Episode Report Card Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Are You My Ally McMommy?
By Alex Richmond | Season 5 | Episode 11 | Aired on 02.03.2002
Staff meeting. Richard says it's a big day for him: his first murder trial. Everyone looks aghast, and the head-whipping of each cast member makes a "whooshing" sound. John's nose whistles. After explaining Ally's and Jenny's absences (Ally has plumbing problems with her house; Jenny, plumbing problems in herself), John says he wants to speak to Richard outside.
John is "very concerned" about Richard taking on a murder trial. Particularly when the client could go to jail for the rest of his life, and his defense is that he thought his wife's head was a ball and kicked it -- hard enough to kill her. Oy, does anyone think my head is a ball? It isn't. So STOP. Richard says he "favors a homily, a cliché...winning isn't everything." John wrinkles his face and says people on trial for first-degree murder may not appreciate that sentiment. Richard gets all intense and says he's going to win this. John and I say, "Yeah."
Everyone gathers around Elaine, the office water cooler...I mean, "gossip," and asks about the Kid. Nelle asks, "Is it Billy's?" Elaine doesn't know. I'll bet that line was written for the express purpose of using in the commercials. But it wasn't. We know it isn't Billy's kid. Oh, whatever.
Ally flusters around in her office in front of the Kid. First she apologizes for saying mean things, then tells the Kid not to "guilt" her. The Kid says she understands Ally's feelings, and doesn't want to burden her. Oh, god forbid. Ally says she doesn't even understand her feelings at the moment. Way to go, Ally. Is it about your stupid feelings, or doing the right thing with this child? Oh, my bad -- it's always all about ALLY. Anyway, a woman in a red brocade coat with black fur cuffs and collar strides into Ally's office and starts complaining. "Nice. Reeeally nice. You run off...." Kid interrupts, "I left a note!" Ally is clearly rubbed wrong by the woman, who is the Kid's aunt, Bonnie Boone. Nice name, reeeally nice. Then I see this episode has two credited directors; I know that has to be bad. Bonnie apologizes, and says she helped Kid track Ally down because Kid said she wanted to "see her someday." She didn't think Kid meant that day. Bonnie was "sick with grief." Kid asks if Bonnie "could be any more dramatic." Ally rolls her eyes in agreement. Ally? Shut up. Bonnie says they have a one o'clock flight, and Ally says "whoa" about fifteen times, then says a "genetic daughter" doesn't just show up and then split so fast. Kid says, "Isn't that what you want?" Bonnie looks...hopeful? Worried? I can't tell. Ally says that since the Kid "inserted" herself into Ally's life, she's in for it now, as is Lorna Doone, or Bonnie Boone. So "nobody's getting on any one o'clock flight." Kid and Bonnie look properly scolded, then pleased. Oh, barf.