The Attitude

Ally takes a case where she needs to try and change a Rabbi's mind about a religious topic. She goes to talk to him in his temple, and is quite rude. The Rabbi does not take too kindly to this, and this is not good for Ally's client. Ally goes back to apologise, but ends up being rude again. In the end the Rabbi actually finds it funny, and finally decides that it is great. He later explains that most people don't speak their mind when talking to him since he's become a Rabbi - that it was refreshing to finally hear what someone really thinks. It got me thinking whether I don't speak my mind round certain people, and it's probably true. There are things left unsaid at times because of politeness. Is this good? or is honesty in all occasions best?

The Promise

In this episode Ally gives mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to an overweight lawyer, and saves his life. She then meets his fiancée - they are getting married next week. She says they are in love, but then the guy tells Ally that there is no romance for him. He is settling for what he thought was all he could get. He asks Ally if she would consider him. Ally thinks that no-one should settle, and so the wedding gets called off. However, before the end of the episode Ally changes her mind, at least for him, and they end up getting married. People should definitely not 'settle' when getting married. I think that is a bad start. I know that people tend to put themselves in certain categories and say they can't get that certain someone because they are in a different category - and that might be right - to an extent. But there is nothing that says that we can't change ourselves into the type of person that our special someone would want. What are your thoughts? Can we make those changes? Always?

One Hundred Tears Away

Ally gets called before the Bar so they can review whether she should be allowed to practice law, basically because they think she is crazy. She is crazy, but at what point does crazy become too much? Billy says that we should all be more like Ally. Why do I like Ally McBeal? Why do others? Is it not because we like the crazy?

The Affair

In this episode Ally speaks at a funeral. She doesn't exactly tell the truth about the deceased, but she says what she knows will be best for the wife and children of the deceased to hear. Is this acceptable? Is this a 'white' lie. Do we need to be completely honest about the dead at their funeral? No-one is perfect, so why not just talk about their good points?

The Kiss

You know, it's funny, I think it must be quite a different outlook on Ally McBeal, watching as a married person, instead of a single one. A lot of the story is to do with Ally and her dating and love ideals. The funny games that people play. Should I call, should I not call. Shall we kiss, or not. What does he mean by that? What is he thinking? Do I really like him? It can all get quite confusing. I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore.

Compromising Positions

"Sometimes the truth is not worth revealing if it will only cause hurt."

Is this true? Even if it is, how can you really know if the truth will only cause hurt? Communication issues seem to pop up all over the place, don't they. So, how much do you choose to share, and how much do you keep to yourself?

Ally McBeal - the pilot episode

Did you know that it was more than 10 years ago that this episode first aired, September 1997. It was interesting viewing having watched some of Series 5 recently. The acting of all the main characters has got a lot better, as has the general filming, and editing. Also, the characteristic Ally's thoughts being visualised are a lot less frequent and very explained. Her voice over is quite annoying - does it even happen in the later series? It must, somehow it's less intrusive though.

Ally says at the end, "The more lost you are the more you have to look forward to." Do you agree? Is there more to look forward to, when you're not sure what lies ahead? Surprises can be fun, but they're not always.