"The Paper Chase" was a wonderful TV series and so seeing such a terrible episode like "A Case of Detente" is a real shock. My only explanation might be that the folks making the show could have known the show hadn't been renewed* and so they released ANYTHING--even a rotten show with a rotten plot--and this one is sure rotten! So why is this such a bad episode? First, I have no idea why John Houseman wasn't in this one, but he wasn't. His stand-in was Pernell Roberts--who did nice job, but he just wasn't the same--and the explanation for Professor Kingsfield not being in the show seemed lame. I would LOVE to know why he wasn't really in this one. Second, the plot had NOTHING to do with the law school and the entire plot seemed contrived and stupid. In fact, the characters (particularly Hart) behaved irrationally.
The show begins, oddly, with Hart and a few friends working out in the school gym. Suddenly, the place is filled with Russian gymnasts (most of which look nothing like gymnasts--they are too tall and too heavy to be Olympic athletes). It seems that their gymnastic team is staying at the college...though WHY never is clear. What also is totally unclear is why, for no apparent reason, Hart suddenly falls head over heels for one of the athletes. He and the lady gymnast never really spend much time together and their 'love' makes no sense and is completely contrived. Next, Hart behaves NOTHING like a guy who is in one of the top law schools in the world but a boorish teenager who insists he's in love--no matter how illogical it all seemed. Overall, a terrible show--one the folks who made it must have been ashamed for making. Perhaps THIS is why John Houseman wasn't in this one--maybe he refused to appear in such bilge!
*In a VERY strange move, although the show was canceled after only one season, it was picked up several years later. However, this new series (on Showtime) lacked many of the original characters, though the show maintained its quality.
The show begins, oddly, with Hart and a few friends working out in the school gym. Suddenly, the place is filled with Russian gymnasts (most of which look nothing like gymnasts--they are too tall and too heavy to be Olympic athletes). It seems that their gymnastic team is staying at the college...though WHY never is clear. What also is totally unclear is why, for no apparent reason, Hart suddenly falls head over heels for one of the athletes. He and the lady gymnast never really spend much time together and their 'love' makes no sense and is completely contrived. Next, Hart behaves NOTHING like a guy who is in one of the top law schools in the world but a boorish teenager who insists he's in love--no matter how illogical it all seemed. Overall, a terrible show--one the folks who made it must have been ashamed for making. Perhaps THIS is why John Houseman wasn't in this one--maybe he refused to appear in such bilge!
*In a VERY strange move, although the show was canceled after only one season, it was picked up several years later. However, this new series (on Showtime) lacked many of the original characters, though the show maintained its quality.