Ep 9. Reasons to Believe

In Ally McBeal Season 4 Episode 9 titled "Reasons to Believe," Ally, played by Calista Flockhart, is asked by her therapist to list down all the good things in life. She struggles to come up with any, but her therapy session gives her something to think about and focuses on the case of Rosalyn, a potential client with a peculiar case.

Rosalyn, played by Kathy Najimy, is a devout Catholic who claims to have seen an apparition of Jesus Christ on the wall of her shower. The apparition is bleeding, and Rosalyn believes that the message is a sign from God. She wants to sue her boss, who fired her after she revealed her experience to her coworkers at a Christmas party, claiming that she was mentally unstable.

Ally is not convinced that Rosalyn's case has any legal merit. She is close to dismissing the case altogether until she meets Rosalyn, who is genuine in her belief that she saw a sign from God. Ally starts to see something in Rosalyn's story. Ally confides in John, played by Peter MacNicol, that she thinks that Rosalyn may have a case on the grounds of religious discrimination.

The case brings up deeper issues for Ally and the rest of the lawyers in their firm. The topics of religion and faith are discussed, and the emotions and uncertainty they evoke are explored. The episode takes a more philosophical tone, with Ally questioning if there are things in life worth believing in when the world is full of disappointments. The episode tries to balance the comedy and introspection, and viewers get to see a different side of Ally.

Ally is still dealing with Larry's departure, played by Robert Downey Jr. and is trying to move on with her life. She has been apprehensive about taking a chance on love again and is refocusing her energy on her work. 'Reasons to Believe' forces her to come to terms with her emotions and what she wants in life. Ally talks about her relationship woes with Nelle, played by Portia de Rossi, who encourages her to open her mind and heart to the possibility of finding love again.

The episode also introduces a new character, Raymond, played by Reg E. Cathey. He is a consultant hired by the firm to advise them on employment issues. Raymond has a calm and deliberate nature, and he is a good foil for the eccentricities of the lawyers at Cage and Fish.

In 'Reasons to Believe,' there is no musical number but the episode still features eclectic performances. Vonda Shepard, who plays herself, performs a trio of songs, two of which were unreleased at the time the episode aired. Ally and John also have a fun-filled morning playing miniature golf that results in an injured thumb for John.

Overall, 'Reasons to Believe' is a heartfelt episode that explores deeper issues of faith, belief, and relationships. The episode is a departure from the usual format of Ally McBeal, but it still manages to embody the spirit of the series. The performances by Flockhart, Najimy, and Cathey are particularly noteworthy. The episode encourages viewers to examine their beliefs and values, and whether there are any reasons worth believing in.