McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, Kuzak, Becker, et al, the only lawyers with a longer summer break than the justices of the Supreme Court, return tonight — and the first L.A. Law of the season illustrates why repeat episodes have been replaced by other programs for most of the past month.

It’s to get last season out of the viewers’ minds, since this season looks like an instant replay.

The deliciously conniving Rosalind Shays, a character which earned an Emmy nomination for Diana Muldaur, is once again tormenting the firm, this time from the outside. She seems to have her former partners by their briefs with a lawsuit alleging that sexual discrimination was the reason for her departure.

The relentless emasculation and diminishment of Stuart Markowitz picks right up, as once again he becomes a character to be pitied.

A continuing story line has idealistic Michael Kuzak defending a white man for killing a black in a racially charged environment. Kuzak, you might recall, spent much of last season trying to spare from the gas chamber a black accused of killing a white in a murder case with ugly undertones.

Simultaneously, Kuzak’s inability to separate business from pleasure when it comes to former flame Grace Van Owen — prime time’s version of The Whiners — once again becomes a source of grief. It will be a small loss if Susan Dey, who plays Grace, keeps her vow to leave the show at the end of this season.

Jonathan Rollins, who last season couldn’t handle working for a firm that accepted clients with dealings in South Africa, this year has pangs of conscience about aiding Kuzak’s defense of a white accused of killing a black.

Victor Sifuentes is being second-guessed and back-stabbed over his litigation tactics. How many times have we witnessed that scenario?

And Arnie’s loyal right hand, Roxanne, has a new excuse for an old affliction, terminal self-pity.

It’s interesting how, on a show which likes to wear its social conscience on its sleeve, the most pathetic male and female characters, Stuart and Roxanne, are the least attractive physically; the balding Douglas is a detestable martinet; and the oldest character, Leland McKenzie, is depicted as unable to sustain his leadership traits.

Meanwhile, former Hunk of the Year Harry Hamlin’s Kuzak almost always is involved in heroic causes; one-time Marlboro man Corbin Bernsen’s Arnold Becker, a tremendous professional success story, has been softened into a far more appealing human being; and the attractive Ann Kelsey, played by Jill Eikenberry, regularly exhibits a fatal flaw for an attorney, a conscience.

These might sound like harsh indictments, but it’s only because of the lofty standards L.A. Law established for itself.

Just as attorneys are supposed to offer, not just adequate representation, but the best possible, L.A. Law owes to its clients, the audience, more than just going through the motions — even if this is still superior to what the audience might get elsewhere.

CH. 10 GETS NEWS DIRECTOR

Bob Reichblum has taken over as news director at WPLG-Ch. 10.

Reichblum’s most recent job was as news director for WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., a position he resigned in July over a difference in philosophy with management. Reichblum said he didn’t feel the ABC affiliate was as dedicated to news dominance in the market as he was.

WPLG’s position at the top of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale ratings was one of the reasons he found the job attractive, he said, even though it’s a kind of no-win situation since the only way to go is down. “There is a great legacy of success here.”

ON TV

Program: L.A. Law

Starring: Diana Muldaur, Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey

Air date: Thursday, 10 p.m., WTVJ-Ch. 4, WPTV-Ch. 5