The Practice 1997
“Between Justice And Morality Can We Choose?”
What is The Practice?
The Practice is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley that aired on ABC from 1997 to 2004.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1997
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 168
- Runtime
- 44 minutes
- First aired
- Mar 4, 1997
- Last aired
- May 16, 2004
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Drama
- Updated
Where to watch
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 168 episodes and an average 44-minute runtime.
Trailer
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Practice is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley that aired on ABC from 1997 to 2004. The show centers on the lawyers of a Boston law firm, primarily focusing on the character of Bobby Donnell, the firm's founder and senior defense attorney. Known for its exploration of moral ambiguity, the series follows the professional and personal challenges of defense attorneys handling controversial and often high-profile cases. The firm, which evolves from a small operation to a larger practice over time, deals with both criminal and civil matters that raise complex ethical questions. The show's narrative emphasizes the tension between legal strategy and moral responsibility, often highlighting the difficulties faced by lawyers defending unpopular clients. Throughout its run, The Practice developed a reputation for addressing timely social and legal issues through its storylines. It featured a rotating ensemble cast, with Dylan McDermott portraying the lead role of Bobby Donnell. The series was recognized for its adult-oriented approach to legal drama during its eight-season run.
Should you watch it?
“A scrappy Boston law firm defends the morally complex cases others avoid.”
- Strong focus on moral dilemmas in law
- Well-developed ensemble cast
- Realistic portrayal of legal struggles
- Can be slow-paced for some viewers
- Heavy on dialogue and courtroom scenes
You enjoy character-driven legal dramas with ethical complexity.
Suitable for mature audiences due to thematic content involving moral ambiguity and adult situations.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 6 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Part I (Pilot) Mar 4, 1997
- E2 Part II Mar 11, 1997
- E3 Trial and Error Mar 18, 1997
- E4 Part IV Mar 25, 1997
- E5 Part V Apr 1, 1997
- E6 Part VI Apr 8, 1997
Season 2 · 28 episodes
- E1 Reasonable Doubts Sep 20, 1997
- E2 Betrayal Sep 23, 1997
- E3 The Blessing Sep 27, 1997
- E4 Dog Bite Oct 4, 1997
- E5 First Degree (1) Oct 11, 1997
- E6 Sex, Lies and Monkeys (2) Oct 18, 1997
- E7 Search and Seizure Oct 25, 1997
- E8 The Means Nov 8, 1997
- E9 Save the Mule Nov 15, 1997
- E10 Spirit of America Nov 22, 1997
- E11 Hide and Seek Nov 29, 1997
- E12 Race with the Devil Dec 13, 1997
- E13 The Civil Right Dec 20, 1997
- E14 The Pursuit of Dignity Jan 3, 1998
- E15 Line of Duty Jan 5, 1998
- E16 Truth and Consequences Jan 12, 1998
- E17 Burden of Proof Jan 19, 1998
- E18 Ties that Bind Feb 2, 1998
- E19 The Trial (1) Feb 9, 1998
- E20 Cloudy with a Chance of Membranes (2) Feb 16, 1998
- E21 In Deep Mar 2, 1998
- E22 Another Day Mar 9, 1998
- E23 Checkmate Mar 16, 1998
- E24 Trees in the Forest Mar 30, 1998
- E25 Food Chains Apr 6, 1998
- E26 Axe Murderer (II) Apr 27, 1998
- E27 Duty Bound May 4, 1998
- E28 Rhyme and Reason May 11, 1998
Season 3 · 23 episodes
- E1 Passing Go Sep 27, 1998
- E2 Reasons to Believe Oct 4, 1998
- E3 Body Count Oct 11, 1998
- E4 The Defenders Oct 18, 1998
- E5 The Battlefield Oct 25, 1998
- E6 One of Those Days Nov 8, 1998
- E7 Trench Work Nov 15, 1998
- E8 Swearing In Nov 29, 1998
- E9 State of Mind Dec 6, 1998
- E10 Love and Honor Dec 13, 1998
- E11 Split Decisions Jan 3, 1999
- E12 A Day in the Life Jan 10, 1999
- E13 Judge and Jury Jan 17, 1999
- E14 Of Human Bondage Feb 7, 1999
- E15 Lawyers, Reporters and Cockroaches Feb 21, 1999
- E16 End Games Feb 28, 1999
- E17 Target Practice Mar 7, 1999
- E18 Crossfire Mar 14, 1999
- E19 Closet Justice Mar 28, 1999
- E20 Home Invasions Apr 18, 1999
- E21 Infected Apr 25, 1999
- E22 Do Unto Others May 2, 1999
- E23 Happily Ever After May 9, 1999
Season 4 · 22 episodes
- E1 Free Dental Sep 26, 1999
- E2 Boston Confidential Oct 3, 1999
- E3 Loser's Keepers Oct 10, 1999
- E4 Legacy (1) Oct 17, 1999
- E5 Oz (2) Oct 24, 1999
- E6 Marooned Nov 7, 1999
- E7 Victimless Crimes Nov 14, 1999
- E8 Committed Nov 21, 1999
- E9 Bay of Pigs Nov 28, 1999
- E10 Day in Court Dec 12, 1999
- E11 Blowing Smoke Jan 9, 2000
- E12 New Evidence (1) Jan 30, 2000
- E13 Hammerhead Sharks (2) Feb 6, 2000
- E14 Checkmates Feb 13, 2000
- E15 Race Ipsa Loquitor Feb 20, 2000
- E16 Settling Mar 12, 2000
- E17 Black Widows Apr 2, 2000
- E18 Death Penalties Apr 9, 2000
- E19 Till Death Do Us Part (1) Apr 30, 2000
- E20 Liberty Bells (2) May 7, 2000
- E21 The Honorable Man May 14, 2000
- E22 Life Sentence May 21, 2000
Season 5 · 22 episodes
- E1 Summary Judgments Oct 8, 2000
- E2 Germ Warfare Oct 15, 2000
- E3 Officers of the Court Oct 22, 2000
- E4 Appeal and Denial Oct 29, 2000
- E5 We Hold These Truths... Nov 5, 2000
- E6 Show and Tell Nov 12, 2000
- E7 Brothers' Keepers Nov 19, 2000
- E8 Mr. Hinks Goes to Town Nov 26, 2000
- E9 The Deal Dec 10, 2000
- E10 Friends and Ex-Lovers Dec 17, 2000
- E11 An Early Frost Jan 7, 2001
- E12 Payback Jan 14, 2001
- E13 The Thin Line Feb 4, 2001
- E14 The Day After (I) Feb 11, 2001
- E15 Awakenings Feb 18, 2001
- E16 Gideon's Crossover Mar 11, 2001
- E17 What Child is This? Mar 18, 2001
- E18 The Confession Apr 1, 2001
- E19 Home of the Brave Apr 22, 2001
- E20 The Case of Harland Bassett Apr 29, 2001
- E21 Poor Richard's Almanac May 6, 2001
- E22 Public Servants May 13, 2001
Frequently asked questions
Is the show based on real cases?
No, but it draws inspiration from real legal issues and ethical dilemmas.
Who is the main character?
Bobby Donnell is the central figure, a defense attorney who runs the firm.
Does the show have a lot of courtroom scenes?
Yes, courtroom drama is a major component of the series.
Is the tone serious or light-hearted?
The tone is generally serious, dealing with weighty legal and moral issues.
How many seasons does it have?
The show ran for eight seasons on ABC from 1997 to 2004.