Boston Legal season 4 is a weird, beautiful, and deeply political fever dream. If you’re looking for a realistic legal procedural where lawyers follow the rules and everyone wears sensible shoes, look elsewhere. Honestly, by the time the fourth season rolled around in 2007, David E. Kelley had basically stopped caring about "the law" in any traditional sense. Instead, he gave us a masterclass in satire, friendship, and the kind of monologues that make you want to stand up and cheer—or throw your remote at the screen, depending on your politics.
What makes this particular season stand out? It’s the year of the "The Court Supreme." It’s the year of Carl Sack. It’s the year Denny Crane tried to join the Coast Guard.
The New Blood: Enter John Larroquette
Season 4 brought a major shift in the firm’s DNA. While we lost some familiar faces, we gained the legendary John Larroquette as Carl Sack. He was brought in from the New York office to be the "enforcer," the guy who actually cared about things like billable hours and professional decorum.
Good luck with that, Carl.
Seeing Larroquette—an Emmy powerhouse from The Practice—clash with the chaotic energy of Denny Crane was pure gold. He wasn’t just a foil; he was a bridge to the more serious roots of the show, even if he did eventually end up in a romantic entanglement with Shirley Schmidt. The season also introduced Katie Lloyd (Tara Summers), a fresh-out-of-law-school associate who brought a much-needed grounded perspective to the office lunacy.
Then there was Lorraine Weller, played by Saffron Burrows. Her chemistry with Alan Shore was... intense. Elevator sex, word salad, and a complicated past? It was classic Boston Legal drama. But despite the new faces, the show never lost sight of its core: the platonic love story between two men who couldn't be more different.
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The Cases That Made No Sense (But We Loved Them Anyway)
The legal cases in Boston Legal season 4 were, frankly, nuts. We’re talking about a ten-year-old bullfighter in a custody battle and the island of Nantucket trying to sue for the atomic bomb.
Seriously.
But David E. Kelley used these absurd premises to tackle heavy-hitting 2007-2008 issues. You had Alan Shore taking on the school system over abstinence-only sex education. You had the firm being sued by an environmental group for not being "green" enough. These weren't just plot points; they were platforms for the show’s fiercely liberal viewpoint.
The Supreme Court Showdown
If you only watch one episode of this season, make it "The Court Supreme." This is the peak of James Spader’s performance as Alan Shore. He and Denny travel to Washington D.C. to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a convicted rapist who has been sentenced to death.
The episode is pure Emmy bait. And it worked.
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The monologue Alan delivers isn’t just a legal argument; it’s a ten-minute tirade against the politicization of the court system. It’s manipulative, heavy-handed, and absolutely brilliant. Watching Spader lean into that camera, breaking the fourth wall without actually breaking it, reminds you why he won three Emmys for this role.
Denny Crane: Mad Cow and Patriotism
William Shatner’s Denny Crane in season 4 is a fascinating contradiction. On one hand, he’s still the "id" of the show—farting in the Supreme Court, firing people for being "too fat," and shouting his own name at every opportunity.
But there’s a real sadness creeping in.
The "Mad Cow" (Denny's name for his early-onset Alzheimer's) becomes more prominent this season. We see his fear of losing his mind, his desperation to remain relevant, and his bizarre attempts to serve his country. The subplot where Alan and Denny try to join the National Guard—and eventually the Auxiliary Coast Guard—is hilarious, but it’s also deeply touching. They just want to feel like they matter.
The balcony scenes reached a new level of intimacy here. The scotch, the cigars, the Boston skyline. It’s where the mask drops. In season 4, Alan confesses things to Denny he’s never told anyone else. They acknowledge that they are each other’s "significant others." It’s one of the most honest portrayals of male friendship ever put on television.
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Why the Critics Were Split
Look, not everyone loved season 4. Some critics at the time, like the folks over at PopMatters, felt the show was veering too far into "liberal opinionizing." They weren't wrong. The show stopped trying to represent both sides and leaned hard into its own bias.
Others felt the show became too "cartoonish." Christian Clemenson’s Jerry Espenson is a great character, but his tics and "pursing" were sometimes pushed to the limit.
But for the fans? That was the point. Boston Legal was a circus. It was supposed to be loud, colorful, and a little bit offensive. It was a reaction to the Bush-era politics of the time, and it didn't care about being subtle.
Essential Season 4 Episodes to Revisit
If you're planning a rewatch, these are the "don't skip" moments:
- Beauty and the Beast: The season opener that sets the tone and introduces Carl Sack.
- The Court Supreme: For the aforementioned legal pyrotechnics.
- Glow in the Dark: A classic Alan/Denny conflict involving a nuclear power plant.
- The Mighty Rogues: Shirley’s father suffers from Alzheimer’s, and the emotional stakes are incredibly high.
- Patriot Acts: The seceding-from-the-union plot that only this show could pull off.
Actionable Insights for Fans and New Viewers
If you’re diving back into the world of Crane, Poole & Schmidt, here is how to actually get the most out of the experience:
- Watch for the Fourth Wall: Notice how often the characters reference the fact that they are on a TV show. They mention the "new season," the "credits," and the "musical numbers." It’s meta-commentary at its best.
- Focus on the Eyes: James Spader does more with a blink or a slight tilt of the head than most actors do with a whole script. Pay attention to his reactions when Denny says something truly insane.
- Look for the Social Commentary: Even though the show is nearly 20 years old, the themes of corporate greed, environmental neglect, and political polarization feel incredibly relevant today.
- Stream it Right: You can currently find the series on platforms like Hulu or Disney+ (depending on your region). It's aged surprisingly well in high definition.
The fourth season of Boston Legal isn't just about the law. It's about what happens when two people find a soulmate in the middle of a chaotic world. It’s about fighting for what you believe in, even if your methods are ridiculous. And mostly, it’s about making sure you always have time for a drink on the balcony at the end of the day.