Law of the Land, Again, and Gorgeous Clerks

Oyez, oyez, oh no--yet another legal drama. It’s about a moderate liberal newcomer to a divided Supreme Court. It’s about intrigue and comely law clerks. And if you’ve been watching CBS’ “First Monday,” you should know quite a bit about it.

Except the show in question is ABC’s “The Court.” That’s not to say the two series are exactly the same, but you can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some sort of double-jeopardy law against this.

On its own merit, tonight’s premiere of “The Court” has some arguments in its favor. It features good performances, led by Sally Field as Kate Nolan, a former Ohio governor named to the highest court in the land. In addition, Carol Flint’s script has a frequently deft touch that lets viewers read between the lines, and the show has a cinematic look that befits its hallowed setting.

Tonight’s episode follows Nolan through her transformation from sound-bite-ready politician to closemouthed justice, from the congressional confirmation process to her first days on the judicial battlefield.

Though she doesn’t get Borked, Nolan does have a somewhat untidy past that TV journalist Harlan Brandt (Craig Bierko) and his production assistant Betsy (Christina Hendricks) are doggedly pursuing.

Despite these promising elements, the premiere is missing something. Part of it is because the first show seems aimed at setting up the rest of the series rather than reaching its own denouement.

Another weakness lies in its cliches. For example, there’s the walking-up-the-steps-of-the-Supreme-Court-alone-at-night moment. The crass-TV-journalist antics. The newcomer-making-waves-in-a-staid-environment dynamic that parallels that of “First Monday” and, like it or not, that of another series featuring Field in a full-length robe: “The Flying Nun.”

Though the Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress is light-years beyond playing Sister Bertrille, “The Court” does not appear quite so supremely evolved.

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“The Court” premieres at 10 tonight on ABC. The network has rated it TV-PG-L (may be unsuitable for young children, with an advisory for coarse language).