Boston Legal: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

See All

8.3

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.3	Your Score
8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 28 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Boston Legal: Words

Now Playing: Boston Legal: Words

Season Details & Credits

ABC | Season Premiere Date: October 3, 2004

Starring: Rhona Mitra, René Auberjonois, Monica Potter

Summary: Led by an Emmy Award-winning cast, "Boston Legal" returns for its fifth and final season to tell the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Sometimes irreverent and funny, sometimes intense and moving, "Boston Legal" prides itself on being at the forefront of issue-orientedLed by an Emmy Award-winning cast, "Boston Legal" returns for its fifth and final season to tell the professional and personal stories of a group of brilliant but often emotionally challenged attorneys. Sometimes irreverent and funny, sometimes intense and moving, "Boston Legal" prides itself on being at the forefront of issue-oriented television, often addressing issues that are underreported by the media. Fast-paced and wildly comedic, the series confronts social and moral issues, while its characters continually stretch the boundaries of the law.

Back-to-back Emmy Award winners James Spader and William Shatner play Alan Shore and Denny Crane, unlikely kindred spirits among the brigade of high-priced litigators at Crane Poole & Schmidt. In addition, Shirley Schmidt (played by five-time Emmy winner Candice Bergen), a founding partner of the firm, continues to help bring order to the chaotic office. She keeps a vigilant eye on all, particularly on Denny Crane, with whom she shares a checkered past.

Continuing to keep the office staff in tow is no-nonsense senior partner Carl Sack (Emmy Award winner John Larroquette), yet another ex-boyfriend of Shirley's, who has a newfound respect for the quirky team. Added to the mix are Jerry Espenson (Emmy Award winner Christian Clemenson), Shore's friend and fellow lawyer who suffers from Aspergers syndrome; and Katie Lloyd (Tara Summers), a young associate who is proving that she can run with the big dogs in the Boston offices. US Broadcast History
Oct 2004 - Mar 2005, Sunday at 10:00 PM on ABC and CH (Canada)
Sep 2005 - Apr 2008, Tuesday at 10:00 PM on ABC and CH (Canada)
Apr 2008 - May 2008, Wednesday at 10:00 PM on ABC and E! (Canada)
Sep 2008, Monday at 10:00 PM on ABC and E! (Canada)… Expand

Creator: David E. Kelley

Genre(s): Drama

Watch Now

Stream On

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E17. Death Be Not Proud
Air Date: March 20, 2005
tbd
S1:E16. Let Sales Ring
Air Date: March 13, 2005
tbd
S1:E15. Tortured Souls
Air Date: February 20, 2005

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Sarah Rodman

Jul 23, 2013

Even if you weren't in the practice of watching ABC's 'The Practice,' you might find its spinoff, 'Boston Legal,' habit-forming. [3 Oct 2004]

Robert P. Laurence

Jul 23, 2013

As was "Ally," "Legal" is rated "Q" for quirky. Wacky characters abound, clients look askance at the goings-on, usually with good reason. One lawyer appears in coat, tie, shirt, and nothing else. [2 Oct 2004]

Mike Duffy

Jul 23, 2013

[James Spader's] raffishly amoral Shore is the most enjoyable thing to happen to courtroom drama in years. [1 Oct 2004]

Maureen Ryan

Jul 23, 2013

Oddly entertaining. ... If you're a fan of Spader's ability to make creepy characters watchable, if not likable, then this solid hour is worth your time. [2 Oct 2004]

Dana Stevens

Jul 23, 2013

Provocative, hammy, absurd, and irresistible—so far. ... [But] Boston Legal would do well to limit the narrative hocus-pocus and concentrate on its strength—the chemistry between the two fine main actors. Read full review

Gillian Flynn

Jun 17, 2013

If [James Spader's] Shore seems a bit off, the show's tone is even more so. ... Despite these weaknesses, there's hope. Read full review

Melanie McFarland

Jul 23, 2013

The most unfortunate victims of Kelley's sad attempt at recapturing the funky fun of his past and mixing in what gravitas he can scrounge up are two otherwise fine characters, Spader's impishly amoral Alan Shore and Shatner's extroverted nut case Denny Crane. [2 Oct 2004]

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

8.3

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

AhmedHussain01

Jun 3, 2014

THE BEST SHOW AND ACTING I HAVE EVER WATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If we look at the acting of James Spader as Alan Shore,it was remarkable,truly impeccable, seeing that lovely ending i was forced to give it 10/10,on the other hand,Denny crane's character was interesting andTHE BEST SHOW AND ACTING I HAVE EVER WATCHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!If we look at the acting of James Spader as Alan Shore,it was remarkable,truly impeccable, seeing that lovely ending i was forced to give it 10/10,on the other hand,Denny crane's character was interesting and it was well performed by William Shatner,the small characters like Jerry,Shirley,Katie and Carl also added the fun to the party,I LOVED IT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Beauboy93

Jun 4, 2012

One of the best shows of the last decade, David E. Kelly and his cast of characters deliver an amazing Emmy award winning performance. James Spader and William Shatner play so well together, along with Candice Bergen and the other great characters. It was awful of ABC to cancel this show. AOne of the best shows of the last decade, David E. Kelly and his cast of characters deliver an amazing Emmy award winning performance. James Spader and William Shatner play so well together, along with Candice Bergen and the other great characters. It was awful of ABC to cancel this show. A must watch for law show fans and a very informative (yet liberally biased) show that can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys current issues.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Rumblebeelove

Nov 26, 2010

A fun introduction to our lively cast of lawyers. There is something about the chemisty of the actors that really draws you in. A little flighty, but always entertaining. A good watch, especially when you are in an ethical mood, Al Shore's speeches are pretty awesome.

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

AdrianBB

Jul 24, 2015

This either delights or annoys. For me it annoyed. To be honest, I am not a lover of courtroom drama; however, as this was billed a dark comedy and starred James Spader, I thought I'd give it a go. First the positive: both Spader and William Shatner are brilliant - they play their rolesThis either delights or annoys. For me it annoyed. To be honest, I am not a lover of courtroom drama; however, as this was billed a dark comedy and starred James Spader, I thought I'd give it a go. First the positive: both Spader and William Shatner are brilliant - they play their roles beautifully. Both have screen presence and fill their scenes with their charisma. Unfortunately, the characters they play so well are just too annoying. Spader plays a smarmy wisecracking know-it-all, gleefully gurning at all before him. Shatner playing a buffoon who we are constantly reminded never lost a court case - also a smarmy wisecracking know-it-all. Plot-wise let me again start with the positive: the ethical conundrums that unfold in the court cases and clients they take on, are inventive and cleverly thought-out. Unfortunately, it falls into the unbelievable far too often. The mistake the plot writers make is insisting the aforementioned pair never lose. So it becomes a tired cycle where the opponents change each week, but the result is the same - more smarmy self-satisfied back-slapping for the perennial victors Alan Shore (Spader) & Denny Crane (Shatner). What are they victorious in ? Whatever - court cases, office politics, personal disagreements, relationship issues. The result of this insistence on Omni-victory means the plot writers have to produce increasingly ridiculous twists to perpetuate it. Easily half of the cases Shore (Spader) is involved in, would never go in his favour; many of the stunts he pulls would never actually happen. Wholly against the will of the Judges he brings into the courtroom loud-mouthed political activists of dubious character, camera crews and even on occasion: Judges' own mothers! The result: the Judges crumble before the all-conquering one ! Hoorah ! --
Sorry, no, no, no - that is rubbish television: annoying, grinning, wise-cracking, ever-triumphant characters, repeatedly annoying, grinning, wise-cracking, ever-triumphant rolling over and over again. I just couldn't take anymore of it !… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Seasons & Episodes

69

Series Overview
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 22, 2008
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 2007
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 19, 2006
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 27, 2005
Season 1

69
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 3, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E17. Death Be Not Proud
  Air Date: March 20, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E16. Let Sales Ring
  Air Date: March 13, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E15. Tortured Souls
  Air Date: February 20, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E14. Til We Meat Again
  Air Date: February 13, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E13. It Girls and Beyond
  Air Date: January 23, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E12. From Whence We Came
  Air Date: January 16, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E11. Schmidt Happens
  Air Date: January 9, 2005
- tbd
  S1:E10. Hired Guns
  Air Date: December 19, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E9. A Greater Good
  Air Date: December 12, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E8. Loose Lips
  Air Date: November 28, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E7. Questionable Characters
  Air Date: November 21, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E6. Truth Be Told
  Air Date: November 7, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E5. An Eye for an Eye
  Air Date: October 31, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E4. Change of Course
  Air Date: October 24, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E3. Catch and Release
  Air Date: October 17, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E2. Still Crazy After All These Years
  Air Date: October 10, 2004
- tbd
  S1:E1. Head Cases
  Air Date: October 3, 2004