BOSTON LEGAL: LET SALES RING (TV)
Summary
One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, Denny reconnects with an old lawyer friend, Milton Bombay, who announces that he wants to be cryogenically frozen and preserved for the future. Shirley is baffled at the request and attempts to talk Milton out of it, but eventually agrees to take his case and tasks the associates with researching the issue. Chelina introduces herself to Alan and then takes him to meet Stuart, a teenager who objects to his principal's use of a "newsblocker" device that prevents a certain conservative news channel from broadcasting at the school. Despite his personal beliefs, Alan takes the case and argues that censoring only one channel because of its content is a violation of the First Amendment, and the judge agrees to hear from the principal personally. In court, Milton declares that he wants a court order allowing him to freeze himself so that he may someday live in "tomorrow's world," though the opposing counsel argues that the process could easily be abused by others looking to extend their life for other reasons.
A medical expert testifies that Milton would be "preserved" rather than technically dead, though he admits that the technology is not yet advanced enough to allow for a human being to be regenerated beyond a normal life span. He explains that similar procedures have worked on animals, however, and avoids debating the ethical nature of the concept. Tara comes up with information pertaining to patients' rights, and Milton admits that he misses his early days of being a hardworking associate. Stuart's principal, Mr. Harper, argues that the news network in question has a strongly conservative agenda and cites a documentary film that exposes its manipulative reporting style. He explains that it is a safety issue and that students have been fighting over their political views, stating that he refuses to allow anything into the school that "foster intolerance." Shirley plans to have dinner with Milton, and Denny assures her that Milton simply wants to be "Denny Crane" because he enjoys the limelight. Alan admits to Chelina that they may lose their case, noting that the news channel is indeed inflammatory in its reporting. At dinner, Shirley questions Milton's true interest in being frozen, but he informs her that he believes in reincarnation and wants to continue being himself forever rather than someone else, and she seems to reconsider as he serenades her with a song.
Later, Shirley informs Milton that he must provide the closing arguments himself, not believing that she or Denny will have any success in convincing the jury. Harper reiterates that the news channel endangers the students with its near-hate speech, but Alan argues that the news has now become "infotainment" and that the channel, like other networks, is simply catering to its viewers' interests in order to make money. Milton speaks for himself and reveals to the court that he has ALS and is afraid of dying without dignity, asking the judge to allow future medical progress to help him. Alan's judge agrees that modern-day news reporting is often "ridiculous," but concludes that banning one specific network is indeed censorship and rules in Stuart's favor. Pleased, Stuart tells Alan that "his country thanks him," though Alan seems less than thrilled. Milton's request is denied and he tells Shirley and Denny that he intends to head for Arizona to look into their latest research, though Shirley urges him not to run off to die alone. Denny shows some uncharacteristic affection as he bids farewell to his friend, and admits to Alan that he regrets not telling his friend that he cared long before then, though he seems comforted when Alan declares that he himself cares for Denny a good deal. Includes commercials and promos.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: March 13, 2005 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:38
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:86316
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers; Asian American Pacific Islanders Collection
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Aflac insurance
- TV - Commercials - Alamo.com sweepstakes
- TV - Commercials - America Online services
- TV - Commercials - Budweiser beers
- TV - Commercials - Chysler automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Colgate Total toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Denny's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Fidelity financial services
- TV - Commercials - Habitat for Humanity
- TV - Commercials - Kohl's stores
- TV - Commercials - Lance Armstrong Foundation
- TV - Commercials - March of Dimes association
- TV - Commercials - Nasonex allergy spray
- TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Pacific Life insurance
- TV - Commercials - Pedigree dog food
- TV - Commercials - Staples stores
- TV - Commercials - Stayfree sanitary pads
- TV - Commercials - Talbots stores
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Verizon Wireless cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Wal-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - World Vision association
- TV - Promos - "Blind Justice"
- TV - Promos - "Eyes"
- TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
- TV - Promos - "Ice Princess" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Jake in Progress"
- TV - Promos - "Ladder 49" home video
- TV - Promos - "Supernanny"
CREDITS
- Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
- Scott Kaufer … Executive Producer
- David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Mike Listo … Co-Executive Producer
- Peter Ocko … Co-Executive Producer
- Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
- Jonathan Shapiro … Supervising Producer
- Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
- Anne M. Uemura … Associate Producer
- Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
- Sheila Lawrence … Consulting Producer
- Hubert de la Boullerie … Director
- Danny Lux … Music by
- James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
- Monica Potter … Cast, Lori Colson
- Rhona Mitra … Cast, Tara Wilson
- Mark Valley … Cast, Brad Chase
- Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Paul Lewiston
- Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
- William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
- Betty White … Cast, Catherine Piper
- Kerry Washington … Cast, Chelina Hall
- Christina Chang … Cast, Attorney Elizabeth Tyler
- Richard Portnow … Cast, Judge Peter Harding
- Victor McCay … Cast, Dr. Malcolm Freemont
- Tyrees Allen … Cast, A.A.G. Doug Beecham
- Ray Laska … Cast, Judge James Billmeyer
- Ryan Kelley … Cast, Stuart Milch
- Chi McBride … Cast, Steven Harper
- Carl Reiner … Cast, Milton Bombay
- Glenn Taranto … Cast, Maitre D'
- Phillip Palmer … Cast, Newscaster
- David Beckett … Cast, Bandleader