Saagar Kote
ABC’s ‘Fisk’ is a comedy-drama series that follows the life of Helen Fisk as she goes through the chaos of working in the legal field of wills and probate issues. She realizes that she has to balance her aspirations with the realities of her professional life. The main setting of the show is the wills and probate firm called “Gruber & Fisk Solicitors.” The office and the people in it form the nucleus of the show, as they explore their complex lives, while also being there for each other through the ups and downs of their careers. The themes of loyalty, professional relations, and friendship are narrated in a unique manner, utilizing the space of the firm. It can be said that the firm is a character by itself, as it keeps reflecting the changes the characters undergo. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Gruber & Fisk is a Fictional Firm That Represents the Show’s Central Plot Element
Helen Fisk battles the absurdities and challenges of the legal world within the walls of Gruber & Fisk. She encounters strange people and even stranger disputes related to wills and probate matters. Despite being a fictional firm created by the writers Kitty and Penny Flanagan, it reflects the sentiments of the legal field in strange and hilarious ways. Though real-life law firms may not be so full of laughs, the show offers viewers a lighthearted approach to explore more serious issues like property disputes and the consequences of death. It is interesting to note that the firm undergoes nomenclature changes twice before being called Gruber & Fisk. In the first season, it used to be called “Gruber & Gruber,” and then it was renamed as “Gruber & Associates” after Roz takes out her name after she is no longer a part of the family firm.
Familial ties play an intriguing role in the firm, as it was originally owned by Ray and Roz together. Roz’s decision to buy the firm from her brother towards the end of the third season also reflects how deeply connected she is to it. In an interview with ABC News, Kitty Flanagan spoke about how the world of the show is realistic and relatable. She stated, “The characters in our show obviously exist the world over, even if they have a different accent or speak a different language.” This proves that the happenings around the firm are based on the real-world emotions of people. The hustle and bustle of the office space, the new additions like Helen’s coffee machine, or even the most recognizable elements like the waving cat at the reception by George’s chair, make the firm feel more authentic and grounded in reality.
Even something as silly as a print machine and a couch becomes a major plot element in certain episodes, showing that such issues in real-world office spaces are important and lead to clashes between people. When the future of Gruber & Fisk is put at risk by Ray’s decision to sell the firm, the emotional reactions of George and Helen prove that the firm means much more than just an office space to them. Despite being a fictional creation, the emotions and the character arcs that transpire in the firm bring it closer to reality.
Read More: Fisk Season 3 Ending Explained
