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The Practice
S8.E11
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IMDbPro

Police State

  • Episode aired Jan 11, 2004
  • TV-PG
  • 40m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
159
YOUR RATING
Lara Flynn Boyle, Dylan McDermott, Steve Harris, and Kelli Williams in The Practice (1997)
CrimeDramaMysteryRomanceThriller

After a policeman is shot to death, Jamie and Tara arrive at the hospital where the suspect is being treated, and are shocked to find the police torturing him for information. But the real s... Read allAfter a policeman is shot to death, Jamie and Tara arrive at the hospital where the suspect is being treated, and are shocked to find the police torturing him for information. But the real shock is when they discover no one seems to have the authority or the willingness to put a ... Read allAfter a policeman is shot to death, Jamie and Tara arrive at the hospital where the suspect is being treated, and are shocked to find the police torturing him for information. But the real shock is when they discover no one seems to have the authority or the willingness to put a stop to it.

  • Director
    • Rod Hardy
  • Writers
    • Jonathan Shapiro
    • David E. Kelley
  • Stars
    • Camryn Manheim
    • Michael Badalucco
    • Steve Harris
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    159
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Rod Hardy
    • Writers
      • Jonathan Shapiro
      • David E. Kelley
    • Stars
      • Camryn Manheim
      • Michael Badalucco
      • Steve Harris
    • 7User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro

    • Photos

    Top Cast26

    Edit
    Camryn Manheim
    Camryn Manheim
    • Ellenor Frutt
    Michael Badalucco
    Michael Badalucco
    • Jimmy Berluti
    Steve Harris
    Steve Harris
    • Eugene Young
    Jessica Capshaw
    Jessica Capshaw
    • Jamie Stringer
    Rhona Mitra
    Rhona Mitra
    • Tara Wilson
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Alan Shore
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh
    Ray Abruzzo
    Ray Abruzzo
    • Detective Michael McGuire
    Michael O'Neill
    Michael O'Neill
    • Judge Robert Temple
    Blake Heron
    Blake Heron
    • Joe Moran
    Marshall Allman
    Marshall Allman
    • Todd Beck
    Alejandro Furth
    Alejandro Furth
    • Dr. Mills
    Michael Patrick McGill
    Michael Patrick McGill
    • Officer Gailey
    S.E. Perry
    S.E. Perry
    • Officer Chandler
    Nadine Ellis
    Nadine Ellis
    • Officer Annie Carroll
    James Moses Black
    James Moses Black
    • Policeman
    Tyrone LaForrest
    • Officer White
    Richard Gross
    Richard Gross
    • Wesley Pollack
    • Director
      • Rod Hardy
    • Writers
      • Jonathan Shapiro
      • David E. Kelley
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews7

    8.6159
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    Featured reviews

    7jodi-44528

    Another self-righteous episode

    Once again, the members of this firm are so outraged because the rights of a scumbag are trampled on. A cop-killer is kept away from lawyers at the hospital and questioned alone, which makes the lawyers' heads explode.

    The bleeding heart liberal bias throughout this show has reached a level for me that is almost unbearable for my taste. It seems that victims get forgotten in the scripts for this, while writers champion murderers, rapists, and other such 'human beings'.

    Frankly, I'm on the side of the cops.
    9welemons-87461

    Compelling and horrifying

    The torture of a suspect and realistic ending that didn't give the viewer a happy ending makes for great television. But now I need a little Golden Girls to get the sadness out of my sister.
    9amarkus3

    ...and look where we are now.

    When this episode was written, it was a response to the advent to the birth of DHS and the potential for civil liberties being eroded. Use of torture, circumventing of rights and willingness of those who are supposed to guard and protect those rights to disregard and abdicate their responsibility. Fast forward to 2025 and we see those fears are now manifest.
    10cow_manx

    Torture

    This episode will make you angry, and it should.

    Watching a gross violation of someone's rights, even in fiction, should shock the conscious and this episode portrays it with amazing accuracy, depth, and heart.

    It also uses a slight sprinkle of humor at appropriate times so as to not completely overwhelm the viewer.

    It all comes together in this episode, even the music and direction is top notch. Easily one of the most important episodes of the series.

    This almost feels like a counterpoint to 24, even borrowing split screen elements early in the episode to great effect.

    The fact the other reviewers bring up politics in their reviews show you this addresses important issues.
    8Hitchcoc

    That's It

    I would refer anyone who sees liberal bias to the current atmosphere in this country. Where the Derrick Chauvins feel their color gives them power over whomever they please. I am a big fan of most cops. Dirty Harry exists in cinema but is now a small segment of the police forces around this country. The partner in this episode never really saw the shooter. You'd think she would be interested in getting the actual murderer. Walsh continues to be totally incapable of following his sworn duty.

    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The telephone conversation between Tara and Joe Moran is first time there's a split-screen scene on the show.
    • Connections
      Referenced in The Practice: The Firm (2004)

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Ren-Mar Studios - 846 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • David E. Kelley Productions
      • 20th Century Fox Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 40m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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