Playing fair

Eleanor: "Beck took the deal. He had to, Eugene, he couldn't risk a murder trial. And as weak as their case was, he had to... Of everything that happened in the last 24 hours, the most frightening to me is the look of futility in your eyes. Eugene -- people like you, they can't give up. Most people don't want to live in a police state; most people still believe that human liberties and civil rights are more important than just rounding up bad guys. And with the erosion of our basic human rights, and everything else going on this country, what most people need right now -- desperately need -- is for men like you not to give up."

-- The Practice, Season 8, Episode 11 (Police State)

For me, it has always been Eugene. Bobby and Alan, people love because of their eccentricities, their passion; there's something romantic about going all out to win a case, even -- especially -- if it means breaking every single "rule" in sight. But for me, it has always been Eugene's allegience to the system. I think that even Eugene himself knows that the system is flawed, but to him, if everyone who can be counted on plays fair, they will end up doing more good than bad. To have the police -- that he counted on to be just -- violate the very rules that they fight to keep, was what broke him.

I want to play fair -- even if no one else does, even if it doesn't pay off. I want to play over-fair.