Boston Legal (TV Series)

Hope and Gory (2007)

James Spader: Alan Shore

Quotes 

• Denny Crane : You can't go in with "God told me to shoot him" as a defense.

  Alan Shore : Why not?

  Denny Crane : I don't doubt that God talked to her, but he wouldn't say "shoot." The devil would say that. And juries don't like devils.

  Alan Shore : 'Cept me.

  Denny Crane : That's right. They love you.

  Alan Shore : I must say, I feel a little bit like the devil, Denny. I mean, I don't believe for a second that woman was insane. It was as premeditated as can be. Yet I'm excited to help her get away with it.

  Denny Crane : That's because the bastard had it coming, like she said. He deserved to be shot. Right between the eyes. And you have trouble admitting to yourself that deep down, you're for the death penalty. An eye for an eye. Boom. Feels good.

  Alan Shore : I'm not for the death penalty.

  Denny Crane : Yes you are. It's not politically correct. It's not evolved. It's not learned. Spare me. The guy beat the girl to death. I'd a shot him in the balls first. An eye for an eye. Boom. Dead. That's what you believe, deep down. So does God.

  [puffs his cigar, sees Alan giving him a look] 

  Denny Crane : What?

  Alan Shore : [Alan scoffs, then changes the subject]  Did you hear Joseph Washington was killed.

  Denny Crane : Yeah. Terrible.

  Alan Shore : I used to think that hope was something that belonged to everybody. Put limits on guns, and butter, but... hope.

  Denny Crane : Springs a kernel.

  [Alan gives him a strange look] 

  Denny Crane : Old farmer's saying. Growing corn? "Hope springs a kernel." Haven't you heard that?

  Alan Shore : Springs eternal. Hope. Springs eternal.

  Denny Crane : ...Oh.

  Alan Shore : It didn't for Joseph Washinton. Or if it did, it didn't matter.

  Denny Crane : Two things this world has too much of. Suffering, and... corn.

  [Alan chuckles] 

  Denny Crane : I think it is "hope springs a kernel."

  Alan Shore : [puffs his cigar]  You may be right.