This week’s episode of The Good Wife was titled “Two Courts,” referring to the courtroom and a basketball court on which Will suffered something of a defeat. Early on in the hour, he played a bit too rough for the liking of a judge presiding over one of Will’s cases, and the lawyer found himself being punished for his aggressive behavior. The case proved less interesting, however, than the new twists in Lockhart/Gardner’s ongoing intrigue.
The hour began with Will trying to keep Diane “on the reservation” — that is, not leaving in a huff with a passel of poached clients. Diane asked Cary to join her fledgling law firm; he was intrigued. Derrick Bond’s muscle, Blake, told Kalinda he’s now her “supervisor.” Never cross Kalinda, silly boy: She revealed to Alicia that Blake had been investigating her past, and others at the firm as well. Alicia scurried over to tell Will, which set things in motion for a Will-Derrick showdown. Tables were turned more than once in this episode.
Meanwhile, Chris Noth made one of his periodic, welcome returns, as Peter’s campaign was invaded by — his mommy. Yes, Jackie wants to be more involved, and she got a smarty-pants old pal of Peter’s to join up as well: He’ll bring in moneyed donors. All this was much to Eli Gold’s irritation. So was the pal’s move to bring Jackie into campaign staff meetings. This time it was Peter’s turn to be irritated.
(Hey, you know who I miss? Titus Welliver’s Glenn Childs.)
The court case — a guy who likes to dress up as a Nazi (irrelevant, Your Honor) was accused of murdering his dad — got an eccentric add-on: Lockhart/Gardner hired a guy who can read a jury’s “micro-expressions” and advise the defenders on how to proceed. Kalinda is our surrogate here; we mimic her disbelieving eye-rolling and eyebrow-raising.
But back to the best part of the night: Will’s confrontation with Derrick about the private investigating. They had it out, and Will concluded, he later confided to Diane, that he’d “been played.” So Will and Diane decided to play Derrick — they’re going to act as though the Diane exit is still proceeding, but in a future episode, it’s promised that in fact, Will and Diane will oust Derrick. As a sign that things are going to be right in the Good Wife world, Will gave Kalinda the raise she wanted and told Derrick that Blake is in no way Kalinda’s supervisor. (How ’bout that red kilt Kalinda was wearing? I must remember that the next time I ask for a raise…)
As though the producers could read our minds, the episode ended with a lesson for Alicia and Will: They found out that for all their planning and plotting and hiring of Mr. Microbursting, juries (as they say on CSI) follow the evidence.
What did you think of this week’s twists and turns?
Twitter: @kentucker
Another excellent episode. Once again it moved right along with great story and acting. I thought that Diane & Will would get back together since Bond was only a guest star role. Still questioning how Will knew Blake before the merger? Cary was just terrific..in court and out. Diane was right. Cary has really grown up and is great fun to watch. And wow, two week’s in a row where Cary won! Very enjoyable.
I like the way Diane knows exactly how to appeal to people she needs to win over: playing the feminist angle to Alicia last week, this week stroking Cary’s ego with the “We made a mistake” approach. And as much as I love seeing the new dramatic Christine Baranski, she still knows how to time a comic line: at the restaurant, when Will said he wanted the two to make up and she replied “You mean you’re going to stop seeing other women” I laughed out loud.
You mention about Bond only being a guest star. If I remember correctly, Chris Noth is listed as a guest star as well. Any ideas on what that mean mean for Peter Florrick?
It’s different situations–the guy playing Derrick isn’t a big star playing an important but not weekly role like Chris Noth. Derrick’s a guest star because that’s all the show wants, while Peter’s a guest star because that’s all he’s willing to give.
I loved this ep. I thought it was interesting to see a scientology commercial after the cross examination of the building manager’s beliefs of scientology.
Why is Cary interesting? To me he’s just an average looking short pipsqueak. I wish they would give Alicia some personality. To tolerate her mother-in-law and to stay with her husband makes her the ultimate doormat. Kalinda is perfect.
Alicia doesn’t just sit by and tolerate her mother-in-law. That was shown in this episode when Alicia threw Eli a bone and told him how to deal with Jackie.
Wow, you don’t think Alicia has a personality? What show are you watching? And it’s called characterization.
Cregis, I agree with you about Alicia. She is like a doormat. I wish they would continue with the Alicia and Will thing that was the ending of last season and Alicia listening to Will’s message that Eli didn’t erase.
That’s right. Cause doormats are the type of people to stand up for themselves (in a very forceful and angry way) when they are being investigated. *seriously needing a sarcasm font*
Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama. She does play the part good. As for Carry, I don’t think he should be in partnership with Diane again. He has something up his sleeve and will try to get Alicia out of there, which won’t work. But double his wages and boss over Alicia? Will won’t go for that because he is in love with Alicia and will protect her the best that he can.
I like a lot of things about this show. The machinations between the partners, the courtroom dynamics, which actually center around strategy over melodrama most of the time, and the characters.
I must admit, though, that the Kalinda character is just captivating. More proof how smart women are hot. The skirts and boots don’t hurt, either.
Just when you think TGW can’t get any better, it suprises you by airing another great episode. Certainly one of the best of the show. The acting was amazing and the story ( esp the Will, Diane, Bond ) was greatly written. Loved Cary, just loved him ; while Kalinda maintains her role as the best character on television atm imo. Alicia wasn’t the main person this episode and that felt good for a change. Don’t get me wrong ; I love Alicia, but the other characters are interesting aswell. I loved how Kalinda and Cary both wanted raises and wanted to be superior to Alicia and Blake.
“All laced up and ready to go your Honor”. My favorite line of the night.
It is nice when they let Margulies be funny.
Agree with everyone above: KALINDA is the bomb. She makes being almost still, and revealing almost nothing, endlessly fascinating. One of the few “less is more” actors on TV, she has an amazing poker face.
It’s also interesting that they’ve made her just as conniving and evil as her rival on the show. I’m starting to feel a little bit sorry for the guy!
I don’t think she’s as ruthless as he is… We’ve seen several times that he is willing to hurt people and trash homes to get the information he wants. She usually uses her ‘feminine wiles’ to get information, not violence.
Well, she did beat his car to a pulp with a baseball bat….
Hah, good point, John.
Loved that part with the car. It showed Kalinda does have a mean bone in her body. Loved it.
Eh, I think Kalinda was just speaking his language… sort of saying, “so you want to go there?”
Agreed Jen. She’ll protect herself anyway she can, but she wouldn’t hurt someone who wasn’t attacking her.
Kalinda is amazing!!! I loved the comment to Will about paying the “medicine man” $120,000 was ok but asking for a $50,000 raise was too much. HILARIOUS!!!
Nothing wrong with paying a medicine man what he’s worth. that said, he wasn’t worth it.
Another great episode!
I don’t know why, but I find myself falling more and more for Cary.
Loved that look b/w Will and Diane in the final scene.
I really enjoy Cary as a foil, but I’m not for him. I hate the way he has taken his firing out on Alicia. He’s a brat. Fun to watch, but I’m not for him. I’m for Alicia.
Cary has every right to take his firing out on Alicia. If it had not been for her going to Eli and bringing in his business, I think he would have been the one. Don’t think for a second Alicia is all innocent. All of the characters on the show are shades of gray, including Alicia.With tonight’s episode, it just shows Cary’s just learned how to play the game catching up to Alicia’s Eli ploy.
But Suz, He thinks Alicia and Will slept together. He didn’t know about Eli Gold becoming the client.
I saw that look, and thought “pandering!”: the directors pandering to the audience. I think them NOT looking at one another in that meeting surrounded by others who might have witnessed it (including Bond!) would have shown their resolve to not tip their hand… would have been more ‘realistic’ if you ask me… love the show, but I knew as soon as Diane sat down there would either be a “look” or NOT. I had my fingers crossed for “not”. Oh well. Still the best show on TV.
I love Cary! I think he definitely deserves to act just as he does and to hold a grudge for being fired. Plus, he’s doing a great job at the DA’s office, and I think that Will and Diane are increasingly realizing just how good Cary is, especially after last week’s ep with the teenage Romeo + Juliet.
I agree w/everyone. It was another great episode. Idk about you guys, but I do worry that the Diane/Will plan will backfire in some way. Is it just me?
As much as I love Cary. I sure hope he doesn’t get paid double, or even more, than Alicia and I dont think he should be a senior associate before her. Im just sayin….
I think by the end of the season they will be on the outside of the firm I think the plan is to ousts them both from there own firm
I also felt uneasy… they shouldn’t trust each other, especially after the earlier scene where they were both lying. Maybe the admission that they were both lying was supposed to give it a fresh start? But still… I’m concerned also.
Nah, they have been together since Stern. Thy have more reason and past experience to trust each other rather than Bond.
Love the show. Kalinda IS the stand out character. The future plots points are set up and look like fun. But I agree with some earlier posts, let Alicia loose! She is most interesting when she is mad or intent on a confrontation. She needs to hit back at the many people (work, her husband, Eli, that mother in law!) Give her a bit more heat and a bit less cool.
That’s true. I thought she was at her best last night during her brief “Don’t you ever investigate me again!” telling off of Blake. Let Alicia loose!
If Cary does go back and gets his double wages, I think Alicia will go to Will and they will come up with something to squelch Cary’s plan.
I expect that Alicia will let loose on Cary soon enough: he whines “i had to work and you just get everything handed to you”. She’s a grown woman who worked VERY hard to get to her position, and has dealt with a lot. And, she’s good. So, I think there will come a time when Alicia reads Cary the writ on “you entitled little SstarIT. You think you worked hard and no-one else has? You think Will and Diane are FOOLS for keeping ME and not keeping you also? They’re stupid, I’m unworthy, you’re oppressed… set it to music! We can work together or work against each other, it’s your call. Don’t make the wrong decision.”
Maybe I’ll write my own script for the show
I generally love this show, but I didn’t like this episode much. And I certainly don’t think Cary’s grown up. “I want more money! I want to be at a higher rank than Alicia! Nanny nanny poo poo!” He’s so irrational about Alicia that it borders on obsessive. Ditto Black with Kalinda (and vice versa). He and Blake are boys on the playground, trying to get the best toy. Grow up, both of you.
I miss Alicia, an actual adult. Two weeks in a row when she’s a sideshow. And I knew they’d lose the case b/c the writers didn’t try to make the client likable. Dead giveaway.
And, seriously, Eli has trouble handling Jackie, of all people?
But at least we were spared the annoying kids. Too many adults acting like kids for the real ones to have any screen time, I guess. Silver lining there.
Yeah, I wasn’t particularly taken with this episode either. And I do wonder how Eli is supposed to be “the best” when he seems to get bamboozled at every turn. I would like to see Eli really get to play offense rather than defense. I also don’t want the firm’s future to turn into a long-running soap opera.
I’ve wondered that same thing about Eli–things seldom seem to work out for him.
I can’t stand Cary. I don’t know how he thinks he should be paid twice what Alicia makes. She saved his butt several times when they worked together. He should stay right where he is. I like him being on the opposite side. Kalinda is awesome. I was hoping that she had evidence on Blake’s thuggery.
Yeah…has Cary forgotten when he was too stoned on mushrooms to function, Alicia covered for him?
Have y’all forgotten Alicia going to Eli to keep her job and bringing in his business to keep said job? Don’t fool yourselves that Alicia is a saint in all of this. Yeah, she’s the main character, but no one character is all black or white in this show; they’re all muddled.
she didn’t do anything underhanded, just went out and got a cllient, which is what she’s supposed to do…and I guess you missed Cary calling clients trying to either sign them or get them to pay their bills so he’d look better. It’s called a competition!
Give Kalinda or the writers time. They will start a search on Bland’s and Blake’s background and find out who they really are. That will be interesting.
My favorite line was Diane to Will,”does this mean you will stop seeing other women?” I liked the case too, that despite all the high priced machinations. the jury felt that the guy did it.
Still the best show on TV and they were robbed at the Golden Globes.
Love all the characters. So few shows have secondary characters that are so intregal to the show and can steal a scene week after week. The only one I have tired of is Cary. Just seems to play the same two dimensional character in every episode with little growth. Wouldn’t mind if they wrote that one off the show
Everybody playing dirty – just the way I like my “Good Wife”… It just sucks that Michael Ealy as Derrick will be out the door soon as a result.
I don’t like the way they are writing for Michael Ealy.Did they create this role for him to seem like a crooked lawyer