‘FAIRLY LEGAL,’ SEASON ONE (2011)

---

Though I watch an alarming, copious number of cop dramas, this legal drama didn’t really sound like my sort of show – surprising given it aired on one of my most favorite networks, but eventually, I did my usual reading up on it plus heard good reviews from a friend, and found it actually did sound promising. Good thing I stuck with it because that reading sure paid off. fairly legal season one

Fairly Legal, Season One (2011) USA TV Show Review

Upholding the law in the courtroom is all in the family. Reed & Reed is a respective name in law which was started by the patriarch, Teddy. Only thing is Kate Reed (Sarah Shahi) is no longer a lawyer. Leaving behind the life of late night research and court dates is an easy change for Kate. Instead she becomes a mediator, and she’s darn good at it. Her brother (Ethan Embry) also leaves the world of hundred-dollar suits when he becomes a family man. And her almost-ex-husband Justin (Michael Trucco) is an assistant DA. Though the pair mutually agrees to divorce proceedings, their relationship is far from over.

When her father passes away, she is heads back to the office but is nervous about the will especially when it comes to the fact that her father had remarried a woman years younger than he, a woman who now owns half of Reed and Reed and all of its assets.

Lauren (Virginia Williams) loved her husband dearly and is by profession a lawyer. Mutual combat is understood between both Lauren and Kate. Now Kate has to share her legacy with a woman who may legally be her step-mother but is barely older than Kate. Then secrets about Teddy’s past come to light, and things get more than a little complicated.

Those of you who have read this blog for any length of time know that I go crazy over this (USA) network’s shows. This is another one I adore. It’s probably the best new show from them since Burn Notice. Every little detail in this conceptual show sparkles – its quirks make it unforgettable and its concept makes it fresh. The scripts, acting and their respective characters are some of the best I’ve yet to come across. Fairly Legal has that special “something” that makes it stand apart from and above the competition.

RELATED TV SHOW REVIEW | ‘My Life is Murder’: Make Sure You See this Fun New Acorn Mystery

‘FAIRLY LEGAL,’ SEASON ONE (2011) #TVarchives Share on X

Between Kate and Lauren there are fireworks that are – clearly – not the good kind. But there’s a hilarious relationship between Kate and her assistant, Leo. Interestingly despite Kate trying to make Lauren out to be the wicked witch, Lauren is actually a very relatable, human character. Kate herself is insanely delightful! As a leading lady, I find her quick to like; a lover of all things Oz and a woman who’s constantly running late. Everything about this girl’s quirky personality is hard not to smile at. She has such a big heart for people – to see that their issues are resolved to everyone’s satisfaction that we sometimes loose sight of just how flawed she is how careless she can be in her personal relationships. This then brings us to her relationship with Justin. fairly legal season one

It takes me several episodes to realize the pair isn’t divorced which makes their on-going relationship easier to accept, and I do love these two together! Justin is oh-so-patient with Kate though he is far from faultless. Their witty banter is adorable and each time they’re together, it’s a happy scene. This one has an uncanny ability to engage us not just in the lives of the characters but the revolving mysteries. The scripts then drop those mysteries altogether before then bringing it back again and surprising us with a kind of reaction that makes us realize that we’d forgotten about it but obviously still care. That is great writing.

If I could only say one thing about this show it’d be that is was fun. Every detail works together to create an environment that backdrops great stories and the actors do a superb job at making their characters seem human. The filming could be better in their flash-back depictions but it is modern and stylish, keeping up with trends without making the cuts awkward or disrupting the frames. Favorites included the pilot as well as the finale. It’s one of the more emotional ones I’ve seen in a long time in an unconventional way without being the kind of cliff-hanger that makes us unable to stand the wait. No doubt about it, Fairly Legal season one is the surprise of the year.

Content: Kate and Justin fall into bed half a dozen times. She walks around in his shirt, and a post-morning shot. There are one or two other sensual scenes between them. Once to resolve a dispute, Kate has him walk outside naked [we see a full shot of him and another man without seeing anything]. Various sexual innuendoes are a part of the scripts as is profanity here and there. One man is hit by a truck [blood pools around his head]. Characters lie and affairs are uncovered as well as social drinking. The show is TV14.