One reason I liked the US TV series Ally McBeal back in the 90s was its brilliant exploration of the rational and the emotional and the conflict between the two.

It took place in a law firm ran by a bunch of twenty to thirty-somethings. Their clients arrived with what were mostly emotional issues demanding that these issues be resolved by the rationality of the legal arena. The resulting clash was the comedic nub of the series. The core characters themselves being steeped in personal issues just as problematic was added to the mix and woven into the plots.

The fabulously articulate and complex arguments made, particularly in the courtrooms, were all founded on serious intellectual controversy typical of human conflicts, ridiculous and sublime. To wrap such a profound package into a comedic context with glossy reproduction and a sexy cast made this a work of true genius. David Kelley the writer must be one of the brightest guys in any room.