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Webposted: April 14, 2002
by: Kay Kellam
I can easily understand how it has stayed on the air for 5 years!
There are some shows that a person watches and wonders "how on earth has this show survived?" We all have favorite shows that have been cancelled and replaced with shows we consider inferior.
The Practice is the kind of show I am happy to have been introduced to. This was my first complete episode. I caught most of an episode some time ago (John Larroquette singing a proposed opening statement hooked me that time) but for some unknown reason never made a point of tuning back in. I think 5 years ago I wasn't into court dramas. I'm not entirely sure I am into court dramas now... but again John Larroquette drew me in.
I openly admit it was the guest star who drew me to the episode... that and the need to review it. But I have the privilege of choosing an episode to view and review during a three week period, which I suppose gives every show the best chance at a good review.
"The Return of Joey Heric" - Homosexual murderer Joey Heric (Larroquette) returns in all his narcissistic glory, and he's itching to take the firm on another wild ride. Larroquette's character is a murderer who loves getting away with it... and needs an audience for his feat. In tonight's episode the only reason I knew he had done it from the word go was because I had been introduced to his reputation. The crime was relatively well thought out -- and Larroquette gave a beautiful performance in court, pointing out all the reasons why we didn't have to assume the defendant was guilty. It wasn't until the end that he TOLD the jury and the audience how he had done it. Well, he laid out the hypothetical means by which he could have done it. Unfortunately for the defendant the jury didn't understand Larroquette was effectively confessing to the crime! So off to jail goes an innocent young man who was cleverly framed by his attorney.
The cast all gave great performances, but it was Larroquette who stole scene after scene, perhaps helping one to understand why Larroquette won an Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor in a Drama for this role in 1998.
The other plot line in this episode was: Meanwhile, prostitute drug addict Jennifer Cole (Tracy Middendorf), another ex-client, comes back into Jimmy's life, this time claiming she was beaten up and raped by one of her customers. A story line that was used brilliantly to define lawyer Jimmy Berluti as a solid guy with a good heart, and gave the members of the Practice an opportunity to show how solid they are.
Jennifer Cole's "attacker" is a lawyer with a big law firm ready to throw all their resources at the Practice... and they are making that point admirably to Jimmy Berluti who sits alone in their office, until all his partners march in and declare war. If you like rooting for the underdog, who happens to have a great team on his side, Jimmy Berluti would appear to be your man.
Will I tune in again simply for pleasure? I honestly don't know. If John Larroquette were to come back and actually surprise me (perhaps he reappears and claims time and again that for once HE WAS FRAMED, and that was the truth!) I most definitely would. But, in truth, I'll have to watch an episode without a scene stealing guest star to know if this show stands out on its own merits for me as a viewer.
Whether or not I tune in again, it is clear that this show has one the hearts of millions and in tonight's episode I saw writing worthy of that response.
(C) Kay
Kellam, 2001 for PopArtsPlace.com
Prior to having her first novel, A
Life to Di For, published author Kay
Kellam enjoyed a variety of jobs that helped to shape her outlook on the
world, and her profession. more...
The Practice Images are (C) ABC, 2002, All Right's Reserved
