Closing Arguments: Boston Legal’s Last Episode Delivers a Legendary Finale to Remember

Boston Legal premiered in October 2004, as an offshoot of David E. Kelleys Ally McBeal with James Spader and William Shatner as its stars.

The series has long been praised for tackling ethically complex cases while maintaining its trademark tone of absurd comedy, yet many feel its end should have come sooner rather than later with Mondays two-hour series finale.

Alan Shore and Denny Crane get married.

After much anticipation and effort on both sides, it was finally revealed that Denny and Alan would marry. Their wedding episode received much critical acclaim, as was great seeing Denny and Alan together again. Unfortunately, ABC management never provided feedback to these producers because I believe this show could have gone on far longer had feedback been available to them from higher up.

Junior Partner Lori Colson finds herself drawn to Alan Shore but finds solace in civil litigation; founding partner Shirley Schmidt embarks on a mission to bring order into the firm while dodging Denny’s future sixth wife; Clarence takes his first case with Paul; the firm is hired by a Sudanese businessman with an insidious lawsuit against the U.S. government; and Alan attempts to put Tara’s murder trial behind him as they prepare a civil trial of Catherine for murder.

Paul Lewiston faces an ethically complex decision when his firm is sold to a Chinese corporation; Denny strongly objects to the deal and shoots paintball guns at his bosses during a meeting. Meanwhile, Shirley visits her Alzheimer’s afflicted father who breaks several ribs after jumping out of hospital room window; Carl and Lorraine represent Nantucket County against accusations related to sex-related murder trials; while Jerry divulges information about his new romantic partner to Katie.

Denny Crane gets his drugs.

David E. Kelley must surely feel satisfied that “Boston Legal” ended in style with its final two-hour series capper on ABC tonight, having led its long and fruitful run of four years, four and a half seasons and 101 episodes (including tonight’s two-hour finale). These stories showcased Crane Poole & Schmidt employees as they navigated life as expensive firms in Boston.

Denny defends a client who shoots her therapist and is charged with assault; Alan helps Christine Pauley secure release from a mental hospital, prompting Sharon and Denny to become concerned for him; Denise takes up a case with Boston’s top plastic surgeon whose procedures may have gone improper; Shirley fights to maintain her partnership with Alan while her rivals at the firm plot to dislodge her; while Jerry punches an annoying patron at a restaurant and finds himself facing legal trouble as a result.

William Shatner played the lion of a defense lawyer, making this episode one of his last network TV acting appearances before leaving us all behind. With all his quirks, frailties, and flashes of brilliance made up an unforgettable character, while his fight against early-onset Alzheimer’s was one of the first such shows ever shown on network TV – leaving us all greatly bereft without him here to witness it unfold on-screen. We will miss him greatly.

Shirley Schmidt and Carl Poole get made up.

In the final season of ‘Boston Legal,’ Shirley and Carl finally get married (though only after an epic battle over who should use their new last names); Denny attempts to obtain experimental Alzheimer’s drugs through litigation reaching all the way up to the Supreme Court; while Jerry Espenson is demoted from partner to extra in order to save Crane Poole & Schmidt from being acquired by a Chinese international company.

Kelley, known for the original Picket Fences and Ally McBeal series, has always been adept at crafting characters with complex yet innocent facades that have hidden depths. James Spader embodies this approach; with his boyish face masking an array of bold attitudes. James Spader plays James Kelley roles well; with an unflinching approach toward racism, sexism, political incorrectness and other unsavory subjects such as that in Ally McBeal.

Boston Legal’s ratings proved its audience could only tolerate so much absurdist comedy from lawyers pulling rabbits from top hats; yet Kelley still managed to create some compelling episodes. From depicting an elderly man trying to end his own life via morphine drip, or exploring an attorney with a secret homosexual past and penchant for killing people in self-defense cases – Boston Legal was always boldly dark and provocative; unfortunately it only managed five seasons on ABC before leaving us without closure.

Alan Shore wins his case.

Once Alan Shore (William Shatner) wins a case before the Supreme Court, his career appears complete. To celebrate, he takes a photo with Justice Scalia which causes Lori to become angry with him; later though he makes amends by inviting her for dinner and attending a show together.

Crane, Poole & Schmidt is acquired by a Chinese international company and Shirley Schmidt (Candace Bergen) attempts to stop its sale with an injunction (the Chinese will dismantle American democracy according to her). Though Shirley wins her bid, Alan finds his position compromised as new bosses put an immense amount of strain on litigation department members such as Alan. When one of them attempts to fire Alan at gunpoint from Tara (Dana Delany), all other employees take shelter within their offices until one boss’s departure attempt from one new bosses when one new boss attempts firing Alan while being held by Alan and Tara (Dana Delany) (both held hostage by him and Tara while everyone else takes shelter within their offices).

James Spader and William Shatner take center stage in this spin-off from The Practice that offers some thrilling courtroom drama. Additionally starring Candice Bergen as no-nonsense partner Shirley Schmidt Crane’s ex-lover Shirley Schmidt. In its final season alone it addresses issues as varied as 2008 presidential election, an unfair conviction and regulations regarding an experimental Alzheimers drug treatment.

Conclusion

Boston Legal, a legal comedy-drama led by James Spader and William Shatner, delivered complex characters, dark humor, and bold themes during its five-season run. While it ended without full closure, it left a lasting impact on viewers with its unique approach to legal storytelling.