This is my fifth favorite episode of the show. Family Matters has done a courtroom episode before but personally this one I think is even better as there is a lot more at stake.
There is the comedy as usual and they are gold, really like one scene where both Steve and Myra have a romantic melodramatic scene which is a parody on "L.A. Law" and the soaps where sometimes there would just be a scene of romance that just suddenly happens in an environment of all seriousness. And there is the scene where both speak fluent Japanese to Principal Shemata which I thought was a nice touch both actors really spoke it very well, it's funny when the Principal responds back.
Two highlights are one the character Dexter Thornhill, his character is just hilarious. He sort of looks and reminds me of Jim Carrey (Jim Carrey in "Family Matters" that would have been something.), just some of his performance even certain movements and inflections. This guy is a real show stealer as Dexter is just wound tighter than a sailing knot. He really has problems as he is obsessed and egocentric in destroying Steve and being number one.
Another is the character Looney played well by Tom Poston whom is well known in the sitcom "Mork and Mindy". His character is funny, he's physically has that Buster Keeton look with the sad looking eyes and face which really ads to the comidy of his character as sad clowns are always funnier. What makes his character funny is he has this quiet but quirkiness to him, wouldn't be surprised if he was a resident from Wellsville in "The Adventures of Pete and Pete". I really like how this quirkiness just slowly and suttlely gets exposed.
However other than laughs this episode really plays out like a courtroom mystery, really liked seeing Laura's lawyer role. It's intriguing because we are in the same boat as Laura wondering what really happened.
Though it's true you can easily guess who dunnit a mile away, though same can be said about most other courtroom mysteries; but that doesn't deter things for me as its intriguing and suspenseful in a different way where we already know or have an idea who dunnit the question is how will it be proven.
Knowing Laura, the guilty never get past her.
Rating: 4 stars