Making Spirits Bright is the tenth episode of Season Two and the thirty-third of Ally McBeal.
Synopsis[]
As Christmas approaches, Fish's biggest client is fired from his job after he sees a unicorn while Renee and Matt's relationship heats up.
Plot[]
As the Christmas season draws near, Cage notices Nelle focusing on a document, standing beneath some mistletoe in the office complex. He slowly advances on her, resembling an animal stalking its prey. However, Nelle senses his presence and turns in his direction. Cage neverthles confirms that he indeed intend to kiss her. Billy suddnly interrupts their conversation. He announces that Sheldon Maxwell, who is Fish's biggest client, was fired from his job as a bond trader. Later, the attorneys meet with Maxwell, who explains that he lost his job after he told fellow colleagues he saw a unicorn inside his office. The news hits Ally hard as Maxwell insists he did see the creature, however, also insists that his job performance has been exemplary.
Matt, Renee's old flame, finds Renee inside the courthouse. He tells her that there are many reasons for him to walk away and there's only one that won't let him. When Ally returns to the apartment, she walks into Renee's bedroom, and inadvertently interrupts Renee and Matt as they are make love.
Ling, in an uncharacteristic good mood, enters the office and distributes Christmas gifts. But her charm and warmth disappear when the recipients express puzzlement regarding her pleasant holiday cheer. Later, Elaine tells Ling that no one believes she is capable of any goodwill.
Judge Whipper Cone is the presiding judge foe the Sheldon Maxwell case. Fish is pleased with this turn of events, as he believes Whipper may have seen a few unicorns of her own. Billy argues that Sheldon's unicorn sighting has not affected his performance on the job. However opposing counsel Henry Nixon counters that investors will file a massive lawsuit against the brokerage house should a delusional employee cost them their fortunes.
Next, Matt again encounters Renee inside the courthouse. He ushers her inside a witness room, where their passion once again escalates.
Sheldon Maxwell takes the witness stand. He describes his first encounter with the unicorn inside his office. He asked his colleagues if they, as well could see the mythological creature, however, none of them could. During cross-examination, Henry Nixon wonders if someone who sees unicorns is mentally capable of performing their job. Billy next remembers that when he and Ally were seven-years-old, Ally told him she saw a unicorn. Ally nevertheless dismisses the encounter as a figment of her youthful imagination.
Inside the bar, Matt tells Renee that he is leaving his wife and also tells her that his wife is four months pregnant Renee then immediately walks away. A short time later, Renee tells Ally about the new development and both women fear Renee could end up getting hurt if she continues the relationship.
Sheldon' boss, Jackson Poile, takes the witness stand. Billy asks him if seeing unicorns is a sign of dementia. Poile states that this might be considered a symptom. Billy confirms that Poile is Catholic, then asks if he believes that, one day, there will be a second coming of Jesus Christ. Billy wonders what would have happened if Sheldon had seen Christ instead of the mythological horse. Poile insists there is a difference between the two figures. Billy then informs Judge Whipper Cone that seeing an apparition - no matter what it might be - is not grounds for termination. Later, Sheldon somehow senses that Ally has seen a unicorn. He tells her that people who have seen the creature share some of its traits, such as loneliness and virtuous hearts. Ally in fact recalls how she petted the animal. Sheldon tells her that only those pure of spirit can approach the unicorn.
Billy presents his closing statement. He tells Judge Cone that his client probably hallucinated, which was perhaps triggered by loneliness and depression, a common emotion around the holidays. But since the unicorn is a symbol of hope, Billy wonders who amongst them should dictate where Sheldon can look for that hope. Whipper agrees with the argument and Sheldon wins back his job. When Ally returns to the apartment, she tells Renee that "common sense is killing us." She also informs Renee that it is difficult for others to penetrate the walls around her. If Matt has advanced beyond those walls, then perhaps they should be together.
The attorneys gather inside the office for the Christmas party. A short time later, Matt shows up at Ally's apartment to pick up Renee. Matt suggests they stay inside the apartment instead of going out together in public. Renee thinks about this a moment and she then tells Matt she understands 'his not wanting to destroy his wife'. Howeverer, she is also determined not to allow him to destroy her and then escorts him to the door and he leaves alone.
When the Christmas party finishes, Cage spies Nelle standing beneath the mistletoe once more. He advances, but she again senses his presence and turns towards him. This time, she pulls him close and gives Cage a passionate kiss. As Ally walks through the empty office complex, towards the elevator, she sees a unicorn. She pets the creature and wishes it a Merry Christmas.
Trivia[]
A.D.A. Helen Gamble from David E. Kelley's other legal series, The Practice, appeared as a woman who trades insults with Ally.
Goofs[]
Elaine sings "Run, Rudolph, Run", with no microphone visible initially. After a brief scene between Ally and Billy, the camera cuts back to her, wearing a headset microphone.
Script[]
Full transcript can be found here.
Songs[]
- Silver Bells | Vonda Shepard (cover, composed by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.)
- At the beginning.
- Silent Night | Vonda Shepard (cover, composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, lyrics by Joseph Mohr.)
- John walks slowly hoping to surprise ell.
- Baby Don't You Break My Heart Slow | Vonda Shepard
- Renée drinking with Matt.
- Dreaming of a White Christmas | Vonda Shepard (cover.)
- Played as Ling enters the office.
- I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas | Peter MacNicol (cover, written by John Rox.)
- John singing the song with Elaine coaching.
- Tell Him | Vonda Shepard (cover, written and composed by Bert Berns.)
- Renée later Ally dancing to this around their Christmas Tree.
- Jingle Bells | Vonda Shepard (cover, written by James Lord Pierpont.)
- At the office.
- Run Run Rudolph | Jane Krakowski (cover, written by Chuck Berry.)
- During the office Christmas Party.
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas | Vonda Shepard (cover, written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane.)
- At the end.
Cast[]
Starring
- Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal
- Courtney Thorne-Smith as Georgia Thomas
- Greg Germann as Richard Fish
- Lisa Nicole Carson as Renée Raddick
- Jane Krakowski as Elaine Vassal
- Vonda Shephard as Herself
- Portia de Rossi as Nelle Porter[1]
- Lucy Liu as Ling Woo[1]
- with Peter MacNicol as John Cage
- and Gil Bellows as Billy Thomas
Special Appearances By
- Richard T. Jones as Matt Griffin
- Mark Linn-Baker as Sheldon Maxwell
- Dyan Cannon as Whipper Cone
Guest starring
- Lee Wilkof as District Attorney Nixon
- John de Lancie as Jackson Poile
- Amy Castle as 'Young Ally McBeal
- Renée Elise Goldsberry as Go-Go Dancer #1 (formerly Ikette #1)
- Melanie Taylor as Go-Go Dancer #2
- Terron Brooks as Go-Go Dancer #3
- Travis Payne as Go-Go Dancer #4
- Amy Castle as Young Ally
Uncredited
- Lara Flynn Boyle as A.D.A. Helen Gamble
Producers[]
- David E. Kelley - Executive Producer
- Jeffrey Kramer - Co-Executive Producer
- Jonathan Pontell - Co-Executive Producer
- Roseann M. Bonora-Keris- Associate Producer
- Kim Hamberg - Associate Producer
- Mike Listo - Producer
- Steve Robin - Producer
- Pamela J. Wisne - Producer
- Peter Burrell - Coordinating Producer
Music[]
Gallery[]
