648 replies to this topic

[boewyr]

Fka "Kindreds", this was just picked up by NBC for next season.

Emmy Award-winning creator David E. Kelley brings his unique storytelling to “Harry’s Law,” a series about fate and the people it brings together, starring Academy Award winner Kathy Bates. Harriet (Bates), Matthew (Ben Chaplin) and Malcolm (Aml Ameen) couldn’t be any more different. Harriet is a curmudgeonly ex-patent lawyer who, having just been fired from her cushy job, is completely disillusioned with her success and looking for a fresh start. Her world unexpectedly collides with Malcolm’s -- a young man trying to figure out life. When he finds out Harriet is a lawyer, he begs her to represent him in an upcoming criminal case. Matthew, a dreamer at heart and also recently fired from his job as a high school teacher, is introduced to Harriet through Malcolm, a previous student of his. When these three cross paths, they realize they’re all looking for a fresh start. Now, the most unlikely of people are starting a law practice in the most unlikely of places -- a rundown shoe store. “Harry’s Law” also stars Brittany Snow as Harriet’s assistant, Jenna Backstrom and Beatrice Rosen as Eve, a high school French teacher. “Harry’s Law” is produced by Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with David E. Kelley Productions and Warner Bros. Television. David E. Kelley and Bill D’Elia serve as executive producers. D’Elia also serves as director.

The pilot script that leaked was no "Ally McBeal" or "the practice" but it had potential, (unlike Legally Mad. Ick.). Kathy Bates' casting will have me checking it out for sure.

[Trini Girl]

So this does have a thread!

The series premiere is Monday January 17th at 10pm Eastern.

NBC webpage.

[boewyr]

Wow, the critics sure have been loving this one haven't they?

Still... Kathy Bates.

[Santo]

I'm excited about this! I will definitely be watching tonight!

[BigandTallLover]

<Legal quibbling>

I am a intellectual property paralegal. I love what I do, and I've been doing it for 15 years, but I am by no stretch qualified to be a criminal or litigation paralegal.

Intellectual propert law - patent law - is completely unlike any area of law that operates in a courtroom. Patent attorneys do not know criminal law, have no experience in or knowledge of courtroom procedure, have probably never researched case law, and likely haven't written a pleading/motion since law school.

I, too, love Kathy Bates; and David Kelley has made some of the best TV shows ever.

However, if the show has Kathy segueing from patent law to criminal law without so much as cracking a Court Rules and Procedures book, it'll be starting out with zero credibility for me.

</Legal Quibbling>

Edited by BigandTallLover, Jan 17, 2011 @ 6:38 PM.

[Scorpiosrule]

Patent attorneys do not know criminal law, have no experience in or knowledge of courtroom procedure, have probably never researched case law, and likely haven't written a pleading/motion since law school.

This isn't strictly true. I'm a litigation paralegal, but last winter, I worked for a firm that was headed for a patent litigation==and it went to trial; the attorneys did have knowledge of courtroom procedure and researched case laws, filed motions and briefs, answers and oppositions to the other side.

Kathy's character may not have experience in criminal law, but, the premise isn't so unbelievable.

[BigandTallLover]

Scorpiosrule: I concede your point, if the Kathy Bates character is presented as a litigation attorney specializing in patent litigation - or even a patent attorney who moved over to litigation. When I hear "patent attorney," though, I think of attorneys who write and prosecute* patent applications, not attorneys who handle patent litigation. Some do both, but most either do just one or just the other.

Large IP firms, at least the ones I've worked for, have both prosecution and litigation sections, with different attorneys working each section. (The smaller firms I've worked for didn't handle patent litigation at all, but farmed it out to firms that did - possibly like the case Scorpiosrule referred to.)

* For laypeople: to "prosecute" a patent application means to engage in the process of getting the patent application allowed by the US Patent & Trademark Office. It does not mean taking the patent to court.

Edited by BigandTallLover, Jan 17, 2011 @ 7:36 PM.

[WileyCoyote]

Heh. That thread title is a real mouthful!

Kathy Bates seems custom made for a quirky show, I'll say that. But they need to be careful--shows with curmudgeonly lead characters always have an uphill climb with American audiences. I mean Dabney Coleman and Charles Grodin had... challenging careers for a REASON.

I will say this, will I love the gender neutral casting ("Harry" was originally written as a guy), and I love Bates, I would also have loved to have seen the alleged original Harry, comedian Lewis Black, and see his take.

[Scorpiosrule]

Scorpiosrule: I concede your point, if the Kathy Bates character is presented as a litigation attorney specializing in patent litigation - or even a patent attorney who moved over to litigation. When I hear "patent attorney," though, I think of attorneys who write and prosecute* patent applications, not attorneys who handle patent litigation. Some do both, but most either do just one or just the other.

Ah, got it, and I totally agree. Actually, the firm I worked for, or rather, temped for (as I hadn't gotten a FT job until this past summer), was an IP firm, and the attorneys I worked for were probably the litigation part and not patent prosecution. But one thing I will say, I left the trial, never wanting to know about the many different kind of wiper blades ever again! :D

Then again, Hollywood isn't known for putting any kind of believability in the law profession, my favorites L&Os included. :)

[BigandTallLover]

Then again, Hollywood isn't known for putting any kind of believability in the law profession, my favorites L&Os included. :)

True dat.

But one thing I will say, I left the trial, never wanting to know about the many different kind of wiper blades ever again! :D

Wiper blades: now there's a sexy legal topic :)

(Did you see the movie "Flash of Genius"? It was about the inventor of the intermittent windshield wiper and his 30-year legal battle against Ford.)

Anyway. I'll probably catch tonight's premiere, if only for The Bates.

Edited by BigandTallLover, Jan 17, 2011 @ 10:58 PM.

[Scorpiosrule]

(Did you see the movie "Flash of Genius"? It was about the inventor of the intermittent windshield wiper and his 30-year legal battle against Ford.)

No, I never did. I'll have to check it out.

Sigh...well it's typical David E. Kelly stuff, with a repeating stuttering DA instead of a repeathimself/stuttering Judge we got in The Practice.

It looks like Bates' Harry was in patent litigation, if I understood it right. The associate who she was against in the Firefox or whatever trial. And based on the Judge's comments, she's a good trial lawyer; just not an experienced criminal one.

I love Kathy Bates, so I'm going to stick around, but the arguments in Malcolm's trial? ridiculous. Didn't even get to see Harry at least conduct direct testimony of her client and sorry, Malcolm really didn't get asked or answer any questions on cross.

Damien's was even more ludicrous. You call that an arraignment? For a moment, I thought the judge was going to tell the guy, whose name I've already forgotten, that he's no Al Pacino and that this wasn't And Justice for All. Jeeze.

[VAHokies]

I enjoyed it. It was completely unrealistic, but it was fun. I think Harriett would would been such a great character in Boston Legal. Hopefully, Brittany Snow gets somewhat of a role in this before it inevitably gets canceled (NBC, 10PM, Monday. Yeah).

[Scorpiosrule]

I didn't totally hate it. I especially loved Harry mimicking the DA, with her her "I believe I did, I believe I did."

And agree, Harriet would have been golden on Boston Legal. Can you imagine her and Crane competing with each other?

[Mikita]

I loved it. I was laughing out loud and I had something in my eye towards the end. I'm glad the kid is getting a second chance. I hope he doesn't screw it up. If only really life could happen that way. Love Kathy Bates.

Was Harry smoking a joint at the beginning or was it a cigarette?

[keeperrox]

I definitely didn't hate it either, and since I don't believe I watch anything else in the time slot, I suppose I will try to catch it again. It's certainly nothing groundbreaking, but I love both Kathy Bates AND Brittany Snow, and they both seem to be playing great characters, so I could totally get into this in the next couple of episodes.

Was Harry smoking a joint at the beginning or was it a cigarette?

I was wondering the same thing.

[boewyr]

According to the script and some interview with Bates I read that I wouldn't be able to find the link to ever again if I tried, it's a joint

[JackTheNarrator]

I'm a patent attorney (litigation), and when I saw the ad for this show I got kind of excited, seeing as how we never see patent attorneys on television. However, there was obviously no research at all done on patent litigation, even on the basic stuff, which was really sloppy and disappointing. The patent law angle appears to be there only as a big joke of something to label "dull" and "boring as a steaming pile of dogshit." (I disagree with that sentiment!)

For example, a class consolidation motion in patent law? (This is what the associate said he argued in the big patent case he was against her on.) Never heard of such a thing in patent law. I don't know how you would even have a class action patent infringement lawsuit, considering that only the owner of the patent can sue. (Or in some cases the exclusive licensee, but I don't need to get into all that.) That was just such a silly line that even five minutes of research could have prevented. Also, her line that she's a lawyer who is used to working with PIs, DAs, and police? Not in patent law. David E. Kelley must've forgotten that patent law is civil law, so you don't work with any of those people. Maybe a PI if you need to find someone, but that's about it.

The courtroom scenes were ridiculous even for a television show, and her fairly easy transition into criminal law was really unrealistic. Patent law and criminal law could not be more opposite. Patent law is so niche, so if she's been doing it for 32 years, she should be pretty enmeshed in civil procedure and rules, and patent law, not criminal law at all. Also, it wasn't super clear to me, but if she was in state court on the criminal matters, that would be a major, major change from practicing in federal court, which is all she would have done for the past 32 years in patent law. Nice that she could apparently show up for a criminal trial within days of meeting Malcolm.

The show was really pretty absurd, but I'm willing to give it a shot, given that I like Kathy Bates.

[BigandTallLover]

I'm on the west coast, so you all saw the show before it airs here. I have to say, based on the comments, I doubt I'll be able to watch, much less enjoy, something with so many unforced errors.

Oh, well.

[basiltherat]

It started out pretty quirky -- Harry's two meet-cute accidents reminded me a lot of "My Name is Earl" but then turned schmaltzy in its earnestness. Still, Bates is a formidible drawing card and McGrann is a suitably hateable opponent. The characters and their interactios are the fun part; the law just a backdrop. It could just as easily be about a shoe store.

[ReverseFleckerl]

Do people still tune into legal tv shows - much less Kelley ones - expecting verisimilitude? That's surprising to me, to be honest.

I quite enjoyed it. It was well paced, and the characters were very nicely drawn. Bates is fantastic, and I enjoyed all of the supporting players. The only thing that gave me pause was the long, righteous monologue jumping around waving it's little arms in the middle shouting, "Look at me! Look at me!" But then, I say to myself, "You know you are watching a David E. Kelley show, nimrod." (I can be unkind to myself at times.)

"My mother died giving birth to my older brother," actually made me laugh out loud. Looking at the line now, it must have been all in the delivery.

Plus, anything that mocks patent attorneys is ace in my book.

Now I hope Denny Crane somehow makes an appearance. Oh please, please.

[supposebly]

I generally hate lawyer shows. I stuck with Boston Legal for a while because I adore James Spader and I'll give this a few episodes because Kathy Bates can do no wrong in my eyes. Still, the preachiness, the easy transition into criminal law was, even for someone who has no clue about law, hard to accept. And, a little too quirky and unrealistic for me at this point.

[boewyr]

Didn't hate it. When I was reading reviews that it was David E. Kelley overdosed on quirk I was worried. It wasn't seasons three-to-five-Ally-McBeal bad. (And Jerry Espenson had to suffer one of the worst cases of Flanderization ever). It was less bi-polar than the script, and I'm glad they dropped the whole high school science teacher with law degree falsely accused of murder thing, though it sure made the thread title inaccurate.

With someone as good as Bates, I originally hoped when they said they were reworking it that it would go for a more straight dramatic tone, hoping for Kelley to go back to the early years of "the practice" about legal maneuvering, but I can live with this. Plus I don't think I could manage to watch three shows as depressing as Mad Men, The Good Wife, and "the practice" in its prime at the same time - assuming the show makes it that far.

Basically, I'm in for the first six episodes. Or at least until Camryn Manheim and Steve Harris rock up. That said the moment I saw that courtroom set I thought the show is doomed. Arrested Development, Close to Home and Raising the Bar all used that set. It's cursed!

Apparently there's less courtroom soap boxing in future episodes.

As to the inaccurate depiction of patent law and legal ability... well, I remember just about every character on Boston Legal apparently being experts in anti-trust, corporations law, m&a, mass torts etc... I'm sure I could count the instances of the latter three appearing on one hand. Informed abilties I guess.

I really need to stop reading tv tropes.

Edited by boewyr, Jan 18, 2011 @ 1:03 AM.

[tpel]

I generally detest legal shows, but . . . PAUL MCCRANE! And he's playing a character reminiscent of "Rocket" Romano, at least in his unabashed jerkiness. I wonder if the repeating is some kind of OCD thing?

Don't suppose this will last long, what with the courtroom scenes being silly even by TV standards, and with it being up against the inexplicably popular Hawaii 5-0. But if I turn the volume way down when the hyper young lawyer is in court, it could be fun while it lasts.

[YumYum]

Up against Hawaii 5-O and Castle...I don't think so....

[Frabble14]

Loved it. It's about an older women, and friends, and I'm an older woman. So that means it'll be cancelled, because America hates older women, especially smart ones.

Yumyum, right. Because who doesn't love young, unshaven, arrogant, smarmy, male bullies? Never seen it. The commercials told me everything I need to know about that, and since I hated the original, I doubt I'd watch any other incarnation without a gun to my head.

Which is why I love this show, and it won't last.

Edited by Frabble14, Jan 18, 2011 @ 4:29 AM.

[stereohype]

I've long given up on accuracy with legal shows, so I thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved the quirky and humorous bits, so am hoping they focus on that more than the preachy "Give this boy a second (third?) chance at life!" stories. I'd much rather see Harry defending oddball clients with funnier storylines than serious emotional ones - I have The Good Wife for that. Otherwise, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this show to survive.

And plus, like everyone else said: KATHY BATES!!!

Good to see Nathan Corddry again, after Studio 60 - loved the "...(pause) we'll keep the crippled part" line the "died giving birth to my older brother" bit.

[GilvearSt]

Also, her line that she's a lawyer who is used to working with PIs, DAs, and police? Not in patent law. David E. Kelley must've forgotten that patent law is civil law, so you don't work with any of those people. Maybe a PI if you need to find someone, but that's about it.

That was just Harry putting on a front to show the guy that she wasn't going to be pushed over by him. She wanted to get the upper hand and its not like he was going to know anything about her history as a patent lawyer or have any idea what it meant. That was just about establishing Harry as someone tough and able to manipulate a situation. I liked it because she used someone else's ignorance to gain the upper hand.

This was okay. Soapbox-y as anything and I was thrilled that the jury found the kid guilty. He's guilty and its not like it's the first time. I don't mind that the judge handed out a compassionate sentence, but the kid needed a reason to make a change and at least he'll be accountable now for his actions.

Kathy Bates has mad skills and was very impressive but the writing needs to get less sappy and more acerbic to be something that really lasts. Something needs to balance out the "everything happens for a reason" attitude before this becomes a sugar overload. But as long as Nate Corrdry is here, I'll be watching. I adore him and he had some of the most interesting and amusing parts. He sold the stuff at the end and his case was more entertaining to me.

And I don't expect accuracy which is the way to go with Kelley stuff. After Ally McBeal there's just no point. As long as the cast doesn't start hallucinating or lip syncing in the bathroom, it's okay.

[YumYum]

Yumyum, right. Because who doesn't love young, unshaven, arrogant, smarmy, male bullies? Never seen it. The commercials told me everything I need to know about that, and since I hated the original, I doubt I'd watch any other incarnation without a gun to my head.

A lot of people love all that swarmy stuff. It's all in the numbers and I just fear the popularity of the Hawaii 5-O and Castle may be too much for Harry to overcome. I hope I'm wrong.

[penguinrn]

I really, really liked it. Of course, I have mad love for Kathy Bates! I guess it's easy for me since all my law experience I learned at the knee of Dick Wolf, so I just enjoyed it for what it was. I hope it makes it.

[TenPea]

Loved it! I don't need reality in my courtroom scenes, that would be bland. Plus you can't have Kathy Bates and Paul McCrane sparring and not go into a whole level above the every-day.

Brittany Snow - she's pretty.


***Edited because you should get it right.

Edited by TenPea, Jan 18, 2011 @ 11:43 AM.