Episode Report Card Kim: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Pilot
By Kim | Season 1 | Episode 1 | Aired on 09.27.2003
Ariel walks into the clinic to see Jack, who asks what she's doing there. Way to be welcoming. Ariel says that Grant bumped her off a case because they had "different ideas of what a working relationship should be." Jack isn't surprised. Ariel says that she has "a huge gap" in her workload, so she thought she'd offer to help him. Jack says that they could use the help, so he'll catch her up on what they're doing. But first, he pours her some coffee, which he remembers that she takes black with two cubes of sugar. When's the last time you saw an actual cube of sugar? What a weird thing to say. Ariel seems touched that he remembers. They share a look. She notices the scrape on Jack's hand from his big fight, and he says that he tripped. Riley rolls up right about then and says hello. Jack reintroduces Ariel to Riley. She notices the scrape on his face from the big fight, and Riley also says he tripped. Ariel says that the place must be more dangerous than she imagined. Riley says, "You have no idea," and gives Jack the stink-eye.
Riley visits Larry at his job, working in a kitchen somewhere. Riley says that the DA is willing to discuss a plea bargain for Sam. Larry asks why, and Riley says it could be because of his reputation, but more likely it's because "they understand that once they put [Sam] on the stand, they haven't got a prayer." Riley thinks it'll be voluntary manslaughter, which means ten to fifteen years of jail time. Larry asks about the DNA test, and Riley asks whether Larry really thinks his brother is innocent. Larry doesn't answer the question, but instead launches into a story about how Sam was always the smart one until they were in a car accident that killed their parents, left Sam brain-damaged, and left Larry without a scratch. So Larry has survivor's guilt. Riley stands there with a hangdog expression.
Detective Traub walks into the paralegal department at Triple L and asks Fineman to point him toward Charlie. Fineman says, "He's the one with the cowlick, sucking on a piece of hay." Charlie looks about twelve years old. Detective Traub is psyched that someone is finally going to talk to him, as Charlie starts giving out information. Jesse rolls up and puts a stop to it because none of them is authorized to discuss anything. Traub is pissed, and asks whether anyone at the firm is familiar with obstruction of justice. Jesse folds his arms and looks stern, and Traub leaves.
Frances (will they ever tell me her character's name?) invites Charlie into Grant's office. She explains that Grant had to step out, and asks Charlie where he's from. He's from Montana. So is she! Charlie is all excited. Frances asks about his ambitions, and Charlie says he's a country-western musician. So he moved to Washington instead of Nashville or Memphis or something? Good move, Charlie. Frances invites him to lunch. Charlie is worried about his workload, but Frances says she's cleared it with Jesse. Charlie isn't sure what this is all about. Frances says that she needs his help, and suggests that maybe she can find a way to help him back. She says that last part real sexy-like, and even though she's of a certain age, I think it works on old Charlie.