One thing about this episode you might want to know is that it is not in the least realistic. It's still good...but incredibly unrealistic in the outcome.
When the show begins, Mr. Holbrook (Joseph Campanella) is beating the crap out of his poor wife, Nancy (Rosemary Forsyth). She manages to escape the brute and runs from the house as you hear a shot ring out. Soon she arrives at Petrocelli's RV and asks he represent her in her divorce. He accepts the case and soon learns that Mrs. Holbrook is wanted for murder. Pretty soon, however, it's obvious she didn't do it and her monster husband is using his immense wealth to not only frame her but scare off Petrocelli. Is there any way justice could be served in such a climate?!
While I enjoyed watching this episodes it had two big flaws. First, with a man as rich and ruthless as Holbrook, there's no way Petrocelli could have won the case. It's more wishful thinking. Second, the only way he could have won the case was if one of the many paid or threatened liars admitted the truth in court...and the episode relied on one of these 'Perry Mason moments' for the truth to come out...and folks in court almost never admit that they are involved in conspiracies...especially when there's no evidence to prove it. Overall, watchable but weak. Also, while not a flaw, it's rather unlikely a trial lawyer would or could handle a divorce case. I suppose in the tiniest of municipalities this might happen...but normally you'd need a different type of lawyer in the USA.
When the show begins, Mr. Holbrook (Joseph Campanella) is beating the crap out of his poor wife, Nancy (Rosemary Forsyth). She manages to escape the brute and runs from the house as you hear a shot ring out. Soon she arrives at Petrocelli's RV and asks he represent her in her divorce. He accepts the case and soon learns that Mrs. Holbrook is wanted for murder. Pretty soon, however, it's obvious she didn't do it and her monster husband is using his immense wealth to not only frame her but scare off Petrocelli. Is there any way justice could be served in such a climate?!
While I enjoyed watching this episodes it had two big flaws. First, with a man as rich and ruthless as Holbrook, there's no way Petrocelli could have won the case. It's more wishful thinking. Second, the only way he could have won the case was if one of the many paid or threatened liars admitted the truth in court...and the episode relied on one of these 'Perry Mason moments' for the truth to come out...and folks in court almost never admit that they are involved in conspiracies...especially when there's no evidence to prove it. Overall, watchable but weak. Also, while not a flaw, it's rather unlikely a trial lawyer would or could handle a divorce case. I suppose in the tiniest of municipalities this might happen...but normally you'd need a different type of lawyer in the USA.
