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'Eli Stone': Boys' Choirs and Biplanes
So much for spiritual enlightenment. Or even peace and quiet. After taking his father's ashes to the Himalayas, Eli Stone returns to San Francisco rested, ready to go back being a litigating shark, and toting a lot of souvenirs from India. He hasn't had any visions or heard any songs ("I didn't even hear Muzak in an elevator") for two blissful weeks. "Everything's back to normal and it's going to stay that way," he tells his incredulous assistant, Patti.
In the Monday morning staff meeting, Eli reassures his bosses he's fine, outmaneuvers his colleague Matt Dowd (are the producers funning with us by naming the kind of jerky colleague after former Bush strategist Matt Dowd? Who, by the way, is a nice guy...) for a big case, and not-so-politely declines a case representing workers suing their giant food manufacturer employers alleging that the pesticides they work with have made them sterile. The case was brought in by an idealistic and perky first-year associate, Maggie Decker (Julie Gonzalo), who thought it'd be in Eli's wheelhouse. And of course, as soon as he blows it off: music. A boys' choir, to be exact. Singing George Michael's "Freedom."
This prompts a visit to Dr. Chen. "I came here so you could stick me with a needle so my life will stop providing me with its own soundtrack," Eli pleads. Chen's advice: Chill and follow the signs. And "if things get really bad, come see me and I'll give you a little needle action."
Back at home with his fiancée, Taylor, Eli lights up some aphrodisiac yak hoof candles and tries to get amorous. She's concerned; has he had any more episodes? No, he lies. And once again, to quote Taylor: George Michael interruptus –- more boys' choir singing. Eli goes back to his brother Nate (Matt Letscher), the doc, and explains what's going on. "So you're not being chased by George Michael any more –- just his catalog," Nate says.
Next vision: Walking down the street, Eli looks up and sees a biplane flying toward him –- which begins chasing him, a la Cary Grant in North by Northwest. Back at the office, the perky Maggie starts trying to wear him down. Discussing strategy for his big case with his Boss/Father-in-Law-to-be, Eli sees the biplane flying through the window and tackles him. He catches a look at a photo of the plaintiffs in the Grow Plus case. Standing in front of a plane. A-ha! Oscar Ramirez, one of the plaintiffs, is a pilot.
Of course he takes the case –- and is doom-and-gloom about their chances from the start, even though we find out in court that the "safety mask" the company instructed its workers to wear is a bandana. We also find out that the Ramirezes are the ones bringing suit (she's the one with fertility problems) because they passed a citizenship test and went to a "notario" to become citizens. Uh oh.
After Taylor's dad mentions the tackle to her, she runs into Patti -– and inadvertently spills the beans about the brain aneurysm. Patti confronts Eli, furious that he didn't trust her with this information ("Wait -– I've got a mother and a fiancée. I know that tone. What did I do?"). Meanwhile, Grow Plus' attorney urges Eli and Maggie to drop the case, and ups the ante with a threat to have the Ramirezes deported, because the notario was a fraud. Eli tells him to stick it. Later, on the stand, Mrs. Ramirez admits that she knows she wasn't infertile before being exposed to the chemicals, because she had a baby years ago and gave him up for adoption -– and her husband knew nothing about it. Uh oh. Mean lawyer/corporate farm 1, Eli and the Ramirezes, 0. But there's still the immigration hearing.
And before that, the song and dance number. "Freedom." In the lobby. George Michael? No -– Eli's boss. And all I can say is, nice pipes, Victor Garber. Shake it but don't break it.
Eli goes back to Dr. Chen, and over beers he discusses how confused he is by what's going on. "I did follow the signs," he says. "And all it got me is two clients who are going to get deported, and a case I lost. … If this choir is supposed to give me a clue as to how to help them, then God needs to be a little less oblique." "Most prophets worked for social justice -– but didn't achieve it in their lifetimes," Chen says. Eli: "That's great –- so when I die they're going to win on appeal? I'm gettin' the ass end of this arrangement, man." Then Chen pipes up with a pep talk about the American dream, how much the Ramirezes risked to get it and how much they need him –- and suddenly I feel like we've wandered onto the set of The West Wing. But a less pompous, wise-cracky version.
With Mr. Ramirez on the stand at the deportation hearing, Eli pulls a stunt with questions from the citizenship test, making the point that despite the massive problem of illegal immigration, "Oscar and Blanca Ramirez are not a policy. They're people. And if this truly is the home of the brave they're as American as anyone in this room." Oh boy. But they end up getting two years to finalize the naturalization process, and set off to try to find the little boy Mrs. Ramirez gave up for adoption -- starting with trying to find the church where she left him. Eli gives them a tip about a place –- with a boys' choir -– that might be the place to start.
Back at work, Eli's boss speechifies about how he's always thought of Eli as the future of the firm, and wonders what he'll give up now that he's decided to continue taking these kinds of cases. At home, Eli starts to open up to Taylor a little bit, telling her how he feels about what's going on –- after an earlier scene with some lovely work by Natasha Henstridge confronting him. They take another shot at romance –- and Eli hears gunfire. Next week: Love is a battlefield.
What did you think? Do you think the premise of having Eli's visions guide him to do-gooder cases will hold up? And when do you think they'll feature "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"?
I'm surpised I love this show so much. The story line is definately "different" but Eli is so likeable and the dialogue is witty. It is so different though that it probably won't be popular. I hope I'm wrong.
Kathy | Feb 8, 2008 12:34:14 AM | #You're right Kathy. It is different so it probably won't be popular. That's what seems to happen to the 'different' shows. Journeyman is another that got the boot and it was along a similar line to Eli Stone. Hope we're both wrong about Eli.
Linda | Feb 8, 2008 10:27:43 AM | #I really LIKE this show. Last week I wasn't certain, but I watched again last night and it made me laugh out loud four times - NOTHING does that.
It's cleverly written and I hope it does well. I think it will if it doesn't go toooooo fantasy.
Jan | Feb 8, 2008 12:01:01 PM | #hey guys i thought this episode was very entertaining, but the last song in the show sounded great, does anybody know the band or artist?
dave | Feb 9, 2008 9:17:47 AM | #I really LIKE this show too - with all its fantasy sequences I find it extremely realistic. Eli doesn't win all his cases, despite what's happened to him Eli is still a cynic and there isn't a lot of hugging going on at work.
A few years ago I read a book called "What is your life's work" by Bill Jensen which is a collection of letters by people who have been inspired by different aspects of work or have had the courage to change their traditional work lifestyle. A lawyer called Peter Tunjic's letter stood out - he had written to his bosses resigning his job because he just didn't believe in billing his hours in 6 minute increments and having to work to give rich clients even more money. Peter, of course, came to this conclusion without visions and I really hope that Eli stays with his firm as it's important to haave the balance of maybe using your skills for the good of the little people ocassionally. Eli is still young enough to remember the ideology he had in college about saving the world before he began worshipping at the altar of the almighty dollar and believe me, i have nothing against money but I like that there's something on TV that shows money doesn't have to be the be all and end all of your life and you can still have a good time with less of it.
Please God let Eli Stone be allowed on for a whole season.
I remember Victor Garber playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar - I never thought he'd have a career playing ruthless men from that innocent beginning. I like having musical stars use their talents in shows like this - more please!
Sirius | Feb 10, 2008 12:46:13 PM | #Initially,I tuned into this show because I loved Berlanti's work on Everwood. I thought the pilot episode was pretty good, but this second one was even better. I like that his visions lead him to take the underdog's case, but also he turns to his acupuncturist for advice.
I'm not sure if we're supposed to be rooting for Eli and Taylor to stay together, but I thought there was some potential chemistry between Eli and Maggie. I also like the relationship that Eli has with Victor Garber's character.
FYI, Lisa: The title for the episode scheduled on February 21 is "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go". :-)
Paige | Feb 11, 2008 7:50:08 AM | #does anyone know where the boys choir scene was filmed...ie what church and city?
thanks
I love the show and the soundtrack! Victor Garber is great. Just an FYI, however, he was Jesus in "Godspell"
musicmom | Mar 28, 2008 5:14:55 PM | #
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