Episode Report Card Kim: C+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Pilot
By Kim | Season 1 | Episode 1 | Aired on 09.27.2003
Nwamaka leads Jack into her office. As they walk, Jack asks why they need him if they already have her. Nwamaka introduces Jack to a woman sitting in her office, wearing traditional African dress and holding an infant. The woman's name is Chinyere Adeyemi. Boy, if Jack couldn't say Nwamaka, he's never going to get that one. Jack compliments the baby girl, and Chinyere says that the baby's name is Akanke, which means "a blessing on the world." Jack says that she is definitely that. He doesn't even know her! Maybe she's colicky! Chinyere asks Jack if he can help them. Nwamaka explains, "What's happened to Chinyere -- what is happening to countless other women in Nigeria under the Islamic court of Sharia -- is unspeakable." Yes, exactly. I'm ignorant. I have no idea what that means. Chinyere says that everyone in their region is devoted to Islam. Nwamaka adds that what's going on has nothing to do with religion and everything to do with politics. So what happened to her? Are they going to tell us? Was she kicked out because she had a baby?
Jack says that he has zero interest in politics (zing to The West Wing! Except not really) and she has a big problem, because she's petitioning for political asylum, and has entered the country illegally. Nwamaka points out that Chinyere will die if she is sent back. Jack isn't swayed, as he says that Nwamaka's organization "prejudiced immigration officials against [Chinyere's] petition." Nwamaka looks pissed and says that they both know there are ways around that. Jack nods uneasily. Nwamaka says that she's always been honest with him, and that she recommended him to Chinyere because of his "connections in the government." Like his connection to President Bartlet? Jack looks angry as he gathers his things and says that he's a lawyer and not a PR consultant. Chinyere asks tearily what will happen to her daughter. She explains that the man who raped her and left her for dead didn't even look at her, and that she wanted to die from shame, but then she had her daughter, and it was a blessing. Chinyere wonders who will care for her daughter when Chinyere is executed for "adultery -- a crime [she] did not commit." Jack looks chagrined, and realizes he was kind of an asshole there. Oh, and his last name is Turner. Jack says that he can only represent her in the best way he knows how, and that he makes no promises. Nwamaka tosses a wink at Chinyere, who grins.
Superior Court of the District of Columbia. A bailiff reads out the details of the case before the court. Samuel Gentry has been charged with rape and murder in the first degree. The judge asks for a plea, and Rumpled Man (who is named Riley) runs in and says that the plea is not guilty. After some back-and-forth about his tardiness, Riley says he's taking over Gentry's case and had faxed a notice to the judge. She didn't get it, and sets the preliminary proceedings for two weeks out. Riley wants to discuss bail, but the judge tells him to "get a grip," because it's a capital offense. I want to be a judge, mostly so I could bang my gavel and tell people to get a grip. Riley argues that the defendant poses no flight risk due to "his diminished capacity," but the judge interrupts and denies bail. Judges get to interrupt all of the time, too. That would be awesome. Gentry's ousted lawyer accuses Riley of taking the case just for the headlines. Riley shoots back that he's in it to effect justice. Riley introduces himself to Sam Gentry, his new client, who is obviously mentally diminished in some way. Sam's brother Larry rushes up and introduces himself to Riley as well. Larry is worried that Riley will cost too much, but Riley assures him that it's pro bono. Riley wants to talk to both Sam and Larry separately. Larry wants to be present for Sam's interview, which Riley doesn't want, but Larry says that Sam is already scared and doesn't need more stress. Riley says that if Sam's okay with it, he is too, and he hurries out the door.