Ally McBeal was a serial TV show on Fox from 1998 to 2002. Do you love it or leave it? Is it a smash or pass?
Each season was 20+, one-hour stories, with a regular cast of characters, mostly. Some characters would ‘disappear’ over the course of years, and be replaced by new ones. In addition, there were many guest appearances by known stars.
It’s contemporary of the times and takes place in Boston. Ally McBeal is an attractive, neurotic, narcissistic young lawyer who works for the law firm of Cage & Fish. The firm specializes in discrimination, divorce, defamation, sexual harassment, and emotional distress lawsuits. Each episode usually involves two cases as well as interpersonal relations between the characters.
I’ll categorize the show as a RomComDram, historical fantasy. At present I’m binge watching it, and am approaching the final season. (9/11 hasn’t yet happened.) Truth be told, I think a review could be done for each show. However, I’m not going to do that – this is an overview. So without further delay, let’s get into it.
Money, Sex, and Power
is the subplot of the show.
Along with love, loneliness, and friendship. The show explores these touchy subjects over and over again. Moreover, as in the real world, they are never fully resolved.
In The Real World is just one of the many show’s songs sung in support of the themes. Music is a big part of the production. Much of the “action” takes place in the downstair bar of the law firm’s office building. There is a house band that features Vonda Shepard, an in-real-life performer.
In addition, other actual music celebrities make appearances. Such as: Barry White, Randy Newman, Al Green, Barry Manilow, Sting, and Tina Turner, to name a few. The music is mostly soul and disco. There’s a lot of dancing which is couched as sexual foreplay.
There’s also a dancing baby! Who is not real but a hallucination of Ally’s neurotic mind. No worries, however. Ms McBeal goes to therapy.
Therapy
Doesn’t go as planned. The therapist, Tracy, is unconventional.
During their first session Ally protests when the provider tells her to pick a theme song. “Hey”, she says, “this isn’t normal therapy.” Tracy responds, “Well, you’re not a normal patient.” Indignant and angry, Ally comes back with, “You, you, therapists aren’t suppose to use words like normal!”
Subsequently, Ally goes through several stylistically different therapists. Some more effective than others. In addition, other members and couples take their turn on the couch, with varying degrees of success.
Characters
are many and diverse.
I don’t really identify with any of the characters. However, I do have favorites. Nelle Porter for one. Senior partner Richard Fish for another.
Both of these characters are really characters – forthright and unapologetic. Nelle uses her beauty to manipulate and Richard his power as senior partner. Fish often blurts out “fishisms”, and then dismisses the offense with “bygones”.
Ally McBeal
is played by Calista Flockhart. [Flockhart is now married (2004) to Harrison Ford. She has subsequently disclosed the obvious – that she was anorexic when filming the show.] Her character is adorable, or infuriating depending on your own sensitivities.
McBeal is in search of true love, a lifetime partner and family. She gets involved with a lot of men, and boys.
Love and Loneliness
keep the stories moving. All the characters, and indeed the law suits, center around those two themes. The characters, in turn, vacillate between the two emotional states. The age old question, “Are ‘Soul Mates’ a real thing?” is never answered. Love triangles abound. Jealousy, envy, resentment, and revenge are everywhere. But so is tenderness, empathy, love and understanding.
Almost every episode brings water to my eyes. But also outbursts of laughter (rare for me). It’s a crazy show. In addition to the bar, the courtroom, and the streets of Boston – a lot of action takes place in a uni-sex bathroom. The bathroom was Fish’s idea to integrate the staff and make for a fun environment. Well … crazy stuff happens.
In conclusion
I’ll say this. The show hits on so many sensitive subjects which are ongoing today – twenty years later. Has progress been made? I’d say no. In fact, things have gotten much worse. It’s apparent that racism was not an issue then. Now, it’s everywhere! All of these sensitive issues were argued, both sides, in the courtroom. Moreover, the cases were decided either by the judge or a jury.
As a viewer you get both sides of the issue, argued in a court of law. Albeit, sometimes with crazy antics. However, the arguments are true and often I couldn’t tell which side would win. That’s good television!
Have you seen the show? Do you have favorite characters, or episodes? What about the music?
Do you believe in ‘Soul Mates’? Have things, these social issues, gotten worse?