by Lorie Lewis Ham

If you have been following KRL you know that I’m a huge fan of the TV show Castle, but another show has arisen over the past months that is in competition with Castle for my heart, which interestingly enough is on at the exact same time—Harry’s Law.

Thanks to the beauty of TV being available On Demand and on the internet I have to say I honestly didn’t realize until this week that they were on against each other—I almost never watch anything live. So it was kind of funny when that dawned on me.

Harry’s Law is as you may guess a law drama, created by Emmy Award winner David E. Kelley. Harriet (Harry) Korn, played by the wonderful Kathy Bates, is a very successful patent attorney who becomes bored and disillusioned with her cushy job. When her attitude gets her fired, she decides to make a fresh start. Her new life literally hits her on the head when someone trying to commit suicide falls on her. When Harry leaves the hospital she ends up in a rough section of Cincinnati. Distracted by a ‘For Rent’ sign across the street, she steps off the curb and is accidentally hit by a car driven by another corporate lawyer named Adam Branch (Nate Corddry).

Harry ends up opening a law practice with her assistant Jenna (Brittany Snow) in the building she saw for rent, that was once a shoe store. Jenna finds the wonderful inventory left behind and decides they should also sell shoes to help pay the bills. The young man who fell on her, Malcolm (Aml Ameen), ends up coming to her for help with his criminal case, and Harry finds herself suddenly a criminal attorney. Oddly enough, also looking to do something more with his life, Adam joins her firm. Add in the quirky lawyer Tommy Jefferson that keeps popping up in episodes, and you’ve got quite an interesting and eclectic cast.

Despite its somewhat bizarre start, Harry’s Law tackles social issues that most law shows don’t. Harry becomes involved in the neighborhood she has moved into and finds herself helping those in the neighborhood who are in such great need of a champion such as her. Harry is tough and always gets the job done, but is also very down to earth and real, often struggling with the choices she must make. This show is not only interesting and fun, and sometimes funny, it is inspiring. It makes you believe in heroes again, and makes you want to get out there and make a difference too. It also gives you hope that a person is never too old for a fresh start.

So while Castle will always be a winner when it comes to just great stories, fun characters, and wonderful eye candy and great acting in Nathan Fillion, Harry’s Law is a show that leaves you feeling challenged and ready to go out and change the world. What better balance could you find in favorite shows, and thank goodness for On Demand and internet so I don’t have to choose!

Sadly Harry’s Law season finale is this Monday, April 4 at 10 p.m. on NBC. But you can still catch some of the previous 11 episodes on Hulu and on the show’s website.

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and an enthusiastic contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet.