health, and when Fox gives them a short period to definitively prove that she'd want the transfusion were she conscious, Lindsay sternly reminds Bobby not to risk perjury for his friend. As Eugene remains by Rebecca's side in the hospital, Bobby grills Helene about her daughter's true beliefs, pointing out that she seems to disregard many of the church's conservative rules, including those against homosexuality and divorce — and abortion — and does not carry a card confirming her refusal of transfusions. Helene continues to insist that Rebecca would not want the blood, and Bobby explodes that she is allowing her "voodoo" beliefs to kill her daughter.

Ellenor argues that Kevin did not technically break any school rules and was fired on a purely discretionary basis, but the school board swiftly upholds the decision and votes to keep him out. Bobby reiterates that he knows Rebecca well and wants her to have the "benefit of life," as there is doubt about her wishes, but Fox rules on the side of religious freedom and denies the court order. Bobby's outrage is interrupted when Lindsay suddenly goes into labor a month early, and she gives birth to their son Robert Jr. right in the courtroom, aided by Helene and Fox. Elsewhere, Ellenor confronts Harper privately and tries to reason with him, but he refuses to budge and decides to take Kevin's case to court. The rest of the partners celebrate the birth, and everyone prays around the still-unconscious Rebecca, desperately hoping for good news. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: February 11, 2001 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:59:29
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:64117
• GENRE: Drama, legal
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, legal; Drama, mystery/suspense; Religious liberty; Blood transfusions
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1997-2004
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - 10-10-220 telephone service
  • TV - Commercials - British Airways
  • TV - Commercials - CSFB Direct banking
  • TV - Commercials - Carl's Jr. restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Charles Schwab investment firm
  • TV - Commercials - Chevron energy corporation
  • TV - Commercials - Coldwell Banker realtors
  • TV - Commercials - EarthLink internet services
  • TV - Commercials - Fidelity investment company
  • TV - Commercials - Florida orange juice
  • TV - Commercials - Gateway computers
  • TV - Commercials - H&R Block tax services
  • TV - Commercials - Jeep automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - Meridia weight-loss medication
  • TV - Commercials - Microsoft software
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Nortel Networks internet services
  • TV - Commercials - Pepcid Complete antacid medication
  • TV - Commercials - Puffs Plus tissues
  • TV - Commercials - Sprint PCS wireless networks
  • TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
  • TV - Promos - "20/20"
  • TV - Promos - "Adrienne Alpert: One on One"
  • TV - Promos - "Amy and Isabelle"
  • TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
  • TV - Promos - "Eyewitness News"
  • TV - Promos - "Gideon's Crossing"
  • TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
  • TV - Promos - "Oprah"
  • TV - Promos - "The Mole"
  • TV - Promos - "The Practice" upcoming episode
  • TV - Promos - "These Old Broads"

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
• Alex Graves … Director
• 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
• CCH Pounder … Cast, Helene Washington
• Susan Blommaert … Cast, Judge Rudy Fox
• Ray Abruzzo … Cast, Detective Michael McGuire
• Debbi Morgan … Cast, Marsha Shinn
• Arthur Taxier … Cast, Helene Washington's Attorney
• Fred Sanders … Cast, Mr. Hofstra, Hinks' Probate Attorney
• Steven Anderson … Cast, Dr. Emerick
• Michael Fairman … Cast, Harold Shaw, School Board President
• Tom McCarthy … Cast, Kevin Riley
• Anthony Heald … Cast, Scott Guber
• Chi McBride … Cast, Steven Harper
• Helen Eigenberg … Cast, Dr. Cusack
• Joe Camareno … Cast, ER Doctor
• Susan Kohler … Cast, Nurse #1
• Kathleen Demarest … Cast, Nurse #2
• Liz Burnette … Cast, Nurse #3
• Jonathan Bray … Cast, Paramedic #1
• Albert Garcia … Cast, Paramedic #2
• Valerie D. Young … Cast, Paramedic #3
• Dwight Bacquie … Cast, Officer #1
• Doug Mitchell … Cast, Officer #2