Previously on "L.A. Law"...
You wanna see my scar?
Yeah.
Ruby, you and I both know
you advised me to perjure myself,
that the decision was mine.
I'm not blaming you because I got sh*t.
I know my rights.
You can't lock me up without due process.
L.A. is under siege. We're doing you a favor by locking you up.
I was on my way to get married.
Do you wanna be the bride or the groom?
-[kisses]
-[grunts]
I could have Geoff do some opposition research.
Euphemism for digging up dirt?
Ellis has momentum. We have to drop him in his tracks.
Go on the offense.
All right, let's go after Ellis.
[crowd shouting]
WOMAN: Hit him!
WOMAN: Hit him!
We don't know how much tissue
was actually damaged when he was beaten.
You know, I've been a neurologist half my life
I've seen miraculous recoveries.
Or he could stay this way forever.
MAN [on TV]:Continuing fair skies through tonight
-
-
I hate exercising on that machine.
Let's get rid of it.
Ha. You say that now.
-Wait'll my fanny falls around my ankles.
-You have an adorable fanny.
-[TV remote clicks]
-WOMAN [on TV]: And you've already sold
the film rights for your second novel.
-[remote clicking]
-[channels changing]
Thirty
-eight minutes, Stuart, level four.
That beats your old record by %.
How'd you do that so quickly?
I like numbers.
Making real progress, and I'm very proud of you.
I'm proud of you.
Level four, thirty
-eight minutes.
Seventeen percent improvement.
[chuckling]
Stuart. [chuckles]
[moans, sighs]
Oh,, Stuart, I've missed you.
-[exhales]
-[remote clicks]
[cartoon soundtrack plays on TV]
[giggling]
♪♪ [theme]
♪♪
I just think pursuing this one is a mistake.
Carla Orteza's prior arrest
-
-
-One conviction three years ago.
-Drug possession.
After arraignment this morning, I met with Carla and her parole officer.
-She's straight.
-If she's so straight,
why was she arrested looting?
Thousands of people got caught up in a frenzy.
Carla stole baby formula to feed her child.
Let's give her a break. Tell that to store owners
who had their stores cleared, entire inventories pillaged
I'm up for reelection, and believe me, now, more than ever,
the mandate of the people is they want justice.
-What about probation for Carla?
-Zoey!
You work for the district attorney, not the public defender.
If you can't handle it, I'll ask for a continuance and get someone else.
-I can handle it.
-You do that.
Shall we get started?
First up, People v. Douglas Brackman.
He fought the law, and the law won.
-Yeah, but years in jail?
-Arnold, I know this isn't your
primary area of expertise,
but Douglas insisted on our representation.
Yeah, of course, you guys don't wanna pay.
[chuckles] Just do your best to get him released.
Yes, please, billable hours, accounts, receivables,
subbing for Douglas, and I'm drowning in red ink.
All right, next, Weston v. Weston.
Yeah, Ann's still working at home,
I've been assisting summarizing depositions,
and we go to trial next week unless a settlement can be reached.
You have any questions or Ann is unavailable, you come to me,
This firm needs Alec Weston's business.
Uh
-huh. anything else, Leland?
Uh, yes, don't forget
Election Day is just around the corner,
and if the latest polls are any indication,
Jonathan Rollins could use any support we can muster.
-That's all.
-In and out,
that's what a staff meeting's all about.
Rank's are getting pretty thin here.
Any thinner, we can get together in the elevator.
-Or the unemployment line.
-Now listen up.
Douglas and I have made no secret of the fact
that our situation here at McKenzie Brackman is precarious at best.
However, you should be equally clear of the fact
that I have poured my lifeblood into this firm,
and I'll be damned if I'm going to give up now.
I expect the same commitment from all of you.
Becker? Get a haircut. You look ridiculous.
WOMAN: ..., People v. Kevin Richards,
one count of sexual battery.
WOMAN: Gretchen Oliver for the defense.
MAN: Assistant D.A. Harold Chambers for the people, Your Honor.
JUDGE: How does the defendant plead?
OLIVER: My client pleads, not guilty, Your Honor.
And at this time, given this is my client's first offense,
I request bail be dropped to ten thousand.
Psst. Not living together is one thing.
I haven't seen you in over a week.
Uh, Ruby's got me wading through the backlog prosecutions from the riots.
I got arsonists, I got looters.
-You're avoiding me.
-Yeah, kinda.
I got a lot on my mind.
-Can I help?
-Thanks. My problem.
Oh, listen, I wanna get a jump on the competition.
Tell me about this Marlene Branson.
You haven't met?
No, only talked by phone.
People v. Carla Ortiz.
All I can say is pray.
She's that tough, huh?
You all right?
Mr. Balin, how does your client plead.
Not guilty, Your Honor. Request defendant be released O.R.
The people have no objection.
-So ordered.
-[sneezes]
JUDGE: Preliminary hearing day after tomorrow.
Santa Ana's start blowing, there go my sinuses.
-Your dad here yet?
-Nuh
-uh.
Is Dad taking me home after?
No, no, you go back to your aunts
until Social Services finishes their investigation.
People v. Joseph Russell.
Back in a flash.
Tommy Mullaney for the people.
Sorry I'm late, Your Honor.
Marlene Branson for the defense.
-Sidebar, Your Honor.
-Approach.
JUDGE: Problem Mr. Mullaney?
Sister Marlene's attire could compromise a fair trial.
A juror might infer that God is somehow on her side.
Ms. Branson has tried cases in my court before,
-there's never been a problem.
-TOMMY: Yes, but this is
-
-
I'll instruct the jury that Ms. Branson's religious affiliation
-germane in this case...
-But what I'm
-
-
...and you'll get your sh*t at voir dire.
-But what I'm talking about
-
-
-You lost this one, Mullaney.
Step back.
-[sneezes]
-Bless you.
-They used to say the streets were paved with gold.
-I understand.
-Now they're paved with the blues.
-But it's getting too close.
-I can't promise.
-I'll delete the entire first paragraph.
-Right, right.
-No, keep the first.
-All I can do is ask him.
-Lose the second.
Okay? Hold on.
KPM wants to do a live on
-air debate with Ellis.
I don't know, Terry. We may be too close to the election.
Look, you're slumping, you need the exposure. You'll k*ll Ellis on the issues.
Let me set it up.
-Yeah.
-What is this crap?
-Lies! Half
-truths!
-Let me call you back.
-Geoff? Shut the door.
-Receiver clatters.
And make sure you're on the other side.
Let's save this for the debate.
No. If you want a piece of me, here I am.
You got something to say, say it to my face.
You're running for public office,
the voters have the right to know the quality of your character.
Rollins, you wouldn't know the meaning of the word "character."
And your lack of emotional stability.
I overdosed when I a teenager.
Nobody's stopping you from telling your side of the story.
Know what it's like trying to dig yourself out from under garbage, Rollins?
You're going to find out.
[paper slams]
-Don't let him rattle you.
-I'm not rattled.
It's still about who's the best man.
ARNIE: Judge Nieman is considering the petition
to reduce your sentence.
I tried convincing her you are a model prisoner.
-She wasn't moved.
-Nieman hates me.
Well, from the court transcript, your conduct was the height of arrogance.
I was the victim of vicious lies.
Say what you want, just get me out of this cesspool.
-Douglas, you haven't been...
-Violated? Don't be silly.
That was John Dean's fear, not mine.
-Arnie, help him.
-I'll do my best.
Looking like that? Who's gonna take you seriously.
Don't bite the hand that free you.
Sweetheart, he's right.
This only happened because I was desperate to exchange our vows.
You're still desperate for me, aren't you?
Douglas, I'll be in touch. Sheila, meet you outside.
You are hungry for me. More than you know.
Every night, you are in my dreams.
While you're trapped in here, dream of these.
-[head thuds]
-[inmates catcalling]
-[wolf whistle]
-INMATE: Wow!
Oh.
[sighs]
[knock on door]
Yeah, what?
Oh, Sister Marlene.
I need just a moment.
And Ms. Branson is fine.
Catholic school, tough to break.
What can I do for you?
Joseph is prepared to plead guilty
to misdemeanor child endangerment with probation.
He's also willing to enter family counseling.
Reduce felony child endangerment to a misdemeanor
just because he promises to attend counseling.
I know guys like this.
Apologizing, swearing. They don't know what came over
-
-
Joseph loves Gilbert.
That boy's only hope is his father.
That boy's only hope broke his jaw.
I'm sorry, no deal.
I'll tell my client.
Sister, I don't appreciate being blindsided.
You and I spoke a half a dozen times by phone,
you never mentioned you were a nun.
You still think the way I'm dressed will prejudice the proceeding.
There isn't a jury member who won't give you
the benefit of the doubt during closing arguments.
And Judge Fiorello can rationalize till the saints come marching in.
-I'm telling you, your habit affects people.
-Clearly.
-Geoff, where are the pages?
-We're back on KPM
-AM.
Ellis is on the defense, so let's take advantage.
Ross Greenberg sitting in all this week.
-We're talking with city council candidate Jonathan Rollins.
-Just get them ready.
Why don't we go straight to the phones?
-Hello, your on KPM.
-MAN:Uh, Mr. Rollins,
what's your stand on year
-round school calendar?
That issue's decided on the state level, dummy.
-[button clicks]
-KPM, go ahead.
-WOMAN:Hello? Hello?
-[feedback squeals]
Turn your radio down.
WOMAN: Hello? Hello?
-[receiver clatters]
-You're tough?
No patience for the brain
-dead.
-[button clicks]
-KPM, you're on the air.
-WOMAN:Ross?
-Yes, ma'am, go ahead.
I'd like to ask Mr. Rollins about his arrest two years ago for r*pe.
-[inaudible]
-I have access to police records.
-Ghosts in the machine?
-It was a sting, uh...
part of a blackmail attempt by former D.A. Rogoff.
Chris Rogoff's been a guest on this show. Hard to believe
-
-
Rogoff wanted me to keep quiet about my firsthand experience
with police brutality in Los Angeles.
Lets not confuse the issue.
WOMAN:I wanna know who paid off Rollins
Nobody was paid anything.
I was a suspect for probably minutes.
-Let's discuss those minutes.
-Let's discuss police brutality.
We'll talk more about Councilman Rollins' r*pe arrest
right after this. No formal charges were filed.
-My name was cleared
-
-
-Have to shout louder than that, Councilman.
We just went to commercial.
[phone rings]
[ringing continues]
[ringing continues]
Stuart, the phone.
[ringing continues]
Hello.
Of course Weston is angry, Gwen.
I told him we'd send him the settlement proposal this morning.
Fax me a copy, and call me back.
Stuart, what are you doing?
I wanna hear some albums.
Well, the turntable's broken. That's why we bought the disc player.
Yeah, but I wanna hear this.
Shouldn't you be doing your leg flexes?
You know, you physical therapy's very important.
Yeah, not now. I can make this work.
You have no mechanical ability, Stuart.
That's why you went to Wharton's and became an accountant.
I can fix this.
Gwen, you forgot the pension funds.
Gwen Taylor, please.
Hi, it's me. Look, first off
-
-
-♪♪ [march blares]
-Stuart, turn that down!
-What?
-Gwen, you forgot the pension funds!
-♪♪ [continues]
-Yeah, could you
-
-
Hold on! Turn the damn thing down!
I fixed it! See I told you!
I'll call you back.
Stuart!
-♪♪ [stops]
-How am I supposed to work
with all this racket?
I fixed the record player.
And I appreciate that.
It's just
-
- It's hard to concentrate.
with so much noise.
You know how I did it?
-No.
-[sighs]
Me either.
♪♪ [march continues]
Gilbert, how old are you?
Fifteen next month.
Any brothers or sisters?
Just me and my father.
TOMMY: Are you and your dad close? Get along?
Not really. He's always on my case.
About the way I dress, who I hang with.
Tell me about the night your jaw was broken.
I was hanging in Brand Park.
I wasn't doing anything. We was just talking.
Next thing you know, my father's on me,
yelling and screaming, telling me to get my ass home.
Watch your language, young man.
-When did he hit you?
-We got inside the house, and he just torqued up.
Started hammering me about my boys, going out.
Then he grabbed the wood.
This.
Yeah, I use that to hold up my window.
Your Honor, request this board be entered
-as people's exhibit three.
-So ordered.
Go on, Gilbert. What happened next?
Then he grabbed that
and the window slammed shut,
glass flew, then he started b*ating me.
Your Honor, these photos taken at County General
are offered as people's exhibit four.
So ordered.
Let the record reflect injuries sustained
when Mr. Russell repeatedly hit his son:
welts and open cuts on Gilbert's thighs and buttocks,
as well as compound facial fractures.
One last question, Gilbert.
Are you scared of your father?
I am now.
TOMMY: Nothing further.
Gilbert, the night this happened,
before your father left for work,
didn't he tell you not to go to the park?
That's because he's always
-
-
Please. Answer yes or no.
Yes.
So it's easy to understand
-why he was angry with you.
-Objection.
What Miss Branson understands is irrelevant.
-Sustained.
-Was there alcohol at the barbecue?
-Objection. Irrelevant.
-Little leeway, Your Honor.
All right, you may answer.
There was some brew there.
Yeah. So?
Your friends at the barbecue are members of the DP Deuces.
-Isn't that right?
-Objection. Irrelevant.
-Goes to defendant's intent, Your Honor.
-I'll allow it.
GILBERT: There were some Deuces there, yeah.
BRANSON: And isn't it true that you have been trying
-to join the Deuces for over a year?
-Yes.
Gilbert, hasn't your father forbidden you, in no uncertain terms,
-to join any g*ng?
-Yes.
And in all that time,
has he ever done anything
remotely like this?
-No.
-BRANSON: Thank you.
Nothing further.
Hey, check out Tuxedo.
[whistles]
Yo! Hey, Tuxedo!
Well, well, well, look who's doing the fluff and fold.
Tennessee Tuxedo.
Hey, Tennessee, bet you never saw stains like this before, huh?
-I'm just doing my job, fellas.
-Ah!
Word is that
-
- that you're a lawyer
and that your old lady's got a decent pair of "bazooms."
You mind your business, I'll mind mine.
Hey, we just wanna know if it's true.
[sighs] Yes, my wife is well endowed.
No, no, no.
About you being a lawyer.
I mean, well, lawyers suck.
You suck?
You must, if you're a lawyer.
You think he's a lawyer? I don't think he's a lawyer.
Oh, I believe he's a lawyer,
because nothing matters to lawyers
-besides getting the job done.
-You think he's cute?
-I don't think he's cute.
-You guys are talking in circles.
No, no. The only person who's gonna be talking in circles is you.
Hey, come on, Tennessee, let's take a free ride, huh?
-[laughing]
-Hey!
Hey! Ow!
[laughing]
-[door slams]
-Have a nice trip.
[shouting]
MAN: Stuart Markowitz, Detective Fowler.
I'd like to ask you about yourself.
My report says you were pulled from your car and beaten.
Stuart? Mrs.
-Yes. Is something wrong?
-Detective Fowler.
I've been assigned to your husband's case.
We'd like him to try identifying
potential suspects in his as*ault.
Oh, this is not the right time.
No, I'll look at the photographs.
Photographs are good.
Five months and you still haven't caught these criminals.
FOWLER: We're doing everything we can.
Ann, I don't know these people.
Do you?
[knocking on door]
-Hey.
-Hey yourself.
[kisses]
Looks like that leafy green's
making a full recovery after all.
You know, with some of these people hauled away looting,
I don't know if it's funny or pathetic.
Fifty
-five
-year
-old man hits a dry cleaner,
comes away with nine busboy uniforms from a Chinese restaurant.
Which brings us to dinner.
Kung Pao Chicken?
This lady I'm prosecuting, Carla Ortiz,
a mother who stole diapers and baby formula,
technically she broke the law,
-but she's not a criminal.
-Zo.
-I became a lawyer to help people.
-And you do that.
Last week, it was asset forfeiture
forcing me to take away a woman's home,
because her son was caught dealing dr*gs.
The judicial process is a big practical joke,
and my diploma is the whoopee cushion.
Come on. Let me pull you out of this for an hour.
Thanks.
Am I gonna see you later?
I don't think so, Tommy.
Okay.
-Try not to stay too late.
-Mm
-hmm.
-[overlapping chatter]
-[reporters shouting]
Ah, remember, everybody, tomorrow's election day.
Vote early, vote often.
How do you feel about Stuart Markowitz?
He's a longtime associate, I like him,
-Then you're and his side.
-What?
Word on the street is the men who b*at Mr. Markowitz were provoked.
What different you say?
We should refrain from judging anyone
until the police completes their investigation.
Markowitz called them n*gg*r*s. Doesn't that qualify as r*cist?
Oh, of course. Was this a random act of v*olence?
-No.
-Shouldn't he support your district?
-Absolutely.
-Jonathan, we're late.
[overlapping shouts]
-Who's telling the truth?
-We'll find out.
Then it's possible Markowitz provoked his attackers.
-Anything's possible.
-Hey, Councilman!
♪♪
Have you tried less severe ways of disciplining your son?
Everything.
I even tried taking Gilbert to work with me,
but he couldn't get his homework done with all the noise.
What upset you about those boys your son was with that night?
They're gangbangers. They put Gilbert's life in danger.
Objection. What Mr. Russell believes is irrelevant.
Overruled.
These gangs go looking for trouble.
I'm afraid my son'll get k*lled.
I don't want to lose my son.
-He's all I got.
-No more questions.
Mr. Russell, for the past month, Gilbert's been living with his aunt.
She's testified he hasn't been a problem.
-Why is that?
-He's a good boy,
just strong
-willed.
Where we live, it doesn't take long for a boy's world
-to be turned upside
-down.
-Or to have his jaw broken?
-Argumentative, Your Honor.
-Sustained.
According to the police report,
you grabbed this piece of lumber,
and you kept swinging until you raised welts
on your son's backside, then you hit him
-
-
-Objection!
-It was an accident.
Have you ever been convicted of criminal as*ault?
Five years ago.
-Someone picked a fight.
-You lost your temper,
-and you clobbered some poor
-
-
-Objection!
-Mr. Mullaney.
-I'm talking about felony as*ault.
Look, that guy was way out of line.
-Just like your son?
-Objection.
Withdrawn. Nothing further.
Mrs. Ortiz?
Uh.
-My name is
-
-
-Miss Clemmons.
Anything you have to tell my client, you say in front of me.
Excuse me.
-Actually, you and I should talk in private.
-Sure.
Listen, I want you to know that I tried,
but the D.A.'s office won't go for probation.
-How about a lesser charge?
-I'm sorry.
Ah. [sucks teeth]
So what?
-Excuse me?
-Oh, Miss Clemmons,
I'm being bombarded with dozens of cases like Carla Ortiz.
You know, it's the same on your end, rubber stamping justice.
It's all part of the job, percentages.
But thanks for trying.
[scoffs]
You're really digging in here.
Well, one has to be prepared for next week,
Alec Weston's an important client.
-Have a seat.
-How's Stuart?
What? Oh, doing great.
He's, uh, taking a nap.
He's making real progress.
He fixed the stereo yesterday.
So it shouldn't be long before he's his old self again.
Ann, I woke up thirsty.
Stuart, you remember Gwen.
-Hi, Gwen.
-Hi.
I'm gonna go into the kitchen and get myself some orange juice.
Well, why don't we get to work on these depositions?
Ann, if there's anything I can do.
Thanks. Really, there isn't.
-[silverware crashes]
-STUART: Whoops.
Guess what I broke!
JUDGE: Mandatory sentence, one year in county jail.
Credit four months time served.
Next case.
WOMAN: Case number ,
People v. Carla Ortiz.
JUDGE: Mr. Balin, the meter is running.
Your Honor, at this time,
the people request that all charges against Carla Ortiz be dropped.
-On what grounds, Miss Clemmons?
-Insufficient evidence.
Then why is this case on the docket?
I'm sorry, Your Honor,
I've only recently been made aware of new facts in this case.
Mr. Balin, case dismissed. Your client is free to go.
Ms. Clemmons, a little notice next time?
Court is adjourned.
Jonathan Rollins. How you doing?
Leland!
Came down to support the cause, huh?
Your campaign headquarters told me where you were.
-You spare a minute?
-It's really lousy timing.
How you doing? Jonathan Rollins, City Council.
How are you?
According to the newspaper,
you believe Stuart Markowitz provoked his own att*ck?
Don't believe everything you read.
Jonathan Rollins, City Council.
-How you doing, brother?
-Hey, what's up?
-All right.
-Whether you like it or not,
your colleagues are confused, and, frankly, so am I.
Jonathan Rollins.
I hope I can rectify this thing,
before it snowballs completely out of control.
I always had a broad base support at McKenzie Brackman.
Jonathan Rollins.
Do you honestly believe Stuart Markowitz provoked his b*ating?
Of course not.
Then I suggest you clear this up as soon as you can.
Leland, I really resent you coming down here
questioning my integrity.
What about Stuart's integrity?
This is a no
-win situation.
And if you believe that, be prepared.
Because if you lose this election,
and your remaining option is returning to the firm,
it will be a cold place indeed.
Jonathan Rollins for City Council. How are you?
♪♪
Feels like I'm beginning to lose track of time.
Minutes turn into hours,
hours into days,
days into weeks.
Don't you know any other tunes?
-[man farts]
-[groans]
♪♪
I'm not a big Stephen Foster fan.
You really should see an internist.
You could see mine, when you're released,I mean.
It'd be my way of thanking you for pulling me out of the dryer.
"Watching Over Me"?
Don't you know any Frank Sinatra?
[man farts]
Nobody's above the law.
But no principal can justify this kind of treatment.
We have prisons, but clearly it doesn't matter who occupies the cells.
I may have been a babe in the woods when I was thrown in here,
but when I'm released, watch out,
I will not go quietly.
[man farts]
And, obviously, neither will you.
In order to find my client not guilty,
you must believe that his behavior
was reasonable under the circumstances.
To do so, you must consider the world
in which Gilbert lives,
a dangerous place of gangs and g*ns and poverty.
And you must also consider what was at stake:
a young boy's future filled with dreams and possibilities
which are easily destroyed.
If any of you saw your child
walk in the path of a speeding train,
wouldn't you yank him out of the way,
even if it meant breaking a bone in the process?
This was Joseph Russell's dilemma.
Joseph Russell's fear
for his son's life is understandable.
But is b*ating a child ever a reasonable form of discipline?
The defense says Joseph battered his son
in order to save him.
But before you make your decision,
you ask yourself this.
If you condone this man's actions
as an acceptable form of salvation,
how will he save his son tomorrow?
Father's owe their son's more than discipline.
Tough love is hypocrisy.
Strength is a hug,
a compassionate smile,
not a clenched fist or uncontrolled rage.
The body may heal.
The emotional wounds will never disappear.
[door slams]
If you think dismissing this woman's charges
is some kind of defiance,
some misdirected act of conscience, you're mistaken.
-I'll refile.
-And I'll go to Judge Hanson
and tell him I perjured myself in the Meacham trial
and that you were the one who advised me
-to frame my testimony.
-Can't prove a thing.
Try me, Ruby.
All right.
-You can have Carla Ortiz.
-Thank you.
I will not be threatened by you again.
Because if I am, I will do everything in my power
to make sure your career is over.
-[folders thud]
-It is over.
[footsteps depart]
[lawnmower whirrs in distance]
[door opens]
Mattie decided to wear his lunch.
Stuart?
You okay?
I know that I'm years old.
but I
-
-
I don't have memories that fill that time.
You have those memories, Stuart,
but the doctor said
-
-
Doctor said.
But the doctor said.
The doctor doesn't know anything.
And neither do I. I can't
-
-
Why can't I remember?
I
-
- I
-
- I don't know the people in those pictures.
I
-
- I don't know the guy who cuts the lawn.
I can't remember the name of our son. I can't
-
-
Stop it, Stuart. Stop it.
-Daddy.
-It's okay.
So the rumor's true, huh?
I quit.
Why am I the last to know?
-You were in court, I tried.
-No, I have tried.
I have tried for weeks to find out what's going on.
-Tommy, listen.
-I've never stopped listening, Zo.
I'm not only quitting the D .A .'s office,
What's that supposed to mean?
I'm leaving.
-I thought that
-
-
-My plane's tonight.
Where to?
I don't know.
[chuckles]
I'm going to Portland first to stay with my mother awhile.
So your tossing me out of your life just like that.
Tommy, after I got sh*t,
you took care of me, and you got me back on my feet,
but now I'm not standing in the same place.
The law, this job, L.A.,
I
-
- I
-
-
I can't stay here.
I can't go back to being the person I used to be,
because I'd turn into someone I wouldn't like.
Someone you'd hate.
Damn you.
Leland.
Leland.
-Oh.
-Phillip Dorsey's on the top line.
Oh, thank you, Roxanne.
Would you close my door, please?
I'm worried about the old man,
spends his days just staring out the window.
He's had a rough couple of weeks.
Why don't you travel? Clear his calendar, clear has head.
Everything that's going on at McKenzie Brackman,
haven't you taken a look around since you got back?
-Thought you changed.
-Well, actually, mostly I've been looking inward.
But Leland was right about one thing.
I could use a trim.
Oh, come on, Rox. I really appreciated the last one you gave me.
It was great.
All right.
Rox? Rox, we're just talking trim here, right?
It's been a long time since we've had a spare office.
Turning it into a nursery for your little girl?
Yeah. Having Lucy just down the hall is gonna be terrific.
Leland was completely open to the idea.
Me too.
Children are our future.
-Maybe you have changed.
-[latch clicks]
Hello!
All clear.
Hey, who am I to fault Morales
for striking a sweetheart deal
and wanting his little kid nearby?
Anyway, with all that crying and whining going on around here,
nice to know now it'll be coming from a loaded diaper
and not another three
-piece suit.
Maybe you haven't changed.
Rox, I'm like water.
Nothing under heaven is more yielding.
But when it att*cks something hard and resistant,
nothing can prevail.
Sit, Grasshopper.
Go ahead, make all the jokes you want.
You wait and see.
[deep breath]
[gasps]
MAN: In the matter of the People v. Joseph Russell,
on the charge of felony child endangerment,
we find the defendant not guilty.
MR. Russell, you're free to go.
Gilbert Russell, I will recommend to social services
that you be released into the custody of your father.
Court is adjourned.
Yes, sir.
It'll take time, Joseph.
You'll get your son back.
Congratulations, Sister.
Maybe next time his old man will love him to death.
Who was it you saw when you looked at Joseph Russell?
If this is one of those religious mysteries,
like how many angels can dance on the head of a pin,
-I don't have the time.
-What is it your father?
Was he the one?
As a matter of fact, yeah.
-Sorry.
-Don't be.
It was a long time ago.
And some things can't be forgiven.
Why not start with the things that can?
Good luck, Mr. Mullaney.
Ellis is leading by percent.
Fat lady singing. It's not just us,
Ruby Thomas is getting hammered as well.
Well, speech writing's not for me anyway .
I'm gonna try punching out some short stories.
But it was nice working with you, Jonathan.
Appreciate all you did, Geoff.
I know, I know.
Don't let the door hit me in the ass.
I'd like to say it's been nice working with you.
I'd be lying.
[chuckles]
b*rned a lot of bridges during this campaign.
Said things I didn't mean.
-And for what?
-I got a valuable piece of information for you.
You make a lousy politician.
You take things too personal.
You're not comfortable with compromises or tradeoffs.
-That's a compliment?
-You're damn right.
Jonathan, take care if yourself.
-Hey.
-[tapping]
Now stick around for my concession speech?
I know who wrote it.
Oh!
Keep it.
Be a collector's item someday.
MAN:We go now live to the Thomas
-
-
[exhales] Take a deep breath.
Fill your lungs.
-You know what that is?
-Carbon monoxide.
To me, that's the smell of freedom.
How can we ever thank you, Arnie?
Let me practice entertainment law.
Did I mention your shave and haircut look great?
I'm going home.
Let's go home, too.
Not until I make this pledge, Sheila.
I have seen the underbelly.
I've tasted some of the worst food imaginable.
But I survived.
As soon as we get home, you'll get your reward.
Sheila, I'm being sincere.
I used to scoff at McKenzie Brackman's pro bono work
as a waste of time and lost income.
I hereby swear to pull at least one drowning man
from the river Styx and change his life forever.
But first, a hot shower,
and I've got the loofa.
♪♪
We're wasting our energy.
Our focus should be on rebuilding,
repairing neighborhoods and relationships
that have been damaged by neglect and anger.
Let us all create something from the ground up.
Sturdy,
fresh,
and full of possibilities.
[applause]
[exhales]
Come to say good
-bye.
It's not forever.
You know, uh...
for the last couple of days,
I have been thinking a lot about love,
why after all these years...
it's still so difficult for me.
But I
-
-
Zo...
Anyway...
[paper crinkling]
This is for you...
-straight from the mini
-mart.
-[chuckles]
-Bread
-
-
-[chuckles]
...so that you will never know hunger.
-Salt
-
-
-[chuckles]
...so that your life will always have flavor.
Wine, so that you will know joy and prosperity.
-Grape juice?
-So it's a young wine.
[laughs]
[horn honks]
There's my cab. [sniffles]
Thank you, Tommy.
I will always love you.
Be good to yourself.
[horn honking]
Go.
-Ann, I brushed my teeth.
-Okay.
Are you gonna sleep with me again?
You ask me that every night, Stuart.
Oh, sorry.
It's just that when I was in the hospital,
I got used to sleeping by myself.
Are you glad to be home?
Sort of.
[baby crying]
Oh.
[crying continues]
Neat.
Something wrong, Stuart?
Huh? No.
What's he doing here?
Mattie's still running a little fever,
so he's gonna sleep with us.
-Is that okay?
-Yeah.
Because I'm very tired, so...
As soon as he falls back to sleep, I'll take him back to his bed.
Hi, Mattie.
Ann?
Ann, I remember.
What, Stuart?
I remember the night our son was born.
It was raining, right?
You were in a lot of pain.
I told you to focus on your breathing.
Mattie came out.
Had that umbilical cord around his neck, and I was...
..so scared.
And you looked me in the eye, and I
-
-
I didn't want you to see that I was scared,
so I smiled at you.
You smiled back.
And then Dr. Parker just slipped away the cord.
They put Mattie on your chest.
He was healthy.
And you were safe.
And it was the most beautiful sight I ever saw.
I remember.
♪♪ [theme]
07x03 - Zo Long
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High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.
High-powered law firm of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak handles both criminal and civil cases, but the office politics and romance often distract them from the courtroom.