Boston Legal (TV Series) Death Be Not Proud (2005) User Reviews

Spader out does himself.

[jkimgant · 10/10 · 13 October 2006]

Alan Shore travels to Texas with an associate (Kerry Washington) in an attempt to save the life of a young man on death row. James Spader's performance in this episode most certainly won him this particular Emmy Award. Thanks to his monumental performance and a courageous teleplay, this is one of the finest hours of television I have seen. David E. Kelly should certainly be credited for modernizing television in the 90's. However, in the year 2006 his particular brand of television has felt somewhat antiquated to me. The new milenium has belonged to new titans such as Aaron Sorkin, JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Ronald Moore. However, to this day, there is one thing that NO ONE has been able to take away from Kelly: he writes INCREDIBLE material for his actors. More actors have won Emmy Awards speaking words written by David Kelly than perhaps anyone else working in television today. The work WILLIAM SHATNER and JAMES SPADER do on this show week in and week out is extraordinary. If BOSTON LEGAL did more episodes like this it would most certainly put Kelly back on top.

James Spader at his very best

[kevinbrown05 · 9/10 · 17 October 2019]

Well written, well presented, astonishingly acted episode of television that takes you about as close to the subject of the death penalty as network television is able to.

The harrowing moment at the end where Spader's face is fixated on him as the end is taking place, is extremely riveting and powerful television. His speech to the high court on the death penalty is unashamedly biased, but also a poignant essay on why the death penalty should not be so callously applied.

Old Hat

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 15 July 2022]

While Spader's acting is very good here, this last minute stuff has been done to death. To think that after eight years, they are going to swoop in and save this guy is asinine. It is always said that "The Practice" was an inferior show. While it had some weaknesses, it was much more real (except for the final season). Shatner and Bergen are really tiresome. The plays for humor are embarrassing. The other case with Shelley Long being tried for paying for sex is so stupid I'm not even going to talk about it.