Saving Santa is the seventh episode of Season Three and the and the fifty-third episode of Ally McBeal.
Synopsis[]
Cage and Georgia face off over fired Santa while Ally intercedes to get Billy & Georgia to talk.
Plot[]
Georgia is in a department store trying on jeans. She thinks the jeans are too baggy, but the sales lady explains that they are supposed to be baggy because that's the style these days. She argues that's how all the young people like them. "Probably so the boys can conceal their weapons and the girls can hide being pregnant," the sales lady adds. Georgia tries to interrupt and just wants to find a pair of jeans but the saleslady continues. "You're newly single, aren't you? I noticed the mark where your ring used to be. Newly single women want tight jeans. If you're going to get a man, you've got to sell your ass a little. Am I right?"
Before Georgia can reply, she hears a huge ruckus arising in another part of the store. The department store's Santa is screaming at another man about how he's given them seventeen years and he's not going to take this kind of treatment. The elves next are all trying to hold the Santa back but they aren't successful. Santa knocks the man down and then tries to strangle him. Georgia quickly jumps in to get Santa off the man, but the elves just start attacking her. She kickboxes all of them off and away from her. Santa tells the man that he won't get away with this. "Ever heard of John Cage?" Steven, the Santa asks the man, "He's probably the best lawyer in this town." Georgia's eyes open wide when she hears John's name being mentioned. "I am the spirit of Christmas, you son of a bitch. I will make you pay," Steven adds.
Paramedics arrive to take the injured away and a police officer asks if anyone is pressing charges. The Santa says that he simply fired Santa Claus and that it is an internal dispute. Georgia tells him that she worked with John Cage until about a week ago. He wonders if he's really as good as Steven says and Georgia says she's afraid he is. "But I know how to beat him," she adds.
Next, Billy goes to Georgia's new office. He wants to know if she took this case to beat Cage, Fish & Associates or just to beat him. She reminds him that it's Newman's department store and she wasn't about to turn that down. "This is about work," Georgia adds, "There is nothing going on between you and me. Anything else?"
Steven visits Cage, Fish & Associates. He states he was fired from his job as Santa Claus because he's too fat. Apparently, Newman's has decided to pick a thin Santa Claus. Later, as Ally and John walk through the office discussing the case, Elaine approaches and asks them if they've heard who Newman's has hired as an attorney and it's Georgia. Ally then sees a young girl on the stairs. She is shocked to see that the girl is actually herself at a younger age. "Ally," Ling sats, standing right where the young Ally had been moments before and Ally snaps out of it. Billy opens the door to her office, surprising Ally. "What do you want?" she snaps. "Shouldn't you be out bleaching your head or kissing some client?" Ally adds.
In court, Georgia says that the store had no contract with Steven to play Santa Claus. John rebuts they had an oral contract. He adds that you can't terminate someone for obesity, especially when being stout is a function of the job for playing Santa Claus. Georgia argues the new Newman's Santa is slim, so as to fit in more with health-conscious demographics. "Fat and jolly belongs at Wal-Mart," she adds. "At Newman's, sitting on Santa's lap should be its own reward." She then presents Kristopher and Kristen Kringle to the court. The man and woman are both very slim and attractive. "Naughty or nice, judge," she remarks, "Come to Newman's and find out."
The judge however says the only issue to be decided is whether there was an oral contract and whether it was breached. He decides to conduct a hearing. "I'll hear from fat Santa after lunch," quips the judge, "I mean, Mr. Mallory." As they pack up, Ally stops to talk to Georgia and asks her how she's doing. Georgia retorts asking back wants to know who's asking. After hearing it's Elaine she leaves. Ally quickly says she's also asking with Georgia replying she's fine. Ally turns to find young Ally who gets up and walks away, turning back once to look at Ally as if very disappointed in her.
Back at the office, John learns that the owner of Newman's never specifically promised Steven that he could continue being Santa. Steven counters it was just a given. John continues, saying that if it's a forever thing or for more than a year, the promise has to be written. Later, John explains to Ally that Steven has a tear duct problem in one eye. John asks Steven if the owner ever gave him any instructions to push certain toys or anything like that. Steven answers he will have to think about it.
In the unisex, Ally informs John that they don't have anything to go with on this case. Billy suddenly exits a stall. He reminds them that Newman's throws the big Christmas parade and that firing Santa Claus right before Christmas isn't very sympathetic. Billy and Ally get into a small argument over his recent character. They continue arguing until Ally walks away and pulls open the door. Nelle, Ling, Richard, John and Elaine almost fall into the unisex.
In court, Georgia questions Mr. Mallory whether he could have left his job at Newman's if another job had come along. John stands and tells the judge he would like to instruct his client to answer "no" to that question. He argues Georgia is trying to establish that if Steven didn't feel a binding obligation to work at Newman's. Furthermore they shouldn't feel a binding obligation towards him. The judge informs John that he's had enough of him with John arguing back. Georgia states that John was pulling another of his stunts with John arguing his height should not be ridiculed. She asks Mr. Mallory if he has been offered any other jobs since his termination. He answers yes but adds that Newman's Santa Claus is THE Santa Claus.
Back at the office, everyone tries to figure out what direction they should go next. Ling wonders if they should try ageism. Ally however argue it won't work. Richard asks if Mallory is gay – he says you can't fire homosexuals these days. "Or maybe he's part Indian," Richard continues, "Indians are in." John says Steven is a white, Anglo, heterosexual and the law doesn't care about him. Nelle says she remembers going to see Santa Claus at Newman's when she was young. She says she hated Christmas because her parents weren't together, so she'd go to Newman's and just sitting on Santa's lap made Christmas real. She agrees to testify.
Ally heads to the unisex and is about to wash her hands when she hears two children laughing. A little boy says that he'll probably be a fireman. A little girl says they don't make much money but the boy says he doesn't care because they get to help people. Ally walks over and opens the door. Out come young Ally and young Billy, holding hands. They run towards the door and fade away just as Billy comes in. He asks Ally what's wrong. She tells him that she's been having visions of herself at age ten. Ally adds weirdly that she thought she meant Santa Claus, but suddenly she realizes that's not who she means. A long discussion occurs. Finally, Billy says maybe they both need saving.
Nelle takes the stand and recounts her story of how the Newman's Santa made her feel at Christmas. Next on the stand is James Russell, the C.E.O. of Newman's. As John approaches the witness, his arm flies out and almost hits John. Mr. Russell explains that he has a nervous tick and that in extreme circumstances both arms do it. John asks him why they terminated Mr. Mallory. Mr. Russell explains that for years, agencies have been telling them that the 18-49 year-olds are the shoppers who spend money. Newman's therefore has been making all sorts of changes to appease to those demographics. John continues to question Mr. Russell but he gets more and more nervous. Russell tries to control his arms from flailing out towards John. Just as the judge asks Mr. Russell if he's okay, he takes a drink of water but it ends up all over the judge.
John gives his closing in a courtroom full of children. He mentions about giving up on tradition. John adds that we might as well go after Rudolph and Frosty now because Newman's doesn't care if children believe in Santa anyway. Many of the children start to cry in response and Mr. Russell continues to flap his arms. Georgia attempts to object, however, John counters forcefully. The judge orders the children to be removed from the courtroom. "Mr. Russell, stop the flapping," he adds. Outside the courtroom, Mr. Mallory wonders if John should have gone that far. Georgia comes out and yells at John, telling him that what he did was despicable.
At the bar, Billy dances with Elaine, Nelle, Ling and Sandy. Ally watches, then gets up and starts to dance with the group. Billy next turns and sees her. "Did you come here to dance or to save me?" he asks. She says she just came to have some fun. "It's not too late," she tells him, hoping he will take her seriously but he does not. Giving up for now, she turns to leave the dance floor, only to find the young Billy and young Ally dancing together.
In court the next day, Georgia gives her closing. She says that the plaintiffs did not introduce any evidence of a binding contract. She adds that it isn't Newman's responsibility to preserve the myth of Santa. Georgia turns to talking about sugarplums and family holidays and Christmas stockings. The judge however, tells her she's getting off track. Ally suddenly stands and asks if they can talk a break. She starts arguing with Georgia over Robin Jones and Georgia kissing her dad.
Later, Billy asks if Georgia wants to try and work it out. Ally attempts to answer then notices Georgia is standing in the doorway. Georgia asks if Billy was trying to hurt her when he kissed Robin. "Maybe," he answers. He asks if kissing Ally's father was about him. Georgia answers, "Maybe." Billy holds up her wedding ring and says he wants her to put it back on.
The judge rules that there is no enforceable contract and the plaintiff's motion for a restraining order is denied. He also orders the petitioner to pay the defendant's court fees. "I object to that, your Grinch," John argues. The judge says he can object all he wants but this case was a waste of his time. John is fined as a result for that unprofessional argument. Mr. Russell comes up to John and Steven. He says that it was very important that they win this case so that he would appreciate this is a gesture and not a function of a court order, but they would like to welcome him back as their Santa Claus. Mr. Russell says they may not have persuaded the judge but they did turn him. Steven cries out of one eye.
Renee asks Georgia if she wants to join their client and the others at the bar. But Georgia answers she's tired. Left alone in her new office, Georgia sits and stares out at the snow. On a lonely sidewalk, Billy and his younger self walk together for a moment, then the young Billy fades away.
Trivia[]
At the start in some US and international broadcast, it shows Vonda advertising New Songs from Ally Mcbeal. singing some songs and office workers walking around the piano see's on.
Script[]
You can find a transcript here and here.
Songs[]
- Neighborhood | Vonda Shepard
- Young Ally and young Billy play in a park.
- Cheat & Lie to Me | Vonda Shepard (cover) and Ron Taylor
- Happy Being Fat | Ron Taylor
- Love Has No Pride | Vonda Shepard (cover, written by Libby Titus and Eric Kaz, first released by Bonnie Raitt,)
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 Shepard as Herself
- Portia de Rossi as Nelle Porter
- Lucy Liu as Ling Woo
- with Peter MacNicol as John Cage
- and Gil Bellows as Billy Thomas
Recurring Cast
- Albert Hall as Judge Seymore Walsh
- Nicholas Pappone as Young Billy
- Amy Castle as Young Ally
Renée Elise Goldsberry as Ikette #1
- Vatrena King as Ikette #2
- Cynthia Calhoun as Backup Singer #3
- Gina Philips as Sandy Hingle
Guest Starring
- Jim O'Heir as Steve Mallory
- Lenny Wolpe as James Russell
- John Short as Larry
- Vicki Lawrence as Dana
- Ron Taylor as Singer at the bar
- Valeri Ross as Security Officer
- Paulo Andrés as Paramedic #1
- Christopher Michael as Police Officer
- Tonya Reneé Banks as Elf #1
- Joe Gieb as Elf #2
- Arturo Gil as Elf #3
- Jon Simanton as Elf #4
- Cindy Sorensen as Elf #5
- Kevin Thompson as Elf #6
Uncredited
- Sophie Talalay as Crying Child
Producers[]
- David E. Kelley - Executive Producer
- Jonathan Pontell - Co-Executive Producer
- Mike Listo - Producer
- Steve Robin - Producer
- Pamela J. Wisne - Producer
- Kim Hamberg - Co-Producer
- Roseann M. Bonora-Keris - Supervising Associate Producer
- Peter Burrell - Coordinating Producer
- Nat Bernstein - Consulting producer
- Mitchel Katlin - Consulting Producer
- Shea Farrell - - Associate Producer