Parents' Guide to

The Practice

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Drama with a passion for justice; teens and up.

TV FX , Syndicated Drama 1997
The Practice Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

GreenRaven
GreenRaven Adult
November 24, 2020
age 15+

The underdogs win... and that may not be a good thing.

Spoiler Alert! Parents should now that the drama of show comes from setting up near impossible cases, and having the heroes passionately argue their way to victory. That's not necessarily a good thing. In the first season, a man executes his daughters killer, admits to his crime, and is found not guilty by a sympathetic jury. Far worse, an 18 year old has sex with a 13 year old (nothing is shown), and, despite being charged with statuary rape, is acquitted by the judge after he and his victim declare themselves to be "in love". The episode ends with the rapist, the 13 year old, and the lawyer, gathered in a hospital to celebrate the birth of the couple's child.
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What's the Story?

THE PRACTICE is an award-winning series that mixes drama, quick wit, and dry humor in order to tell a story about the professional lives of the attorneys at the Boston law firm of Donnell, Young, Dole, and Frutt. Led by Bobby Donnell (Dylan McDermott) -- whose able partners are Eugene Young (Steve Harris), Lindsay Dole (Kelli Williams), and Ellenor Frutt (Camryn Manheim) -- the firm passionately represents litigants in high-profile criminal and civil cases. Among those who add to the drama are supporting characters like loyal attorney Jimmy Berluti (Michael Badalucco) and Assistant District Attorney Helen Gamble (Lara Flynn Boyle). The cases they take on are rarely mundane, and many present complex issues with strong political and moral implications -- not surprising, considering that the show was created by David E. Kelley, who has a reputation for churning out quirky, complicated dramedies like Ally McBeal and Picket Fences. Over the course of the series' run, many of the original characters left, to be replaced by new partners and colleagues, including recent law school graduate Jamie Stringer (Jessica Capshaw) and -- during the final season -- morally challenged lawyer Alan Shore (James Spader).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The firm's cases often introduce strong and sometimes-disturbing subject matter -- including sexual harassment, race-related crime, and capital murder. But by dealing with these issues, the show poses some very serious questions about how we view our society and our legal system. The Practice looks at how the modern justice system copes with society's changing -- and complicated -- legal, moral, and ethical issues. Yes, viewers get a glimpse of the lawyers' personal lives, but in the end the series is really about the practice of law and the professional (and not-so-professional...) relationships that emerge as a result of working together within the legal profession.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the realities of the legal profession. What do lawyers have to know in order to represent their clients in the best possible way? Is justice always served in the courtroom? Why does it take such a long time for a case to be tried? Why is the law so complex? How do loopholes and other technicalities affect the legal system? Families can also discuss professional behavior in the workplace. What kind of relationships are appropriate with co-workers?

TV Details

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