At least this is one of the episodes where the good guys win, but in each case it's bittersweet. While Alan gives the closing of a lifetime and gets a huge settlement for his client, Melvin can't show the least contrition. The seal killing Vietnam vet is found not guilty, but he is no better off with his bipolar disorder than he was. By the way, Denny's business with the crying apparatus is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
2 Reviews
This would go close to being my favourite episode
liambretag22 February 2021
Melvin Palmer - the recurring antagonist of Alan Shore, played with superb colour by Christopher Rich - is genuinely one of my favourite characters on this show, because in his sheer unlikablility he brings out the best in Shore.
This series is excellent fun for the most part, but the thing that takes it from being a pure comedy into genuine satire or political criticism is Shore's closings, in which he speaks at length on whichever social or political issue is relevant to the case at hand. In general, some of the best closing speeches come when Alan has to find a way to become passionate about something he has no passion for, something he doesn't believe in. The reason this episode, this closing is so great is because it skewers reality television it so targets, but for no reason other than Alan Shore did not want to lose to Melvin Palmer.
In a lot of ways, Palmer and Rich bring out the best in Shore and Spader, and this is quite close to my favourite closing he ever delivers.
This series is excellent fun for the most part, but the thing that takes it from being a pure comedy into genuine satire or political criticism is Shore's closings, in which he speaks at length on whichever social or political issue is relevant to the case at hand. In general, some of the best closing speeches come when Alan has to find a way to become passionate about something he has no passion for, something he doesn't believe in. The reason this episode, this closing is so great is because it skewers reality television it so targets, but for no reason other than Alan Shore did not want to lose to Melvin Palmer.
In a lot of ways, Palmer and Rich bring out the best in Shore and Spader, and this is quite close to my favourite closing he ever delivers.
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