Ep 8. Blue Christmas

In Ally McBeal season 3 episode 8, titled "Blue Christmas," the staff at Cage & Fish search for the meaning of Christmas while dealing with a new client's unusual predicament. The episode centers around a client named Raymond, a man who believes he is Santa Claus and has been institutionalized for it. Ally and her colleagues take on his case, hoping to get him released in time for Christmas.

Meanwhile, Nelle (played by Portia de Rossi) tries to find the perfect gift for John Cage (played by Peter MacNicol) while grappling with her own loneliness during the holiday season. Meanwhile, Ally (played by Calista Flockhart) tries to avoid the advances of a man named George (played by James LeGros), who seems to have an obsession with her.

As the episode progresses, the characters struggle with various issues related to Christmas. Ling (played by Lucy Liu) is annoyed by everyone else's holiday cheer and aims to keep to herself. Richard (played by Greg Germann) is in charge of putting together the firm's holiday party but struggles to find a theme that will make everyone happy. And Billy (played by Gil Bellows) is depressed after learning he cannot have children, causing tension in his relationship with Georgia (played by Courtney Thorne-Smith).

Throughout the episode, there are various musical performances, including a rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Richard and Ling and a touching performance of "Blue Christmas" by Ally. The episode ends with Raymond's fate being decided and the characters coming together for a heartwarming holiday party.

Overall, "Blue Christmas" is a heartwarming and emotional episode of Ally McBeal that deals with various issues related to Christmas, including the loneliness, the stresses of the season, and the true meaning of the holiday. The episode features strong performances from the entire cast and is sure to leave viewers feeling emotional and reflective during the holiday season.