Network: FOX
Episodes: 112 (hour)
Seasons: Five
TV show dates: September 8, 1997 — May 20, 2002
Series status: Cancelled/ended
Performers include: Calista Flockhart, Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski, Peter MacNicol, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Vonda Shepard, Portia de Rossi, Albert Hall, Lisa Nicole Carson, Renee Goldsberry, Vatrena King, Sy Smith, Lucy Liu, and Gil Bellows.
TV show description:
Boston trial attorney Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) is a very smart and confident litigator who is quite neurotic in her personal life — particularly when it comes to her inability to maintain a relationship.
Fresh out of Harvard, Ally is offered a job at the new firm of her longtime friend Richard Fish (Greg Germann). Unfortunately, her old boyfriend Billy Alan Thomas (Gil Bellows), for whom she still has feelings, and his new wife Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith) also work there.
Other quirky characters include Ally’s busybody assistant Elaine Vassall (Jane Krakowski); Ally’s sensible roommate, deputy District Attorney Renee Raddick (Lisa Nicole Carson); strange but brilliant lawyer John “The Biscuit” Cage (Peter MacNicol); politically-incorrect attorney Ling Woo (Lucy Liu); and handsome and dynamic lawyer Larry Paul (Robert Downey, Jr.).
From the mind of David E. Kelley, this series deftly mixes drama and quirky comedy, features strange court cases, and tackles a number of topical subjects.
Episode 112 — Bygones
Richard reveals that he and Liza are engaged and they plan to marry soon. Shortly thereafter, Ally resigns from the firm and announces her plan to move to New York for Maddie’s well-being. All are stunned.
Richard moves up the wedding so that he can be sure Ally will be able to attend. John can’t bring himself to talk to Ally directly while Ally won’t talk about the move to anyone, claiming that there’s simply no time.
Ally reflects about her time with the crazy firm and with Billy. Richard and Liza are married by a minister who has a fainting disorder and are surprisingly very serious about their vows.
Renee returns as does Georgia who asks what Ally will miss most. Ally’s still in denial and says the offices are just metal and plaster. Later, John gives Ally a necklace that’s made out of materials from the World Trade Center. Neither can really express their feelings. They rejoin the wedding reception in time to see Elaine, Renee, and Vonda sing “My First, My Last, My Everything” for the bride and groom.
As a final treat, singer Barry White appears (courtesy of Nelle) and, as he performs, the workmates and friends dance for the last time all together.
Later, as Ally reflects outside, she sees a vision of Billy. She tells him that she needs to say goodbye to him as well as the firm. He assures her that everything will turn out okay and they say a final farewell.
The rest of the group then comes outside to say goodbye to Ally before she must catch her flight. She tells them how much she loves each one and, as she looks back one last time, Billy is standing with the group. She cries but knows that her future is bright.
First aired: May 20, 2002.
There hasn’t been any news of plans to revive the show.
I WANT IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I miss it.
Always loved that show. Would LOVE to see again.
Always loved that show. Would be nice to see again.