On a much more important topic than my last two posts, I thought that last night’s Boston Legal was amazing.
Tara (I can’t think of her real name) said to Alan Shore (James Spader, I know his real name for sure) something like:
“You believe in God?”
“Isn’t it mandatory in this country now?”
Thank you David E Kelly for working that in. I knew when the show began to take off you would put in great throw away lines.
Thank you James Spader for once more delivering your line with a brilliance rarely matched in any theatrical medium.
For a brief, highly selective recap:
Denny Crane (the delightful William Shatner)sang at the office Christmas, sorry Holiday, Party. The next day Alan Shore thanked him for a stunning performance. In his precise, understated manner, James Spader managed to put 20 different meanings into the word “stunning,” none of them meaning brilliant.
Alan Shore had helped a worker at the law firm retain custody of the kids for Christmas break, and her ex-husband wasn’t allowed to take them to Peru.
Ex-husband held Alan hostage. James Spader was magnificent, playing a man who was used to winning, pleading for his life. About half hour later Denny killed the man while it seemed like he might very easily accidentally kill Alan instead.
Tara told Alan that she loved him.
Later Alan and Denny had their after work talk. (They are the best TV buddies since Norton and Kramer on The Honeymooners.) I have to replay it to remember exactly what was said as I was laughing too hard but here’s the gist:
Denny explained that he was (I think) a horrible skeet shooter but when somebody you love is being attacked…he also explained that he (a Republican) was superior to Alan (a Democrat, natch) in much detail. I really have to re watch this as I wasn’t only laughing but watching them throw lines at each other. Shatner and James Spader are unmatched in their ability to play off each other. I’m completely mesmerized by their performances. I really have to watch this again because I was trying to memorize their lines but was too distracted.
Alan was shocked that not just one but two people told him that they loved him in one day. People usually say that they hate him. He said that when he faces death he doesn’t think of the people that loved him but who he loved. Actually he thought about Liza Minnelli.
Liza Minnelli. A straight man, any man, any person thinking of Liza Minnelli when facing death.
My best friend and I were laughing for too long this morning thinking about it.
Thank you James Spader for saying that line so perfectly. But you never fail me, never.
May we never meet.