Ally McBeal

I only discovered the Ally McBeal series once upon a time because of Courtney Thorne-Smith's departure from Melrose Place. Over time, it has found a permanent place in my heart and is one of those that I regularly dust off. (2009.02.04)

Confused, stammering, water pouring, nose whistling perfect lawyer John Cage, growling, unpleasant Ling, always present, perhaps bathed in pheromones Elaine, fixated on ruffles, dimples, and money Richard, ice queen Nell, and above all saddened Ally McBeal, who is still a child at heart, playing with her life's love, Billy. Simply the best legal series, precisely because it's not primarily about the courts. When I was a few years younger, I wanted to be a lawyer and I thought there was no better show. Watching it again after years, my eyes have been opened a little and I see that the pace sometimes tires, but the best episodes still have no competition and I marvel at how amazing characters and storylines can be created. Even today, I would give anything to have this group as friends or colleagues. However, everything I say still has a few "buts". After one very good and three amazing seasons, there comes the clumsy and awkward fifth season full of cast changes, which in many ways strongly diminishes the overall impression. Ally McBeal suddenly becomes average, but no one can take away the first four fantastic years. And after the very last scene, that longing after watching it again still works anyway. (2006.01.11)

One of the famous pop culture series of the 90s that was exceptionally popular, especially among female viewers. I'm not sure what to do with it - I don't deny its good craftsmanship, solid acting, and functional humor in many cases, but on the other hand, I found it extremely unsympathetic due to its content, lifestyle, and professional experiences of its characters. On one hand, it shows the bizarre world of the formalistic American judicial system, where lawyers enjoy manipulating the lay jury, and despite a certain screenwriting exaggeration, unfortunately, it hits the mark. This is often how things work in America, and a clever lawyer can, in many cases, make a lot of money for his client and, of course, for himself in completely obscure court cases. The lawyers who were the heroes of the series, in many cases, turned the concept of justice upside down, and I secretly cheered for their opponents. At the same time, I disliked the series for its hyper-correctness, the gender and feminist nonsense, and, last but not least, for its portrayal of the consumerist life of the American upper-middle class. The protagonist of the series is a walking advertisement for bulimia, and the female characters are the embodiment of ideals of the female body; it's just carefree and indulgent. Children don't appear much in the series. When one of the couples had to deal with the question of motherhood, both lawyers, who undoubtedly belonged to the top 10% of highest-paid Americans, concluded that they simply couldn't afford it - the poor baby wouldn't have what it needed. Overall impression: 40%. It's characteristic how the characters of the series dream about having a family, but due to their high demands on a partner and their inability to adapt and give, they are condemned to a constant succession of short-term relationships. (2009.01.12)