Ep 1. Pilot

The Practice is a legal drama television series that first aired in 1997. The show follows the lives of a group of lawyers who work at the law firm of Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt. The first episode of the series is titled "Pilot" and it sets the stage for the rest of the show.

The episode opens with a young lawyer named Bobby Donnell (played by Dylan McDermott) who is frustrated with his current legal practice. He feels that he is not making a difference and wants to be able to help people in a more meaningful way. Bobby decides to leave his old law firm and start his own practice.

Bobby's sister, also a lawyer, joins him in this venture. They rent out a small office space in Boston and start advertising their services. They quickly pick up a few clients but quickly realize that they are in over their heads. They're not making enough money to pay the bills, and Bobby's sister is pregnant, making the situation even more stressful.

Bobby then receives a call from an old law school friend, Eugene Young (played by Steve Harris), who is working at a larger and more prestigious law firm. Eugene tells Bobby about a case that he's working on that could change everything for their new law firm. The case involves a wealthy man who has been accused of murdering his wife. The evidence against him is significant, but Eugene believes that he's innocent.

Bobby and his sister decide to take on the case despite their lack of experience. They see it as an opportunity to prove themselves and make a name for their law firm. Bobby and Eugene work together to prepare for the trial, and they bring in their friend and law school professor, Lindsay Dole (played by Kelli Williams) to help with the case.

As the case progresses, Bobby and Eugene realize that they still have a lot to learn about being lawyers. They make mistakes and fumble through the trial, but they ultimately prove that their client is innocent. The verdict is a huge victory for the new law firm, and they start to gain notoriety and new clients as a result.

Throughout the episode, we also meet other characters who work at the law firm, including a paralegal named Rebecca Washington (played by Lisa Gay Hamilton), who is fiercely loyal to Bobby and his team, and another lawyer named Ellenor Frutt (played by Camryn Manheim), who is skeptical of Bobby's abilities. These characters will come to play a significant role in the series as it progresses.

The first episode of The Practice sets the stage for the rest of the show. It introduces us to the main characters and their motivations, while also setting up a major case that will span several episodes. The episode does an excellent job of establishing the show's tone and style, which is gritty and realistic. The legal proceedings are portrayed in a way that feels authentic and compelling, making the show stand out from other legal dramas of its time.

Overall, "Pilot" is an excellent introduction to The Practice. It's an exciting and engaging episode that sets the stage for a compelling series about the legal profession and the people who work in it. The show would go on to win multiple awards and have a significant impact on the genre, but it all started with this excellent pilot episode.