Pilot (4 Mar. 1997)

Bobby defends Rachel Reynolds, a young woman facing drug charges. She is not a drug dealer, but was trying to cover for her brother. Lindsay represents Emerson Ray, who is suing a tobacco ... See full summary »

Director:

Mick Jackson

Writers:

David E. Kelley (creator), David E. Kelley

Stars:

Dylan McDermott, LisaGay Hamilton, Steve Harris

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Dylan McDermott	...	Bobby Donnell
LisaGay Hamilton	...	Rebecca Washington
Steve Harris	...	Eugene Young
Camryn Manheim	...	Ellenor Frutt
Kelli Williams	...	Lindsay Dole
Linda Hunt	...	Judge Zoey Hiller
Kate Burton	...	A.D.A. Susan Alexander
James Handy	...	Lt. Jeffrey Stewart
Tammy Townsend	...	Rachel Reynolds
Virginia Capers	...	Virginia Reynolds
James Greene	...	Emerson Ray
Shawn Michael Howard	...	Warren Cruickshank
Edward Herrmann	...	Anderson Pearson
Max Alexander	...	Benjamin Holsten
Patricia Belcher	...	The Foreperson

Storyline

Bobby defends Rachel Reynolds, a young woman facing drug charges. She is not a drug dealer, but was trying to cover for her brother. Lindsay represents Emerson Ray, who is suing a tobacco company in a wrongful death suit. Lindsay's favorite law professor, Anderson Pearson, represents the defense. Eugene represents "Free Willy", a man who exposes himself in public.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1997 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

David E. Kelley Productions, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

47 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Who Said You Have To Have Name Actors To Succeeed?

I think David E Kelley proved with this pilot and this successful series that you don't need hot looking actresses or Captain Kirk to absolutely succeed in putting a good series on network television. There is no doubt this is a good series.

This is a blue collar version of Ally Mcbeal and Boston Legal. The differences are that this series has a more serious tone than either of the other Kelley series. That is a good thing here as a cast of little known actors and actresses prove that good material succeeds. The cast here is good though.

This pilot presents a law practice which is defending mostly poor clients hoping against hope to make some money from large legal settlements. This is a much different firm than the other shows. The main lawyer, Bobby is in financial straits and needs a brake soon as the office is on the brink of going under.

At the end of this pilot there is definitely a cloud over the future of this firm, much less over some of the clients they are defending. There is a celebration for a victory they win at the end of the show, but this win is not one which is going to solve their money problems. Still, the celebration is used as moral support to keep these folks going despite the money problems.

Overall, this show makes you cheer for the underdog firm and pulls you in to continue watching to see if they are going to make it or not. Some stories are connected episode to episode and this one starts a little slow, but it builds a good foundation for the rest of season 1.