BOSTON LEGAL: SQUID PRO QUO (TV)

Summary

One in this darkly comic series focusing on a firm of brilliant but emotionally-challenged attorneys in Boston. In this episode, Denny happily leads the firm in the Pledge of Allegiance, thrilled to be representing his beloved United States in a case. Alan is intrigued by new associate Marlene Stanger, though Denise seems unnerved by her aggressive nature and learns from Melissa that Marlene is known as "the squid," the only creature than can kill a "shark." Alan agrees only to sit on Denny's case, as it involves the "global gag rule," which forbids clinics in countries receiving financial aid from America from even uttering the word "abortion." Denny then discovers that his opponent is none other than Donny, his "fake son." The plaintiff, a woman from Nepal, explains through an interpreter that her baby died because her local clinic did not have the necessary supplies to perform a Caesarean section, and she is now suing the American official who cut the required funding. The clinic's doctor explains that the money was rescinded merely because they hung a poster supporting women's rights, though Denny calls the sign "inflammatory" and argues with Donny about America's laws about foreign aid and abortion, a matter on which the people do not directly vote.

Denise is shocked to find that Marlene has stolen one of her clients, a man suing the creator of "DateMistake.com," a website on which an ex-girlfried posted defamatory comments about him. She points out that the case has already been settled, but Marlene counters that she feels that she can get more money for the client and offers to "share" the case with her. Denise complains to Shirley, but Shirley is frankly unsympathetic. Donny and Denny bond somewhat over dinner, though Alan later tells Denny that he will no longer attend Kavita's case, as Denny is "making an ass of himself" with his views and comments. The defendant clarifies the "global gag rule" and protests that America's financial support is a humanitarian act, though Denny argues that it is in fact quite un-American, as it restricts free speech. Marlene browses DateMistake, and Alan rather bluntly makes a pass at her, confident in her interest even when she calls him "repulsive." Later, the opposing lawyer argues that the comments on the website are mere opinions and are allowed under free speech, but Marlene cites several examples of inaccurate and therefore libelous facts. Denise realizes that Marlene posted the comments herself to manipulate the case, but goes along with it and convinces the defendant to settle for more than the original sum.

Denny asks Alan to deliver one of his infamous speeches for the closing argument, admitting that he needs to "stay undefeated." Donny talks about American arrogance and how policies are often changed for political gain, but Alan delivers a cynical and effective speech about America's habit of giving "handouts" to "entitled" foreign countries despite examples of extreme need and poverty right at home, stating that the clinic broke its promise to eschew mention of abortion and therefore deserved to lose the funding. Denise confronts Marlene about her underhanded move, but Marlene counters that she was hired for precisely those moneymaking talents. Denny wins his case, thanks to Alan's speech, and then talks to Donny about his love of "lost causes." Donny admits that his mother recently died and that he then found his biological dad, a simple working-class man, but asks Denny to continue being his "fake father" all the same. Alan muses about his dislike of America's current us-and-them "team" mentality, but Denny praises his good sense and then declares that he is intrigued by Marlene, a sentiment Alan seems to share. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: May 9, 2006 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:58:38
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:89531
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama; Lawyers
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2004-2008
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - AT&T computer services
  • TV - Commercials - Ambien CR medication
  • TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer Advance White toothpaste
  • TV - Commercials - Charles Schwab financial services
  • TV - Commercials - Chlor-Trimeton allergy medication
  • TV - Commercials - Consumer Federation of America radon testing
  • TV - Commercials - Crestor medication
  • TV - Commercials - Dodge automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Hanes underwear
  • TV - Commercials - Hyundai automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Jeep automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Kay jewelers
  • TV - Commercials - Lexus automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Make-A-Wish Foundation
  • TV - Commercials - Nikon cameras
  • TV - Commercials - Nissan automobiles
  • TV - Commercials - Propel fitness water
  • TV - Commercials - Society for Women's Health Research migraine research
  • TV - Commercials - The Home Depot stores
  • TV - Commercials - V8 juices
  • TV - Commercials - Venus Vibrance razors
  • TV - Commercials - Visa check cards
  • TV - Commercials - Yellow Book phone books
  • TV - Promos - "20/20"
  • TV - Promos - "American Inventor"
  • TV - Promos - "Celebrity Debut"
  • TV - Promos - "Grey's Anatomy"
  • TV - Promos - "Lost"
  • TV - Promos - "Nightline"
  • TV - Promos - "Over the Hedge" motion picture
  • TV - Promos - "Stephen King's Desperation"
  • TV - Promos - Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball special
  • TV - Promos - The NBA Playoffs

CREDITS

• Janet Leahy … Executive Producer
• Bill D'Elia … Executive Producer
• David E. Kelley … Executive Producer, Created by
• Mike Listo … Co-Executive Producer
• Steve Robin … Supervising Producer
• Janet Knutsen McCann … Producer
• Andrew Kreisberg … Producer
• Anne M. Uemura … Associate Producer
• Phoef Sutton … Consulting Producer
• Robert Breech … Consulting Producer
• Lawrence Broch … Consulting Producer, Writer
• James Bagdonas … Director
• Janet Leahy … Writer
• James Spader … Cast, Alan Shore
• Danny Lux … Music by
• Julie Bowen … Cast, Denise Bauer
• Mark Valley … Cast, Brad Chase
• Rene Auberjonois … Cast, Paul Lewiston
• Candice Bergen … Cast, Shirley Schmidt
• William Shatner … Cast, Denny Crane
• Freddie Prinze Jr. … Cast, Donny Crane
• Parker Posey … Cast, Marlene Stanger
• Marisa Coughlan … Cast, Melissa Hughes
• Don McManus … Cast, A.D.A. John Lennox
• Chris Moynihan … Cast, Derek Roth
• Jenny O'Hara … Cast, Judge Kimberly Ohlund
• Ray Proscia … Cast, Paul Schwimmer
• Harsh Nayyar … Cast, Dr. Barati Waibi
• Amrapali Ambegaokar … Cast, Kavita Pokharel
• Purva Bedi … Cast, Translator
• Jennifer Lynne Wetzel … Cast, Nancy Moran
• Laura Carson … Cast, Foreperson
• Joe Conti … Cast, Bailiff