I have a confession to make: I’m not a regular watcher of Harry’s Law. But I can assure you that that didn’t stop me from enjoying tonight’s new episode called “American Girl”. In fact, I liked the episode so much I might have to become a regular watcher. I liked that the show didn’t shy away from hard topics, I liked that Kathy Bates’ character is so tough, and I liked that the verdicts at the end of the episode surprised me.
Tonight’s episode focuses on two main storylines. In the first, Harry sets off on vacation to do some quail hunting. But when she’s driving through Langford, Ohio, her Mercedes is impounded and she gets charged with violating a city ordinance to “Buy American”. Harry refuses to simply pay the fine (the reason will be explained later and makes a lot of sense), so instead, she challenges the constitutionality of the law itself. She’s pitted against a very young local prosecutor who has no trial experience, but who has a few amusing tricks up his sleeve. She’s also going up against the Langford Mayor, Franklin Chickory (played by Cheers’ George Wendt) who originally created the law. With Oliver at her side, Harry and the prosecutor argue about whether personal freedom should be given up in the name of a country’s “protection” and where the line should be drawn. Given what’s been going on in the world economy for the last several years, this is a timely topic, and the debate is handled extremely well in the show, with both sides bringing up valid and intelligent points.
The other storyline revolves around Adam and Cassie representing a Chinese family (the Chens), whose daughter was stolen from them when she was two years old because they were in violation of the “one child” policy in China. We learn that their daughter was later adopted by an African-American couple and has been living happily in their family for many years. This is a sad and painful story to watch, if only because the outcome is so difficult. I love the gravity that the judge gives to the situation. She clearly states how incredibly torn she is between giving the Chens their stolen biological daughter back and allowing the girl to remain with the parents who have raised her for several years. The verdict may very well surprise you as it did me, but you have to acknowledge that it’s a heartbreaking situation no matter who wins the case.
Overall, tonight’s episode is one that I would definitely recommend. Harry's Law is a lot of fun - and has a lot of heart - and you should definitely give it a chance.
The story line is patently ludicrous, from a legal point of view. Any old town can’t simply start impounding foreign-made cars. How stupid does Hollywood think we are? This sounds like something a mis-informed teenager would come up with. I was done with this show and it’s concocted, illogical and overly politicized story lines a year ago.
Yes, that's precisely why Harry challenges the constitutionality of the city ordinance. Cities can pass and create laws (as can other government bodies). Then it's up to the courts to decide whether or not those laws are actually legal.
Apparently Minnesota has passed a Buy American law for uniforms or equipment used by public agencies (ie. police officers). It’s the same principle as the law in this episode. The question is whether or not it will actually stand up to scrutiny in the courts. But the city has every right to pass and try to enforce it unless or until someone actually challenges it.