Ep 5. Troubled Water

Ally McBeal is a legal comedy-drama series that aired between 1997 and 2002 and was one of the most popular shows during its time. It primarily focused on courtroom drama, while also depicting the personal lives of the attorneys working at the fictional Boston-based law firm Cage and Fish.

Season 3 of Ally McBeal starts off with Ally still recovering from her breakup with her long-time boyfriend, Billy, and she soon begins to doubt whether she should have given him up in the first place. Episode 5 of season 3, "Troubled Water," starts with Ally having a vivid dream where she meets a younger version of Billy who helps her find her way back to present-day Billy.

At the law firm, the partners are focusing on a wrongful termination case of a company's employee who was dismissed merely for reporting a sexual harassment incident by her senior colleague. Since the company is claiming that they fired the employee for incompetence, things get complicated for the firm when they bring in Richard Fish's love interest, who is the CEO of the company, to testify.

Meanwhile, Elaine's sister, who has been in a mental facility for years, is released and comes to live with her. However, Renee soon discovers that her sister's behavior is suspicious and begins to suspect that she is not completely cured.

Ally's dream becomes a central plot point in the episode as it gives her an opportunity to see Billy again and show her how much he cares about her. However, Ally's psyche is not satisfied with merely reconnecting with Billy in her dream and is continually struggling to find a real way to reconnect with him.

Throughout the episode, Ally is seen wrestling with the decision of whether to reach out to Billy or not. Her dilemma is amplified when she finds out that Billy may be involved with another woman. The way the show deals with Ally's internal struggle and her attempts to figure out her romantic life make for a compelling and thought-provoking emotional arc.

Troubled Water is an impactful episode for another reason - the focus on the company's wrongful termination case and its implications on sexual harassment at the workplace. It simultaneously raises important questions about employee protection and workplace ethics. The fact that the CEO is painted in shades of gray only adds to the complexity of the discussion.

The episode also shows how the legal system can be manipulated by people in positions of power and how important it is for law firms to act as a check and balance to protect employees' rights. The way allies approach the case and how they fight for the employee's cause also shows how the legal profession can create change in society.

Additionally, the subplot involving Elaine's sister provides a different angle to the show, ongoing mental issues and its effects on those around it.

In short, Troubled Water is an action-packed episode of Ally McBeal that provides a potent mix of legal drama, personal challenges, and emotional growth. It's an episode that consistently offsets great comedy against real-life issues, both contemporary and timeless.