Cast: Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, Camryn Manheim, Michael Badalucco, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Keli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Rated: TV14

reviewed by Charity Bishop

Having seen episodes of this series now and again in syndicated reruns, it was with delight that I discovered the first season had been released. I was disappointed to then learn there are no official intentions to continue with the release of subsequent seasons. That truly is a shame, because while it is not the most accurate or even believable legal drama, The Practice does pack an emotional punch.

Apart from his good looks and legal prowess, Bobby Donnell (McDermott) does not have much going for him. He defends some of the scummiest criminals in Boston, can barely make the rent on his legal offices, and any potential for romantic relationships has been sacrificed for long hours and hectic court appearances. But every once in awhile he comes across a client who truly is innocent and that makes it all worthwhile. His firm has a bad reputation for bending the rules, but while their clients are diverse and not always brutally honest about their whereabouts, the attorneys are devoted to doing their best. While Bobby is vigorously defending a girl wrongly convicted of cocaine possession, his latest recruit, Lindsay Dole (Williams) is handed a case involving civil litigation against a tobacco company.

The head of the company's panel of lawyers is her former law professor and he seeks to take advantage of her, which forces the older and more experienced Eugene (Harris) to intervene. Refusing the settlement they are offered, the firm chooses to take their chances in open court. The first several episodes in the series involve this case as well as other smaller ones for the individual cast members, but it is the characters that make the most of an impression. It is hard not to like all of them in spite of their occasional moral misjudgments. These attorneys bend and manipulate the law to their advantage but deep down are good people. My favorite character is the voice of reason in the firm, Rebecca (Hamilton). She is not afraid to tell it like it is whether speaking to her employer or her friends.

Very human problems and experiences involve all the characters, from disastrous dating service trials to wagers on the outcome of courtroom trials, and I liked seeing Bobby's relationship with one particular judge more fully explored. The first handful of episodes are rather weak. There were only six episodes in the first season and so a handful from the second are included in this release, and it is evident that in the second season the show found its stride. It starts off much stronger and incorporates one of my favorite characters, Helen Gamble (Boyle). Unfortunately, she is only in four or so episodes and the cast seems to suffer without her. Then there is the lack of realism in the courtroom. I am a long-term Law & Order fanatic. That series is known for its authenticity and so it is easy for me to see the inconsistencies and legal impossibilities that are rampant in The Practice. Appeals that would never stand, instances in which objections should have been raised, re-direction that would never transpire -- in one episode, the defense is even allowed to get up and add a statement to the jury after giving their closing argument.

Legal nitpicks aside, the series does present a tremendous amount of content. It is rarely graphic but there are a lot of conversations and cases that revolve around sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. One client is known for repeatedly exposing himself in public. Others include issues of statutory rape, prostitution (a woman goes so far as to unbuckle her lawyer's belt, before the police interrupts them), and rape (flashbacks are shown in which she is thrown to the floor and her clothes partially torn off). Lindsay has a one night stand with an old boyfriend and is shown passionately making out with him. We later learn he drugged her and she spends the rest of the episode contemplating whether or not to press charges. On her first date with Bobby, Helen fondles him at a public event and Bobby points out that if he had done that to her, she would have charged him with sexual harassment. There are a lot of sexual references, mentions of erotic dreams, and some humiliating cases. Mild language and insults intrude, along with some flashbacks of violence (a woman being strangled).

There are also some controversial and thought-provoking cases. "The Blessing" presents both sides in an argument for assisted suicide and actually brought me to tears, and "Dog Bite" is a touching episode revolving around Jimmy attempting to "restore a girl's smile" after a dog attack. I found the DVD set impossible to put down but at the same time would have found certain conversations and cases embarrassing to watch with other people in the room. The Practice is very frank about everything and at times I think a little more restraint would have been wise.