Ally McBeal

[VirginiaHamilton]

(Forgive me if there is an existing thread, but I hadn't found one in the search results)

Having not seen this show since it originally aired (while quitting it after Billy died), I am currently watching the first season reruns on REELZ with reawakened eyes, so to speak. Needless to say, some of my views about the show/characters* have changed since this show debuted half my lifetime ago:

1. While I definitely saw myself in Ally McBeal as an awkward 16-year-old, I find that 31-year-old me has little patience with her expression of her neuroses.

2. While I used to feel badly for Billy for being torn between two women who loved him, I now wish that they'd have left his passive aggressive ass alone.

3. Although 16-year-old me found John Cage too odd for my liking, 31-year-old me is finding him to be a sweet soul.

4. Though I used to love Vonda Shepard singing Ally's heart out back then, I now find her oversinging to be hard on my ears.

5. While I enjoyed Renee for simply existing as a non-stereotypical Black female character back then, I find her to be annoyingly affected as I've gotten older.

However, some things remain the same:

1. Richard fetishizing Whipper's neck wattle still creeps me the fÙck out.

2. Georgia is still my favorite character, as well as one of the few straight women (to a canvas full of quirkadoodles) that I've ever liked.

3. Elaine still annoys the ever living shít out of me.

*I reserve the right to change my mind when seasons 2-5 re-air.

[Soapsuds]

I hated this show with a passion....lol

[marceline]

This is one of those shows that I went from loving to hating in the span of one season. I agree with your evolved opinions.

[Ann_SS]

I liked the first season and then tuned out early in the second. It got too stupid for words. Maybe there are people that self-involved, but they are simply not interesting to watch on tv. However, i will never forget the episode in season one where Wilson Cruz played a young transgender prostitute who was murdered. He gave a wonderful performance that I have never forgotten. I cried my eyes out the end when the gang was comforting each other when they found out that he had died and Ally said that she didn't know that you could love someone in two days.

[dm.]

It had its ups and downs, but for the most part it was okay.

(I also find it that I liked it better when I first watched it years ago.)

[Shawn]

I absolutely loved this show until it went off the rails in the final season with her daughter appearing out of nowhere.

One of my favorite episodes was called "Nine One One", and it aired during the first holiday season after the WTC attack. I remember crying when I watched it because it ended with Josh Groban singing "To Where You Are" over clips of John Cage walking in a candlelight parade, and ended with Ally visiting Billy's grave.

Ally helps a minister (Tom Berenger) who was fired from his church for not believing in God. Ever since his wife was brutally murdered, he has been questioning his beliefs and he asks Ally to talk to his son. Ally is surprised to see Malcolm (Josh Groban) again and encourages him to sing at his father's service after he is hired back. Meanwhi

le, John takes a case opposite a mayor who cancelled the Christmas parade of his town due to a disaster in which people died. Very moved, John proves that Christmas is what they need the most in this time of deep grief. Back in the office, Jenny and Elaine confront each other about Elaine's performance with Glenn in the office's Christmas party.

[Toups]

I enjoyed the first couple of seasons too. I always loved DEK's wacky humour. I'm going to have to rewatch the series again but I don't remember too much of the storylines.