‘Boston Public’ Has Day in Court

It’s time for “Boston Public” to take its summer break, but not without one last heavy-handed lesson.

Heading the curriculum in tonight’s season two finale (8 p.m., Fox): Honesty.

Last week, a brutal attack left popular teacher Harry Senate (Nicky Katt) on the brink of death. Tonight, Ronnie Cooke (Jeri Ryan), the classroom newcomer and former lawyer, faces a moral dilemma: To see justice done, she might have to lie in court about witnessing the assailant flee.

But is that what Harry would have wanted? Ronnie’s actions on the witness stand speak loudly enough, but in case there’s any doubt, she later makes an impassioned speech, coming down squarely in favor of the truth.

Meanwhile, as Harry vegetates in the intensive care unit, the attack has turned the usually acrimonious Winslow High into one big family overflowing with song, prayer and supportive words.

While the regular principal, Steven Harper (Chi McBride), stands vigil with Harry around the clock, Scott Guber (Anthony Heald) takes over as acting principal, encouraging students and faculty to freely express their emotions. Even cranky history teacher Harvey Lipschultz (Fyvush Finkel) shifts into teddy bear mode.

Ronnie steps in to run Harry’s class, in between testifying and playing interrogator in her spare time, putting together a case against the attacker on behalf of the apparently incompetent police and prosecutors.

Writer-producer David E. Kelley’s quirky humor comes through in one of tonight’s surprising romantic twists. But the climactic courtroom theatrics are a bit of stretch, even by his standards.

At least school is almost out.