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Boston Legal
Aug. 7th, 2006 11:39 pmI never thought I'd like a show created by David E. Kelly and certainly never imagined that I'd like a spin off from his The Practice, but I do love Boston Legal.
It's well written, intelligent, hilariously funny and features some fascinating characters played by brilliant actors. James Spader is superb as the duplicitous but oh so charming Alan Shore, Candice Bergen is great as Shirley Schmidt and each week I'm surprised and delighted at the layers William Shatner gives his gun toting egomaniac Republican, Denny Crane.
Of all the things I love about this show, the real and genuine friendship between Denny and Alan is probably my favourite. Despite (or more likely because of) their differences in age, character and politics, their friendship works incredibly well. They need each other - Denny needs someone to reign him in and care for him without being patronising and Alan needs this contact with humanity else he goes to far into his own darkness. At times they act as a mentor to the other but mostly they are equals. At the end of each episode they drink scotch and smoke cigars on the balcony, counseling each other; a moment which reminds me of the way Kevin and his son used to sit on the beach at the end of early episodes of Sea Change.
I really enjoy male friendships on TV. The camaraderie between House and Wilson on House, Jed and Leo on The West Wing, Jack and Daniel on Stargate SG-1. Even the boys of Coupling, Steve, Patrick and Jeff get along so well despite the fact that Steve is dating Patrick's ex - it's like all the issues and grudges that could bog them down are forgotten and they just focus on being good mates (the girls of Coupling get along well too but there is always a catty edge, especially between Susan and Jane). I was so disappointed with the way Logan and Duncan's relationship was handled on Veronica Mars - it was such a waste of potential and a disservice to the characters.
One of the reasons I am so looking forward to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, is that the relationship between Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) is going to be so central to the show and I can't wait to see how it is developed. More platonic man love to enjoy!
In conclusion, boys being BFF is awesome and Boston Legal is sadly under-appreciated by the masses.
It's well written, intelligent, hilariously funny and features some fascinating characters played by brilliant actors. James Spader is superb as the duplicitous but oh so charming Alan Shore, Candice Bergen is great as Shirley Schmidt and each week I'm surprised and delighted at the layers William Shatner gives his gun toting egomaniac Republican, Denny Crane.
Of all the things I love about this show, the real and genuine friendship between Denny and Alan is probably my favourite. Despite (or more likely because of) their differences in age, character and politics, their friendship works incredibly well. They need each other - Denny needs someone to reign him in and care for him without being patronising and Alan needs this contact with humanity else he goes to far into his own darkness. At times they act as a mentor to the other but mostly they are equals. At the end of each episode they drink scotch and smoke cigars on the balcony, counseling each other; a moment which reminds me of the way Kevin and his son used to sit on the beach at the end of early episodes of Sea Change.
I really enjoy male friendships on TV. The camaraderie between House and Wilson on House, Jed and Leo on The West Wing, Jack and Daniel on Stargate SG-1. Even the boys of Coupling, Steve, Patrick and Jeff get along so well despite the fact that Steve is dating Patrick's ex - it's like all the issues and grudges that could bog them down are forgotten and they just focus on being good mates (the girls of Coupling get along well too but there is always a catty edge, especially between Susan and Jane). I was so disappointed with the way Logan and Duncan's relationship was handled on Veronica Mars - it was such a waste of potential and a disservice to the characters.
One of the reasons I am so looking forward to Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, is that the relationship between Matt Albie (Matthew Perry) and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford) is going to be so central to the show and I can't wait to see how it is developed. More platonic man love to enjoy!
In conclusion, boys being BFF is awesome and Boston Legal is sadly under-appreciated by the masses.
