Harry's Law Review: We Now Interrupt This Progress...
After last week’s return to the more light-hearted and humorous show that many of us fell in love with a season ago,, "Bad to Worse" marked the darkest installment to date.
How do you bring a comedic genius like Seinfeld alum Jason Alexander into a series known for is satirical and off-beat humor and NOT let him be funny?
When I read that Alexander would guest star on Harry’s Law, I couldn’t wait and see what kind of antics Bates and him would get into. Imagine my dismay when I realized that David E. Kelley hired Alexander and didn't allow him to be humorous. At all. This was like getting the worst part of George Costanza. Alexander spent a good portion of his screen time either whining or shouting, usually both.
Going from bad to worse in the continuity department, we had Ollie and Adam's case. Actually, with them in the middle of this case, and Harry walking in hung over, I stopped and looked up the episode guide to see if this hour was out of order.
It wasn't, which left a bunch of questions: Who is Tammy Benoit? Why did she come to Ollie? Why did Ollie get Adam to help?
Beyond that, landing in this storyline at the point where Adam is caught staring at Tammy made no sense. If the case had already been going on, why the Hell was Adam staring when we arrived?
Don’t get me wrong, Marley Shelton (Tammy) did an amazing job of wearing that leather dress. But... why would Adam be staring at her like he had never seen her before? While he might have been doing so because she normally didn’t wear such an outfit, we have no way to know because Kelley decided to air-drop us into the story already in progress.
Does anyone else feel like the entire case with Ollie and Adam came across like we were watching it after the local news broke in to the show? Remember the days of "We now return you to your regularly scheduled program, already in progress," and we had to figure out from things said now what happened while we weren’t able to watch it?
The only ray of light in the storm of dark clouds was that Harry had some great lines. Also, I didn’t see Alexander’s case changing from a firing to a murder. That was an unexpected twist. Though it would have had a more of an impact had events been lighter before the twist -- Ok, ok, I'm getting off my soapbox.
In conclusion, I’m not feeling Ollie; Adam has become second fiddle and scurries around the edges like a scared mouse; and Tommy Jefferson seems to only be in the show to beg Harry to let him take her latest case.
I’m not sure where Kelley wants to take this show anymore. While we saw a glimmer of hope last week, now it seems like things went from bad to, you guessed it, worse.
Jim G. is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.
More Harry's Law News
NBC Axes Awake, Best Friends Forever, Bent, Harry's Law and Are You There Chelsea?
NBC: Save Which Show?
Jon Bernthal to Guest Star on Harry's Law
Harry's Law Review: Depravation
December 14th, 2011 11:11 PM
Laura,
You are entitled to your views. But don't try to remove my right to watch this show. Just don't watch it....this is one episode among many. I think it is amazing how unChristyan some Christuans can be.
December 2nd, 2011 4:52 PM
This show has changed dramatically for the worse! What happened to the great characters of the first season? Now, it is like any other slimy lawyer show. No defense of the poor and helpless, only defense of criminals who do not even deserve freedom. Sad!
November 5th, 2011 11:39 AM
We're done....we,ve watched our last episode. Hubby and I used to laugh at the quirkiness of this show and the character's personalities; now, we are laughing at the outfits the females are wearing that are supposed to be regarded as "professional attire". Really....the male lawyers will be trying cases in speedos next. Season 2 has been nothing but a huge disappointment!
Rank: New User
November 2nd, 2011 11:38 PM
I so agree with everyone regarding the changes to this show. I might as well be watching LA Law or Boston Legal. This was a unique and quirky show with laugh-out-loud humor. I even enjoyed the reruns. Now, my head is spinning with the changes made without any lead-in to those changes. All of a sudden, there is this large office with an even larger staff. Hello? When did that happen? And what happened to Adam's girlfriend who professed her love in the season finale? As for Brittany Snow's character, she just disappeared, like a fading picture, over a couple of episodes. And Jean Smart's character? Really, I want to slap her! Sorry Jean; I love you but not that mentally deranged DA. You deserve better. As for David Kelley, sorry, but you've sold out! The only saving grace is I can watch Kathy Bates doing just about anything and enjoy it. It just goes to show, mediocrity is what most TV aspires to and anything that smacks of originality gets the boot.
November 2nd, 2011 9:44 PM
It really is like a completely different show this season -- and not any way for the better. Like others, I also liked the eclectic quirky much more genuine cast of last season. I really liked all of them. Now this show is trying to be something I don't think it was ever meant to be. And it doesn't seem to know what exactly that is. These changes obviously are a desperate attempt to up the ratings. This season reeks of desperation. And you can tell the actors know it, too. Last season the courtroom conflicts between Harry and Puck were interesting. This season you have a meaner, sadder Harry vs. a crazy DA Roseanna Remmick. I normally love Jean Smart, but her character on this show is horrible. Some people you just like to dislike, but the Roseanna Remmick is so pathetic and too over the top. It's like Jean Smart is playing a bad parody of what the character should be. In fact, the whole show this season is like a very bad parody of old David E. Kelley shows. Last season I
October 27th, 2011 1:00 PM
Harry's Law was my second favorite show (after NCIS) last year. Really enjoyed the characters and their connections to each other. Looked forward to the laughter and chuckles.It is a different show now. No laughter or chuckles. Adam and Tommy characters seem to be getting the crumbs and should be main characters. Understand moving up, but moved to big too fast. I'm not sure I will keep viewing, I like Criminal Minds also. Hope to see more of the original feel to the show soon.
October 26th, 2011 8:06 PM
Whatever charm the show had in its first season came from the quirky cases,the law office/shoe store environment and Tommy Jefferson's flamboyance. Now it is just a show about a grumpy attorney with a bunch of non-descript assistants.
October 26th, 2011 12:12 AM
Still like the show but much preferred last years shoe store cast and local-color characters. Can anyone tell me where I've seen the African American actor who played the Prosecuting Attorney, what series he was on? Thanks in advance.
October 25th, 2011 4:42 AM
Can't comment on this episode because my husband and I stopped watching Harry's Law after the prior episode. The show has been totally destroyed. Throwing Jason or any other well know actor or actress in this ring will not make it less of a circus. If they ever bring back the REAL Harry's Law from last season, we'll be fans and watch again. Otherwise, it would be pure pain to watch the show's slow demise.
October 24th, 2011 11:36 PM
This episode was quite upsetting to me. I knew that Harry's comments in front of the jury would be "far out Liberal." But I liked getting to know the characters and their storylines. What I did not realize was the anti-Christian view that would prevail in this episode. To me it was mockery of my Christian beliefs. I really think the authors as well as the actors should become aware of another group who may watch this show. After this episode I am seriously thinking of not watching Harry's Law if it continues. You could even make your sponsers aware also.