Boston Legal - 416 - The Mighty Rogues (Jerry-Dana Scene)

Jerry and Katie are sitting across the conference table from Attorney Pepper Minkin and Dana Strickland.

Jerry Espenson: First let me say I have thought deeply about my actions for which I conclude I have no excuse. Accordingly I will not seek to proffer any. However…

[He places a wooden cigarette in his mouth and continues loudly and brashly]

…The thing about love, sweetheart is, come on we all throw up fronts and…

[Katie reaches over to take the cigarette, Jerry takes a moment to compose himself, he takes a deep breath then continues in his normal voice.]

The thing about love is people often try to remake themselves in their lover's eyes. Especially in new relationships. We want to present the most flattering version of ourselves. We want to seem smarter, funnier, we pretend to be something we're not. I… I wanted you to think I was more confident than I am. I wanted you to feel safer with me than women typically feel. I wanted to have an edge which clearly I do not enjoy. You are a beautiful woman. I am an odd man who stutters, purrs, coos, squeaks, with all the confidence of a mayfly.

[He puts the cigarette in his mouth again and continues in the same loud and brash tone as before.]

But like it not, Babe, this is what you get and I…!

[Again Katie reaches over to take the cigarette. Jerry continues in a normal voice.]

All of this is to say I did a remarkably stupid, unforgivable thing because I have fallen in love with you and I am desperate for you to fall in love with me.