Ep 5. Story of Love

Ally McBeal is a legal comedy-drama TV series that aired from 1997 to 2002. Created by David E. Kelley, it starred Calista Flockhart as Ally McBeal, a young lawyer who works at the law firm of Cage and Fish. The show was known for its quirky storytelling, offbeat humor, and exploration of contemporary issues related to gender, sexuality, and relationships.

Season 2 episode 5 of Ally McBeal is titled "Story of Love" and aired on November 2, 1998. The episode centers around Ally's romantic life, as she tries to find love while dealing with the challenges of modern dating.

At the beginning of the episode, Ally is feeling down about her love life. She confides in her best friend, Renee, that she's been having trouble finding a man who can accept her quirks and idiosyncrasies. Renee suggests that Ally should try online dating, which she reluctantly agrees to.

Meanwhile, at the law firm, the lawyers are representing two clients who are embroiled in a bitter divorce. The husband, Tom, is a wealthy businessman, while the wife, Beth, is a struggling artist. The case is complicated by the fact that Tom had an affair with Beth's sister, Mary, and now wants custody of their child.

Ally is assigned to help Beth's case, and she quickly becomes emotionally invested in the outcome. She sympathizes with Beth's plight as a struggling artist and encourages her to fight for what's fair. However, Ally's relationship with Tom becomes strained when she discovers that he's been using his money and power to manipulate the situation.

Meanwhile, Ally's online dating attempts are not going well. She has a series of awkward, uncomfortable encounters with men who are either too boring or too weird for her. She even tries to set up a date with a man who claims to have a "thing" for lawyers, but quickly realizes that he's only interested in acting out a fantasy.

As the case and Ally's dating life progress, she begins to see parallels between the two. Both involve navigating the complexities of human relationships and dealing with the fallout when things don't go as planned. In the end, Ally comes to a realization about love and how it's not always easy or straightforward.

"Story of Love" is a poignant, amusing, and heartfelt episode that showcases the show's strengths. It's a reminder that love is messy, complicated, and full of surprises, and that it's worth pursuing even when it seems elusive. Ally McBeal was a defining show of its era, and this episode is a testament to its enduring appeal.