All language subtitles for L.A.Law.S04E20.Forgive.Me.Father.for.I.Have.Sued.1080p.HULU.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-BurCyg_track3_[eng]

Judge Strongin: You're facing
the deprivation

of very important rights.

Your daughter has petitioned
for a conservatorship.

You're entitled
to an attorney, sir.

It's okay, judge.

I was always able
to stand up for myself.

And that's what
I'm going to do here.

Judge Strongin:
As you like. Mr. Becker,

you may call your first witness.

Yes, Your Honor.
We call Gus Nimmons.

Do you swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

- I do.
- State your name.

Ah, Gus Nimmons.

How do you know
the respondent, Mr. Nimmons?

Well, he had the unit
next to mine

at the retirement home,

until they kicked him out.

Did you spend
much time with him?

At one time,
we were best friends.

- But not anymore.
Becker: Why not?

I hate to say this
with him sittin' there

but, uh, he ain't right
in the head.

He really believed...

[laughing]
that he was Ralph Kramden.

- Judge?
Judge Strongin: Yes, Mr. Melman?

Where does he get off saying
what it was that I believed?

The witness will refrain
from speculating

on the respondent's
state of mind.

How do you know that
he wasn't just having fun?

What he talked about,
wasn't funny.

Gus: He'd say how his family
didn't want him around.

He'd say, "Norton,

you're all I got left."

Finally, I said, uh...

"My name ain't Norton."

How'd he respond to that?

He grabbed me by the throat.

For a minute, I thought
he was going to kill me.

Gus: Then, just like that, he
lets go and bust into tears.

Was that the last time
you spoke with him?

No, I spoke to him this morning,
as a matter of fact.

I asked him how he was doing,
and he said

that if they're not gonna
let him drive a bus no more,

that he was going to throw
himself underneath one.

Becker: No further questions.

My turn?

Judge Strongin: Yes, Mr. Melman.

Murray Melman: Hi, Gus.

[sighs]

You really think I'm crazy?

Well, you tried
to strangle me, Murray.

Does that mean I'm crazy?

Gus: Look, I ain't no shrink.

Yeah, but you're sitting here
saying that I'm nuts.

[chuckles] What have I done?

Do I yell at strangers?

Do I drop my pants in public?

You're losing touch
with reality, Murray.

Reality.

Reality was a bunch
of toothless old farts

sitting around discussing
the last thing they ate.

Mr. Melman.

Melman: I'm sorry, judge.

Gus...

do you still talk
to your buddy Mitchell?

You know I do,
Murray, every day.

Would you tell the judge
where Mitchell is right now?

Sure, sittin' right here
on my shoulder,

where he always is.

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Trudging forward,
Victor, you start the...

priest malpractice case today?

- Yep.
Markowitz: Priest Malpractice?

[chuckles] Negligent confession.

Sifuentes: Our client refused to
absolve a 32-year-old woman

who ended up having a breakdown.

Her husband is suing for

emotional distress
and loss of consortium.

Whatever happened to the
separation of church and state?

Sifuentes: Count against
the church was dismissed.

But they're making it stick
against our guy individually.

Rosalind: Why isn't
the church defending him?

Father McNamara baptized me...

and when he asked me to
personally

defend him, I said yes.

Well, just make sure the father

pays his legal fees.

Rosalind: Move along, Douglas.

Brackman: Arnie, you're handling

Roxanne's conservatorship
hearing?

I am, and the old goat
is representing himself,

and he's pretty good.

Brackman: Glad to hear it.

Now, as you all know

because none of you
could have possibly

forgotten Benny's portrayal

as the Cowardly Lion
in "The Wizard Of Oz,"

takes place this Friday evening.

Incredibly, Abby
has managed to get tickets.

Rosalind: Alright. Alright.

Can we move along, please?

- I think we're done.
McKenzie: Hold on.

McKenzie: I have an
announcement.

I'm seeking to reinstate
my position as senior partner.

A new vote will be scheduled
for this Friday.

Rosalind: Excuse me?

You have no authority
to call that vote.

The executive committee
can call the vote,

Rosalind, and that's
what I am doing.

The executive committee
hasn't even discussed this.

McKenzie: We're
discussing it now.

All committee members in favor

of a new vote, say aye.

Aye. Douglas, how do you vote?

I guess there's nothing wrong
with voting if, uh...

McKenzie: That's two to one.

The committee has authorized
a new vote.

Now, we're adjourned.

[indistinct chatter]

We can still settle it, Walter.

It might make sense.

Penance isn't something
you negotiate for, Victor.

Yeah. I just want you
to remember

that even though the church
is behind you,

you're the only one
on the hook here.

I mean, if they win any judgment

comes out of your pocket,
personally.

[scoffs]
Wait a minute, Victor.

Personally, I'm a priest.

If I ignore God's law,
then I've got to face

a whole different
kind of judgment.

I wasn't wrong, Victor.

I don't want to settle.

She had always been
a very devout Catholic.

Church every Sunday.

She'd go to confession
all the time.

Delahanty: And there were
these counseling sessions.

What counseling sessions,
Mr. Delahanty?

She'd have all these sessions
with Father McNamara.

Those are what
usually upset her.

Delahanty: But this particular
time, it was the confession.

Laport: Now, this
was the confession

with Father McNamara

on April 4, 1988, correct?

Yes, she came back from church
and she wasn't talking.

Laport: Did she tell you
what was wrong?

Delahanty: Not right then.

But I sure found out
the next morning.

What happened then, sir?

Well, she just went crazy,
ranting and...

crying, you know, crying
that she was going to hell.

What else did she say?

She said that Father McNamara

had condemned her
to eternal damnation.

Objection, Your Honor.
That's totem pole hearsay.

Judge Vance: Overruled.

He said that...

since we used birth control...

she was committing
a sin against God.

And that because of that,
God would not forgive her.

Laport: What effect did this
have on your wife?

Well, she was sedated that day.

And, uh, she was hospitalized

for depression
after the breakdown.

And she really
can't do anything now.

The doctors say that she's...

becoming totally dysfunctional.

Objection! Your Honor,

could we have
counsel use psychiatrists

to present
a psychiatric evidence?

Sustained.

What about your children?

She can't even talk to them
or spend any time with them.

She says that...

her sole is damned,
and that the kids

for their own sake
should stay away from her.

They're three
and seven years old.

Laport: I have nothing further,
Your Honor.

Judge Vance: Mr. Sifuentes.

Sir, as I understand
these medical reports,

your wife's depression
was brought on by severe guilt,

which guilt was caused
by having violated

her religious faith,
is that correct?

Delahanty: It was brought on
by him telling her

that she was going
to burn in hell.

Sifuentes: Forgive me, sir,
but to your knowledge,

did he ever use those words?

Delahanty: He said
he wouldn't forgive her.

She certainly knew
what that meant.

And he also knows how seriously
she takes her religion.

As did you, sir.

And yet you repeatedly
encouraged her

to go against her
religious beliefs, didn't you?

I'd make love to my wife,
that's hardly--

You'd wear a condom.

You'd insist to her
that you use birth control

against her faith,
didn't you?

Look, Catholics today
use contraception.

- Everybody knows it.
Sifuentes: Sir.

Your wife is a foreign-born
Irish Catholic,

strictly religious. And you'd
insist on wearing a condom.

- Sifuentes: Yes or no?
- We have two kids.

I make $31,000 a year.
We could have--

Yes, thank you, sir.

Now at the time
of her breakdown,

on the morning of April fifth,

exactly what were
you two doing?

She had the breakdown
because he condemned her.

What were the two of you doing
when she suddenly started,

as you say, ranting and crying?

We were having
marital relations.

You were having intercourse.

You were using a prophylactic,
weren't you?

Yes.

Sifuentes: And the doctors
concluded that it was

this particular event,
it was the intercourse

that was the initiating event of
this breakdown, did they not?

- That's what they say, but--
Sifuentes: Thank you, sir.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

[indistinct chatter]

This is bad.
[door shuts]

The clients
Rosalind's brought in

currently account
for 32 percent of our revenues.

What's more, three of our
biggest pre-existing clients

have indicated they'll go
with Rosalind if she leaves.

Kelsey: Who?

Petramco. Feldenkranz. Towle.

Oh, God.

By my calculations, we stand
to lose over 50 percent

of our projected revenues.

How the hell can this be?

She's been winning over
Leland's clients, that's how.

We gave her the big accounts

because they seem
to like her so much.

And now she's got them.

So what you're saying is,
if we vote against her,

she walks...

this place could fold.

We let it fold.
We can all find other jobs.

I mean, it's better than being
under Rosalind's reign, right?

Markowitz: It's not as simple
as that, Mike.

We've got a five-year lease
here at $25,000 a month.

If this place dissolves,
the partners are going to be

on the hook
for that money personally.

- So they re-rent the space.
Markowitz: Don't bet on it.

Markowitz: There's a lot
of vacant office space

in downtown L.A. right now.

It's not going to be easy
for them to re-rent it.

Markowitz: And if they don't,
we're going to have to

fork over as much as
$200,000 a piece.

What?

Brackman: We also have
an outstanding loan

of half a million which will
cost us another 75 each.

Becker: W-- w-- wait,
this is unbelievable.

- This can't be right.
Brackman: It's right.

If we lose Rosalind
and her clients,

we don't just make less money,

some of us could be
losing our houses.

Smithson: A priest can be
more empowered

over a confessee's mental state

than is your
average psychiatrist.

But, doctor...

priest see a great many
parishioners.

Yes, but he saw
this particular parishioner

over and over again
in counseling sessions,

which made
his relationship with her

much more like
doctor and patient.

So?

So, he knew her
fragile emotional state,

and how vulnerable she was
with respect to her religion.

Smithson: He had to know
that damning her soul

would devastate her.

Doctor, why doesn't
this woman...

simply find herself
another priest?

Smithson: She doesn't have
the freedom of conscience

to choose another priest.

She's convinced by virtue

of their counseling sessions
together...

that Father McNamara,
specifically,

is her agent of God.

If he doesn't absolve her,

in her mind, she goes to hell.

Laport: Well, thank you
Dr. Smithson.

I have nothing further.

Doctor, based on your
psychiatric examination

of this woman, what is the cause

of her underlying depression?

Guilt for having sinned
against God.

Sifuentes: That's right.

And is my client,
in any way, responsible

for the commission
of these sins?

No. But he's the one
who exacerbated

her depression to the point
of making her delusional.

Sifuentes: How is she
delusional, sir?

She's obsessed with the thought
she'll burn in hell.

Well, do you know
for a fact that she won't?

Well, that's
a ridiculous question.

[chuckles] You're not
Catholic, are you, sir?

- Objection.
Sifuentes: Your Honor.

The expert is obviously
making judgments

concerning the plaintiff's
religious beliefs.

His own religious beliefs
are therefore relevant

to his foundation as an expert.

The objection is overruled.

Sifuentes: Are you
a Catholic, sir?

- No, I'm not.
Sifuentes: I see.

And so, in the gospel,
when St. Mark claimed

that a man who had been
dead for three days,

rose and ascended bodily

into heaven, was he delusional?

Smithson: I don't consider
religious beliefs

to be delusional, per se.

Do you think a dead body
could rise up and ascend?

No.

If somebody told you
that they saw this happening,

would they be delusional?

When my client holds the wafer
and wine in his hand...

and believes it to be
the body and blood of Christ,

is he suffering from some
psychiatric infirmity?

Those happen to be his beliefs.

If a woman says she's pregnant,

but says she has never had sex,
is she psychotic?

You're talking
about religious faith.

Sifuentes: Exactly. You see
when you cut right down to it,

doctor, if Kate Delahanty
is going to hell,

if her soul is going to burn...

then she is not
delusional, is she?

Not if you make that kind
of assumption, no.

Sifuentes: Thank you, sir.

I have nothing further.

[indistinct chatter]

[car engine rumbling]

He insists that people
around him

are other characters
from "The Honeymooners."

Roxanne: He gets very agitated

when they tell him
that they're not.

Has he ever endangered himself?

He commandeered a city bus.

He didn't crash it
only because the cops

got to him first.

Was you there, Charlie?

Judge Strongin: Are you making
an objection, Mr. Melman?

No.

I'm just saying
she wasn't there.

Melman: Of all the people
who were there,

no one said a word
about my driving.

How come she's so sure
I would've crashed?

The respondent's correct.

His driving ability
isn't before the court.

I'd like to ask you
something, Ms. Melman.

Isn't it possible
that your father

is an eccentric
and he's behaving this way

simply because he's bored?

In the beginning that's all
I thought it was.

That's what I...

I desperately wanted
to believe.

But I've watched him
go into these states, though.

He's becoming someone
who can't take care of himself.

I'm afraid
of what could happen.

Alright, Ms. Melman. Thank you.

I have no further questions.

I wouldn't ever put him
through this otherwise.

Judge Strongin: Mr. Melman.

So...

you think your old man
can't flip

the flapjacks anymore, huh?

I think you need help.

Becker: Your Honor, I ask
that the witness be addressed

as a witness
and the respondent conduct

his cross-examination
appropriately.

Judge Strongin: Alright,
Mr. Becker, but I am giving

everybody
a little latitude here.

Mr. Melman, you can
only ask questions for now.

Questions?

Hm, uh...

When you got the call
that your father

was being thrown out
of the retirement home,

how long had it been since you
last paid him a visit?

Objection. Wholly irrelevant.

Really? I don't think so.

The witness said
how concerned she is.

Melman: I'd like the judge
to decide for herself.

You may answer the question.

It had been about six months.

And how long before that?

It had been, uh, months.
I don't know how many.

How can you talk about what your
father was becoming...

when you have no idea

what he was to begin with?

That's not true.

Does the witness know
that last year

her father underwent surgery?

- For what?
Melman: An obstruction.

In his digestive track.

Thought to be cancerous
in nature.

Was it?

Apparently the witness knows

nothing about this.

Daddy, do you have cancer?

No, but you wouldn't have
known about it even if I did.

Why do you think
I'm doing this, daddy?

So you can forget
all about me, honey.

So you can put me in a nuthouse
and forget all about me.

I have nothing further
for this witness.

[instrumental music]

Kuzak: What's going on, Douglas?

And why on earth do we have
to meet in the men's room?

Because this is the one room

Rosalind won't come in.

- I have the solution.
- What?

Leland can't bear the thought
of her being in charge

and Rosalind can't bear the
thought of losing her power.

Leland would support me
as senior partner, however.

And Rosalind might too,
if I can convince her

I'd still let her run things.

- Uh, she'd never go for it.
- She might.

She's faced with losing.

Or if she wins, a mass exodus.

She's got to be
willing to compromise,

and I might be
the perfect compromise.

And you'd be the senior partner?

Figuratively, yes.

Well, what about me being
senior partner, figuratively?

You? Come on.

- What do you mean come on?
- What's the matter with that?

The only other vote
you got was from your wife.

- What does that tell you?
- That doesn't mean anything.

Douglas, you didn't even get

your own vote,
what does that tell you?

- Stuart, don't start with him.
- Oh, come on, guys.

Hey, I'm trying to make a good

faith effort to solve a crisis--

No, you're not, you're trying to
weasel yourself into becom--

Wait, I wouldn't want either one
of you to be senior partner.

- Typical short-man's complex.
- Typical bald-man's complex!

- This is getting out of hand.
- Okay, enough, alright.

I used to have hair
but you've never been tall.

Shut up! For God's sakes.

You're both
acting like children.

I'm just trying
to solve a problem.

- Well, this doesn't do it.
- Fine.

Sorry, I brought it up.

- Meeting's over.
- Fine.

Mrs. Delahanty, you have agreed
to testify here

on behalf of the man
your husband is suing.

Could you tell us why?

I don't think what the Father
did was wrong.

He refused
to grant you absolution.

I didn't deserve it.

Do you think you deserve
to be condemned

for using birth control?

Mrs. Delahanty: I believe in one

true church, Mr. Sifuentes.

Holy Catholic and Apostolic.

I have sinned in thought,
word and deed.

And birth control is a sin?

A mortal sin.

And you also believe
that whoever dies

in the state of mortal sin
is condemned to hell?

Yes.

Sifuentes: It would seem
that your belief

has caused you
a great deal of pain.

That-- that isn't important.

Sifuentes: Kate, don't you wish
that Father McNamara

could find it in his heart
to absolve you?

Father McNamara...

has been my strength
since the day

I moved into his parish.

Mrs. Delahanty: He's guided me
and he's comforted me.

He didn't absolve me
because he couldn't absolve me.

Even now...

he hasn't abandoned me.

And I never will, Kate.
I never will.

That will do, Father.

Thank you very much.

Nothing further, Your Honor.

Aside from what
Father McNamara told you,

did you think
what you did was so bad?

It's not what I think
that matters.

It's what the church tells me.

Laport: And is it fair to say

that Father McNamara
knew this about you?

Of course. He was my priest.

Did you ever tell him...

how hard it was to...

be a good wife,

and a good mother,
and a good Catholic,

all at the same time?

Yes.

Laport: Did you tell him how

desperately afraid you were

of having more children?

- Yes.
Laport: What was his advice?

To use natural planning...

and to follow the teachings
of the one true church.

Holy Catholic and Apostolic.

And if you strayed
from the teachings

of the one true church,

Holy Catholic and Apostolic,

did he tell you
what would happen?

If I remained
in a state of sin...

I would spend
an eternity in hell.

Did he paint a picture
of what that would be like?

Mrs. Delahanty: Yes.

You'd burn forever
in a non-consuming fire--

Hotter than a thousand suns.

My flesh gnawed by vermin
and goaded by spikes.

Never to be permitted
into heaven.

Mrs. Delahanty: Never to be
allowed in the presence of God.

Since Father McNamara...

confirmed that
this would be your fate...

have you been able
to care for your children?

No.

Laport: Have you been able
to so much as touch them?

No, sir.

Did Father McNamara know this?

Yes.

Laport: I have no
further questions, Your Honor.

Judge Vance: Let's take
a 30 minute recess.

[car engine revving]

Melman: What can I say, judge?

How can I prove I'm not crazy?

How does anyone?

Judge Strongin: You'll concede,
Mr. Melman,

that your behavior
does raise the issue.

What am I doing
that's so terrible?

Assuming that I fall
into my own little world...

who am I hurting?

Judge Strongin: I think
your daughter's fear

is that you might end up
hurting yourself.

Please, judge,
tell her not to worry.

I can take care of myself.

Judge Strongin: Mr. Becker?

Are you aware of it
when you assume the role of

Ralph Kramden, Mr. Melman?

Sure, I'm aware of it.

Becker: Yet you told
your daughter that you weren't.

[chuckling] I was yanking her
chain, that's all.

So when you called
the mentally retarded clerk

at McKenzie, Brackman,
Ed Norton, you were...

just having fun with him?

That's right.

Same as when you put on
a uniform

and drove off with a city bus?

I was just trying
to be funny, that's all.

Come on, Mr. Melman.

Listen, wise guy!

I'm telling you the way it was.

Maybe I don't dress
as good as you do,

but I put on a clean pair
of underwear every morning.

I eat three meals a day.

And I was doing just fine
until you came along.

Why Ralph Kramden, daddy?

Ms. Melman, you have
an attorney here.

Your Honor,
you said you were...

giving some latitude.

I-- I'd like to ask
a few questions myself.

Alright.

Daddy...

Daddy, you watched a lot
of other television shows.

Now, why didn't you
become Jack Benny...

or-- or Sergeant Bilko?

Roxanne: Why Ralph Kramden?

Because he never gave up,
that's why.

Because he was always
looking for his pot of gold.

He also never ran off
and left his family.

- I did us all a favor.
Roxanne: You didn't.

I was always a failure
in everything I did, no?

You were a failure
because you left.

[bangs desk]

[as Kramden] Son of a bitch!

Promised me
the parking concession.

Mr. Melman,
who are you referring to?

Melman: Frank. Everything
he wanted, I did for him.

He needed tickets,
I got him tickets.

He wanted me to
watch the store for him...

- I'd watch the store.
- Sir.

I'm gonna take care
of you, Murray.

I'm gonna give you
a piece of the pie.

[bangs desk]
Where is it?

When was the last time you
spoke with Frank, Mr. Melman?

Melman: Just last Friday.
I said, Frank,

Roxanne is gonna
start High School next year.

Before I know it, she's gonna
be thinkin' about college.

What are we talkin' about, huh?

Melman:
Do I get the concession or not?

- Who am I, Mr. Melman?
- Oh, come on, buddy.

What's the matter?
You don't trust me anymore?

Melman: All of a sudden
everybody decides...

Murray's cash only!

- Daddy...
Melman: Well...

It's nice to know
who my friends are.

I think maybe we should take
a short recess.

Ah, forget about it!

I can always make a buck.

As long as I've got my strength,
I can always make a buck.

Melman: Who wants tickets?

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, thanks for coming in.

Listen... I'd like to represent
to the partners

that the associates here
fully back me.

I have Victor.

I'd like to confirm
the two of you.

Well, Leland, you know
we-- we both hope you win.

I want your endorsement
on the record.

Suppose you lose?

That makes our future
here very tenuous.

Oh, look.

Rosalind could certainly
forgive you for backing me.

She isn't the one
who hired you.

I, on the other hand,
did hire you.

You're putting us
in a bad position, Leland.

And I don't think
that we should--

Yes, yes, I am.

But this is a war.

And everybody
has to take a side.

I'm simply asking you
to make your call now.

Okay.

- You have my official support.
- Good.

In exchange for your
unconditional support

when I come up for partner.

Me too.

I didn't call you in here

to bribe you with anything,
and I don't think--

Then let's not call it a bribe.

Let's call it a threat.

Because that's exactly
what you just did to us.

Look, Leland, when we
come up for partnership,

everyone is gonna
have to take a side.

We're just asking you
to make your call now.

Okay. Good.

We have a deal?

- Yes, we do.
- Good.

Best of luck
in the vote, Leland.

We're with you.

Father McNamara: I-- I'm sorry,
I-- I cannot break

the confessional seal
to talk about this.

I understand that.

But generally, and of course,

hypothetically speaking, Father,

if a person came to you
and confessed

to having used birth control,

would you grant absolution?

If I felt the person was truly
repentant, yes, I would.

Sifuentes:
Again, hypothetically speaking,

under what circumstances
would you not?

Well, like every priest,
I would refuse

to grant absolution
if I felt the penitent

was not sincere
about his confession.

Sifuentes: And if a person
had come to confession,

say, hundreds of times,

and each time confessed

to having committed
the same sin...

would a priest
consider him or her

to be truly repentant?

If a person kept repeating

the same sin and-- and showed
no real intention

of-- of conforming his or her,
uh, moral behavior,

no, no, I would not consider
the person to be repentant.

And would you condemn this
parishioner to burn in hell?

No, I would never say that.

I simply would
no longer continue

to absolve that person
for the same sin.

Sifuentes: Thank you, Father.
Nothing further.

What happens when a person dies
in a state of mortal sin?

It's God's will that his soul
is damned for eternity.

And if Kate Delahanty
were ever denied absolution,

she'd understand that to mean

she'd burn in hell, right?

Objection, Your Honor!

This witness had

counseling sessions with her.

He knows her state of mind,

he knows how obsessed

she was with her afterlife!

The objection is overruled.

In fact, Father, you knew that

by withholding absolution

you'd shatter this woman,
didn't you?

I-- I'm sorry, I cannot divulge
the contents of a confession.

Laport: Would the vast majority
of Catholic priests

withhold absolution
because of birth control?

If the penitent
was not sincere, yes.

Many Catholic today use
contraception, are you saying--

Yes, I know, many of them

don't even come to confession
at all anymore.

They might as well
be Protestants.

Laport: Well, in his
encyclical letter

of human life,

Pope Paul, the sixth,
called upon priests

when dealing with this issue,

to have consideration
of the weak.

Now, did you think--

I had consideration, Mr. Laport.

But paragraph 28
of that encyclical letter

calls for beatings
of the teaching authority

of the church,
and that encyclical letter

also clearly states
that birth control

is against the law
of the Church.

In the Vatican two document,

the Church in the modern world,

it says that the condition
of the times

should be taken into account

when dealing
with contraception, right?

But that paper also says

that conjugal love is intended
for the transmission of life.

Laport: Hypothetically
speaking, Father,

would you deny absolution

to a parishioner
even though you knew

it would psychologically
devastate her?

All we can do, Mr. Laport,
is put our trust in God.

Laport: No, Father.

Kate Delahanty
put her trust in you.

Laport: Forget about the fact

that he is a priest,
ladies and gentlemen.

This case has nothing
to do with God's law.

We're talking about
a therapeutic relationship

where that man served

as this woman's
de facto counselor.

Now Pope Paul, the sixth,

in his encyclical letter,

called upon the priests
to act as counselors.

Well, if they're going to hold
themselves out that way, people,

they have to assume the
responsibilities of that role.

They have to exercise
ordinary care.

That man didn't.

A weakened, unstable woman

came to him seeking compassion,

and he crushed her.

Knowing her to be fragile.

Knowing her to be...

emotionally infirm.

This man from his own
psychological vantage point...

devastated her.

That made
his conduct negligent.

That made it reckless.

Because of what he did...

she can't hug her own child.

She can't have sexual relations
with her husband.

Because of what he did,
she has nightmares

every day about her flesh
burning... in hell.

That man did that to her.

He did it knowingly.

And he wants you to excuse that

just because he wears
a collar on his neck.

For her sake...

for God's sake...

don't you forgive him.

Basically... they're asking you
to find my client negligent

for suggesting
that Kate Delahanty

would be going to hell.

But in order for you
to find him negligent...

you'd have to find the whole
Catholic faith negligent.

Because it is the teachings
of Catholicism

that say this woman
will go to hell.

Despite what
modern day practice is,

the law of the Catholic Church
is still...

that a penitent who is
not sincere in his confession,

shall not be
granted absolution.

The law of
the Catholic Church...

is that if a person dies
in a state of mortal sin...

he will be damned for eternity.

Now you don't have
to believe that.

You are all free
to pick your faith.

Just as Kate Delahanty
picked hers.

She chose Catholicism.

And my client acts
in strict accordance

with the laws of that religion.
You condemn him,

then you condemn
the Catholic Church.

And if you want
to put his religion

on trial, look out...

yours will be next.

Because the truth is,
ladies and gentlemen,

the day you apply
negligence law... to religion,

the day you hold divine faith

up to standards
of reasonableness...

that is the day you outlaw
religion altogether.

Thank you.

You may be seated.

Judge Strongin: There are
few things sadder

than the deterioration
of a human mind.

Most of us just stand
and watch helplessly

as it becomes clear
that a person can no longer do

what they've done
all their lives.

We may be powerless
to prevent it or reverse it...

but we're not powerless
to minimize the consequences.

Based on the testimony
presented, and what I myself

have observed,
I'm granting the petition

for conservatorship,

and appointing
Roxanne Melman as conservator.

Effective immediately,
she's to have full control

over all of Murray Melman's
finances and affairs.

His pension
and social security checks

will be mailed directly to her.

Judge Strongin: I've also taking
it upon myself

to revoke Mr. Melman's
driver's license.

You locking me up?

Judge Strongin: No, sir.
I urge you however...

to accept the fact that you
need to be taken care of.

That's all.

[sighs] Sorry.

Okay, this will simply be
a forum for free discussion,

after which we'll convene
at the end of the day

for final statements
from the two candidates,

followed by the vote.

Brackman: The floor is now open.

If I may, I would like to hear

your specific criticisms

of my performance
as senior partner.

I assume that you do have
reasons for wanting me out.

Nothing?

This stupid executive
committee thing.

Leland's idea, I simply put it
into effect. What else?

You wanted to take on
Anderson Industries

who directly do business
with South Africa.

Arnold Becker also wanted
to take on that client,

as did Douglas Brackman,

as did Leland McKenzie
initially.

What about going to Victor's
client behind his back?

I asked Victor
to go to the client.

When he refused,

I had to fulfill
an attorney obligation.

There's no attorney obligation

to accept a bribe
and sell out a client.

I did no such thing.

I challenge everybody
in this room

to offer a single piece
of evidence to the contrary.

Oh, look, Rosalind,
nobody can tell

what goes on
behind closed doors.

But you did go to the client

behind the back
of a lawyer here--

And you went behind my back

to Scott Perro
with a deliberate attempt

to undermine me.
Now that is a breach

of fiduciary duty,
and you did it.

Maybe in an attempt
to keep this firm together.

Rosalind: Is that where
your interest lies, Michael?

In staying together? [chuckles]

If so, I'd be
very curious to know

why you're
currently interviewing

with a firm on Wall Street.

Don't underestimate
my network out there.

I find out most everything.

Look, my future

is not the subject matter
of this meeting.

But the future of this firm is.

And I am the only one here
that can guarantee it.

Keep in mind, with me in charge,

you have the freedom to leave.

But if I leave...

I take 50 percent
of the business with me.

And you lose that freedom.

You're only choice remains

to stay and work
much much harder

for far less money or to leave.

In which case,
the firm dissolves.

Rosalind:
And you all incur staggering

partnership liabilities.

Come on.

I'm certainly open
for more discussion.

Judge Vance: Has the jury
reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

Judge Vance: What say you?

On the claim of negligence
leading to loss of consortium,

we find for the plaintiff,
Kevin Delahanty.

We award the lump sum
of $250,000 in damages.

Judge Vance: This matter
is concluded.

The jury is dismissed
with the thanks of the court.

[indistinct chatter]

Frank?

You think maybe we can sit down

and work something out here?

Excuse me a minute.

You want to work something out,

here's what you tell
your client.

Tell him I don't want
his money.

Tell him I want my wife back.

He's not about
to give in, Kevin.

Why don't you give me
a couple of minutes with him?

Sure.

Sifuentes: All those people
want from you, Walt...

is absolution.

I-- I think
you should grant it.

Father McNamara: You've known
me a long time, Victor.

Do you really think
I could put a price tag

on the blessed sacrament
of confession?

No.

Then why are you
asking me to sell it?

According to my reading
of Canon law,

what's required for absolution
is repentance.

Sifuentes: You really think
she's undeserving of mercy?

It's not enough, Victor.

She hasn't committed
that sin in two years, Walt.

That tells me
that she's sincere.

Sifuentes: Look at her, Walt.

Father McNamara...

look at her.

[sighs]

Wait here, Victor.

Would you excuse us, please?

Come on, let's go.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

Through the ministry
of the church,

may God grant you
pardon and peace.

I absolve thee
in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

[instrumental music]

This vote isn't about Rosalind.

It isn't about me.

It's about all of you.

It's your standards,

your priorities
that are on the line here.

Arnold...

you said that if I put
your name on the door...

this firm would become
a part of you.

Well, Arnold Becker
was stenciled in on that glass.

This place is now
a reflection of you.

With your vote...

you get a chance
to show us what that means.

Ann, you once said
that Rosalind Shays

embodied money and power,

and you feared this place
would become her.

The question today
is not whether the firm

has strayed
from its moral center...

but rather, have you?

Stuart, when you
campaigned for this job,

you said the main function
of a senior partner

is to breed a sense
of community

into an otherwise
cut-throat business.

What kind of community feeling
is Rosalind giving you?

By far, the most
humbling part of this...

is for me to have
to lobby for your vote.

Your father and I
started this firm.

We flourished and floundered
a hundred times

during those early years.

But whatever this firm was...

it was always us.

McKenzie: And then he passed on,

and this firm
became you and me.

You and me.

If Rosalind Shays
remains as senior partner,

Michael Kuzak won't be
the only one to leave.

One by one...

you will all leave.

Because each of you,
ultimately,

would choose to work
at a place that...

just doesn't help you make
your mortgage payment,

but in a place
that serves your values.

A place that makes you proud.

A place that personifies

what you know yourselves to be.

If I stay, you get that.

If I stay...

this place remains
what it's always been.

McKenzie, Brackman...

Chaney, Kuzak...

and Becker.

And that's something.

I'm asking you now,
don't you let that get away.

[clicks tongue and inhales]

Rosalind?

Leland is beloved.

I'm not. I know this.

I know this.

But... I've rescued this firm.

Not without a...

few personality clashes.

But I've rescued it.

Is there anybody here...

who wants to see me
remain a senior partner?

I don't think there's any need
for a vote, Douglas.

I resign.

[door opens]

[speaking in foreign language]

[Melman sighs]
So? What now?

Could I turn on some lights?

What are you asking me for?

You're going to do
whatever you want anyway.

[speaking in foreign language]

[siren wailing]

I wish there had been
another way to do this, daddy.

Melman: Well, it's done now.

You want to tell me
what I'm in for?

What kind of an institution?

Are there going to be bars
on the windows?

Straitjackets?

Melman: Shock treatments?

There's not going to be
anything like that.

Oh, no.

Well, w-- what's it
going to be like?

I don't know.

Melman: It can't be another one
of those retirement villages.

They don't want anybody
with a problem.

Listen, we haven't
even started looking.

You're putting me in a home!

I'm not putting you anywhere.

We're going to find some place
where you're comfortable.

If-- if you don't want
to stay there, you won't.

I don't want to go in a home.

Maybe you ought to...

see some of these places
before you say that.

A home is a place where you go
when you're ready to die...

when the rest of the world
doesn't need you anymore.

When one day
is just like the next.

I have to know that I have
something going for me.

Even though it's only
handing out handbills.

Placing a two-dollar bet
on a horse.

[sighs]

You can live with me, daddy.

[instrumental music]

[voice breaking]
It's not going to work.

Maybe it will.

[sighs]

You got a life of your own.

Now you're in it.

Come on.

Let's go.

I'll help you pack.

[music continues]

I'm paid up here
until the end of the week.

I'd like for you
to come with me now.

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continues]