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Ally McBeal
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Meet Ally McBeal, a single lawyer both blessed and cursed with eccentric colleagues, a now-married-to-someone-else childhood sweetheart, and an incredibly overactive imagination that's working overtime!
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
Cro-MagnonAlly, Renee, and Georgia take an art class and are all drawn to a well endowed male nude model. Ally is assigned the case of a 19-year-old charged with assault after punching the ex-boyfriend of his date when he verbally abused her. Ally is disturbed that she finds herself attracted to her client despite his young age. - 02
These are the DaysJohn represents his cousin who feels a strange compulsion to hit people over the head to get them to realize who they love. Ally represents two men who want to swap hearts; one wants to give his healthy heart to his sick friend, but Ally is forced into making the final decision in the case. Georgia and Billy decide to be more spontaneous and risky with their lovemaking in order to spice up their marriage. - 03
Out in the ColdAlly befriends a homeless man who turns out to be a writer doing research on homelessness. They hit it off and just when Ally starts to think the man could be Mr. Right, she is stunned by what she finds about him. Meanwhile, Ling is arrested for running a brothel when one of her escorts has sex with a high school boy.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
PilotSeptember 8, 1997Ally loses her job at her law firm when she files a sexual harassment claim against a colleague. A chance meeting with ex-classmate Richard - S01E02
Compromising PositionsSeptember 15, 1997Richard's business partner, John Cage, is arrested for soliciting a prostitute. Ally discovers an unsavory fact about Billy's past when they - S01E03
The KissSeptember 22, 1997Ally wonders why Ronald failed to kiss her after their first date. Georgia and Ally work on an age discrimination case where the opposing li - S01E04
The AffairSeptember 29, 1997Ally is asked to give a eulogy for one of her professors from college. She is reluctant because his wife is unaware about the affair they ha - S01E05
One Hundred Tears AwayOctober 20, 1997Ally attacks another shopper during a supermarket dispute and forgets to pay for spermicide. Ally is charged with assault and shoplifting. H - S01E06
The PromiseOctober 27, 1997Ally and John defend Whipper's friend on a solicitation charge. While working with John, Ally notices his unique approach to work. During an - S01E07
The AttitudeNovember 3, 1997Ally takes the case of a Jewish lady who wants her rabbi to grant a spiritual release from her marriage, because her husband is comatose. Al - S01E08
Drawing the LinesNovember 10, 1997Billy and Georgia experience marital difficulties when he reveals to Ally that he still has feelings for her. Ally and Georgia try to help a - S01E09
The Dirty JokeNovember 17, 1997After Renee makes fun of Ally for being a prudish 'Julie Andrews type' they agree to each tell their best dirty joke to see who can get the - S01E10
Boy to the WorldDecember 1, 1997Whipper asks Ally to take the case of a young transgender sex worker, Stephanie, charged for solicitation for the third time. Ally is moved - S01E11
Silver BellsDecember 15, 1997Richard asks Ally and John to represent three people requesting the right to legally have a three-way marriage. Ally is disgusted by the ide - S01E12
Season's bestCro-MagnonJanuary 5, 1998Ally, Renee, and Georgia take an art class and are all drawn to a well endowed male nude model. Ally is assigned the case of a 19-year-old c - S01E13
The Blame GameJanuary 19, 1998Ally bumps into the male model in Starbucks and confronts him for the way he treated her. John is assigned a case to help two siblings sue a - S01E14
Body LanguageFebruary 2, 1998Ally and Georgia represent a woman wishing to marry a death row inmate, resulting in Ally being a bridesmaid. Richard asks Ally to flirt wit - S01E15
Once in a LifetimeFebruary 23, 1998Ally and Billy represent an elderly artist fighting to maintain control of his estate after his son decides he is too senile to stay in char - S01E16
Forbidden FruitsMarch 2, 1998The firm takes on a high profile case of a US Senator sued for 'interfering with marital relations,' and when the case starts to become dist - S01E17
Theme of LifeMarch 9, 1998Ally, Georgia, and Renee join a kickboxing class, and Ally and Georgia are scheduled to fight together. Ally defends a surgeon Greg charged - S01E18
The Playing FieldMarch 16, 1998Ally and Greg are involved in a car accident. Ally discovers her latest opposing counsel is a 10-year-old genius; but only after she kicked - S01E19
Happy Birthday, BabyApril 6, 1998Ally is upset about her impending birthday but friends and coworkers arrange a surprise party at the bar. Greg and Renee perform a seductive - S01E20
The InmatesApril 27, 1998Billy takes on a case of a woman charged with murdering her husband. Georgia represents a man fired from his job for being heterosexual. Ren - S01E21
Being ThereMay 4, 1998As Renee's trial continues, she becomes worried by John's unusual tactics in court. Ally has to confront Renee about her sexual aggressivene - S01E22
Alone AgainMay 11, 1998John opposes a woman he was in love with at law school and, after some encouragement by Ally, tells her how he feels. Georgia and Richard ta - S01E23
These are the DaysMay 18, 1998John represents his cousin who feels a strange compulsion to hit people over the head to get them to realize who they love. Ally represents
Season02
- S02E01
The Real WorldSeptember 14, 1998Fish and Cage hire a new associate, Nelle "sub-zero" Porter. John confides to Ally about his attraction to Nelle. Ally and John defend a wom - S02E02
They Eat Horses, Don't They?September 21, 1998Nelle's friend and client, Ling Woo, sues a radio DJ for making sexually explicit comments on air; and to the disgust of Ally, drops the cas - S02E03
Fools Night OutSeptember 28, 1998Ling sues a plastic surgeon who passed off his nurse's natural breasts as his implant work. Georgia is upset by Billy's involvement in the t - S02E04
Season's bestIt's My PartyOctober 19, 1998Ally defends George Madison, editor of a feminist magazine fired for his religious views on women. Ally finds herself attracted to George, b - S02E05
Story of LoveOctober 26, 1998Ally is arrested after a fight with a young woman angry with her best friend for stealing her boyfriend. After Ally agrees to represent her - S02E06
World's Without LoveNovember 2, 1998Renee bumps into Matt, an old flame who is currently married, whom she refers to as her "Billy." Ally represents a nun forced to leave her o - S02E07
Happy TrailsNovember 9, 1998Ally finally shakes the pesky Wallace. Ling rescues Stefan the frog from a suicide jump only to have him served up as dinner. The gang at th - S02E08
Just LookingNovember 16, 1998A group of mothers against pornography is trying to shut down Ling's female mud-wrestling club. Ally gets herself into a strange predicament - S02E09
You Never Can TellNovember 23, 1998—Renee inadvertently sets Ally up on a dull but persistent blind date. On this blind date, Ally gets her fingers stuck in a bowling ball. Nel - S02E10
Making Spirits BrightDecember 14, 1998—Fish throws his annual Christmas bash as Ally and Billy get drawn into a high stakes case involving a wealthy bond trader claiming wrongful - S02E11
In DreamsJanuary 11, 1999—Upon discovering her favorite high school teacher is terminally ill, Ally seeks a court order to allow the women to spend her remaining days - S02E12
Love UnlimitedJanuary 18, 1999—Ally defends a woman coming out of a nine-year marriage whose husband, claiming mental incompetence, wants to have the marriage annulled. Ne - S02E13
Angels and BlimpsFebruary 8, 1999—The lawyers are shocked to discover Ling has been keeping a secret. Ally visits Dr. Butters at the hospital one day and sees he's treating a - S02E14
Pyramids on the NileFebruary 15, 1999—Fish announces that the most unlikely person has been hired as the firm's latest attorney. Appeals to John Cage go nowhere as he feels he ha - S02E15
SideshowFebruary 22, 1999—When we last saw Ally she was in shock over her encounter with Billy. Ally realizes her life is in crisis and that everything she does from - S02E16
Sex, Lies and PoliticsMarch 1, 1999—Ally is guilt ridden by her encounter with Billy. She goes to see Dr. Tracy Clark and discusses subsequent revelations, which surfaced durin - S02E17
Civil WarApril 5, 1999—Word that Billy and Ally came perilously close to an adulterous affair is spreading through the law firm. What is most uncomfortable are the - S02E18
Those Lips, That HandApril 19, 1999—Cage and Fish's firm gets a capital case to defend a man accused of murdering his comatose wife. He insists he fired up the chainsaw and cut - S02E19
Let's DanceApril 26, 1999—Cage continues to ride the high of his birthday gift from Nelle. It was a life changing night and has had a profound effect on his view of h - S02E20
Only the LonelyMay 3, 1999In a land where everyone has the opportunity to make a fortune, it seems that now it's Elaine's turn. The members of Fish & Cage congreg - S02E21
The Green MonsterMay 10, 1999—Fish and Cage find themselves representing the soon to be ex-wife of a philanderer who is suing not just for divorce but for property damage - S02E22
Love's IllusionsMay 17, 1999—Ally is having weird dreams about moments from her childhood, some good, some painful. But each compels her to wrestle with the question of - S02E23
I Know Him by HeartMay 24, 1999—Ally's heart is broken and not by Billy or Greg. It's just one big stress fracture. She's come to the realization that there isn't anyone ou
Season03
- S03E01
Car WashOctober 25, 1999—"There are no mistakes in love..." Without ever engaging in conversation, Ally has a steamy fling with a guy who works at the car wash. Back - S03E02
Buried PleasuresNovember 1, 1999—The men in the office just call her, "The Yummy One..." Ling's curiosity is piqued when she dreams about kissing Ally. Under the pretense of - S03E03
Seeing GreenNovember 8, 1999—Ally is plagued with hallucinations of Al Green. She talks about these hallucinations with Dr. Shirley Flott, who is seeing patients while D - S03E04
Heat WaveNovember 15, 1999—Risa, the bride whose wedding Ally destroyed, decides to sue Ally for intentional infliction of emotional distress. The amount is enough to - S03E05
Troubled WaterNovember 22, 1999—The day before Thanksgiving, Billy goes completely crazy, driving Georgia to kiss "George" in the bar. Ally invites everyone over to her pla - S03E06
ChangesNovember 29, 1999—Richard and Ling officially break up. Billy and Cage represent a sexy, middle-aged woman who's suing her employees for sexual harassment. Th - S03E07
Saving SantaDecember 13, 1999—The first case Georgia brings to Renee's new firm pits them against Cage and Fish. Georgia defends Newman's, an upscale department store aga - S03E08
Blue ChristmasDecember 20, 1999—Elaine finds a real, live six-week-old baby in a nativity scene manger and wants to keep him. Cage and Ally represent Elaine in her fight to - S03E09
Season's bestOut in the ColdJanuary 10, 2000Ally befriends a homeless man who turns out to be a writer doing research on homelessness. They hit it off and just when Ally starts to thin - S03E10
Just FriendsJanuary 17, 2000—Ally has a romantic dream about Cage and wakes up thinking that he may be the one for her. When she finally gets up the courage to tell him, - S03E11
Over the RainbowFebruary 7, 2000—Georgia sues Cage, Fish and the firm for the destruction of her marriage. She cites many issues as leading to Billy's breakdown and the ulti - S03E12
In Search of PygmiesFebruary 14, 2000Ling defends a dear old friend who is asked to leave his retirement home because the director finds his exuberant imagination disruptive for - S03E13
Pursuit of LonelinessFebruary 21, 2000—Ally is pursued by Hammond, the server at her usual coffee shop, but is turned off by his forwardness. When pressed, she admits that a coffe - S03E14
The Oddball ParadeFebruary 28, 2000Cage and Fish represent a group of "oddballs" who were fired by a boss who claims their "oddities" were preventing them from fulfilling a ne - S03E15
Prime SuspectMarch 20, 2000Cage's 'oddball' client is accused of murdering his old boss and the firm gets involved in their first murder trial. Suspecting he's been se - S03E16
Boy Next DoorMarch 27, 2000Billy represents a woman in an annulment action case, who's deeply religious husband wants out of the marriage. Meanwhile, John gets trapped - S03E17
I Will SurviveApril 10, 2000Gloria Gaynor stalks Ally around singing ''I Will Survive.'' Meanwhile, Ally and Ling team up to represent a woman who beat her cheating hus - S03E18
Turning ThirtyMay 1, 2000The firm defends a woman accused of murdering her eighty-nine-year-old husband by suffocating him...with her breasts. Meanwhile, Ally strugg - S03E19
Do You Wanna Dance?May 8, 2000Ally engages in a little virtual sex, with a guy she's been writing to online for the past few months. At Renee's prompting, Ally tries to a - S03E20
Hope and GloryMay 15, 2000Nelle schemes to leave Cage & Fish in order to start her own firm and it leaves both Richard and John furious. Elaine accepts Nelle's of - S03E21
Ally McBeal: The Musical, AlmostMay 22, 2000Things go awry when Ally introduces Brian to her parents, resulting in conjuring up old pains and hurt feelings. Nelle regrets her decision
Season04
- S04E01
Sex, Lies and Second ThoughtsOctober 23, 2000Brian asks Ally to move in with him, but she questions the entire relationship mostly because their sex life is lackluster. She turns to Ren - S04E02
Girls' Night OutOctober 30, 2000Richard and Ling take Cindy McCauliff's case. She was fired for refusing to take a physical, afraid people would find out she's a man. John - S04E03
Two's a CrowdNovember 6, 2000Mark's girlfriend finally reveals "her" secret; Ling and Nelle represent a woman suing a relationship guru whose advice ruined the woman's m - S04E04
Without a NetNovember 13, 2000Ally runs into Kimmie Bishop, an old friend of hers from college. Ally makes fun of her in front of her fellow puritan friends, and Kimmie i - S04E05
The Last VirginNovember 20, 2000Kimmie comes to Cage & Fish looking to hire Ally. She's suing her old firm for wrongful termination. They fired her for being too purita - S04E06
'Tis the SeasonNovember 27, 2000The Christmas season is approaching, and while Ally is thrilled about it, Larry has nothing to celebrate. He confesses to her that he has a - S04E07
Love on HolidayDecember 4, 2000Elaine gets sued by a former office clerk because she called him "peanut" due his size. John thinks Larry was ridiculing him by making fun o - S04E08
The Man with the BagDecember 11, 2000John and Nelle defend her father who was fired from his job as a teacher because he claims he's Santa Claus; Ally feels threatened when Larr - S04E09
Reasons to BelieveJanuary 8, 2001John's idol, Nicholas Engblume, shows up and needs his help in court, and then Nicholas's wife shows up and needs his help in getting a divo - S04E10
The Ex-FilesJanuary 15, 2001Ling's ex-fiancé is about to get married, but he's still in love with Ling. Larry's ex, Jamie, is back in town, and she's determined that it - S04E11
Mr. BoJanuary 22, 2001Much to Richard's surprise, Chubby Checker is not dead, but is in fact at the bar with a charity Twist contest. Elaine & Mark, Ally & - S04E12
Hats Off to LarryFebruary 5, 2001In search of the most homophobic, bigoted lawyer she can find, Mark's ex-girlfriend Cindy comes to Richard to get the courts to allow her to - S04E13
Reach Out and TouchFebruary 12, 2001With Larry gone, Ally is hallucinating. This time it's Barry Manilow and therapy has taught her to physically fight her hallucinations. Rich - S04E14
Boys TownFebruary 19, 2001Richard and John's relationship grows more tense than ever and so they attend couples therapy; Jackson's presence has a profound impact on E - S04E15
Falling UpFebruary 26, 2001Jackson and Renee's one night stand turns into something more; Ally visits several therapists to get over her hallucinations of Larry, who e - S04E16
The GetawayMarch 19, 2001To escape their ruined love lives, Richard and John go for a vacation to Los Angeles. It turns into a working vacation however when John not - S04E17
The Pursuit of UnhappinessMarch 26, 2001—Elaine cheated on Mark and now she's trying by all means to find a way for him to forgive her. She even takes advice from Richard! Meanwhile - S04E18
The Obstacle CourseApril 16, 2001—Cassandra surprises John when she suddenly shows up at the office. Ally takes the case of a man who's being sued because he didn't reveal to - S04E19
Season's bestIn Search of Barry WhiteApril 23, 2001John loses his ability to channel Barry White while going up against Larry in a case involving a man who wants to clone his late wife; Nelle - S04E20
Cloudy Skies, Chance of ParadeApril 30, 2001—Larry defends Sting when a man sues him for breaking up his marriage; a Streisand impersonator sues over his nose job; Richard flirts with C - S04E21
Queen BeeMay 7, 2001—Sydney Gale hires Cage & Fish to represent her in court. She's been sued for wrongful termination, and Richard and John take the case. A - S04E22
Home AgainMay 14, 2001Ally becomes extremely jealous over Larry's easy friendship with his ex-wife; Richard tries to stop a magazine from publishing photos of his - S04E23
The WeddingMay 21, 2001—Malcolm Wyatt hires Ally to take his case. He's suing a girl for not going to the prom with him after she said yes in fall. The opposing law
Season05Best season
- S05E01
Friends and LoversOctober 29, 2001—It's a new year at the firm, which means changes - big changes! Still getting over Larry and renewing her faith in love, Ally decides to sta - S05E02
Season's bestJudge LingNovember 5, 2001When Ling is sarcastically nice to a stranger, she gets a surprise promotion as a judge. John is still irreparably fraught over thinking tha - S05E03
Neutral CornersNovember 12, 2001Ally is still divided with her feelings for Glenn and if she should date him or not. Glenn says he's not interested in her, and Raymond asks - S05E04
Fear of FlirtingNovember 19, 2001John takes off for parts unknown, which worries the ladies of the firm, especially Nelle. Richard takes it in stride, and takes over John's - S05E05
I Want LoveNovember 26, 2001Jenny's mother comes to hire the firm to take her wrongful termination case. She's being fired from her job for dating a 20 year-old. Jenny - S05E06
Lost and FoundDecember 3, 2001John makes a surprise return and is shocked after hearing from Raymond that Richard threw a party in his "hole". After confronting Richard, - S05E07
Nine One OneDecember 10, 2001—Ally helps a minister who was fired from his church for not believing in God. Ever since his wife was brutally murdered, he has been questio - S05E08
Playing with MatchesJanuary 7, 2002Jenny's mom's wedding is approaching, and Ally is shocked when Tim gives her a certain look that suggests a move. She talks to Jenny, and th - S05E09
Blowin' in the WindJanuary 14, 2002—Ally impulsively buys a house, to which Dr. Milter concludes is a way of her to take care of herself, since Ally sees herself as a 'work in - S05E10
One Hundred TearsJanuary 21, 2002Ally defends a man who broke into his old house to jump out of his old bedroom window. Harvey Hall believes he can fly using wings he made h - S05E11
A Kick in the HeadFebruary 4, 200210 year-old Maddie Harrington shows up on Ally's door saying she's her daughter. She's the result of a mixup on the egg bank Ally deposited - S05E12
The New DayFebruary 11, 2002—Maddie keeps testing Ally for her patience and love, something that doesn't go through Ally's mind until Victor points it out. Ally, on the - S05E13
WomanFebruary 18, 2002—Ally decided that in order for the firm to get out of the financial crisis it's going through, someone will have to be let go. She chooses J - S05E14
HomecomingFebruary 25, 2002—Ally decides to take the DNA test after having recurring dreams where Maddie's real parents show up claiming her. Maddie doesn't take that w - S05E15
Heart and SoulMarch 4, 2002Richard and Raymond are hired to represent Serena Feldman, a 16 year-old girl who will die unless Judge Hall consents her a heart transplant - S05E16
Love is All Around: Part 1April 15, 2002Ally is about to go on her 3rd date, a.k.a. the "sex date", with Victor. Everybody knows about it, but Ally is nervous because on the 2nd da - S05E17
Love is All Around: Part 2April 15, 2002The judge forbids the lawyers to interfere on Claire's engagement, and her fiancé decides to call the wedding off. Devastated, Claire goes t - S05E18
Tom DooleyApril 22, 2002—Ally is going to the Bermudas with Victor, and welcomes Liza as the firm's newest attorney. Nelle doesn't like that or the fact that she too - S05E19
Another One Bites the DustApril 29, 2002—Ally and Victor return from their Bermuda trip. Ally feels their relationship is in crisis because they weren't able to connect without Madd - S05E20
What I'll Never Do for Love AgainMay 6, 2002Elaine auditions for "A Chorus Line", but doesn't get a call back. Richard's father seeks for his help. He's being sued by his former secret - S05E21
All of MeMay 13, 2002The lawyers at Cage, Fish & McBeal split when both personalities of the same woman hires them to represent each in court. One of her per - S05E22
BygonesMay 20, 2002After Maddie passes out Ally finds out she is suffering from a nervous reaction to all the changes in her life, so Ally decides that the onl
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