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The Practice Season 8 Episodes

22 Episodes 2003 - 2004

Episode 1

We the People

Sun, Sep 28, 2003 60 mins

In the first of a three-part story arc, Chris O'Donnell plays an accused killer whose case generates media frenzy. Another plot concerns a drug dealer's slaying by an enraged neighbor. Alan Shore: James Spader. DA Silverman: Norman Lloyd. Aisha: Viola Davis. Judge Harrod: Kenneth Welsh. Randy Markham: Jeff Perry.

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Episode 2

The Chosen

Sun, Oct 5, 2003 60 mins

Sharon Stone stars in a three-part story arc as a brilliant litigator---and schizophrenic---who is Alan's client in a wrongful-termination suit against the firm that fired her. Elsewhere, Ellenor's murder case takes a startling turn involving the defendant's preteen daughter. Brad: Chris O'Donnell. Ginsberg: Adam Arkin. Campbell: Tyrees Allen.

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Episode 3

Cause of Action

Sun, Oct 12, 2003 60 mins

The challenge of a murder acquittal finds Shore facing disbarment; an infidelity case becomes a cause célèbre for unconventional Sheila Carlisle (Sharon Stone), in a tentative association with the firm. Stanfield: Chris O'Donnell. Roland Huff: Ken Campbell. Judge Warren West: Frank Birney.

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Episode 4

Blessed Are They

Sun, Oct 19, 2003 60 mins

Troubling cases affect Sheila (Sharon Stone), who's further losing her grip on reality; Eugene, who deals with a disturbed client's double murder; and Ellenor, who's haunted by a manipulative killer. Stanfield: Chris O'Donnell. Roland Huff: Ken Campbell. Judge Wallace: Ron McLarty.

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Episode 5

The Heat of Passion

Sun, Oct 26, 2003 60 mins

A complex murder case implicating a white supremacist embroils Eugene; malpractice fears haunt Jamie; the defense of accused killer Roland Huff embattles Shore, whose tactics astonish Tara and precipitate a run-in with a judge. Macklin: John Walcutt. Grant: Andrew Leeds. Huff: Ken Campbell.

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Episode 6

The Lonely People

Sun, Nov 2, 2003 60 mins

The trial of a white supremacist, charged with ordering the slaying of an African-American, hinges on a follower's suspicious testimony, which uncovers secrets from the accused's past. Meanwhile, closure is reached in the Huff case, thanks to the sister of a slain victim.

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Episode 7

Rape Shield

Sun, Nov 9, 2003 60 mins

A rape case rattles Jimmy, ill-prepared to defend a client who maintains his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. Also, ethics violations catch up to Shore, who has a showdown with Eugene. Webb: Bruce Weitz. Mills: Laz Alonso.

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Episode 8

Concealing Evidence

Sun, Nov 23, 2003 60 mins

Thorny cases embolden Shore, who plays hardball with a drug company's high-powered lawyer (Ron Leibman) in a civil suit, and fast and loose with evidence in a homicide. Ted Grayson: Michael Tighe. Judge Moreno: Amy Aquino. Judge White: Herb Mitchell. Beckham: Christopher Shea.

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Episode 9

Victims' Rights

Sun, Nov 30, 2003 60 mins

A political-asylum case embattles Shore and a 12-year-old client, a Romanian girl who fears a marriage in her homeland; a homicide stirs troubling memories for Eugene. Gilbert: Josh Hamilton. Anna: Becca Gardner. Susan Alexander: Kate Burton. Judge Stucky: David Andrews. Bennett: David Garrison.

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Episode 10

Equal Justice

Sun, Dec 7, 2003 60 mins

A sordid homicide tries Shore, who's representing a teen drug dealer and accused killer with an unorthodox defense; a civil suit tests Tara, who's undertaking her first case as lead counsel. Judge Robbins: Jordan Baker. Marshall: Brenden Richard. Tang Jingyu: Tzi Ma.

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Episode 11

Police State

Sun, Jan 11, 2004 60 mins

Police brutality is at issue in a controversial high-pressure case that raises other questions regarding rights and legal ethics as they pertain to clients linked to a cop killing. Moran: Blake Heron. Beck: Marshall Allman. Walsh: Bill Smitrovich. Judge Temple: Michael O'Neill. Det. McGuire: Ray Abruzzo.

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Episode 12

Avenging Angels

Sun, Jan 18, 2004 60 mins

Mob intrigue envelops a case involving an attack on a syndicate chief by a retired dock worker (Ralph Waite), whose daughter was slain seven years earlier in a mob mix-up. Also, a nasty divorce suit absorbs Shore, who plays fast and loose with legal ethics.

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Episode 13

Going Home

Sun, Feb 15, 2004 60 mins

A steamy story arc centers on Shore's defense of an old friend (Patrick Dempsey) who's accused of killing his mistress. Jill Clayburgh plays his wealthy mother; Betty White an irascible extortioner; and Edward Asner an ornery judge. McCarley: Michael Reilly Burke. Father Dugan: Taylor Nichols.

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Episode 14

Pre-Trial Blues

Sun, Feb 22, 2004 60 mins

An ongoing, sensational murder case besets Shore with pre-trial anxieties centering on jury selection; a hostile judge (Ed Asner); a priest's confession; and suspicions of malpractice that involve a manipulative witness for the prosecution (Betty White). Dr. Stewart: Patrick Dempsey. Victoria: Jill Clayburgh. Father Dugan: Taylor Nichols.

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Episode 15

Mr. Shore Goes to Town

Sun, Mar 7, 2004 60 mins

Fireworks erupt at Dr. Stewart's trial when shocking testimony is elicited from the defendant's strong-willed mother (Jill Clayburgh), a conflicted priest and a crackpot (Betty White). Stewart: Patrick Dempsey. Judge Winnaker: Ed Asner. Father Dugan: Taylor Nichols. Clarke: Rick Hoffman.

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Episode 16

In Good Conscience

Sun, Mar 14, 2004 60 mins

Medical ethics inflame a case that tests Jamie, who's up against a hospital charged with negligence in a pregnant woman's death. Elswhere, Eugene lowers the boom on Shore. Seabury: Gary Cole. Dr. Platt: Jeremy Davidson. Tom Quillen: John Keefe.

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Episode 17

War of the Roses

Sun, Mar 21, 2004 60 mins

In the start of a four-part story arc, William Shatner plays an eccentric, flamboyant, high-priced lawyer, who's defending Shore in a wrongful-termination suit that rankles Eugene. Meanwhile, a client's assault of a cop embroils Ellenor in a case that raises constitutional issues. Billings: Vince Colosimo. Lucy: Marla Sokoloff.

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Episode 18

The Case Against Alan Shore

Sun, Mar 28, 2004 60 mins

The firm stands together against Shore as a preliminary shot at settling fails; Crane questions Shore's commitment, and scrutinizes Tara for a job, while Shore questions Crane's necessity. Crane: William Shatner. Billings: Vince Colosimo. Burke: Adam Goldberg. Judge Gleason: Stan Ivar. Tara: Rhona Mitra. Shore: James Spader. Jamie: Jessica Capshaw. Eugene: Steve Harris.

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Episode 19

The Firm

Sun, Apr 18, 2004 60 mins

Friction at the firm gets to Jimmy, who's torn between loyalties and principles. Meanwhile, tension besets Shore as he crosses swords with his brilliant but erratic new boss (William Shatner), whose behavior raises questions of competence. Hannah: Rebecca De Mornay. Billings: Vince Colosimo. Sally: Lake Bell.

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Episode 20

Comings and Goings

Sun, Apr 25, 2004 60 mins

Hockey violence is tackled in a provocative case handled by Shore, whose bold style turns on a brassy associate (Rebecca De Mornay); a new practice vexes Jimmy; a golden opportunity tempts Eugene. Crane: William Shatner. Sally: Lake Bell.

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Episode 21

New Hoods on the Block

Sun, May 2, 2004 60 mins

Dylan McDermott returns as Bobby, backing Eugene before an intransigent committee that's considering him for a judgeship. Meanwhile, sparks fly between Ellenor and Hannah over a civil suit; tensions mount between Jimmy and a bullying lawyer in the neighborhood.

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Episode 22

Cheers

Sun, May 16, 2004 60 mins

The series finale is capped by an emotional farewell among longtime regulars, framed by a storyline that embroils Shore (James Spader) in a provocative sexual-assault case and troublesome romantic entanglements. Bobby: Dylan McDermott. Crane: William Shatner. Sally: Lake Bell.

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