FAIRLY LEGAL
JANUARY 20, 2011-JUNE 15, 2012
"Miss Independent" as sung by Kelly Clarkson from her 2003 smash release Thankful is unmistakeably accurate when watching Fairly Legal. Sarah Shahi has done her time building to the moment when she becomes the main character that combines humor with legal deadline mediation drama.
Shahi carved her career through one episode guest spots on some of the hottest shows Spin City, Boston Public, Alias, Frasier, Dawson's Creek, ER, Supernatural, The Sopranos and Reba. Proving herself one episode at a time has given her a great route to strong main characters. Joining the cast of The L Word for its second season continuing until the final season playing Carmen de la Pica Morales a gay woman with a strong ethnic family that has bonded deep throughout the years. She next chose a half hour sitcom Teachers in which she played a strong character who is able to incorporate humor as a teacher that needs to find the balance between the principle, teachers and students. After six episodes NBC cancelled the show but within a year she would again land on NBC's doorstep playing a compelling character on Life opposite Damien Lewis who played Charlie Crews. Life was a psychological thriller who's running theme was "Who really killed Charlie Crews wife?" The dead pan humor was intelligently written allowing Shahi and Lewis to play off each other while the two characters investigated many crimes.
All this hard work is paying off as USA Network has engaged this fantastic writing with Shahi to up the game of the show. Shahi's experience incorporating subtle humor layered over serious drama has formed the road leading to her role as Kate Reed. Dealing with the death of her father while throwing spitfire at her very young step mother Lauren Reed (Virginia Williams) who is trying to keep the family's legal firm Reed & Reed afloat. Her marriage to Justin Patrick (Michael Trucco) has fell apart but the two are unable to let go of each others loving affection buried deep inside. Her mediator position at the law firm requires her to mend fences where possible which will pave a way for the two parties to come to a resolution of their lawsuit. Kate's assistant Leonardo Prince (Baron Vaughn) makes moves as he has a crystal ball into the mind of his boss. He knows Kate better than she does anticipating her every move making phone calls, appointments and shifting her schedule which allows her to fast track her way through the many obstacles thrown in her way.
Between her personal life often a sense of heartache compounded with her mediator job that has her circling the city on a daily basis without the convenience of an automobile. She uses the train and cab system which often makes her late for office appointments and court dates. Judge David Nicastro (Gerald McRaney) does not allow her to manipulate his court room sometimes even having to put her in jail to make his point. He does however understand her at times even calling on her expertise to help solve issues that arise in cases he presides over.
David Smith (Richard Dean Anderson) holds clues to Kate's father that have been kept secret for many years. This doorway into her life has only been cracked open and we can only hope they write an intriguing back-story bringing him into the fold of the law firm. Spencer (Ethan Embry) is Kate's brother who has chosen the family man lifestyle which keeps him as far away from the daily activity of the law firm. He does become a great sounding board for Kate's struggle to stay civil with step mommy dearest.
The writing is fast paced with pages of dialogue that pushes each episode while moving the foundation storyline along every week. The cast has amazing chemistry that lets them stay grounded to the core of the series. It is easy to understand after the first couple episodes why 44 minutes goes by faster than a half hour sitcom.
USA Network has begun to assimilate a theme to the every growing lineup each week. The shooting style gives them a unique look but on Fairly Legal they have strayed from falling in line with the networks appearance. The feel of the episodes still have a active role within the USA family.
RUSTY
1/20/11
