Ally McBeal 5.1 FAQ
What’s it called?
“Friends and Lovers.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay credited to series mastermind David E. Kelley.
“A pair of new lawyers at Cage & Fish sets Ally's world spinning in the fifth-season opener. To her latest therapist (John Michael Higgins), Ally describes bumping into Jenny Shaw (Julianne Nicholson), an attorney who's lost her job and her boyfriend. Ally sees so much of herself in Jenny that she hires her, hoping to be a mentor. But when the two arrive at the office, they find Richard has just hired Glenn Foy (James Marsden) - Jenny's ex. And in the story's telling, the therapist detects something interesting: Ally's latent attraction to Glenn. Meanwhile, John (Peter MacNicol) overhears a conversation that puts Ally in a new light for him. Boz Scaggs appears briefly in a cameo.”
What does John Cage overhear?
That Ally “totally” loves him.
What does John Cage not hear?
That Ally loves him as a friend. “No chemistry?” asks Jenny Shaw. “None,” replies Allison McBeal.
Who’s in the title credits tonight?
Calista Flockhart. Greg Germann. Jane Krakowski. Vonda Shepard (now fourth-billed!). Portia Del Rossi. Lucy Liu. Regina Hall. Julianne Nicholson. James Marsden. Josh Hopkins. And Peter MacNicol.
What does Josh Hopkins play?
Raymond Milbury, another lawyer from Shaw and Foy’s old firm. Ally seems to like him too.
What is TV Guide not telling us?
Ally has taken to getting about on a razor scooter, and looks great doing so.
The big news?
Julianne Nicholson is great! And is funnier and is hotter and is taller and has many more freckles than one remembers from her work on NBC’s short-lived supernatural drama “The Others.”
Is Cyclops, er, James Marsden any good?
Pretty-boy Marsden’s the same as he was in “X-Men.” No Hugh Jackman, but he gets the job done.
Does this mean Marsden is quitting “Buffy”?
James Marsden. James Marsters plays Spike on “Buffy”.
Oh. Boz Skaggs?
He sings at the bar (not “Lido Shuffle”). And seems to be morphing into Bruce McGill.
Is Ling Woo a judge now? In the promos, it looks like she’s a judge.
Lucy Liu wears robes in the titles, but Ling is still hard at work for Cage & Fish. Presumably she ascends the bench in a later episode.
What’s great?
The show’s comedy suddenly seems more character-based than it has since season two (very good news)! The nobility of Jenny’s 72,000-client class action suit. We get to imagine Ally masturbating! MacNicol’s very broad but generally very funny reactions throughout. Flockhart’s reading of the line “Puke!” Julianne Nicholson!!!
What’s not so great?
I’m probably wrong, but it seems like Ally and John ruled each other out as romantic interests many, many episodes ago. Also, “Ally’s” on opposite “Angel” now! That’s no good!
How does it end, spoiler-boy?
Ally’s new therapist tells her, “You really want that boy.”
Herc’s rating for “Ally McBeal” 2.1?
***1/2
The Hercules T. Strong Rating System:
- ***** better than we deserve
- **** better than most motion pictures
- *** actually worth your valuable time
- ** as horrible as most stuff on TV
- * makes you quietly pray for bulletins
I warn you not to defy me!! Mmm!! Cookies!!
I am – Hercules!!
To order coffee mugs and boxer shorts adorned with the image of a green, handicapable “Buffy” fanatic, click here.
| 
