John Bernardy
We were ending with the wedding and Season 5 was arced out as their married life. All that was thrown to the side when Robert had to take his leave. It was disappointing not to get to do that ending. He’d been so good; he left a huge void, and there was a concern that we’d never rise to the same level again. But these things happen, and there was a lot of rewriting that always went on with Ally anyway.
– David E. Kelley
Ally McBeal was appointment TV for me when it was first airing on Fox from 1997 to 2001. I was so in tune with it for a while that each episode’s mood would carry into my mood for days. I didn’t get caught up in the think tank about whether the show was good for feminism or not. I didn’t get caught up in Calista Flockhart’s weight or skirt length. What got into me was how the magical realism made all the characters feel so real.
Ally showed how people were feeling in cartoon-adjacent ways. Ally literally melts when she sees someone she’s interested in. She worries about her biological clock and dances with the Internet’s Dancing Baby. Everyone broke into song constantly. It was a show that never just told you something. And there was nothing like it at the time. It was slapstick comedy with a political bent and complicated emotional stakes, and it treated your heart with respect the whole time. It was pure magic.
Never mind that the initial “love story” between Ally and her first love Billy (Gil Bellows)—who’s now married—had a whole bunch of fans rooting for a guy to cheat on his wife.
The show won’t age well everywhere, but that’s time for you. Back then Boys Will Be Boys was sadly accepted. The interesting part of those early episodes is that Ally’s feelings were complicated and so were everyone else’s. I’m glad they made Billy’s wife Georgia (Courtney Thorne-Smith) a good person, for one thing. Every character lived and breathed in ways both positive and negative, and they all felt more alive than any other shows airing near them.
Ally’s Season 4 is right up there with The X-Files Season 2 as one of the most satisfying seasons of television I’ve seen. It’s all down to Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal and Robert Downey Jr. as Larry Paul. His character is so indelible to me that I’m not even going to look up his character name to make sure I got it right. He and Ally were so great together. He was good for her and she was able to crack through his complicated heart, too. Nobody was going to be better than Larry for Ally. The quote at the top of this article from an interview with The Hollywood Reporter shows how creator/writer David E. Kelley thought the same thing. Ally and Larry were going to get married at the end of the season, and Season 5 was going to be their married life.
Except Downey had addiction issues at the time. Downey was fresh out of a year-long prison sentence and ready to slip back into bad behavior at any moment. He served his time but he hadn’t yet done the work on himself to get over his more-famous-than-him addiction issues. Kelley was taking a gamble on him. I remember hearing the show even had some insurance policy in case Downey relapsed. And that’s what happened right before they were going to film the season finale. Downey got arrested while in possession of cocaine and Kelley had to completely rewrite the finale, though he kept its original title: “The Wedding.”
I understand there’s more to Downey’s issues, and that addiction is a real human issue. Honestly, I’m probably happier than most for Downey’s successful tenure as Tony Stark because I was paying attention when he couldn’t overcome the addiction and wouldn’t get out of his own way. I wanted so badly for him to get over his issues.
But in terms of the story in progress on Ally McBeal, the show happened to be part of the collateral damage on Robert Downey Jr.’s eventual road to recovery. Larry left Ally at the altar and she was back to being single. And that probably should’ve been all there was based on the scrambling the show went through in the wake of Downey’s absence.
In a blatant attempt to fill the void of Larry-less scenes, new lawyers were hired onto the firm Ally worked for, most notably Jenny and Glenn.
Glenn Foy was played by James Marsden, who was X-Men’s Cyclops at the time so I already liked him. I didn’t know Jenny Shaw’s actress Julianne Nicholson from anywhere else, so no bias there, but I liked her alright, too. I didn’t mind their romance, or that Jenny was someone Ally took under her wing. I didn’t even entirely mind Ally almost being the other woman in Jenny and Glenn’s romance.
The reason why I hated Jenny and Glen (and even their lawyer friend Raymond, played by Josh Hopkins) was because they were suddenly the main characters. Ally and the other characters we’d gotten to know over four years were practically sidelined from their own show. It felt like a backdoor pilot for at least five episodes in a row. Instead of hiring new people, why not invest in working out new story directions for Ally and the others? I know Kelley had his plans, but a stalling technique to possibly leave room for Larry returning didn’t have to involve stalling Ally’s story entirely and installing new focus characters.
We had John Cage (Peter MacNicol) trying to win over Ally one more time, but this time not in a believable way. This did not service the amazing work Peter MacNicol had given us up to that point. This was a stopgap. I understand Downey’s arrest was unplanned, and that Kelley had a season all planned out, but the flailing lost half of what I loved about the show in no time flat.
The show almost recovered admirably by the end, especially since there was a flash of Larry in the back third of episodes and I’m pretty sure it was new post-arrest footage of Downey. We were teased more Larry. This is a good thing! (I learned later he was actually supposed to come back to the show in Season 5 after he completed his sentence, except there was Downey’s 2001 arrest and Kelley officially fired him.)
Again, I respect what Downey was going through as a person. But Kelley intentionally spun the show’s wheels for eight episodes while he waited to start the Season 5 he’d intended. And then he couldn’t do it.
These days, the show would’ve just taken a year off, and there would only be 13 or so episodes per season anyway. But not in 2001. Back then, the show must go on, and the story suffered for it. And so did the show’s legacy. It ended on a whimper. From a story standpoint, the show would’ve been better off being cancelled.
I understand the show was already renewed at that point. I understand each show has a crew that creates it and therefore a paycheck is expected for all involved. From a business standpoint, I understand how and why the show must go on, but from a story point of view, the story was hijacked.
David E. Kelley—who I consider a gold standard of writing for television well before he penned the Big Little Lies adaptation—created more story hurdles than he cleared with his quickest thinking. It would’ve been better for our fondness of the show if it had gone out on top of its game. Instead, we had Let’s Wait This Out for half a season and then a perfectly great turn of Jon Bon Jovi playing quintessential rebound guy Victor Morrison. Bon Jovi did really well on the show but everyone could tell Ally was just spinning her wheels with him. More wasted time.
Right after that, we got a bizarre contrivance of Ally having a 10-year-old daughter—thanks to an egg donation mix-up earlier in her life. I could see this landing in the middle of Ally’s married season after Larry trying to convince Ally she should have kids (or vice versa). It would’ve worked great thematically under those circumstances, But here, after the half season of the Jenny and Glenn Show, it landed with a great big “Oh great, now what?”
The way we actually got the storyline, Ally is being introduced to the role of single mother. There was still proper character growth to be had, and we got plenty of it. And Maddie Harrington, played by Hayden Panettiere, was an amazing character who really grew on me. So it wasn’t a bad storyline by any means, but it now felt Too Little Too Late.
The show ended with Ally McBeal leaving Boston for New York for the greater good, which was what was best for Maddie. That’s a good parenting choice for sure, I’m not faulting that. What I find disappointing about the ending was that I had to look up a recap to figure that out. Reading about it revealed that I didn’t remember a minute of the finale. I couldn’t even remember if Gil Bellows came back for a scene in the finale. The momentum was all gone by then.
I’m still holding a torch for the first four seasons of Ally McBeal. The show never rose to that same level again, just like Kelley worried about. And it really was disappointing to not have his originally-intended ending.
I just discovered this website, and this article is right on time for me. I spent the past year watching Ally McBeal on Hulu for the very first time. It was a show I was certainly aware of during its original run on TV, and would occasionally come across and watch for a bit in the late 90s. Always seemed like a fun enough show, but I just never got around to fully embracing it (and probably didn’t want to begin mid series either).
Anyway–great article. I expected this article to be a bash-fest based on the headline, so I like that you seem to have a genuine appreciation (and disappointment) for the series.
Having just finished watching the series finale five days ago (and not having a single thing spoiled for me–including casting hirings and firings), I echo your overall sentiments. The show, when it was firing on all cylinders, had a silly, charming magic and whimsy to it. It was over the top and quite exaggerated, but it also managed to be one of the more touching shows that featured characters I really connected with.
With that said–I was shocked at how poor season five was. Dumfounded, really. I know David E. Kelley programs have a bit of a reputation for taking extreme nosedives out of nowhere, but I was actually impressed at the end of every single season beforehand, as season 1-4 was not only still watchable, but had some really great moments, episodes and characters. In fact, everytime I thought it was going to take a nosedive (Billy’s death, John Cage’s remote controlled room in the bathroom, Anne Heche’s barking, re-introducing–and then swiftly removing–Ally’s voiceover in season four), it found a way to course correct and stay afloat.
So I wasn’t prepared for what season five ultimately became. I appreciate you giving context as to WHY season five was such a mess.
I will say this, however. David E. Kelly wrote 90% of this entire series, which is pretty incredible. And although I appreciate that he may have had a vision for what he wanted season five to be…don’t you think blaming a lot of season five’s woes on Downey’s problems sort of gives Kelley (and his writers room) a bit of an easy pass or easy excuse for why season five was so disappointing?
In other words, casting changes happen all the time in the entertainment business. From what I read, he never envisioned “Ally McBeal” lasting past five or six seasons anyway. So yeah, I understand that Downey was gone, but man, this show kept throwing new character after new character onto the screen, it almost felt to me that it was trying to overcompensate for a loss much bigger than Ally McBeal’s potential husband.
And perhaps it was–because you didn’t mention that Ally’s best friend Renee was gone. Ling disappeared after a few episodes. And Taye Diggs’ character didn’t return from the prior season either. That’s a lot of characters, and really, between the loss of Downey and Lisa Nicole Carson, the show lost two of the people that were most close to Ally.
In the end, I agree with you that it was a major mistake making so many of the new characters be the focus of the final season early on. Not only those three new characters that you mentioned in your article, but the introduction of Claire Otoms, Ally’s randomly generated child, and Jon Bon Jovi (who always seemed to be eavesdropping on Ally’s conversations in her own house) just were bad choices across the board, in my opinion.
They even replaced Ally’s “girl talk” sessions with Renee (a character that even Ally herself never mentions the entire final season–until the series finale–which is beyond bizarre) with those one on one therapy sessions with a lawyer turned therapist. Then they abandoned that halfway through the season, too.
The final season just felt like it was at odds with itself. It’s interesting that you felt the show was buying time, hoping Downey would return. I felt the final season was desperately trying new things, hoping something would catch a spark and really take off. And it just never did. Meanwhile, if you’re someone like Regina Hall or Portia De Rossi, you gotta be thinking, “why am I even here anymore.” It’s like their characters were on timeout the entire season.
Even the very, very end of the series kept bringing in new characters and actors, such as Christina Ricci and a young Bobby Cannivale. I actually really liked Ricci’s character, and thought she gave the show a much needed shot in the arm in the last few episodes.
I also still don’t understand why the character of John Cage was absent for so many episodes (maybe half of the entire season). He’s one of the best characters on the show. I know it probably has to do with off-screen issues/politics, but it was disappointing nonetheless.
But oddly enough, I actually really, really enjoyed the series finale. It brought back a lot of familiar faces, it felt really focused on the characters we cared the most about (and sidelined almost all of the newer ones we didn’t), and really wrapped things up in a melancholy yet slightly hopeful note. It kind of gave me everything I hoped it would.
Overall, great article. And on the whole, a really great, touching show with characters that I’ll miss watching.
And yet, I still cannot believe how poorly written and conceived season five was. I think, even with the Downey arrest and his inability to return to the show, Kelley (and his team) could’ve done a much, much better job than what they provided. Very rarely do shows stay consistently good their entire run, but I’m honestly baffled at how much season five went off the rails. In my opinion, giving Ally a child mid-season (without any foreshadowing that it would even possibly happen) is sadly the worst offense of that final season.
Glad you appreciated my angle at this…I appreciate when other folks really felt this show too. It was appointment viewing for practically its whole run for me.
I was implying here that Kelley should’ve made different choices, but went more with what actually happened when I knew the answers. I wish Kelley would’ve decided to invest in other stories and characters, because of what ended up happening. I think he highly miscalculated when to strong arm the situation this time.
Only other thing I can think of is that Peter MacNicol wanted to leave the show and was adjusted to special guest star in Season 5 to those ends. Honestly, I forget when Renee was written out but I thought it was between Seasons 3 and 4…and I hear you about characters being introduced only to become wallpaper. James LeGros’ Marc feels like the posterchild of that stuff; couldn’t even make it out of Season 3 before he seemed to have no place. I think I was immune to that kind of thing well before Season 5 happened so I didn’t notice it as much.
Love your comment. Sorry for the long post, I’m sorry I didn’t find this site sooner!
I think as John wrote in the article, season 5 was flailing as both Lucy and Peter quit as regulars and possibly only agreed to return as guests. Lucy’s movie career was taking off, not sure if Peter just wanted a break. Vonda was absent for the first few episodes too, so we didn’t have her voice on sings for the first time either. Not sure if Mark/Taye quit or weren’t asked back.
Anyway, I think it all led to the first part of season 5 feeling very much like a different show that was directionless, punctuated with the never ending lawsuit against the telephone companies. Repurposing the odd lawyer as Ally’s therapist could have worked with better writing.
In fairness I must say S5 did have a couple of standout episodes for me: “Nine One One”, the Christmas episode about the town suing to have it’s parade back following a deadly fire and Ally with the minister who’s lost his faith, with amazing singing at the end from Josh Groban. A heartfelt tribute following September 11th which proved the writing could still be great when effort was made to take things seriously.
Ally worked much better for me as a drama with funny moments, S5 for the most part felt like a sitcom with Claire Otoms as the punch to its cred.
The other standout episode was “All Of Me” with Helen/Helena. It was both funny and sad.
Other moments that were still worth watching for me:
– Ling as a Judge Judy knock-off, reading fashion magazines under the bench and generally being awful to claimants
– Elaine tries out for A Chorus Line and gets that showstopper song and dance number at the end. Lovely job from Jane and Portia. Nelle supporting her after years of animosity
– Christina Ricci as a hotshot 22 year old lawyer. Great chemistry with the cast, especially Peter
– Ally being made partner and getting tough even though it made no sense plotwise
– James Marsden singing. Nelle singing with a Miss Piggy voice at the bar courtesy of Claire. The last Barry White dance and goodbyes at the end with (almost) the old gang together outside the bar with “Neighbourhood” playing
I read Lucy Liu wanted to return for the finale but it was felt Ling’s presence would have compromised Richard’s happy ending. I think with good writing it would have been terrific, Ling having a heartfelt moment with both Richard and Ally and a comedic square-off with Liza, who was quite similar to her really.
The character of Coretta was badly underused, she should have been given more screentine instead of adding so many new characters. Raymond actually became more compelling when he started acting like a human, he was intolerable in the first few episodes with his fratboy routine. The Matthew Perry cameo was a waste of a huge amount of money for his fee, with him phoning it in.
I felt if they had to make Ally a mother, it would have worked better if Maddie was an orphan from one of her cases and she petitions to foster her. The finale could have been a 2-parter custody case where Georgia, Renee, Ling and maybe even Whipper or Mark reappear to testify for Ally. We could have logically got some flashbacks to her most memorable moments and a happy ending. They could have ended with with her being happy alone or even get Larry back to hint at a possible reconciliation if they wanted a “fairtale” ending.
I recall at the time they were cancelled fairly close to the end and only had several episodes to wrap it up, hence the ridiculous Richard/Liza wedding complete with fainting minister and Maddie becoming sick out of nowhere. I would love to know what David would have done with the last few episodes if the axe hadn’t fallen.
The original article and reply somewhat sums up the entire Ally McBeal experience. I realize that characters come and go in a series like this, but to only end up with Ally, Richard, and Elaine as regulars was a definite way to get cancelled. While David Kelley has no control over Downey’s addictions, Georgia’s leaving, or Rene’s real life breakdown, they should have been written out of the show properly, or at least in the case of the latter two, mentioned as moving on. Georgia and Rene were essential to many of the episodes’ story line, yet nothing about their departures when they left. Georgia more than balanced the show with her intelligence and mature attitude, more than making up for the snide and caustic attitudes of later characters Nell and Ling. And what about Judge “Whipper” Cone (Dyan Cannon), who also brought a breath of fresh air to the show? By Season 5, the show was down to showing only one judge. I’ve recently rewatched the series during this pandemic and while it’s nice to watch something whimsical, I am reminded that as the other comments said, Kelley should have folded while he was ahead, and not done such a silly season as 5. For David Kelley fans, Kelley’s writing excels in “Boston Legal” and character development and pertinent story lines far exceed that of his “Ally McBeal” days.
Wow,
The 5th Season was horrible but so was the 4th season too. I have always liked Robert Downey Jr….but the show was a shell of itself. Characters just disappear and Ally becomes annoying!
In the days before TiVo I did not catch certain shows as often as I do today (cuz I can watch them when I want). So during this Covid house arrest, I caught up on a lot that I have missed over the years.
The First Season was good. Although, I never realized how horribly politically incorrect this show was. Personally, I am not into cancel culture and can take/see a joke for what it is. Not easily being offended.
But again, Wow! Cheating on a Spouse. Homophobia, Calling people retarded or a tiny midget. Making fun of mental illness. Complete sexual harassment and on on and on.
Funny, how Ally McBeal is revered as “classic” TV. Today, though? They would be Twittered out of existence after 10 episodes!
Yet, I digress. 5th Season? Ally is literally 10 years older than James Marsden. Forgetting that she started to show age in the 5th. But at 32 she is all of sudden in love with a 22 year old? Where is Vonda? Where is Mark? Where is Renee? Where is Georgia form 2,3 Seasons ago? This is tiring! When Billy died it should have ended!
Late to the party! I loved this show as a kid in the 90s and still remember it well. While I agree about characters disappearing at random I’m guessing they made no mention of where Renee was as they wanted to leave the door open for Lisa for those first few episodes before it’s clear she’s elsewhere as Ally buys her own house. Georgia’s disappearance was fine for me as she’d moved to another law firm and was moving on.
I completely agree about Glenn and Jenny having too much screen time but I do remember Glenn was meant to be around 28 and Ally 31 in season 5. Calista was a few years older than her character. I don’t think some of her styling in the later seasons did any favours
I loved the show for the first four seasons. It was great…Mostly. What this article COMPLETELY left out was Renee. Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t the only one with problems, and the absence of Renee was just as big a gap as Robert Downey being gone. Renee was ally’s anchor and vis/versa.
Plus, I HATE the way you have main characters fall out with NO EXPLANATION—They connect you to Georgia and Renee, let them start a firm and then bam, no more Renee or Georgia. They take the effort to make Mark a character and then let him slip away with no exit storyline.
Mark could have had a great storyline if they would have had half a brain. Cindy should have had a sex change and Mark should have paid for it and then married her. She was a very likable character. What was the point of having Mark fall in true love with someone that could not be satisfied. So they killed Mark. Lame.
And then the BOMB that killed the show for me. Why oh why did we add Claire Otoms. WHY? This actor’s persona is so contrived and unbelievable, plus no one liked her/it at the firm. she was just annoying. And no one ever suggested this was a man in drag? They played this out till the end which I can’t believe. Thank God she was not out there to say goodbye to Ally because Ally did not like her. In the second to last episode Ally got mad at her for just being (she turned Helen in Helena by just talking). She is ugly to begin with, and for some reason they thought a viewer would want to see this thing with acid reflux? OMG why would they do that?! It was repulsive.
Then they made us hate Ally for being this poor thing with no luck at love and she finds Jon Bon Jovi and they make her into this whiney, can never be satisfied with a good thing person, petulant brat who finds fault in things that people don’t find fault in. Rebel without a cause—LAME. Victor was a good person she shit all over and by the end of the episode where she broke up with him, I HATED ALLY. The episode before she has the AMAZING Victor at dinner and what does she do? Fucks it all up and heads to hang out with Chandler Bing. THEN she goes back to him and tells him it’s him, and they make love. THEN SHE DUMPS HIM! WHAT?!
The show became contrived, the court cases less and more contrived. And then they brought Renee back for the final episode with NO PERSONALITY. She KNOCKED on Ally’s door! Renee would have had a key. How can you remove a characters BEST FRIEND with NO EXPLANATION and expect that not to be noticed. NOT ONE WORD OF RENEE’S ABSENCE, yet she would frequently ponder Larry’s absence. MADE NO SENSE.
The show ended on a whimper which really sucked. I wish they would have cancelled it after 4 seasons.
Great comment! I’m guessing Lisa wasn’t able to handle much when she filmed her scenes for the finale, that’s why Calista is doing most of the work in them, she only had a couple of lines but at least got to sing! I didn’t like how they dumbed down her character in season 3 when she set up her own law firm and talked in a baby voice in court, wearing really revealing outfits and generally being a rubbish lawyer. She was so different from the smart and nuanced character Lisa played in season 1, 2 and 4.
I remember she was also absent for the episodes where Billy dies and the one right after with absolutely no explanation either, that was more conspicuous for me as she was in most of the episodes leading up to it.
I actually thought Mark was not particularly well written, the only decent storylines he got were with Cindy and Elaine.
Mentioning Elaine, how amazing was Jane in this? A total gem til the end, making her character funny and endearing. I remember she had a big makeover in season 4 with a more flattering hairdo and wardrobe, I barely recognised her at first.
I absolutely agreed with everything you said. I’m 32 and remember watching the show in real time and decided to watch again on Hulu because I love all my 90s shows. I am so disappointed in season 5. Larry and Ally were a great match. The season was garbage, all over the place and forgettable. I did not like the season finale that now Ally’s daughter is having even more adjustment problems but we don’t see them develop, they’re just all of a sudden told to us.
I really loved the first four seasons and Ally & Larry combo. There were some wonderful performances from fantastic actors. I miss it.
I’m glad someone voiced out everything I felt about the show. I just recently binge watched seasons 1 to 4 and was so heartbroken when the character of Downey left Ally. It was at least a consolation that they were meant to end up together..I did not bother watching Season 5 anymore.
Same
So agree with everything said. I understand there was a problem having Downey leave but they should have done SOMETHING with the remaining characters. Lisa was sick, but it was like everyone was gone but Fish, Elaine, and the even messier Ally. Claire absolutely drove it under the ground. Character was just annoying, not funny. I’m rewatching it too, but I hated that character the first time through so will skip season 5. My favorite coupe was Mark and Cindy. I was sorry to see that go as they were the only ones I felt had real chemistry. The Barry White dance and King’s Wicked Witch of the West theme always broke me up.
It’s weird that people take tv shows seriously, be too submerged in characters, be sensitive and too prone to be critical for the later seasons. Same goes for movie sequels. People get so attached to everything to the level of attaching sanctity to the first movie that they are coded to hate the sequel, even though the sequel is as good/bad as the first and even better.
Ally McBeal is a light mediocre tv show to spend some good light time and its final season is not worse than the others. New characters are an asset and did not really change that Ally was the main antagonist. And Larry was no different and more interesting than any of Ally’s former boyfriends. Actually, he was worse, a dull, weird character with empty, long-winded lines and relationship baggage who has a kid and kid’s mother who was still around his neck. Greg and Brian were better, stable guys and had more character development.
Greg was a great character with a lousy episode. Ally spent an episode making him jealous (with a guy from Ling’s escort agency!) then when he does show interest she completely loses interest and he’s never seen again!
I’m really being picky but I also hate the line they gave Ally in the pre-credit scene of the last episode when Maddie asks Ally what happened with him and she said it didn’t work out because of him singing a song with with Renee! No, you cheated on him!
I was close to the middle of Season 5 as I wrote my first comment 2 days ago. Now, I’m on the second half and now I like it even more. I hope it keeps this thrill till the end. The more I move on with Season 5, the more I think it’s really only the nostalgia with the previous episodes and characters that people dislike this season. New different interesting storylines like Ally’s daughter popping up, her becoming boss and firing people and the drama following it are all good. I have also liked to see the Blaze of Glory on screen. It’s been a great surprise (even though I had already read he would emerge somewhere in the season). I didn’t know he did tv/movies. Perhaps he took over the role apparently Larry would have played as the father/husband and I’m happy to see him instead of Downey Jr, because I like the former and not know much about the latter. I also like it in a funny way that he suddenly appeared to work in the house and become as involved as a father/husband. Not realistic, but funny, he’s like an friendly imaginary figure like Santa Claus appearing to offer sound office. Not realistic, but cute (what is really realistic in the show anyway?).Then again, I don’t really understand why people don’t like this season. What were they expecting? Keep the tired office love triangle between Ally, Billy and Georgia forever? Please.
Hi looking for some help. There was a reoccurring character on the show for a few seasons who was a lawyer with longer slick black hair who wore black rim glasses who was a love interest of Jane’s character. I can’t find info on this character or actor anywhere. I’m wondering if you know who I’m talking about. I think this actor also had a role on soap like Port Charles or General Hospital too. Many thanks!
Do you mean Michael Easton, who played the lifeclass model? He’s been in General hospital too.
Elaine (Jane) only had 2 boyfriends on the show that I can recall, Mark and George.
Well I tend to echo what has already been said. I also ALWAYS made it a point to watch Ally. I think this is the 4th time I’ve sat down to binge the show, but only the 2nd that I’m going to make it all the way through it. I never seem to remember why until I sit down to try to watch it through again.
I hated how the characters came and went. Like someone else, the first half of season 5 was the Jenny and Glen show. I didn’t care for either of their characters. So trying to get thru season 5, for me, has been about impossible.
Can not stand Otoms. And the acid reflux well that’s just charming isn’t it????
By the time she dumps Jon Bon Jovi, you really do find yourself disliking Ally!!! And how sad is that? I agree there was nothing the writers could do about losing Robert Downey, Jr., they could have given some of these characters a story line of how they left and why.
So far I’m just doing a bunch of sighing in season 5, and going “Oh, yeah, that’s right…” I’m absolutely determined to make it through the series finale this time. But Otoms just got hired and it is on my nerves. What an empty character. I wonder what made them dream that up? Pretty desperate attempt to get some humor in, so it seems.
I miss Renee. I miss Georgia. I didn’t think I was going to recover from the loss of Billy, until I saw “Larry Paul” and remembered how much I liked this character. Such a shame. I absolutely loved John Cage.
Anyway, I had to chime in for my two cents because I just loved this show. Let’s see if I really do make it to the end.
Great article. For some reason I remember catching occasional episodes in the beginning and laughing out loud so many times.
So I too decided to binge from the beginning on Hulu, wondering the entire time during season 5 where my main people disappeared to. Now I’m clued in. Thank you. But still sad, what started so well ended so badly. Love David Kelley so much, everything he does sparks me. I get waiting for Robert Downey. That’s the saddest part.
I was a founding Ally McBeal enthusiast. My husband (at the time) used to turn the intro music up loud so I could run into the living room to watch it. My besties and friends at work wouod talk about each episode for the whole week after. I loved it. Honestly tho, while watching it now on Hulu, I don’t think I ever watched Season 5. I can see why. RDJr wasn’t there. The end. It was never the same. I guess, altho I have no memory of this at all…I must have said, “Forget it.” And I didn’t miss a thing frankly. 🤷🏻♀️
My reply will be considerably shorter than previous comments as I agree with all that’s been said
What I find very satisfying and gratifying is that more than twenty years after the official ending we’re still watching and discussing Ally McBeal
I’m watching the complete series as I ever watched series 5
But the first three have given me as much joy and pleasure as they did first time round
The only other programme that has had the same affect on me was BBC production of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
When I look deeper into the subject matter they’re not dissimilar
Hope David Kelley won’t mind the comparison
This is exactly how I felt (and still feel, rewatching on Disney Plus). The only difference is you watched season 5 while I merely read each episode’s synopsis after the episodes aired. I cannot bear the show without Larry Paul even if I loved it before him. It’s true what Ally said in the series that she knew when she met him that “he was either going to make me or break me.” He didn’t make the show, but he did break it, kind of. 🙁
Man, I was in love with Larry Paul 🙁
This article is absolutely fantastic! I couldn’t agree more, like a wholehearted 110%! Right now, I’m deep into a binging Ally McBeal on Hulu, and just started season 5. (Back in the day, my coworkers and I were all over that show when it aired on Fox.) Downey brought such an amazing touch, and honestly, that could’ve been the perfect ending for Ally McBeal. It’s beyond me why some shows end up with such subpar finales. And seriously, introducing new characters when the show’s wrapping up? Talk about sloppy. With all the regulars, they had a solid foundation for crafting better material for the fifth season. Honestly, I’m having bad flashbacks. The whole thing was a letdown.
Funny . I just posted a reply. Pretty much the same as you. I just binge watched Ally McBeal also on Hulu (with no commercials) . I watched a show every night before going to bed to put me in a better mood after watching all the bad news happening lately . Bad weather ,bad politics,bad people.Next up is Yellowstone.
tell me why you like Twin Peaks? why watch it?
I also totally agree mostly with every disappointing feeling with Season 5. Because of this actor strike going on and nothing to watch new. I decided to watch Ally all over again. I watched it when it first aired and really enjoyed the characters. Never missed an episode. So when I started watching season 5 ,I was wondering why I didn’t recognize the new characters or any of the episodes. Evidently I fell out of wanting to watch the rest of the season because it wasn’t being fun to watch anymore.But I kept on watching because I wondered how it ended.Since I didn’t see it the first time.
Now after realizing why I didn’t keep watching it and reading the comments on season 5. I see that it wasn’t just me.
I did like the ending though as sad as it was. Her giving her little heart felt goodbyes. Even the little good bye earlier with Bellows. And kinda left you use your imagination how everybody went on after she left.And if you’re like me and my imagination. It all worked out for everybody in my mind.I just made up my own ending with optimistic ending and everyone’s life worked out good.
Ally’s worked out.I mean Harrison Ford.Come on!