The practice was an award winning show back in the 90's and this episode is was of the reasons why. The focus of this episode in on the topic of "responsibility' in both story lines. This first being a case Jimmy and Lindsey defending a case for a couple against a gun manufacture for advertising semi-automatic guns that was used in the murder of their daughter. The second is one is where Eugene's son is accused of planning to distribute drugs found in his locker.
In the 45 min of the show we are giving two strong compelling storylines that confront the viewer with tough modern day arguments about influences and the choices we make in a free commerce trade society where money and greed is often the accelerant for the choices and decision we make.
It the main courtroom case, the couple who lost their daughter in a shooting where an automatic weapon was used. They are suing the gun manufacture for advertising and influencing the accessibility of these type of weapons to criminals for profit. They want the gun manufacture essentially to take responsibility for their action in not only the death of their daugther, but also how sales and marketing of a military assault rifles get in the hands of unlicensed individuals & criminals. And not to spoil the story, the couple is even presented with several deals with increased amounts to settle, but they stand their ground because they want the manufacture to change the way they do business and take responsibility for their actions. And that is the emotional impact of this storyline.
In the sub-storyline, Eugene's son is arrested for having drugs in his locker which is eventually admits to and planning to sell and it is revealed that being around the office where his father defends criminals, drug dealers was an influence to his son. The sons explains to his friend, what he could do to get away with selling without severe legal repercussions and make quick money. And Eugene and his estranged wife have difficult conversations around the influence and the son's actions.
In both storylines the main characters are African American and they are portrayed intelligently without the focus on race, which I find refreshing to see, especially for the time where that was not alway prominent on TV. And one of the reason the shows was ahead of its time. But at the same time, especially in 2020-2021 there is an underlying view of how Americans see race, epecially in the Eugene son story line, that still will influence the watch of this episode. {Please also watch Season 2 - ep 5: Fifth Degree - also very powerful)
The acting is first rate and compelling by the entire cast as always. And the writing in this episode is extraordinary. In combination with the cinematography choices, and well placed music, the combination of all is a compelling watch and conversation starter long after the credits began to roll. 9/10 stars all around.
This is my first review on this site. And I don't consider myself to be professional or even an amateur critic. I found "The Practice" was available during quarantine and started to rewatch, which was one of my favorite TV shows during my young adulthood. This episode was a stand out for me and still is. This episode predates Columbine and other school shootings, the shooting at the mall in Omaha NE, Sandy Hook, the Batman premier movie theater massacre, Las Vegas shooting and many more, which I found adds to the power of watching this episode.
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