OT: The Practice
Dr Toilet
feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season, or at least
consider it unfair that The Practice got nominated in its 2nd season while
Homicide was snubbed for it's entire run. However, I think you should put some
of that animosity aside and give this show a chance. Last night's episode was
extremely amazing. I think if you give this show a chance I think you might
find that you'd be hooked on both shows. To give you an idea of how amazing
the show was I'm going to give a synapsis as best as I can.
***
Bobby Donnel is the head of a law firm and Helen Gamble is an A.D.A. They're
lovers and they have a date. However, Helen is called to a crime scene.
When she gets there the police show her the body of a woman whose head has been
cut off. The police find a poem next to the body and conclude that it's the
work of a serial killer named " The Poet." Later she and the police are
summoned by the coroner who inform them that it wasn't the work of " The Poet"
but it was actually a copycat therefore it's no longer a federal investigation.
The police contact Helen again and bring her to interview the victim's
mother. The victim's mother informs them that her daughter was having a
troubled relationship with a renowned surgeon by the name of Dr. Jeffrey
Winslow. Dr. Winslow and his lawyer contact Bobby. Winslow informs him that
he might be a suspect and his lawyer tells Bobby that he's referring Jeffrey to
Bobby because he's the most prolific criminal attorney in Boston. Winslow
offers Bobby a one million dollar retainer. Bobby cites a potential conflict
of interest because he's dating Helen but promises to take it under
consideration. Meanwhile, Helen and the police trick Mrs. Winslow into
revealing that Dr. Winslow was around the scene of the crime at the time of the
murder. The police then surround the mansion and search the house with a
warrant. Once the police discover that the last autopsy of the serial killer
was performed at the same hospital where Winslow works they decide to arrest
Dr. Winslow. After a meeting with the other employees at the firm Bobby
decides to take the case and they agree to surrender Winslow at the firm. At
the arraignment Bobby and Helen agree that they're enemies in the courtroom.
That night Helen and Bobby are in bed when Helen recieves a call from the
police. She tells Bobby that the victim scratched her killer and that the DNA
matches Dr. Winslow. A furious Bobby confronts Winslow and demands an
explanation. Winslow explains that she scratched him while they were making
love and again insists that he's innocent. The firm sets out to prepare for
trial. Lindsay Dole meets with jury consultants. Ellenor Funt reviews the
forensic evidence and meets with Mrs. Winslow to make sure she's on board, and
Jimmy Berluti interviews the victim's bitter ex-husband who says he wishes he
could have seen her face as she died. As the trial grows closer the firm spots
Helen on the news. They head to court where Bobby demands a gag order and to
be allowed to view the crime scene. The juge grants both motions and drags
Bobby and Helen to her chambers. Bobby and Helen both refuse to drop the case
and end up putting their relationship on hold. At the crime scene Bobby tells
Lindsay he likes the way he got the case and he insists that he's going to win
it.
***
As the trial is about to get underway both the firm and the DA's office prepare
their strategy. The firm has one more pre-trial motion to make. They want to
exclude the victim's mother's testimony where the victim said that Winslow made
threats on her life. Helen argues that it's not hearsay because the victim
made her comments in an agitated state. The judge agrees and denies the
defense motion. The trial begins and the mother testifies about the threats
Winslow made. On cross-examination Eugene Young suggests to the mother that
her daughter was so agitated that maybe she meant to say her ex-husband made
the threats not Dr. Winslow. The mother gets angry and says that her daughter
said calmly and clearly that Dr. Winslow made the threats. The judge rules
that it's now hearsay and strikes the testimony telling the jury to disregard
everything they heard. Helen is furious because now she can't use it in her
closing statement and the firm decides not to ask for a mistrial. Next up is
the coroner who testifies that at the time of the autopsy before Winslow was
arrested that he determined the murder was done by a surgeon. Ellenor
cross-examines him and in a sidebar with the judge accuses Helen of making the
whole thing up the day before the trial. The judge refuses to strike the
testimony. Outside a furious Helen tells Ellenor never to accuse her of
anything and ends up sharing words with Bobby and Ellenor. Next Helen puts up
a slew of DNA experts and the firm takes turns crossing each expert.
Afterwards another ADA tells Helen to put in " The Shoe" before resting her
case. Helen, however wants to wait until Winslow testifies so she can use
" The Shoe" after she's caught him in a lie. She then calls the victim's
ex-husband. On the stand she gets him to reveal that he was paid $5000 by the
firm to come to court everyday to look guilty. She then rests her case and the
judge berates Bobby in her chambers. Bobby and the firm then decide they have
to put on a defense. First up is the wife. Mrs. Winslow testifies and then on
cross-examination Helen gets Mrs. Winslow to reveal that she told a neighbor
that she thinks her husband is guilty. Mrs. Winslow insists she thinks her
husband is innocent. Back at the office Dr. and Mrs. Winslow accuse each other
of the murder and eventually Mrs. Winslow tells Ellenor that she'll stick with
her husband through the trial. Bobby decides to try to cut a deal but Helen
will only go as far as murder two which is automatic life. Bobby confronts
Winslow insisting that Helen knows something. Winslow then reveals he was at
the victim's home the night of the murder. That he came to her home, that she
was dead and that he stepped in her blood. Bobby realizes that Helen wanted to
catch him in a lie and vows to make her pay. In court Winslow takes the stand
and tells the jury what he told Bobby. Helen then offers Bobby voluntary
manslauter and 8 years. Bobby turns it down and Helen insists she can still
win. On cross-examination she gets Winslow to reveal that the last autopsy was
performed at his hospital and then repeatedly accuses him of being a liar.
Finally, both the defense and prosecution deliver their closing arguments.
Bobby argues that the prosecution has not proved their case beyond a reasonable
doubt, and Helen argues that Winslow wants them to believe the unbelievable for
all the evidence and then reminds the jury that even Mrs. Winslow told a
neighbor that she thinks her husband did it. The jury comes back and declares
Winslow guilty. Bobby demands a poll of the jury and as the jury is declaring
their individual votes, the camera slowly pans toward the spectator area.
That's when we learn who the real killer is in one of the most outstanding
moments of the show. We see an evil smirk slowly form and the eyes slowly
narrow with evil satisfaction on- Mrs. Winslow!!
Lynn
>I know many of you may have a strong resentment of The Practice because
>you feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season,
>[snip] However, I think you should put some of that animosity aside and
>give this show a chance. [snip]
I'm wondering what you base that on? I'm not sure that I've seen that much
resentment of The Practice - and, even if there were, it would have been
directed toward the Emmy's, not The Practice itself.
I've seen a number of postings here in support of the show. I don't like
it, but I'll bet I'm in the minority. You picked the wrong group to
attribute immature behavior to. I think you're a troll. If you're so Hell
bent on discussing the show, do it in their newsgroup.
Lynn
ssch...@accesscomm.net
drto...@aol.com (Dr Toilet) wrote:
> I know many of you may have a strong resentment of The Practice because you
> feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season, or at least
> consider it unfair that The Practice got nominated in its 2nd season while
> of that animosity aside and give this show a chance.
Actually, I've read more insulting things about The Practice in the L&O ng, so
you might want to try your lovely post over there. They love stuff like this.
In fact, I think you should post it seeeevvvvveeeral times. And then start a
few arguments. Male circumcision is a fun topic.
For the record, I like The Practice. But if the Emmy is supposed to go to the
*best* drama, then, no, it shouldn't have been nominated. It's still
floundering around, deciding what kind of show it is.
Plus, it's extending the career of Dyan Cannon. That's a reason to hate it,
right there.
Kristin
RCW
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Dave Locke
> Some TROLL wrote:
>
> >I know many of you may have a strong resentment of The Practice because
> >you feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season,
> >[snip] However, I think you should put some of that animosity aside and
> >give this show a chance. [snip]
>
> I'm wondering what you base that on? I'm not sure that I've seen that much
> resentment of The Practice - and, even if there were, it would have been
> directed toward the Emmy's, not The Practice itself.
>
> I've seen a number of postings here in support of the show. I don't like
> it, but I'll bet I'm in the minority. You picked the wrong group to
> attribute immature behavior to. I think you're a troll. If you're so Hell
> bent on discussing the show, do it in their newsgroup.
What you've seen and not seen both appear to match my understanding of
this group's general reaction to "The Practice".
However, that aside, bear in mind there's only so much credibility due
a person who posts under the name of "Dr Toilet".
--
Dave | dave...@bigfoot.com | http://www.angelfire.com/oh/slowdjin/
"Amazing Grace always sounded to me like some bimbo at a
massage parlor." -- Phil Dick, "The Divine Invasion"
Shelshka
>Some TROLL wrote:
>
>>I know many of you may have a strong resentment of The Practice because
>>you feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season,
>>[snip] However, I think you should put some of that animosity aside and
>>give this show a chance. [snip]
>
>I'm wondering what you base that on? I'm not sure that I've seen that much
>resentment of The Practice - and, even if there were, it would have been
>directed toward the Emmy's, not The Practice itself.
My server is <pffffffft!>, as Ehrhead will testify, so I had to go
find the post to which Lynn refers in Deja News. Here's my eleven:
I decided I needed to give The Practice "a chance" after reading
glowing reviews about writing and casting. When the acclaimed
episodes guest-starring John Larroquette were repeated, I decided it
was the perfect time to start watching this program.
While I enjoyed John's turn as the homicidal homosexual, the rest of
the show simply did not register on my radar. Didn't hate it; didn't
love it; couldn't care less about it. I thought to myself, "Surely
this is a fluke. All the hoopla tells me this show is engrossing,
innovative, and utterly fascinating! I must just not be in the right
mood. I'll try again." I watched another episode the next week, and
that one bored me so much I couldn't tell you a single detail of it
now if I wanted (which I don't).
Perhaps it's simply a matter of taste. I haven't really liked any
shows focusing on lawyers since Perry Mason. Maybe I just prefer
cops. I loved Hill Street Blues, hated LA Law.
As far as the episode synopsis with which "Dr. Toilet" was so kind to
gift us, I feel compelled to point out that this wasn't exactly an
original plot idea. It smacks pretty strongly of a movie out a few
years back called "Presumed Innocent."
Shelshka
RC Borgia
Lynn
>[snip]
>While I enjoyed John's turn as the homicidal homosexual, the rest of
>the show simply did not register on my radar. Didn't hate it; didn't
>love it; couldn't care less about it. I thought to myself, "Surely
>this is a fluke. All the hoopla tells me this show is engrossing,
>innovative, and utterly fascinating! I must just not be in the right
>mood. I'll try again." I watched another episode the next week, and
>that one bored me so much I couldn't tell you a single detail of it
>now if I wanted (which I don't).
My sentiments, exactly. You can write my reviews anytime.
>
>As far as the episode synopsis with which "Dr. Toilet" was so kind to
>gift us, I feel compelled to point out that this wasn't exactly an
>original plot idea. It smacks pretty strongly of a movie out a few
>years back called "Presumed Innocent."
>
And I suspect it wasn't a very idea original then, since I figured Presumed
Innocent out long before I should have.
Lynn
Lynn
>[snip]
>However, that aside, bear in mind there's only so much credibility due
>a person who posts under the name of "Dr Toilet".
>
I guess you're saying that's where we should dump this guy's post, huh?
Lynn
JWalsh9633
>glowing reviews about writing and casting.
>the rest of
>the show simply did not register on my radar. Didn't hate it; didn't
>love it; couldn't care less about it.
I watched this show and did like it - Until they brought the Helen Gamble
character. The relationship between Bobby and Helen is dull and boring. There
is no spark or chemisrty at all. (now Lidnsey and Bobby thats chemistry!!)
This is the relationship that killed the show for me.
Caroline
DonnaAd
>a person who posts under the name of "Dr Toilet".
Dave, welcome back! You took the words right out of my mouth. Anyone with the
name of Dr. Toilet must be taken with a grain of salt.
I must say, he really put his heart and soul into that post. Of course, I did
not read the whole thing. "A" for effort and "F" for relevance!
Donna
"So shines a good deed in a weary world." - Willy Wonka
judith lawrence
--
Judy L Uni...@gte.net
Dave Locke wrote in message <35d14cf2...@news.pipeline.com>...
>Lynn cast forth electrons:
>
>> Some TROLL wrote:
>>
>> >I know many of you may have a strong resentment of The Practice because
>> >you feel that this show robbed Homicide at the Emmy's this season,
>> >[snip] However, I think you should put some of that animosity aside and
>> >give this show a chance. [snip]
>>
>> I'm wondering what you base that on? I'm not sure that I've seen that
much
>> resentment of The Practice - and, even if there were, it would have been
>> directed toward the Emmy's, not The Practice itself.
>>
>> I've seen a number of postings here in support of the show. I don't like
>> it, but I'll bet I'm in the minority. You picked the wrong group to
>> attribute immature behavior to. I think you're a troll. If you're so
Hell
>> bent on discussing the show, do it in their newsgroup.
>
>What you've seen and not seen both appear to match my understanding of
>this group's general reaction to "The Practice".
>
>However, that aside, bear in mind there's only so much credibility due
>a person who posts under the name of "Dr Toilet".
>
TVFan87656
>Bobby Donnel is the head of a law firm and Helen Gamble is an A.D.A. They're
>lovers and they have a date. However, Helen is called to a crime scene.
>When she gets there the police show her the body of a woman
Sounds like LA Law. I remember the commercials for The Practice, with the two
lead characters falling out of a shower. With ads like that, I doubt they care
about advertising their good plots. Isn't the main character sleeping with
another woman now? I guess that's another show where the female characters
bounce around between a few men.
Maybe it's a great show, but I have a few reasons for not watching it.
Overhyped and overrated shows don't interest me. I didn't watch Friends, ER, or
NYPD Blue for that reason. I found Homicide by accident, not because tons of
critics were praising everything about it. My other reason is that I watched
Picket Fences, and David Kelley left that show high and dry. The stories became
pathetic, the good characters were jettisoned, and contrived dramas replaced
intelligent ones. Why should I give one Kelley show a chance when he dropped
another one like a hot potato?
Frank Swarbrick
>
> drto...@aol.com (Dr Toilet) wrote:
>
> >Bobby Donnel is the head of a law firm and Helen Gamble is an A.D.A. They're
> >lovers and they have a date. However, Helen is called to a crime scene.
> >When she gets there the police show her the body of a woman
>
> lead characters falling out of a shower. With ads like that, I doubt they care
> about advertising their good plots. Isn't the main character sleeping with
> another woman now? I guess that's another show where the female characters
> bounce around between a few men.
>
> Maybe it's a great show, but I have a few reasons for not watching it.
> Overhyped and overrated shows don't interest me. I didn't watch Friends, ER, or
> NYPD Blue for that reason. I found Homicide by accident, not because tons of
> critics were praising everything about it. My other reason is that I watched
> Picket Fences, and David Kelley left that show high and dry. The stories became
> pathetic, the good characters were jettisoned, and contrived dramas replaced
> intelligent ones. Why should I give one Kelley show a chance when he dropped
> another one like a hot potato?
I'm kind of the inverse. I refused to watch The Practice at first based on the
fact that I didn't care for the few PF episodes I had seen, and the fact that I
hated (*HATED*) with a passion every single moment of any Chicago Hope episode I
watched (which were admitedly few, since I hated it so much). But after missing
the first few Practice episodes I managed to catch one, and I liked it. By the
end of the sixth episode I loved it, and knew it was destined for cancellation.
Luckally someone had a brain a brought it back!
When the second season rolled around and they made a big thing about adding Helen
Gamble I was slightly disappointed, because it looked like they were trying to
"sex it up." And no doubt they were. But I liked Lara Flynn Boyle from Twin
Peaks, so I went into it with an open mind. And, while I grant you there have
been some rather unnecessary sex scenes etc., I think David Kelley has done a
pretty good job of not making it the whole show, or even much a part of it. He
can't help much how ABC decides to advertise it.
I watch NYPD Blue and ER, but I'm not passionate about them. The Practice, like
Homicide, I am. It's really a wonderful show. One of the great things about it
is the good guys don't always win. The good guys aren't even always good guys.
If you saw this week's two hour episode I'd like to point out how Bobby basically
dumped Helen just for a case! Was that honorable? It's ambiguous, at least.
As for the main character (Bobby) sleeping with another woman after Helen, I
can't think of one.
I honestly don't see how a fan of Homicide would not like The Practice. There are
so many common factors. And with The Practice there are actual *strong* female
roles. In fact, four of the seven main characters are female, and supposedly next
season will have one more female star.
Now I don't know what episode is on this Sunday (it's on Sundays now, at 10/9),
but I hope some of you will give it another chance. Hopefully it will be a
stand out episode...
Personally, I put both The Practice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer *way* above
anything else on TV right now, including our beloved Homicide.
--
Frank Swarbrick
home: inf...@sprynet.com
work: frank.s...@1stbank.com
Ehrhead
>Personally, I put both The Practice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer *way* above
>anything else on TV right now, including our beloved Homicide.
I hear they have medication for that now...
Ehrhead
RC Batchick
Goddess of Truth and Light
Lauren Koons
y'know...I think it's kind of cool that Camryn Manheim was nominated for
an Emmy. I would just like to thank the Academy for nominating such a
cool babe. shallow and as stupid as the Emmys are for dissing my favorite
show, occasionally they show an iota of taste. now if only they would let
Camryn win.....
--
--Lauren, RC Buffy--
--
"Romper, stomper, bomper, blue. I see Jimmy and Julie. Except she never
saw me. I spent years in front of that friggin' tube and she never once
saw Beau in the magic mirror. That BITCH!"
- Beau Felton, from "A Model Citizen"
MGilli4994
writing that evolves from same. They have three significantly overweight lead
characters, and these characters have all been revealed to be intelligent,
well-educated, hard working, and even sexually active human beings. This is
quite a departure from the Hollywood-enforced stereotypes which insist that
everyone who does not starve himself or herself or surgically alter the body is
stupid, ignorant, lazy, incompetent, probably smells, and is a predetermined
sexual loser. I am at a loss to account for it. The actor who plays Eugene is
not ever noted as having any bulk, though his race comes up from time to time.
In this show, Lara Flynn Boyle looks anorexic and unwell. Again, I cannot
account for reality creeping into a network show which is popular. Comments?
Monica, RC Mayhem
Shelshka
>The Practice is unique in my television experience in its casting and the
>writing that evolves from same. They have three significantly overweight lead
>characters, and these characters have all been revealed to be intelligent,
>well-educated, hard working, and even sexually active human beings.
<snippage of sensitive and intelligent comments>
The casting is one reason I wanted to like this show. I support
moving away from the stereotypical Melrose Place look. If a show that
casts more realistically is popular, it'll prove to the casting
directors that audiences don't need all the characters to look like
gym bunnies.
I'm always amused that most female characters, whether doctor, lawyer,
or Indian chief, look like they must have been child prodigies because
they've achieved everything by the tender age of twenty-eight. It
also usually appears that they spend every hour not on the job in the
gym.
Unfortunately, stellar casting aside, I just couldn't hook myself on
The Practice. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to need me. Now,
Homicide.......
Shelshka
RC Borgia
Lynn
[snip]>
>The casting is one reason I wanted to like this show. I support
>moving away from the stereotypical Melrose Place look. If a show that
>casts more realistically is popular, it'll prove to the casting
>directors that audiences don't need all the characters to look like
>gym bunnies.
>
>I'm always amused that most female characters, whether doctor, lawyer,
>or Indian chief, look like they must have been child prodigies because
>they've achieved everything by the tender age of twenty-eight. It
>also usually appears that they spend every hour not on the job in the
>gym.
I always find it interesting when some analyst says that the "talent pool"
for tv shows is so over-tapped. I always think, "Yeah, but only up to
anorexic and age 28 for women, and pretty boy for men."
>
>Unfortunately, stellar casting aside, I just couldn't hook myself on
>The Practice. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to need me. Now,
>Homicide.......
>
Alas. I, too, cannot seem to muster up much interest. As much as I liked
a couple of episodes, it just doesn't appeal to me.
Lynn
JWalsh9633
>>The Practice. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to need me. Now,
>>Homicide.......
I lost interest when they paired Bobby and Helen. The duo does nothing for me.
Caroline
The Schmidts
MGilli4994 wrote:
> The Practice is unique in my television experience in its casting and the
> writing that evolves from same. They have three significantly overweight lead
> characters, and these characters have all been revealed to be intelligent,
> well-educated, hard working, and even sexually active human beings.
[snip]
> The actor who plays Eugene is
> not ever noted as having any bulk, though his race comes up from time to time.
> In this show, Lara Flynn Boyle looks anorexic and unwell. [snip]
You know, it is truly bizarre that I read stuff all the time about Camryn Mannheim
being a large woman but there isn't a word about the actor's who play Jimmy and
Steve. And you're right, Lara Flynn Boyle looks a little scary. The way her
makeup is is a part of it too.
Kristin
RCW
--
See the happy moron,
He doesn’t give a damn,
I wish I were a moron,
My God! perhaps I am!
--Eugenics Review July 1929
J Ramsay
>
> The Practice is unique in my television experience in its casting and the
> writing that evolves from same. They have three significantly overweight lead
> characters, and these characters have all been revealed to be intelligent,
> quite a departure from the Hollywood-enforced stereotypes which insist that
> everyone who does not starve himself or herself or surgically alter the body is
> stupid, ignorant, lazy, incompetent, probably smells, and is a predetermined
> not ever noted as having any bulk, though his race comes up from time to time.
> account for reality creeping into a network show which is popular. Comments?
Well, since you asked...the show is politically correct and competently
produced...I just don't give a damn about any of the characters.
The same thing happened with Brooklyn South. It was competent, but just
never caught fire because none of the actors had that indefinable
magic that makes you care about them.
Sorry, I'm an analyst and can't help analyzing why some shows succeed
(either commercially or critically, hopefully both) and others fail.
IMHO it is a combination of good writing, sensitive character
development, and most important of all - actors who have some magical
affinity with the camera that makes you forget they are actors. I
think it is called charisma.