I had never watched David E. Kelley’s legal drama “The Practice,” so the news that it had been spun off into a new series held very little interest for me back in 2004. But when I had heard that the spin-off was to feature William Shatner as a high-powered attorney, the “Star Trek” fan in me said, “Well, this I’ve gotta see.” That show was “Boston Legal.”

I was hooked immediately and became a huge fan, but the show never really clicked with a wide audience. Since it is probably the least acclaimed and least popular of the six nominees for best drama at the upcoming Emmys, allow me to make a case for “Boston Legal,” my favorite series currently on network television.

“Boston Legal” focuses on the court cases and personal lives of attorneys working at the prestigious firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. At the center is Alan Shore (James Spader), a sexually voracious associate with a self-described taste for “exotic women and illicit behavior,” who is never above breaking the law to help his clients. Along for the ride is his best friend Denny Crane (Shatner), the firm’s lascivious and politically incorrect partner and rainmaker.

But Denny is an aging legend, a once-great attorney past his prime, showing the initial signs of Alzheimer’s (though he claims it’s actually mad cow disease). That leaves only partner and Denny’s ex-flame Shirley Schmidt (Candice Bergen) to maintain order at the firm, forced to reign in Denny’s increasingly erratic behavior and cope with Alan’s unethical conduct.

This being a David E. Kelley series, there is a rotating cast of supporting lawyers who are introduced, underdeveloped, then usually written off without explanation. Some of the more eccentric litigators from past seasons have been a genius with Asperger syndrome, an ex-hooker and an introvert with multiple personalities.

The basic plot of each episode revolves around a case that highlights some social or current events issue and then has the characters present both sides of the argument. Being the product of Hollywood writers, the show’s protagonists almost always come down on the liberal, progressive side of the issue, the major points of which are presented in long, eloquent closing statements usually delivered by Alan. (If you have ever questioned Spader’s Emmy wins, I refer you to these speeches.) Sprinkled throughout the episodes are the more soapy arcs focusing on the personal lives of the characters.

Within these stories, the show manages a wonderful balancing act between gripping drama and zany humor, with one foot solidly planted in the realm of the absurd. One episode juxtaposes a case about the death penalty with a lawyer searching for the severed head of a deceased loved one. The banter between the characters is biting and witty. And one never knows what outrageous remarks will come out of Denny’s mouth. Occasionally, the writers will even have the characters break the fourth wall by making veiled — and sometimes not-so-veiled — references to the fact that they are on television (“I’ve hardly seen you this episode”).

But where the show’s writing excels and what keeps me coming back week after week is the relationship between Alan and Denny — the heart and soul of the series. The quality of their friendship is the purest, even if their qualities as human beings leave much to be desired.

It is not all smooth sailing, however, as the two men lay at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Every week, Alan fights for justice and common sense, while Denny is a well-meaning but ignorant archconservative who believes that gun control is for communists, the poor are ruining the country and that he’s worked hard for his tax cuts.

However, even with moments of ideological friction, the two always come together on Denny’s office balcony at the end of every episode to enjoy scotch, cigars and each other’s company to discuss the events of the week. These exchanges can range from soulful (reflections on love and friendship) to demented (Denny explains how Hillary Clinton caused the war in Iraq). Denny and Alan are always relaxed and nonjudgmental in these scenes, and it is clear that nothing can get in the way of their friendship. Each episode is almost worth watching for these scenes alone, for their inarguably well-written banter injected with so much life by the performances of Spader and Shatner.

Also, I should briefly mention that Emmy-winner Shatner is memorable as Denny Crane. He is the character, proving that his limited acting range is, nevertheless, inimitable.

I am a realist, though. “Boston Legal” is an oddball show with limited appeal, and the weakest best drama nominee this year. So it comes as no surprise that this fall, barring a great showing at the Emmys, “Boston Legal” marches into what will probably be its final 13-episode season. It had four years to be a hit and it failed. But I still think it’s great, and it deserves some praise before it goes for good.

Vince Balzano is a junior in the College. He can be reached at balzano@thehoya.com. The Reel Deal appears every other Friday in The Guide.