What’s it about?

It's an old story. A wife takes charge of the family, struggling to juggle home and work commitments, and suddenly, seemingly out of the blue, it all falls apart. She's getting ready for bed, discussing the business of the day (as we do), her husband sullen and suspiciously quiet as she prepares for a few precious hours sleep. "I don't feel like I love you anymore," he says. After a moment of stunned silence, she takes the high road, and in typically American fashion suggests "maybe we should both go back to counseling".

A couple drifts apart - it happens. But in this case there is more to it, as is so often the case. They are partners in a law firm ("Holt & Holt Family Law" is what we see on the office's brass nameplate). When Lynn Holt walks into their law office the next morning she is greeted by an unexpected sight - not only has her husband left the marital home, he's also cleaned out the office and taken everything across the road to establish a nifty new premises of his own. And by the way, he's taken all the firm's clients with him as well. Yes, his apparent realization that the spark had gone out of the marriage has clearly been preceded by a well executed plan to appropriate the family law firm and the trust account. Conveniently he has left the mortgage intact. And guess what? You wouldn't be surprised to discover that there is another woman, younger of course, involved in these machinations. And just to add insult, the "other" woman is Lynn's (previously) loyal secretary!

What's a lawyer to do? If you're Lynn Holt you pick yourself up, hire a couple of new lawyers to fill the breach, and begin plotting your revenge. Randi King joins the gang, and she impresses immediately by explaining, in gruesome detail, what she intends to do to the recalcitrant husband. As she says, "I hate men and I play down and dirty". Let the games begin.

Who's it about?

Lynn Holt (Kathleen Quinlan)
She's well groomed, eloquent, and in touch with her feelings - after all, we see her ranting about her husband in her underwear. She's also resourceful, never moreso than when she is left holding the mortgage and rent in the legal office she previously owned with her no-good husband.

Randi King (Dixie Carter)
This is a divorce lawyer with a lot of personal baggage, but boy does she know how to make lemonade out of lemons! She's had marital problems of her own, and though Lynn is new to this trauma, she immediately has a comrade in arms in Randi. In fact she's so impressed that the outrageous Randi is quickly ensconced in the newly named "Holt and Associates".

Danni Lipton (Julie Warner)
Not only is she a good lawyer, but she is loyal - she refused to follow Lynn's husband to the new firm and stuck with the original. She's feisty, has a good grasp of the law, and knows how to take an opportunity. She's a lot less sure of the new crew, particularly the dubious Rex, but Lynn is lucky indeed to have her on side. She's the clear-headed one.

Rex Weller (Christopher McDonald)
Lyn's is not sure whether she should have allowed Rex to share the now vacant space in her offices, but necessity is the mother of this decision. He'll share the rent and little else with his office buddies. Rex has run into a bit of trouble as a lawyer, including an episode which saw his former partner indicted. Surprisingly he claims to be paying back the money his partner stole from clients, so there is hope for him. Yes, he makes "infomercials", but so does everyone else in the States. Quite the charmer.

Who's who?

Kathleen Quinlan (Lynn Holt)
You know her from her starring role in "Apollo 13", the excellent Ron Howard film of the doomed space mission, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe. A lot earlier she debuted in "American Graffiti", the forgettable "Event Horizon" (barely worth a look on video) and the better "Independence Day". She is also quite riveting in the excellent "A Civil Action" as the traumatised mother who tries to convince John Travolta to take an apparent "loser" case (see our review).

Dixie Carter (Randi King)
Although not as popular in Australia, Dixie is renowned for her portrayal of the bellicose Julia Sugarbaker in the television series "Designing Women", which ran for seven years. Dixie has a long list of theater credits, a couple of fitness videos, and a book called "Trying To Get To Heaven". As her accent suggests, she was born in the South and attended university in Memphis, where she graduated with a degree in English. She is married to that great character actor Hal Holbrook (yes, that's him as Deep Throat in "All The President's Men").

Julie Warner (Danni Lipton)
Julie made a wonderful debut opposite Michael J Fox in "Doc Hollywood" (by the way, well worth a look on video if you like the whimsy of a "Northern Exposure"). She had a recurring role in "Party of Five" and has guest starred on "Star Trek: Next Generation".

Christopher McDonald (Rex Weller)
We know Christopher from his recurring role as the loathsome Bruce in "Veronica's Closet". But he also has a long list of television and movie credits, including "Thelma and Louise", "Happy Gilmore" and the ordinary remake of "Leave It To Beaver". His training is impeccable, with Stella Adler in New York (a la Pacino and co) and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Where did it come from?

This show is created and produced by Paul Haggis and Anne Kenney.

Haggis has a long and distinguished pedigree in both television and film production. Amongst others, he developed the short lived "Michael Hayes" starring ex- "NYPD" refugee David Caruso. He was also the creator and writer of the wonderful and under-appreciated "Due South", the whimsical show about a Canadian Mountie living in Chicago. He was brought in as a creative consultant for the granddaddy of all legal-eagle shows "LA Law; he was also a writer on that doyen of eighties angst, "thirtysomething".

Anne Kenney worked with Haggis on "Michael Hayes", and has written a number of "ER" episodes and co-produced "LA Law".

The legal point

Unfortunately it isn't made entirely clear what area of law encompasses "family law". In Australia this classically involves issues such as divorce, marital property and maintenance, custody of children etc. It is controlled by the Family Law Act, which was introduced by the Whitlam government in 1975, and though it has been altered a number of times over the years, it continues to regulate marital relationships in a far less combative manner than existed prior to its introduction. It applies in all States, and crucially abolished "fault" in divorce, that is, you don't have to prove anything other than a legitimate separation in order to obtain a divorce.

The legislation established a specialist court, the Family Court, with judges and staff trained for this area of the law. Although it was intended to be informal, this aim has long been eroded so the judges and barristers are robed and there is reasonable adherence to the rules of evidence.

• Divorce is called "dissolution" under the Act and is achieved on the sole ground that the marriage has "irretrievably broken down", which is evidenced by a separation of a continuous period of 12 months (in some circumstances the total period can be broken up);
• Property settlements are governed by the Act, and generally depend on the financial contribution of each spouse, their earning capacity, and any other contributions (e.g. maintaining the household) that have taken place. Obviously, where there are children, their future needs are relevant;
• Parental responsibilities are also issues raised in family law, and include a determination of all the duties and responsibilities that parents have with regard to their children. This includes where and with whom they will live, who they will see, and how they will be financially supported;
• Maintenance refers to the money that is paid by one spouse to another or their children for their financial support.

Our verdict

Perhaps the only real problem with this show is that it seems unsure of what it is - comedy, whimsy, heartbreaking drama? For instance, a drug addicted woman who has lost her children shares an episode with a couple fighting over the ashes of a dead dog. On the other hand, there's something for everyone here - a racist who is otherwise a great father; a suit against an obstetrician who failed to inform the parents that their unborn child had Down Syndrome; a prison guard who is accused of raping a female prisoner; a father who wants to have his wayward daughter committed to a mental institution before she inevitably commits a violent act. Meaty stuff all, and wonderful grist for many enjoyable nights entertainment. Not as compelling as "The Practice" or "NYPD" but rewarding viewing that is unlikely to disappoint.

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Read this: The legal information contained above is intended to be general information about the law. It is not a substitute for legal and other professional advice. Lawscape Communications P/L does not accept responsibility for loss to any person, who either acts or does not act because of this information.