Ep 4. The Affair

Ally McBeal season 1 episode 4, titled "The Affair," follows the daily antics of the lawyers at the fictional Boston law firm Cage & Fish. The episode begins with Ally (Calista Flockhart) being pursued by a man named Doug, who she had a one night stand with a few weeks prior. Doug attempts to win Ally's affections, but she is hesitant to get involved with him again.

Meanwhile, Cage (Peter MacNicol) and Fish (Greg Germann) are in crisis mode as their biggest client, a successful toy company, is being sued for copyright infringement. They enlist the help of an expert witness, Dr. Tracy Clark (portrayed by Tracey Ullman), a brilliant but eccentric woman with a penchant for revealing personal details about herself during trial testimony.

As the case heats up, Cage and Fish's relationship with Dr. Clark becomes increasingly complicated, leading to comical mishaps and odd confrontations in court. Meanwhile, Ally's personal life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that Doug has been seeing another woman, leading her to reevaluate her own feelings and priorities.

The episode also features a guest appearance by singer Vonda Shepard, who plays a singer at the bar where the lawyers gather after work. The character would later become a regular fixture on the show, performing live renditions of popular songs and providing commentary on the legal proceedings of the firm.

Overall, "The Affair" is a lighthearted and comedic episode that showcases the fast-paced and unpredictable world of a high-pressure law firm, while also exploring the personal struggles and romantic entanglements of its quirky cast of characters.