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Amazon.co.uk Review
The classic combination of James Spader and William Shatner is just one of many reasons to savor the inaugural 17-episode season of Boston Legal. Making its highly rated ABC debut on October 3, 2004, this darkly comedic spinoff from The Practice looked like a formulaic reworking of creator David E. Kelley's previously successful series Ally McBeal, with similar plots and quirky characters enmeshed in personal and professional affairs of the heart at the prestigious Boston law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. It quickly became apparent that Kelley, co-executive producer Bill D'Elia, and the show's magnificent ensemble cast were onto something equally fresh, funny, and infectiously entertaining. Both Shatner and Spader won Emmys for their original roles on The Practice, and the priceless pairing of the erratic, egomaniacal senior partner Denny Crane (Shatner, doing the best work of his career) and ethically challenged attorney Alan Shore (Spader, likewise) signaled the arrival of one of the finest comedic duos in TV history. Waging a two-man war on political correctness, the boisterous has-been Denny loves the sound of his own name (the mere mention of "Denny Crane" qualifies as ego-stroking foreplay), unabashedly subjects female associates to his lascivious advances, and (in creator Kelley's words) "trades on the currency of his reputation" as an undefeated trial attorney. As the show's fascinating heart and soul, Alan Shore is a walking contradiction, and Spader plays him perfectly as a charismatic, self-loathing lothario who'll bend the law to suit his higher purposes. Deeply cynical yet fiercely committed to his own complex and compassionate moral code, he's brazenly open about his sexual appetites as he savors the affections of smart, sexy associates Sally Heep (Lake Bell), and Tara Wilson (Rhona Mitra), whose relationship with Shore grows strained as the season progresses.
While senior partner Paul Lewiston (Rene Auberjonois), senior associates Denise Bauer (Julie Bowen) and ex-Marine Brad Chase (Mark Valley), and junior associate Lori Colson (Monica Potter) struggle to maintain the firm's lofty reputation, the appearance of founding partner Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) elevates Boston Legal to an even higher plane of serio-comic perfection. A former flame of Denny Crane's, Schmidt arrives in episode 11 (appropriately titled "Schmidt Happens") as common-sense negotiator with a rapier wit and a clanking pair of big brass cojones, fully capable of holding her own against the Crane/Shore juggernaut. And while "An Eye for an Eye" (episode 5) is a sublime example of Boston Legal's deft combination of lunacy and courtroom complexity, it's the deeper implications of episodes like "Tortured Souls" (15) and season finale "Death Be Not Proud" (tackling a dubious death sentence in Texas) that cast these rich and wonderful characters into sharper relief, baring their souls and the courage of their convictions.
With surprising departures (Lake Bell, in episode 13), new arrivals (Kerry Washington, as new associate Chelina Hall, in episode 15) and stellar guest stars including Larry Miller (as the eccentrically unstable founding partner Edwin Poole), Philip Baker Hall, Frances Fisher, Carl Reiner, Freddie Prinze Jr., Shelley Long, and late-season regular Betty White, Boston Legal gained a large and loyal following with exceptional writing, timely social relevance, and that rare quality of chemistry that guarantees long-term appeal. Nowhere is this more apparent than the now-famous Spader/Shatner "balcony scenes" that quickly became an episode-closing tradition, with staunch Republican Denny Crane and passionate Democrat Alan Shore reflecting upon their careers, current issues, and their own devoted friendship over brandy and cigars. With these two actors together, virtually every episode ends on a high note of pensive introspection, and Boston Legal becomes even greater than the sum of its parts. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Boston Legal - Season One DVD.
5-Disc Set Includes:
All 17 Season One Episodes
Deleted Scenes from "Head Cases" (Pilot) Episode
Exclusive Featurettes: "Court is Now in Session: How Boston Legal Came to Be" and " "An Unlikely Pair: Alan Shore and Denny Crane"
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I can't begin to say how much better this is than Ally. It's all the great stuff- the clever lawyerly tricks, the backstabbing, the hilarious side-characters, the witty scripting- shorn away from all the 'single insecure female lawyer' rubbish.
And it works very well, infused with diamond star quality from Shatner and Spader, and undercurrents of a more mature emotional drama- father-son relationships, aging, legacy, ethics, self denial, ambition and egotism.
There are some weaknesses. This show isn't as overtly reality-bending as other programmes, so sometimes the carefully constructed situations and coincidences can seem somewhat contrived. And not all of the acting is on a par with the main cast's.
But all in all, this is a very strong show. Go watch.
And it works very well, infused with diamond star quality from Shatner and Spader, and undercurrents of a more mature emotional drama- father-son relationships, aging, legacy, ethics, self denial, ambition and egotism.
There are some weaknesses. This show isn't as overtly reality-bending as other programmes, so sometimes the carefully constructed situations and coincidences can seem somewhat contrived. And not all of the acting is on a par with the main cast's.
But all in all, this is a very strong show. Go watch.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is one of the finest shows to come out of the USA in years - what's more it is undoubtably some of William Shatners best work since 'Confessions of a Married Man.' His pairing with James Spader is inspired - but of course due credit to David E Kelly who must be one of the USA's most prolific Writer/Directors.
Inspired I would say, by LA LAW and Ally McBeal, it comes somewhere in between - losing the shambolic fantasy of McBeals' lead character and somewhat softening some of the drama of LA LAW. It is a dark, humourous and often touching exploration of a group of professional lawyers relationships - which are often at odds with each other - and of course, of the legal profession.
I have yet to see an episode where I feel, bored, let down or caught in disbelief. The characterisations are so complete I could easily move to watching a spin off about Denny Crane or Alan Shore. Spader is superbly smug and self righteous and lends a glimpse into the hidden depth and internal struggle of his character, whilst Shatner is egotistical, ridiculous, superbly confident and ubsurdly capable - and yet again, gives us a glimpse of the hidden depth of 'Denny Crane.'
Rent it and you will buy it.
Exceptional in the unexceptional.
Inspired I would say, by LA LAW and Ally McBeal, it comes somewhere in between - losing the shambolic fantasy of McBeals' lead character and somewhat softening some of the drama of LA LAW. It is a dark, humourous and often touching exploration of a group of professional lawyers relationships - which are often at odds with each other - and of course, of the legal profession.
I have yet to see an episode where I feel, bored, let down or caught in disbelief. The characterisations are so complete I could easily move to watching a spin off about Denny Crane or Alan Shore. Spader is superbly smug and self righteous and lends a glimpse into the hidden depth and internal struggle of his character, whilst Shatner is egotistical, ridiculous, superbly confident and ubsurdly capable - and yet again, gives us a glimpse of the hidden depth of 'Denny Crane.'
Rent it and you will buy it.
Exceptional in the unexceptional.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I love legal dramas and for years I was a huge fan of Perry Mason. I stumbled upon this series by chance and what a discovery, - a classic drama and entertainment of the highest quality. The writing and storylines are not only funny and quirky, but the character ensemble is one of the best. James Spader's Alan shore and William Shatner's Denny Crane will leave you in joyful glee all the time. Apart from the interesting character development and interaction of the main characters, the law cases deal with serious social, environmental, health and political issues in a very sensitive and interesting way, laced with humor of comedic proportions. This is a series that will become a timeless classic and will appeal to a broad genre of audience. You can't go wrong with this box set, 17 episodes of pure entertainment and high octane legal drama. I recommend.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Easy Viewing
I never saw this series on the T.V. and only ordered it on an impulse. I am now onto series 3 and thoroughly enjoying it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sandy
super
This is really one of the best tv series ever made, especially season one and two. The name is Crane.......Denny Crane.
Published 3 months ago by marcelius
I'm hooked!!
I was looking for a new series to spark my interest and bought the first season as a test. Result? I absolutely love it. I think I've fallen in love with James Spader. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Woodie
Boston Legal Series One
This series is brilliant. Anyone who enjoyed Ally McBeal, this is a must for you. I have already ordered series Two and can't wait for it to arrive. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Rose
Boston Legal series 1
I loved Boston Legal on TV, but its lovely owning the 1st series its very good series and I will be buying all the other ones.
Published 7 months ago by beryl in Spain
Excellent
I loved Ally McBeal which was fun and flawed. This is a cut above, with some similarly quirky characters but much tighter scripts! Very enjoyable and very good!
Published 8 months ago by Sarah-Louise J
Very Clever and Very Very Funny
Never having seen this on tv, I bought the 1-5 set on the strength of the great reviews Series 1 got.
It's absolutely superb, I'm delighted to say. Read more
It's absolutely superb, I'm delighted to say. Read more
Published 21 months ago by E. Smith
Great Series!
The series is both funny and moving. It's high production standards are evident from the story-lines. A great value from Amazon at the right price
Published on 24 May 2010 by Mr. R. M. Broden
A True Classic
There's not much to add to the many reviews given already other than to add another 5 stars.
However, I do just want to emphasize that this really is TV (DVD) of the... Read more
However, I do just want to emphasize that this really is TV (DVD) of the... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2010 by Mr. R. J. B. Cremer
BEST TV SERIES EVER
I found the first series quite by accident and then seemed to be the only person who had ever heard of it, till I found out my Osteopath was a fan, our sessions were spent... Read more
Published on 29 Nov 2009 by Mrs. Philomena Smart
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