Ep 17. What Child is This?

The Practice was an American legal drama television series that aired from 1997 to 2004. The show follows a group of lawyers at the Boston law firm Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt. The Practice season 5 episode 17, titled "What Child is This?" follows the Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt team as they take on a heartbreaking case involving a child.

The episode begins with a woman named Darlene who comes into the law firm seeking help. She is desperate to get her child back from her ex-boyfriend, who is the child's biological father. Darlene gave birth to the child while she was addicted to drugs and the father was in jail. When she got out of rehab, she went to court to regain custody of her child, but the father had already taken the child to New York City. Now, Darlene has no idea where her child is or how to get her back.

The team at Donnell, Young, Dole & Frutt take on Darlene's case, but when they do some investigating, they discover that the father is a member of a religious group that encourages parents to keep their children away from the "evils" of society. The group is known for its extreme behavior, including kidnapping children from parents they deem unfit. This complicates the case, making it much more difficult for the law firm to recover Darlene's child.

Meanwhile, Eugene's estranged father shows up, seeking his help with a legal case. Eugene is hesitant to take the case but ultimately decides to represent his father in court. As the case unfolds, Eugene learns some shocking things about his father, causing him to question his relationship with him.

The episode also features a subplot involving Bobby and Lindsay, who are still dealing with the aftermath of a difficult case from earlier in the season. The case involved a man who had been wrongfully convicted of murder and spent years on death row before being exonerated. Despite being free, the man is still dealing with the trauma and emotional pain of being incarcerated. Bobby and Lindsay want to help the man, but they're not sure what they can do to ease his suffering.

In "What Child is This?" the audience is taken on an emotional rollercoaster as Darlene's case becomes increasingly difficult to solve. The law firm faces challenges at every turn, making it clear that even experienced lawyers can struggle to get justice for their clients. The episode's interconnected subplots add depth and complexity to the story, adding to the show's reputation for tackling difficult issues head-on.

As always, The Practice delivers strong performances from its talented cast, including Dylan McDermott as Bobby Donnell, Camryn Manheim as Ellenor Frutt, and Michael Badalucco as Jimmy Berluti. The show's writing is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Overall, The Practice season 5 episode 17, "What Child is This?" is a powerful addition to the series, showcasing the show's exceptional storytelling and superb acting. Fans of legal dramas will not be disappointed by this emotionally charged episode.