Ep 8. The Means

In season 2 episode 8 of the legal drama series The Practice, titled "The Means," the charismatic but cunning serial killer Stuart Donovan (played by guest star Kurtwood Smith) goes to trial for the murder of another young woman. Bobby Donnell (played by Dylan McDermott) and his team take on Donovan's defense, but the case quickly becomes complicated when evidence arises that suggests Donovan may have committed other murders and has been manipulating his defense team.

As Bobby struggles to prove Donovan's innocence and maintain his own ethical standards, he must also contend with the presence of an ambitious prosecutor named Helen Gamble (played by Lara Flynn Boyle) who is hot on Donovan's heels. Meanwhile, the rest of the team deals with their own personal and professional dilemmas as they try to secure a victory for their client.

Throughout the episode, tensions run high as both sides present their cases to the jury. There are twists and turns in the trial that keep viewers on the edge of their seats, as the truth behind Donovan's alleged crimes slowly but surely comes to light.

Despite Bobby's best efforts to defend Donovan, things don't go as planned in the courtroom. The case takes a shocking turn that leaves everyone questioning whether justice was truly served.

Overall, "The Means" is an intense and thought-provoking episode of The Practice that forces the characters to grapple with difficult moral dilemmas and confront their own limitations as lawyers. With strong performances from the cast and a riveting storyline, it's a must-watch for fans of legal dramas and true crime stories alike.