Boston Legal 5x12/5x13 'Made In China/Last Call' (Series Finale) Review

SPOILER WARNING
Sadly,one month has passed since Boston Legal ended.A little late,but i decided to post my comments on the finale,because i watched it for the first time last week.I delayed that,because i wanted to think that the show was not over,but..Anyway,i watched the episodes again today.While my initial opinion has not changed,i have to say that i liked the finale more after the second viewing.I expected a bittersweet finale.It was good,but it was also a letdown.This may sound strange,but in my opinion it's not.While i did not expect all the loose ends from all these years to be resolved (and you could argue that the loose ends of the last few episodes were resolved ),i expected that the episode would follow the general tone of the season,and i am mainly referring to the development of Alan Shore.

The first part was very good and the second had nice moments.Generally,the finale had many highlights,moving moments,funny moments,clever remarks about how ABC handled the show.The idea of the acquisition by the Chinese was good and the reaction was interesting (with some moving moments-Shirley worried about her life's work,Paul defending Denny and Alan).There was also a happy ending for Jerry and Katie and the return of Paul was welcome (although i hoped that more old cast members would appear).Another major part of the finale was the return to the Supreme Court,with nice and moving arguments(although it could be argued that it could be better,but a counter argument would be that because it was the finale and it was not the Court Supreme,the scenes at the SC served their purpose).

Another part was the marriage of Denny and Alan,which is one of the things that i didn't like.I disagree with the choice of the writers,although i have to admit that there's some logic that justifies that choice and some of the previous comments gave some answers on that subject.I can understand all the arguments that support the marriage,but in my opinion,it did not fit with all the character development throughout the season.Denny wanted to marry again before he died,they have a strong friendship,Alan didn't have any luck in his recent relationships,there's also the subject of the decisions if Denny got worse and the financial benefits but i think that it was a wrong choice,as far the writers are concerned.Alan says in the finale,when Denny mentions this idea,that it's "beyond ridiculous,even for us",Denny justifies his proposal and Alan says that they will win and Denny would get the experimental drug.They should have ended the whole thing there.

There was also the fact that Denny got worse in the episode (disorientation,confusion,etc).Boston Legal was always a bittersweet show,with its successful mix of drama and smart humor,and the finale was bittersweet but after some point it became too over-the-top.In the final balcony scene,Denny mentions the thought of Alan being his son and that has some logic.They are best friends,they have a strong emotional bond and it could be said they are also father and son,because Alan learns from Denny and Denny learns from Alan.It's an exchange of experience,an exchange of wisdom,an exchange of love.

In another scene (one of the best moments of the finale),Alan is alone looking at Denny and Shirley,Carl and the judge dancing.There's a symbolism in that scene,which fits better with development of the character.

The Wire and The Shield also ended in 2008 and you could argue that they are different shows from BL,they were in cable,they ended in different conditions.There's one more difference.After i watched the finale of these shows,i felt really satisfied.I can't say that the finale was bad,it was a decent,good finale,but it could be better.There was potential,which,to some level,was wasted.

It was a good final season (with few not so good episodes)and it would be better if it was a full one or if BL was renewed for a sixth season.I will miss one of my favourite shows...It's sad,especially when you think that there wasn't actually a reason that justifies the decision of ABC.At least,i have to watch the eighth season of the Practice (which i haven't watched yet) and of course the seasons of BL.

Farewell,Boston Legal...