Pilot is the premiere of Season One of Ally McBeal.
Synopsis
Young lawyer Ally McBeal experiences emotional turmoil when she takes a job at a firm where her childhood sweetheart and first love also works.
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
- and Gil Bellows as Billy Thomas
Guest starring
- Larry Brandenburg as Judge Raynsford Hopkins
- Richard Riehle as Jack Billings
Plot
In flashbacks, young lawyer Ally McBeal recalls how she initially went to law school to follow her childhood sweetheart, Billy Thomas, to Harvard. They break up, but Ally continues on and becomes a lawyer with a prominent firm. She leaves quickly when a partner, Jack Billings, repeatedly fondles her. Ally gets a new job at a firm headed by money-loving Richard Fish. Fish gives Ally a can't-lose censorship case to break in, then introduces her to her hyper-efficient secretary, Elaine, and another young associate... Billy Thomas. Fish recommends that Billy handle Ally's sexual-harassment case against Billings.
The next morning, Ally acts as if nothing has changed, but her roommate, Renee, knows what Ally won't admit: that working with Billy will be difficult. At the office, Fish tells Ally about an upcoming meeting with prospective client Air National. Later, Billy tells Ally that he is now married. Ally hides her disappointment, but on her way to her censorship hearing, snaps inappropriately at a stranger who bumps her on the street. To Ally's disbelief, the judge rules in favor of the censorship, although he does invite her to appeal his decision.
When Ally confesses her loss to Fish, Billy defends her. She snaps at him. Later, Billy asks for an explanation. Ally tells him it is difficult being around him again. Billy's beautiful wife, Georgia, arrives. Ally greets her warmly, but seethes inside. That night, Georgia visits Ally, saying Billy told her he and Ally once "had a few dates." Georgia and Ally confess their mutual hatred... and feel better. The next morning, Billy and Ally depose Billings, who claims obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) forces him to grab women's buttocks. Ally lashes out at him. Billy chastises her... and she chastises him for telling Georgia they had "a couple of dates." Billy admits he was very much in love with Ally. Later, Ally tells Fish she doesn't want to meet with the National people because conference rooms make her feel small and juvenile. But Fish won't take no for an answer.
The next morning, Fish meets with Billings, saying anyone creative enough to come up with the OCD defense deserves a job offer. Ally threatens to quit. Billings admits he made up the OCD claim and promises never to touch Ally again. Fish reveals the offer was a fake-and that he has recorded the whole conversation as evidence for Ally's case. Georgia waits in Ally's office, angry that Ally told Billy about Georgia coming to see her. Fish tells them to work out their differences. Later, during the National meeting, Ally is distracted by memories and feelings of inadequacy. But she comes up with a strategy for National that convinces them to hire the firm. Fish, Billy and Ally drink a toast to the success. Afterward, Ally admits to Billy that she still loves him. He admits he loves her too... but also loves Georgia. Later, Ally tells Fish the week has been extremely trying for her ...but then reminds herself that she wouldn't want to be too happy.
Music
- maryland | VONDA SHEPARD
- searchin' my soul | VONDA SHEPARD
- neighborhood | VONDA SHEPARD
- wildest times of the world | VONDA SHEPARD
- tell him | THE EXCITERS
- drown in my own tears (cover) | VONDA SHEPARD
- baby don't you break my heart slow | VONDA SHEPARD
- like a hemisphere | VONDA SHEPARD
Photos
