Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E2 - "She Came Upstairs to Kill Me"

Airdate: Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 9/8c on TNT

Rating: ★★★★★

How many times have I heard a man say he wouldn’t mind dying if it happened during killer (pun intended) sex? Well, that’s apparently what happens to Harry Kaplowitz (actor unseen) at the hands of his wife, Isabella (Natalie Zea), Stanton Infeld’s (Malcolm McDowell) client. “Black Widow of Bel Aire,” “Horn Dog Heiress,” “Murder by Vagina” are a few of the tabloid headlines referring to Isabella, although she fervently maintains her innocence, insisting her husband was alive and well when she left the room. Henry Stein (Julian Acosta), the District Attorney, however, plans to pursue a murder conviction based on the theory of “intentional over-sexing.” What? Having worked at a white collar criminal defense firm in a previous life, I can say I’ve never heard of such a thing. Another tabloid headline screams “Dying Billionaire’s Last Words, ‘She Came Upstairs to Kill Me.’” Looks like the attorneys at Infeld Daniels have their hands full.

Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E2 - "She Came Upstairs to Kill Me" 1

Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) in his office

Stanton to Isabella: “… this is my colleague, Damien Karp.”

Bash: “And by that, he means nephew.”

Karp: “You know, there are 27 senior partners, including our New York firm, and in September, Stanton’s little experiment called ‘you two’ is gonna get put up to a vote. You’re not going to make it past the first ballot so I don’t know, photocopy your butts, steal some pens, whatever.”

Franklin: “Why would he think we haven’t photocopied our butts already?”

Review: Franklin & Bash, S1, E2 - "She Came Upstairs to Kill Me" 2

Karp (Reed Diamond) gets extreme pleasure from telling Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) they won't be around for Christmas

One of the things I like about Franklin & Bash is the sharp, witty dialogue present in almost every scene. I also enjoy the constant sniping between Damien Karp (Reed Diamond), Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar). Saying Karp doesn’t like them very much is an understatement. As a matter of fact, he’s not thrilled at all when they try to be put on as second chair in the Kaplowitz murder trial, as he’s already been assigned the seat. Stanton, not wanting to ruffle anyone’s feathers, decides to have a third chair and tells Franklin and Bash they must decide who it will be, while the other gets to handle a civil matter being brought in by Stanton’s spiritual advisor (Tom Wilson).

Fred Willard guest stars in “She Came Upstairs to Kill Me,” and does a good job playing Wallace, the dead husband’s attorney who considers Isabella a “compadre.” He always has a joke at the ready, which is pretty annoying, if you ask me. If I’m being honest though, this role reminds me of almost every other role I’ve seen Willard in. I’d love to see him stretch his acting chops a bit. Alternatively, Acosta reminds me so much of Steve Carrell with that oh-so serious face, and the staccato manner in which he speaks during his opening statement has me smiling more often than not for such serious dialogue. Stanton, on the other hand, nails his opening statement – “It was like watching Pavarotti playing the violin,” Bash tells Franklin.

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Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) laughing at Karp (unseen)

The D.A. seems to have a rock solid case, introducing witness after witness corroborating his theory. Especially hurtful is the paramedic (Bashir Gavriel) who heard Harry say right before he died, “She came upstairs to kill me,” along with Delmi Santiago (Roxana Ortega), the Kaplowitzes’ maid who testifies she heard Harry and Isabella fighting the night he died. “Mister was yelling, ‘No more. I don’t want that. Go away! I said no! You leave! You go away. Enough is enough!’” Sounds pretty damning to me.

The discussion between Franklin, Bash and Karp as they discuss who will handle Isabella’s direct examination had me laughing out loud.

Bash: “We’ll decide using a legally sound, decision-making process.”

Franklin: “Law! Whoever shows the greater knowledge of all matters legal wins.”

Karp: “Oh, please.”

Bash: “You chicken? You were a summa at S.E. Notes editor at the Law Review.”

Karp: “How did you know that?”

Bash: “Facebook.”

Karp: “I didn’t friend you.”

Franklin: “You should. You only have 11.”

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Franklin (Breckin Meyer), Karp (Reed Diamond), Stanton (Malcolm McDowell) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) headed out for a drink at the conclusion of the trial

Natalie Zea is one of my favorite actors on Justified with that lovely Southern drawl. So it took me by surprise to hear her speaking without it. She’s so convincing, it’s obvious to me her character is lying on the witness stand, but I don’t know why. I know an attorney isn’t supposed to ask a witness a question unless he already knows the answer. So it’s extremely evident that Stein is leading Isabella into perjury and she follows him right down that yellow brick road. While I don’t want to give away the ending of this sexually-charged, yet lighthearted whodunit, I will tell you Isabella isn’t guilty.

Favorite lines from this episode for me are part of Wallace’s re-direct.

Bash: “…you’d like to tap that booty.”

Wallace, incredulous: “How dare you? What does that mean, exactly?”

D.A.: “Objection!”

Judge, exasperated: “Mr. Bash!”

Bash: “Booty withdrawn.”

While Franklin & Bash bills itself as a legal series, it can’t be considered in the same genre as The Good Wife. To me, it’s more like Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is what makes it so much fun to watch.

Tune in to Franklin & Bash Wednesdays at 9/8c on TNT.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!