Steven Bochco era vs David E. Kelley era
Steven Bochco era Vs. David E. Kelley era.
Steven Bochco was the executive producer for seasons 1-3 and David E. Kelley took over for him in season 4 and continued to hold that spot through season 5.
As some know during the course of season 6 Steven Bochco resumed his role before stepping down again. I WON'T count season 6 in this post.
It seems to me most fans and critics favor the Kelley era and I'd be one of them however its a close battle. In my opinion under Bochco L.A. Law was a very good show with great episodes and under Kelley just a great show, but each has its strengths and really you could make a case for either era.
First we'll start with the episodes. Season 1-3 had some of my favorites of the series, but also had some of the weaker ones (though even a lesser episode was still solid). Under Kelley in 4-5 I felt episode by episode L.A. Law was more consistent, which is the main reason I give it the edge. Adding up season 4-5 it would be 44 episodes and almost all would be at least rated 4-stars with a few 4.5 and a couple 5. I could probably count on one hand how many 3.5 episodes and none for me would rate lower than that.
My ratings for the Bochco era there might actually be a couple more 4.5, but also way more 3.5 and 3. So for me the Kelley era was more consistent.
Story arcs.
This is a tough one as each had their fair share of great ones, but I'd probably favor the Kelley era if anything for the Rosalind Shays story arc.
Characters.
This one I have to give a little edge to Bochco as at some point of the season every character had their moments it just might take a while to get to them. Under Kelley characters like Abby and to some degree Kuzak didn't have the same impact. More so Abby who really didn't do much in season 4 and by season 5 she was just sort of there. Even though Kuzak had a big story arc in season 4 he didn't quite have the same impact as past seasons, but was given more to do in season 5. Even Brackman played a little bigger part under Bochco.
However Victor who was a great character in the Bochco era was a little stronger in the Kelley era. Season 4 should have been called L.A. Victor as he had the best story arcs and cases and it was very much his season.
Basically you really can't go wrong with either era. Characters perhaps were a little stronger under Bochco, but the cases under Kelley were stronger and as stated in my opinion the Kelley era a little more consistent episode by episode.