'Eli Stone': Ch-ch-ch-ch-chaaanges

Hey there, Stoners! (Sorry, couldn't help it.) I'll be filling in for Lisa tonight, and while I accepted the job with the hope of a Victor Garber song and dance number, tonight's episode of Eli Stone was a stunner even without one. I've been watching the show on and off since it premiered, and I was glad to catch this game-changer.

Insane in the Membrane: After a vision prompted by a scary acupuncture procedure mentioned in "Dad's Unabomber prophecy manifesto" (ha!) indicates that Eli's presence on Jordan's defense team will sink the case, Eli withdraws from the team, enduring cries of "traitor" from every angle. Instead, Taylor takes the lead. And seriously, I can't imagine this would happen in real life. I know they brought up the objectivity issue, but it seems insurmountable to me. At any rate, the partners bring out Jordan's wife, who admits that Jordan has been different since the accident, and further says that Taylor agrees with her. Whoops.

In a fantastic scene, Eli tries to explain to Jordon why he left the defense team, and tells Jordan about how he used a vision to rescue him in the bank. Jordan isn't hearing any of it, though, and Victor Garber gives an Emmy-worthy performance raging at Eli. Jordan: "We discussed changing the firm!" Eli: "Not tearing it apart!" Jordan's disappointed that Eli is following his vision instead of defending Jordan against something real and imminent. Seriously, it's great. 

Jordan insists upon testifying, and describes an alcoholic-esque moment of clarity when he realized that his lifestyle was detrimental to himself and others. When he admits that this clarity was inspired by Eli Stone, the partners produce a document in which Eli talks about his visions being sent by a higher power, and Posner asks if Jordan believes they're being guided by God. Recess!

Back on the stand the next day, Jordan whips out the firm's mission statement, written on a napkin by the three partners back in the day, "Bartlett for America"-style (yeah, I've got elections on the brain): "WPK will be a firm that serves the public good and honors the public trust." Aaaand he points out that they're calling him insane for doing just that. Snap! And Jordan wins the case, though he loses the support of the board and gets voted out as managing partner.

Pure, Unleaded Justice:  Nate convinces Eli to take on a 6-year-old girl with lead poisoning as a client  (apparently, their dad wrote that it would happen), and Eli's visions suggest that the case will take him and a very excited Jordan to the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, there are a number of obstacles: the paint probably came from several manufacturers, there's a statute of limitations, and no one's won a case like this before. To take care of the first problem, at least, they decide to sue all the manufacturers. At the first hearing, Eli asks Maggie to sit in the gallery for sympathy, so they don't have many people at their table. Possible foreshadowing about the separation that obviously happens between them?

With 24 hours to convince the judge that he has a case, Eli has another vision of the Supreme Court, where he sees that Posner and Klein are the opposing counsel in the lead case. Eli grabs a file and sees how he got the case past the first stage, and back in present day he withdraws their product liability complaint and amends it to include a claim under the public nuisance doctrine, which doesn't require causation and has no statute of limitations. Isn't it cheating to get answers from the future on what you've already done? This show gives me a headache sometimes.

Anyway, they're offered a miraculously big $500,000 settlement, with the caveat that it's secret and comes with no admission of liability from the manufacturers. Eli calls it a bribe, but the clients can't turn it down (and Maggie agrees that they should take it). He then decides to give the case away to Jeff Powell, who can find a new client, realizing that it's someone else's crusade. If you ask me, they could have spent a liiitle more time explaining why the heck he can't just get a new client instead. Jordan was so excited about the Supreme Court! This case does, in fact, go to the Supreme Court, and Eli sees it in a vision just as opening arguments are beginning between Jeff and...Maggie! Arguing for Posner and Klein! WHAT?! (Also: Ouch.)

Futurama: Jordan, calling Eli his friend (having realized that Eli definitely shouldn't have been on his defense team), decides to create a non-evil firm and take Eli along with him! Yay! And even better, Taylor reminds Posner and Klein that the firm's building is solely in Jordan's name, as the other two were involved in scandals when it was purchased. Jordan gives them a week to get out, and makes clear that he intends to keep as many associates as wish to stay. Basically, he schools them as only Victor Garber can. And while I feel like that worked out a little too handily, I'm okay with it.

The Unabomber Prophecy Manifesto: At first, Eli wants to read his dad's journal, over Dr. Chen's strenuous objections that he shouldn't try to control the uncontrollable. Apparently, Dr. Chen has also seen some pretty heavy stuff in said journal that he wishes he hadn't understood. Eli takes the book anyway, but winds up burning it rather than reading it in an attempt to live his life his own way. Noble try, buddy, but I'm pretty sure those visions will still control you like a puppet on a string, whether you're trying to follow what your dad wrote or no. A for effort, though! I'm guessing that Nate isn't going to react very well to the journal's destruction.

So essentially, we're left with two of the main forces that have been guiding Eli - the journal and the practice - out of the picture. I'm very interested to see what happens next. ...Especially if it involves Victor Garber singing and dancing.

Do you like the direction the show appears to be taking? What do you think about Maggie's future self?

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