Originally Aired October 3, 2004
Written by Scott Kaufer & Jeff Rake and David E. Kelley
Directed by Bill D'Elia

ABC Summary
In the premiere episode, when esteemed partner Edwin Poole makes a shocking entrance at the morning meeting, Brad Chase, up from the Washington, DC office, is forced to stay in Boston longer than planned, finding himself instantly at odds with Alan Shore, both professionally and personally. Meanwhile, on a dare, Shore takes the case of an African American girl who is denied the lead role in the national tour of Annie, and Denny Crane gets caught having an affair with the wife of the firm's biggest client.

Notes
The series premiere was not a pilot episode because the basis of the series had been created in the final season of The Practice. The characters of Alan Shore, Denny Crane, Tara Wilson, and Sally Heep carried over from The Practice while this episode introduced series regulars Brad Chase, Lori Colson, and Paul Lewiston (although Paul did not become a part of the regular cast until episode 1x11 [Schmidt Happens]).

Opening Scene
The episode begins in a crowded conference room at the main Boston office of the law firm Crane, Poole & Schmidt. After some preliminary introductions, Denny Crane calls the meeting to order by saying "Lock and load!" The meeting quickly turns chaotic, however, and Mark Halpern wonders why Edwin isn't present. The question is answered when Edwin Poole strolls into the meeting, apparently unaware that he is wearing a suit with no trousers.

Transcript of episode (by Sheri)

Deleted Scenes
The first episode of Boston Legal was reworked quite a bit as the show's creators attempted to get the tone just right and as storylines were rewritten to incorporate newly-added castmembers. Portions of an early script and a transcript of the deleted scenes included on the Season 1 DVD show some of the changes which took place:

Porition of an early script (posted at www.boston-legal.org by DanaG)
Transcript of deleted scenes (by SueB)

Cases

1. The "Black Orphan Annie" Case
2. The Brant Appeal (Brant vs Calder)

Guest Cast
Larry Miller as Edwin Poole
John Michael Higgins as Jerry Austin
Melora Hardin as Sharon Brant
Todd Stashwick as Matthew Calder
Aisha Hinds as Beah Toomy
Don McManus as John Lennox
Anne Betancourt as Judge Isabel Hernandez
Helen Eigenberg as Attorney Tompkins
Rene Auberjonois as Paul Lewiston
Sharon Lawrence as Judge Rita Sharpley
Philip Baker Hall as Ernie Dell

End Credits:
Special Appearance By Reverend Al Sharpton
Eric A. Payne as Halpern
Tom Ormeny as New York Attorney (Peter Stone)
John F. Schaffer as Chicago Attorney
Simon Rhee as Tokyo Guy
Kevin Owers as Nigel (in London)
Jadzia Pittman as Sarah Toomy
Rebecca Lin as CPS Receptionist
Lisa Kaseman as Calder's Receptionist

The following were listed in the episode press release but did not appear:
Anita Finlay as Helen Poole
Steven Anderson as (Walter) Seymore
Kevin Cooney as Attorney Smith

Next episode: 1x02 [Still Crazy After All These Years]