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Ally McBeal - Episode Guide

Season 1

Pilot

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Sep 8, 1997

Pilot

Ally loses her job at her law firm when she files a sexual harassment claim against a colleague. A chance meeting with ex-classmate Richard Fish results in Ally being offered a job at his new law firm. To Ally's shock, Billy works at the law firm and he has an attractive wife, Georgia.

Compromising Positions

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Sep 15, 1997

Compromising Positions

Richard's business partner, John Cage, is arrested for soliciting aprostitute. Ally discovers an unsavory fact about Billy's past when they are assigned to Cage's case. Richard invites Ally for a meal with him, his girlfriend Whipper and potential client Ronald Cheanie in an attempt to pair Ally and Ronald.

The Kiss

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Sep 22, 1997

The Kiss

Ally wonders why Ronald failed to kiss her after their first date. Georgia and Ally work on an age discrimination case where the opposing litigator is the ex-colleague Ally sued at her previous law firm.

The Affair

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Sep 29, 1997

The Affair

Ally is asked to give a eulogy for one of her professors from college. She is reluctant because his wife is unaware about the affair they had years earlier. Georgia and Ronald feel threatened when Billy attends the funeral with Ally.

One Hundred Tears Away

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Oct 20, 1997

One Hundred Tears Away

Ally attacks another shopper during a supermarket dispute and forgets to pay for spermicide. Ally is charged with assault and shoplifting. Her best friend Renee, a district attorney, gets her out of the charges; but rumors spread, and Ally is called before the State Bar Review where her eccentric behavior is questioned.

The Promise

Episode: 1x06 | Airdate: Oct 27, 1997

The Promise

Ally and John defend Whipper's friend on a solicitation charge. While working with John, Ally notices his unique approach to work. During another case, Ally gives mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to an overweight lawyer working with the opposition when he suffers a near heart attack.

The Attitude

Episode: 1x07 | Airdate: Nov 3, 1997

The Attitude

Ally takes the case of a Jewish lady who wants her rabbi to grant a spiritual release from her marriage, because her husband is comatose. Ally and the rabbi insult each other repeatedly. Georgia is asked to leave her law firm, because her boss' wife is uncomfortable with her husband working with an attractive woman. Richard offers her a job at Cage and Fish.

Drawing the Lines

Episode: 1x08 | Airdate: Nov 10, 1997

Drawing the Lines

Billy and Georgia experience marital difficulties when he reveals to Ally that he still has feelings for her. Ally and Georgia try to help a client get around her prenuptial agreement when her husband leaves her for another woman. Elaine threatens to sue the firm for sexual harassment on behalf of the office women when the men begin to ogle the mail deliverer. She hires aggressive lawyer Caroline Poop.

The Dirty Joke

Episode: 1x09 | Airdate: Nov 17, 1997

The Dirty Joke

After Renee makes fun of Ally for being a prudish 'Julie Andrews type' they agree to each tell their best dirty joke to see who can get the best reaction from a crowd. Caroline Poop files a sexual harassment claim against Cage and Fish.

Boy to the World

Episode: 1x10 | Airdate: Dec 1, 1997

Boy to the World

Whipper asks Ally to take the case of a young transgender sex worker, Stephanie, charged for solicitation for the third time. Ally is moved by Stephanie's situation and gets her a job at Cage and Fish. Richard's eccentric uncle dies, and his minister refuses to let the man's bigotry towards short people be mentioned during his funeral service.

Silver Bells

Episode: 1x11 | Airdate: Dec 15, 1997

Silver Bells

Richard asks Ally and John to represent three people requesting the right to legally have a three-way marriage. Ally is disgusted by the idea until Georgia points out the similarities between the case and the triangle they are in with Billy. Richard feels forced into proposing to Whipper. Richard is hosting the annual Christmas party, and John wants to ask Ally to be his date.

Cro-Magnon

Episode: 1x12 | Airdate: Jan 5, 1998

Cro-Magnon

Ally, Renee, and Georgia take an art class and are all drawn to a well endowed male nude model. Ally is assigned the case of a 19-year-old charged with assault after punching the ex-boyfriend of his date when he verbally abused her. Ally is disturbed that she finds herself attracted to her client despite his young age.

The Blame Game

Episode: 1x13 | Airdate: Jan 19, 1998

The Blame Game

Ally bumps into the male model in Starbucks and confronts him for the way he treated her. John is assigned a case to help two siblings sue an airline after their father died in a plane crash.

Body Language

Episode: 1x14 | Airdate: Feb 2, 1998

Body Language

Ally and Georgia represent a woman wishing to marry a death row inmate, resulting in Ally being a bridesmaid. Richard asks Ally to flirt with a judge. Whipper catches Richard touching Janet Reno's neck, a fetish of his.

Once in a Lifetime

Episode: 1x15 | Airdate: Feb 23, 1998

Once in a Lifetime

Ally and Billy represent an elderly artist fighting to maintain control of his estate after his son decides he is too senile to stay in charge. Ally agrees to date with John, but once she feels uncomfortable she tries to get him to cancel. John realizes Ally still loves Billy.

Forbidden Fruits

Episode: 1x16 | Airdate: Mar 2, 1998

Forbidden Fruits

The firm takes on a high profile case of a US Senator sued for 'interfering with marital relations,' and when the case starts to become disturbingly similar to the situation between Ally, Billy, and Georgia, Georgia decides she can not work on the case. Renee starts to worry about Ally when she starts to see the dancing baby more frequently.

Theme of Life

Episode: 1x17 | Airdate: Mar 9, 1998

Theme of Life

Ally, Georgia, and Renee join a kickboxing class, and Ally and Georgia are scheduled to fight together. Ally defends a surgeon Greg charged with performing a controversial operation and finds herself attracted to him. John suggests Ally visits his therapist.

The Playing Field

Episode: 1x18 | Airdate: Mar 16, 1998

The Playing Field

Ally and Greg are involved in a car accident. Ally discovers her latest opposing counsel is a 10-year-old genius; but only after she kicked him, believing him to be the dancing baby. Richard represents a woman suing for sexual harassment after being passed over for promotion for refusing to sleep with her boss.

Happy Birthday, Baby

Episode: 1x19 | Airdate: Apr 6, 1998

Happy Birthday, Baby

Ally is upset about her impending birthday but friends and coworkers arrange a surprise party at the bar. Greg and Renee perform a seductive duet, leading to tension between the duo and Ally. Ally defends a man who broke into his date's house to touch her feet.

The Inmates

Episode: 1x20 | Airdate: Apr 27, 1998

The Inmates

Billy takes on a case of a woman charged with murdering her husband. Georgia represents a man fired from his job for being heterosexual. Renee is arrested for assault and battery after attacking her date when he tried to pressure her into sex.

Part 1/2 - continued in "The Practice" (Season 2, Episode 26).

Being There

Episode: 1x21 | Airdate: May 4, 1998

Being There

As Renee's trial continues, she becomes worried by John's unusual tactics in court. Ally has to confront Renee about her sexual aggressiveness. Georgia takes a pregnancy test which comes up positive.

Alone Again

Episode: 1x22 | Airdate: May 11, 1998

Alone Again

John opposes a woman he was in love with at law school and, after some encouragement by Ally, tells her how he feels. Georgia and Richard take on the case of a jilted bride and feel bias when Whipper is assigned as the judge.

These are the Days

Episode: 1x23 | Airdate: May 18, 1998

These are the Days

John represents his cousin who feels a strange compulsion to hit people over the head to get them to realize who they love. Ally represents two men who want to swap hearts; one wants to give his healthy heart to his sick friend, but Ally is forced into making the final decision in the case. Georgia and Billy decide to be more spontaneous and risky with their lovemaking in order to spice up their marriage.

Season 2

The Real World

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Sep 14, 1998

The Real World

Fish and Cage hire a new associate, Nelle "sub-zero" Porter. John confides to Ally about his attraction to Nelle. Ally and John defend a woman in her late 30s who had an affair with a 16-year-old boy.

They Eat Horses, Don't They?

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Sep 21, 1998

They Eat Horses, Don't They?

Nelle's friend and client, Ling Woo, sues a radio DJ for making sexually explicit comments on air; and to the disgust of Ally, drops the case as a legal tactic. Georgia and John defend a restaurant owner sued by two customers after they were served horse meat.

Fools Night Out

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Sep 28, 1998

Fools Night Out

Ling sues a plastic surgeon who passed off his nurse's natural breasts as his implant work. Georgia is upset by Billy's involvement in the trial. Ally represents a minister who broke off a relationship with his choir director, after which she began singing aggressive songs aimed at him.

It's My Party

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Oct 19, 1998

It's My Party

Ally defends George Madison, editor of a feminist magazine fired for his religious views on women. Ally finds herself attracted to George, but Elaine implies that she and George are an item. Ally is told to stop wearing miniskirts in court; and when she refuses, she is held in contempt and taken into custody. Ally throws a dinner party that descends into anarchy when an argument over women's rights erupts.

Story of Love

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Oct 26, 1998

Story of Love

Ally is arrested after a fight with a young woman angry with her best friend for stealing her boyfriend. After Ally agrees to represent her in court, she discovers the woman's tendency to fire her lawyers. George begins to show an interest in Ally, and Elaine begs her not to date him. John brings in his pettree frog, Stefan, whom he is training for a competition.

World's Without Love

Episode: 2x06 | Airdate: Nov 2, 1998

World's Without Love

Renee bumps into Matt, an old flame who is currently married, whom she refers to as her "Billy." Ally represents a nun forced to leave her order after breaking the vow of celibacy. John loses Stefan, who makes a reappearance in a toilet bowl, but a panicked Georgia and Nelle manage to injure him, leaving him comatose.

Happy Trails

Episode: 2x07 | Airdate: Nov 9, 1998

Happy Trails

Ally finally shakes the pesky Wallace. Ling rescues Stefan the frog from a suicide jump only to have him served up as dinner. The gang at the firm mourns the untimely death of Judge Happy Boyle.

Just Looking

Episode: 2x08 | Airdate: Nov 16, 1998

Just Looking

A group of mothers against pornography is trying to shut down Ling's female mud-wrestling club. Ally gets herself into a strange predicament just before a big date with a handsome former flame of Georgia's. Fish and Cage go undercover at the mud-wrestling club to do 'research' for the case.

You Never Can Tell

Episode: 2x09 | Airdate: Nov 23, 1998

You Never Can Tell

Renee inadvertently sets Ally up on a dull but persistent blind date. On this blind date, Ally gets her fingers stuck in a bowling ball. Nelle and Cage's first date has disastrous results.

Making Spirits Bright

Episode: 2x10 | Airdate: Dec 14, 1998

Making Spirits Bright

Fish throws his annual Christmas bash as Ally and Billy get drawn into a high stakes case involving a wealthy bond trader claiming wrongful termination. Renee and Matt consummate their affair but with painful consequences. Ling tries out Christmas cheer but it doesn't work. Cage tries to be the aggressor with Nelle with a little help from Ally and some mistletoe.

In Dreams

Episode: 2x11 | Airdate: Jan 11, 1999

In Dreams

Upon discovering her favorite high school teacher is terminally ill, Ally seeks a court order to allow the women to spend her remaining days in a drug-induced coma, happily dreaming of her imaginary lover. Cage must gather his courage to confront Nelle after Fish tells him she thinks Cage has not had sex with her because he's gay.

Love Unlimited

Episode: 2x12 | Airdate: Jan 18, 1999

Love Unlimited

Ally defends a woman coming out of a nine-year marriage whose husband, claiming mental incompetence, wants to have the marriage annulled. Nelle and Cage are having rocky times in their relationship. Ally and Dr. Butters come to a new understanding after he hears her impassioned defense of a client in court.

Angels and Blimps

Episode: 2x13 | Airdate: Feb 8, 1999

Angels and Blimps

The lawyers are shocked to discover Ling has been keeping a secret. Ally visits Dr. Butters at the hospital one day and sees he's treating a terminally ill little boy. The little boy, Eric Stall, sees Ally in the doorway and finds out that she is a lawyer. He asks if he can retain her services because he wants to sue God. Ally tries to tell him it's not possible, but Ling, who was at the hospital at the same time, overhears and tells the boy not to listen to Ally.

Pyramids on the Nile

Episode: 2x14 | Airdate: Feb 15, 1999

Pyramids on the Nile

Fish announces that the most unlikely person has been hired as the firm's latest attorney. Appeals to John Cage go nowhere as he feels he has no choice but to support his partner's decision to hire her. Sun Company, in an attempt to minimize their liability and exposure to potential sexual harassment suits when office romances go bad now require romantically involved employees to notify their supervisor of the relationship and sign a "Love Contract" which holds the company harmless if things don't work out.

Sideshow

Episode: 2x15 | Airdate: Feb 22, 1999

Sideshow

When we last saw Ally she was in shock over her encounter with Billy. Ally realizes her life is in crisis and that everything she does from this moment on could mean a lifetime of happiness or bitter disappointment. That's when she makes a decision not to be passive and do something about her life.

Sex, Lies and Politics

Episode: 2x16 | Airdate: Mar 1, 1999

Sex, Lies and Politics

Ally is guilt ridden by her encounter with Billy. She goes to see Dr. Tracy Clark and discusses subsequent revelations, which surfaced during their session. Ally stresses over her relationship with Georgia. Should she confess all to her or keep her dirty little secret? Everything tells her to hold back, but where will she find comfort and forgiveness?

Civil War

Episode: 2x17 | Airdate: Apr 5, 1999

Civil War

Word that Billy and Ally came perilously close to an adulterous affair is spreading through the law firm. What is most uncomfortable are the icy stares and cold shoulders Georgia is throwing Ally's way. But who can blame her? The adversarial relationship between the two women is played out in a most unusual way.

Those Lips, That Hand

Episode: 2x18 | Airdate: Apr 19, 1999

Those Lips, That Hand

Cage and Fish's firm gets a capital case to defend a man accused of murdering his comatose wife. He insists he fired up the chainsaw and cut off her hand after she was dead. Renee, who is prosecuting, has the testimony of the coroner who thinks the wife was alive and that the amateur surgery gave her a heart attack.

Let's Dance

Episode: 2x19 | Airdate: Apr 26, 1999

Let's Dance

Cage continues to ride the high of his birthday gift from Nelle. It was a life changing night and has had a profound effect on his view of himself and his self-esteem in regards to women. The firm is defending another law firm, Johnson Biblico, in a suit alleging sex discrimination.

Only the Lonely

Episode: 2x20 | Airdate: May 3, 1999

Only the Lonely

In a land where everyone has the opportunity to make a fortune, it seems that now it's Elaine's turn. The members of Fish & Cage congregate at Ally's house for an "infomercial party" that celebrates the marketing of Elaine's "Face Bra". Unfortunately, Elaine's family sues her for royalties claiming that Elaine stole the idea from her cousin Martha just before Martha's untimely death. Ally agrees to represent Elaine but when depositions appear to nail Elaine, Georgia is the first to suggest they settle.

The Green Monster

Episode: 2x21 | Airdate: May 10, 1999

The Green Monster

Fish and Cage find themselves representing the soon to be ex-wife of a philanderer who is suing not just for divorce but for property damages as well. The case has loser written all over it and Cage is insisting they settle while Fish is convinced they can win it. Since Ally's indiscretion with Billy, Greg has been ignoring Ally's phone calls and spending more time in the company of other women. Ally feels terrible that a great guy seems to be getting away. Billy does not like the attention that Georgia is enjoying form the other men in the office since she changed her wardrobe appearance.

Love's Illusions

Episode: 2x22 | Airdate: May 17, 1999

Love's Illusions

Ally is having weird dreams about moments from her childhood, some good, some painful. But each compels her to wrestle with the question of true love. Can it be real or must it inevitably be just an illusion? Ally's latest case is calling the issue into question as she and John Cage are representing a woman charged in Criminal Court with fraud.

I Know Him by Heart

Episode: 2x23 | Airdate: May 24, 1999

I Know Him by Heart

Ally's heart is broken and not by Billy or Greg. It's just one big stress fracture. She's come to the realization that there isn't anyone out there for her. She has her image of the perfect man, but is beginning to believe that he does not exist. Surprisingly, a pep talk from Fish leads Ally to become more proactive about her love life. Working on the, "you have to kiss a lot of frogs before finding Prince Charming theory", Ally decides to go on a dating frenzy.

Season 3

Car Wash

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Oct 25, 1999

Car Wash

"There are no mistakes in love..." Without ever engaging in conversation, Ally has a steamy fling with a guy who works at the car wash. Back at the office, Fish assigns her to a case in which a big client's daughter, Risa, is trying to save her wedding. Her minister refuses to perform the service (which is two days away) because he walked in on Risa having sex with a man who is not her fiancé although Risa claims it was just one last fling. Now Risa fears that she will have to tell her fiancé everything. Because of all the female sexual activity in the office, John becomes insecure about his sexual ability. As a result of his insecurities he "loses" the spirit of Barry White. Meanwhile, Renee quits her job to open her own practice. Inspired by Renee's new freedom, Whipper joins the firm as counsel.

Buried Pleasures

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Nov 1, 1999

Buried Pleasures

The men in the office just call her, "The Yummy One..." Ling's curiosity is piqued when she dreams about kissing Ally. Under the pretense of becoming better friends, Ling and Ally go on a "date". Meanwhile, Cage overhears Nelle talking about her fantasy, which sends him back into the depths of sexual insecurity. It seems everyone in the office is pre-occupied with the topic of sex and Billy and Renee feel they are the only people actually working. Renee defends a woman who is accused of sexual harassment by her female co-workers. The co-workers claim that she has turned the office into a sexual arena and is suing. Billy represents the company, but finds that he and Renee do not see eye to eye on the case or on the issue of a woman's sexuality in general.

Seeing Green

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Nov 8, 1999

Seeing Green

Ally is plagued with hallucinations of Al Green. She talks about these hallucinations with Dr. Shirley Flott, who is seeing patients while Dr. Tracy is away. Shirley has no patience for Ally's daydreams and wants desperately to put her on Prozac. Wrestling with the idea of going on medication leads Ally to question what is so wrong about hallucinations: they bring her comfort and keep her in perspective?

Heat Wave

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Nov 15, 1999

Heat Wave

Risa, the bride whose wedding Ally destroyed, decides to sue Ally for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The amount is enough to keep Ally working for Risa for the rest of her life. Ally tries to get Risa's ex-fiancé, Joel, to help her, but he tells her that he really did love Risa and that Ally ruined his life.

Troubled Water

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Nov 22, 1999

Troubled Water

The day before Thanksgiving, Billy goes completely crazy, driving Georgia to kiss "George" in the bar. Ally invites everyone over to her place for a holiday dinner that proves to be explosive, at the very least. Ally cannot take any more of this chaos and makes an emergency appointment with Tracey. Ally's other guests exit her apartment to finish dinner at Fish's place.

Changes

Episode: 3x06 | Airdate: Nov 29, 1999

Changes

Richard and Ling officially break up. Billy and Cage represent a sexy, middle-aged woman who's suing her employees for sexual harassment. The woman, Robin Jones, claims that the staff of her magazine held a "sick out" and delayed the May publication because they didn't want to work for a "nymph," which led to her being fired.

Saving Santa

Episode: 3x07 | Airdate: Dec 13, 1999

Saving Santa

The first case Georgia brings to Renee's new firm pits them against Cage and Fish. Georgia defends Newman's, an upscale department store against Steve Mallory, who worked as the store's Santa for seventeen years. Cage represents Mallory, who claims that he was wrongfully fired because Newman wants to hire a younger, thinner Santa.

Blue Christmas

Episode: 3x08 | Airdate: Dec 20, 1999

Blue Christmas

Elaine finds a real, live six-week-old baby in a nativity scene manger and wants to keep him. Cage and Ally represent Elaine in her fight to gain custody, while the rest of the office (full of child-less lawyers) become enchanted with the baby. Even Ling considers having children.

Out in the Cold

Episode: 3x09 | Airdate: Jan 10, 2000

Out in the Cold

Ally befriends a homeless man who turns out to be a writer doing research on homelessness. They hit it off and just when Ally starts to think the man could be Mr. Right, she is stunned by what she finds about him. Meanwhile, Ling is arrested for running a brothel when one of her escorts has sex with a high school boy.

Just Friends

Episode: 3x10 | Airdate: Jan 17, 2000

Just Friends

Ally has a romantic dream about Cage and wakes up thinking that he may be the one for her. When she finally gets up the courage to tell him, he admits that he often thought she might be the one for him also. Meanwhile, Elaine goes on a date with a great guy only to learn that he asked her out because his friend said she was easy.

Over the Rainbow

Episode: 3x11 | Airdate: Feb 7, 2000

Over the Rainbow

Georgia sues Cage, Fish and the firm for the destruction of her marriage. She cites many issues as leading to Billy's breakdown and the ultimate dissolution of their marriage.

In Search of Pygmies

Episode: 3x12 | Airdate: Feb 14, 2000

In Search of Pygmies

Ling defends a dear old friend who is asked to leave his retirement home because the director finds his exuberant imagination disruptive for other residents. While Ling tries to decide whether her friend truly believes in his make-believe world or just pretends to, he suffers from a hallucination that has fatal results.

Pursuit of Loneliness

Episode: 3x13 | Airdate: Feb 21, 2000

Pursuit of Loneliness

Ally is pursued by Hammond, the server at her usual coffee shop, but is turned off by his forwardness. When pressed, she admits that a coffee server is not necessarily that attractive to her. She also learns he owns a chain of coffee joints. Still not impressed, Ally continues to snub Hammond, only to walk into an appeals court and find he is also a presiding judge in her case.

The Oddball Parade

Episode: 3x14 | Airdate: Feb 28, 2000

The Oddball Parade

Cage and Fish represent a group of "oddballs" who were fired by a boss who claims their "oddities" were preventing them from fulfilling a new job requirement to bring in new clients, even claiming they offended some clients. Cage begins to take the case personally, considering himself an oddball.

Prime Suspect

Episode: 3x15 | Airdate: Mar 20, 2000

Prime Suspect

Cage's 'oddball' client is accused of murdering his old boss and the firm gets involved in their first murder trial. Suspecting he's been set up, Ally plays detective and goes snooping for additional information. Meanwhile, back at the office, Nelle has a few surprises up her sleeve.

Boy Next Door

Episode: 3x16 | Airdate: Mar 27, 2000

Boy Next Door

Billy represents a woman in an annulment action case, who's deeply religious husband wants out of the marriage. Meanwhile, John gets trapped in an elevator with his legs dangling out the door. Nelle pulls another sleazy stunt.

I Will Survive

Episode: 3x17 | Airdate: Apr 10, 2000

I Will Survive

Gloria Gaynor stalks Ally around singing ''I Will Survive.'' Meanwhile, Ally and Ling team up to represent a woman who beat her cheating husband to death with his prosthetic leg. Fish brings in a new lawyer and assigns him to Ally's case.

Turning Thirty

Episode: 3x18 | Airdate: May 1, 2000

Turning Thirty

The firm defends a woman accused of murdering her eighty-nine-year-old husband by suffocating him...with her breasts. Meanwhile, Ally struggles with turning thirty. She goes to church to find God, but instead finds an angry Reverend Newman who has a pet peeve about women who only need God between relationships. Ally's next stop at a plastic surgeon has even more devastating results.

Do You Wanna Dance?

Episode: 3x19 | Airdate: May 8, 2000

Do You Wanna Dance?

Ally engages in a little virtual sex, with a guy she's been writing to online for the past few months. At Renee's prompting, Ally tries to arrange a meeting. Eventually, she does. By this time, Ally, or "Lover Lips" as she calls herself, thinks she's found her "Thunder Thighs". Upon seeing Brian, the opposing counsel in a case she and Mark are trying, she immediately is drawn to him. Later, Ally is in hot water when she realizes she's been chatting with underage kid.

Hope and Glory

Episode: 3x20 | Airdate: May 15, 2000

Hope and Glory

Nelle schemes to leave Cage & Fish in order to start her own firm and it leaves both Richard and John furious. Elaine accepts Nelle's offer to leave the firm and go with her. Ally dates Brian Selig.

Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost

Episode: 3x21 | Airdate: May 22, 2000

Ally McBeal: The Musical, Almost

Things go awry when Ally introduces Brian to her parents, resulting in conjuring up old pains and hurt feelings. Nelle regrets her decision to leave Cage and Fish, and takes steps to rectify it. A good season ender -- emotional, entertaining, and lots of musical numbers.

Season 4

Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts

Episode: 4x01 | Airdate: Oct 23, 2000

Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts

Brian asks Ally to move in with him, but she questions the entire relationship mostly because their sex life is lackluster. She turns to Renee and a new therapist, who has oddly taken over Tracy's office, for advice. At the firm, Cage and Fish represent a woman who wants her six-year-marriage annulled because she suspects her husband married her for her money. The woman, who is unattractive, says she and her husband were always great friends and she believed he just had no interest in sex. However, after she catches him cheating on her with a model, she changes her mind about him.

Girls' Night Out

Episode: 4x02 | Airdate: Oct 30, 2000

Girls' Night Out

Richard and Ling take Cindy McCauliff's case. She was fired for refusing to take a physical, afraid people would find out she's a man. John and Nelle handle a case about a woman being sued for sexually harassing a man.

Two's a Crowd

Episode: 4x03 | Airdate: Nov 6, 2000

Two's a Crowd

Mark's girlfriend finally reveals "her" secret; Ling and Nelle represent a woman suing a relationship guru whose advice ruined the woman's marriage; Ally is dating two different men who end up being related.

Without a Net

Episode: 4x04 | Airdate: Nov 13, 2000

Without a Net

Ally runs into Kimmie Bishop, an old friend of hers from college. Ally makes fun of her in front of her fellow puritan friends, and Kimmie is so outraged she decides to sue Ally for defamation.

The Last Virgin

Episode: 4x05 | Airdate: Nov 20, 2000

The Last Virgin

Kimmie comes to Cage & Fish looking to hire Ally. She's suing her old firm for wrongful termination. They fired her for being too puritan, and the opposite lawyer is Larry.

'Tis the Season

Episode: 4x06 | Airdate: Nov 27, 2000

'Tis the Season

The Christmas season is approaching, and while Ally is thrilled about it, Larry has nothing to celebrate. He confesses to her that he has a 7 year-old son who lives in Detroit with his mother, and ever since they split Larry finds Christmas sad and lonely.

Love on Holiday

Episode: 4x07 | Airdate: Dec 4, 2000

Love on Holiday

Elaine gets sued by a former office clerk because she called him "peanut" due his size. John thinks Larry was ridiculing him by making fun of his relationship with Kimmy and her mother. Nelle and Ling compete about who will have the most bids from the charity auction dinner date and Cindy has plans for Richard for the charity auction.

The Man with the Bag

Episode: 4x08 | Airdate: Dec 11, 2000

The Man with the Bag

John and Nelle defend her father who was fired from his job as a teacher because he claims he's Santa Claus; Ally feels threatened when Larry's ex comes to town;Richard and Ling lip synch at the office Christmas party.

Reasons to Believe

Episode: 4x09 | Airdate: Jan 8, 2001

Reasons to Believe

John's idol, Nicholas Engblume, shows up and needs his help in court, and then Nicholas's wife shows up and needs his help in getting a divorce.

The Ex-Files

Episode: 4x10 | Airdate: Jan 15, 2001

The Ex-Files

Ling's ex-fiancé is about to get married, but he's still in love with Ling. Larry's ex, Jamie, is back in town, and she's determined that it's going to work out for them this time.

Mr. Bo

Episode: 4x11 | Airdate: Jan 22, 2001

Mr. Bo

Much to Richard's surprise, Chubby Checker is not dead, but is in fact at the bar with a charity Twist contest. Elaine & Mark, Ally & Larry, and Ling & Richard are in their competitive mode, and Ling gets a hot Spanish dancer to team up with and coach Nelle. Meanwhile, Melanie invites John back to her place and introduces him to local homeless man, Mr. Bo. John think he's being stalked by him, but then finds out he means more to Melanie than he assumed.

Hats Off to Larry

Episode: 4x12 | Airdate: Feb 5, 2001

Hats Off to Larry

In search of the most homophobic, bigoted lawyer she can find, Mark's ex-girlfriend Cindy comes to Richard to get the courts to allow her to marry. Nelle's dance partner hires her to sue over patents to his dance moves, but when the woman they're suing is his ex-girlfriend, it becomes very personal for Nelle.

Reach Out and Touch

Episode: 4x13 | Airdate: Feb 12, 2001

Reach Out and Touch

With Larry gone, Ally is hallucinating. This time it's Barry Manilow and therapy has taught her to physically fight her hallucinations. Richard has just hired a new lawyer, Jackson Duper, but he thinks it must be all a joke since his trial has a man wanting to dissolve his marriage to a nymphomaniac and then suing the priest who married them.

Boys Town

Episode: 4x14 | Airdate: Feb 19, 2001

Boys Town

Richard and John's relationship grows more tense than ever and so they attend couples therapy; Jackson's presence has a profound impact on Elaine; Jackson represent a woman being sued for firing all her male employees.

Falling Up

Episode: 4x15 | Airdate: Feb 26, 2001

Falling Up

Jackson and Renee's one night stand turns into something more; Ally visits several therapists to get over her hallucinations of Larry, who eventually appears in the flesh; John represents a man who wants to annul his marriage after his wife decides she doesn't want to have kids, a case that carries over into John's relationship with Melanie.

The Getaway

Episode: 4x16 | Airdate: Mar 19, 2001

The Getaway

To escape their ruined love lives, Richard and John go for a vacation to Los Angeles. It turns into a working vacation however when John not only must get Richard out of legal trouble but also helps a woman divorcing her wealthy husband who paid someone to seduce her.

The Pursuit of Unhappiness

Episode: 4x17 | Airdate: Mar 26, 2001

The Pursuit of Unhappiness

Elaine cheated on Mark and now she's trying by all means to find a way for him to forgive her. She even takes advice from Richard! Meanwhile, Jackson is assigned to do the pre-nup for a rich, fat and bald man. Ally puts Larry to defend to soon-to-be wife's interests, which leads into a more personal dissension between Larry and Jackson.

The Obstacle Course

Episode: 4x18 | Airdate: Apr 16, 2001

The Obstacle Course

Cassandra surprises John when she suddenly shows up at the office. Ally takes the case of a man who's being sued because he didn't reveal to his internet date that he was a dwarf. Larry is representing the woman suing, and the case ends up reflecting on their own relationship as Ally questions Larry if they would be together if she was 3 feet tall.

In Search of Barry White

Episode: 4x19 | Airdate: Apr 23, 2001

In Search of Barry White

John loses his ability to channel Barry White while going up against Larry in a case involving a man who wants to clone his late wife; Nelle hooks Elaine into on-line romance; Ling's feelings for Jackson grow more intense.

Cloudy Skies, Chance of Parade

Episode: 4x20 | Airdate: Apr 30, 2001

Cloudy Skies, Chance of Parade

Larry defends Sting when a man sues him for breaking up his marriage; a Streisand impersonator sues over his nose job; Richard flirts with Cindy Margolis to make Ling jealous.

Queen Bee

Episode: 4x21 | Airdate: May 7, 2001

Queen Bee

Sydney Gale hires Cage & Fish to represent her in court. She's been sued for wrongful termination, and Richard and John take the case. An employee is suing Sydney because he doesn't want to 'serve' her anymore.

Home Again

Episode: 4x22 | Airdate: May 14, 2001

Home Again

Ally becomes extremely jealous over Larry's easy friendship with his ex-wife; Richard tries to stop a magazine from publishing photos of his LA friend, Jane.

The Wedding

Episode: 4x23 | Airdate: May 21, 2001

The Wedding

Malcolm Wyatt hires Ally to take his case. He's suing a girl for not going to the prom with him after she said yes in fall. The opposing lawyer is Larry Paul, and Ally is nervous about meeting him in court. But he never shows up, and his partner Coretta tells Ally he left for Detroit.

Season 5

Friends and Lovers

Episode: 5x01 | Airdate: Oct 29, 2001

Friends and Lovers

It's a new year at the firm, which means changes - big changes! Still getting over Larry and renewing her faith in love, Ally decides to start fresh and let nothing get in her way. That is until she barrels into a woman on the street with her Razor Scooter.

Judge Ling

Episode: 5x02 | Airdate: Nov 5, 2001

Judge Ling

When Ling is sarcastically nice to a stranger, she gets a surprise promotion as a judge. John is still irreparably fraught over thinking that Ally loves him, but he's concerned that only crazy people are attracted to him.

Neutral Corners

Episode: 5x03 | Airdate: Nov 12, 2001

Neutral Corners

Ally is still divided with her feelings for Glenn and if she should date him or not. Glenn says he's not interested in her, and Raymond asks Glenn if he should date Ally. To make things even better, John decides to confess his feelings for Ally.

Fear of Flirting

Episode: 5x04 | Airdate: Nov 19, 2001

Fear of Flirting

John takes off for parts unknown, which worries the ladies of the firm, especially Nelle. Richard takes it in stride, and takes over John's abandoned hole off of the unisex. Raymond is sued by a former coworker for sexual harassment, and asks Jenny to represent him.

I Want Love

Episode: 5x05 | Airdate: Nov 26, 2001

I Want Love

Jenny's mother comes to hire the firm to take her wrongful termination case. She's being fired from her job for dating a 20 year-old. Jenny wants Ally to purposely lose the case but Ally can't do that.

Lost and Found

Episode: 5x06 | Airdate: Dec 3, 2001

Lost and Found

John makes a surprise return and is shocked after hearing from Raymond that Richard threw a party in his "hole". After confronting Richard, John gives the office a speech, in which he reveals the reason why and where he left to.

Nine One One

Episode: 5x07 | Airdate: Dec 10, 2001

Nine One One

Ally helps a minister who was fired from his church for not believing in God. Ever since his wife was brutally murdered, he has been questioning his beliefs and he asks Ally to talk to his son.

Playing with Matches

Episode: 5x08 | Airdate: Jan 7, 2002

Playing with Matches

Jenny's mom's wedding is approaching, and Ally is shocked when Tim gives her a certain look that suggests a move. She talks to Jenny, and they decide to test him. Ally makes a move on him, and he offers her to have an affair.

Blowin' in the Wind

Episode: 5x09 | Airdate: Jan 14, 2002

Blowin' in the Wind

Ally impulsively buys a house, to which Dr. Milter concludes is a way of her to take care of herself, since Ally sees herself as a 'work in progress'. Meanwhile, Ally handles a case of a man who spent too much money buying gifts for his wife until they went bankrupt.

One Hundred Tears

Episode: 5x10 | Airdate: Jan 21, 2002

One Hundred Tears

Ally defends a man who broke into his old house to jump out of his old bedroom window. Harvey Hall believes he can fly using wings he made himself.

A Kick in the Head

Episode: 5x11 | Airdate: Feb 4, 2002

A Kick in the Head

10 year-old Maddie Harrington shows up on Ally's door saying she's her daughter. She's the result of a mixup on the egg bank Ally deposited her eggs ten years ago.

The New Day

Episode: 5x12 | Airdate: Feb 11, 2002

The New Day

Maddie keeps testing Ally for her patience and love, something that doesn't go through Ally's mind until Victor points it out. Ally, on the other hand, is being way too protective on Maddie, confronting her school principal, teacher and classmates.

Woman

Episode: 5x13 | Airdate: Feb 18, 2002

Woman

Ally decided that in order for the firm to get out of the financial crisis it's going through, someone will have to be let go. She chooses Jenny, who between all the lawyers of the firm had the least number of clients and experience. Glenn takes Jenny's dismissal offensively and decides to quit, taking all his clients with him.

Homecoming

Episode: 5x14 | Airdate: Feb 25, 2002

Homecoming

Ally decides to take the DNA test after having recurring dreams where Maddie's real parents show up claiming her. Maddie doesn't take that well and escapes to NY to see her aunt Bonnie. Maddie thinks the test is just Ally's way of having an excuse not to love her, but Ally only wants a proof that Maddie is her daughter so no one can take her away from her.

Heart and Soul

Episode: 5x15 | Airdate: Mar 4, 2002

Heart and Soul

Richard and Raymond are hired to represent Serena Feldman, a 16 year-old girl who will die unless Judge Hall consents her a heart transplant from her convicted father, who is the her only match. Serena's aunt is against the transplant because Serena's dad murdered her mother.

Love is All Around: Part 1

Episode: 5x16 | Airdate: Apr 15, 2002

Love is All Around: Part 1

Ally is about to go on her 3rd date, a.k.a. the "sex date", with Victor. Everybody knows about it, but Ally is nervous because on the 2nd date the tension was so high they couldn't even kiss. At the firm, Richard assigns Nelle to a very important case opposite court devil Liza "Lolita" Bump, a bitchy, young and feared attorney. So feared that Richard has to get John Cage for the case.

Love is All Around: Part 2

Episode: 5x17 | Airdate: Apr 15, 2002

Love is All Around: Part 2

The judge forbids the lawyers to interfere on Claire's engagement, and her fiancé decides to call the wedding off. Devastated, Claire goes to Ally for help.

Tom Dooley

Episode: 5x18 | Airdate: Apr 22, 2002

Tom Dooley

Ally is going to the Bermudas with Victor, and welcomes Liza as the firm's newest attorney. Nelle doesn't like that or the fact that she took John's office. Despite being her first day, Liza hires another lawyer, Wilson Jade, whom she was going to partner with on her own practice, hadn't she joined Cage, Fish & McBeal.

Another One Bites the Dust

Episode: 5x19 | Airdate: Apr 29, 2002

Another One Bites the Dust

Ally and Victor return from their Bermuda trip. Ally feels their relationship is in crisis because they weren't able to connect without Maddie around. Victor is being sued by his former girlfriend for breach of contract.

What I'll Never Do for Love Again

Episode: 5x20 | Airdate: May 6, 2002

What I'll Never Do for Love Again

Elaine auditions for "A Chorus Line", but doesn't get a call back. Richard's father seeks for his help. He's being sued by his former secretary for sexual harassment.

All of Me

Episode: 5x21 | Airdate: May 13, 2002

All of Me

The lawyers at Cage, Fish & McBeal split when both personalities of the same woman hires them to represent each in court. One of her personalities is a strong, decided and bitchy woman that goes by Helena Green. She wants to divorce her husband, who years ago married sweet, warm hearted but weak Helen Green.

Bygones

Episode: 5x22 | Airdate: May 20, 2002

Bygones

After Maddie passes out Ally finds out she is suffering from a nervous reaction to all the changes in her life, so Ally decides that the only way she can help her daughter is to move back to New York.

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