Looking for MANHUNT: UNABOMBER

Article first published as TV Review: MANHUNT: UNABOMBER on Seat42F.

Discovery Channel’s newest series, MANHUNT: UNABOMBER, premieres this week. Unlike most of the programming on the network, this one is completely scripted, with a cast of familiar actors playing the roles of actual people, rather than interviews with experts and historians. I’m not sure why Discovery needs scripted shows, but given the focus on forensic linguistics, a practice largely dismissed at the time of the events depicted, this makes sense as the type of program that their core audience will likely be interested in.

Sam Worthington (Avatar, Clash of the Titans) stars as Jim ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald, the FBI agent who gets inside the head of serial killer Ted Kaczynski (Paul Bettany, The Avengers movies) and brings him to justice. Fitz is a loner himself, smarter than most people, and he comes to understand Ted in a deep way that is, at times, disturbing. As Ted complains about how society is changing, Fitz can’t help but see his point, which does allow him to save lives, but screws up his own pretty completely in the process.

Worthington’s performance, full of complexity and nuance, is worthy of a feature film, and the style and tone of the program seems to bend that way as well. While watching the two-hour premiere, I couldn’t help but feel like I was at the theatre, similar as MANHUNT: UNABOMBER is to films in the genre. In fact, other than its clunky title, it seems like a pretty quality feature.

The supporting cast helps, too, with Keisha Castle-Hughes (Game of Thrones), Chris Noth (Sex and the City), Elizabeth Reaser (Twilight), Jeremy Bobb (The Knick), Brian F. O’Byrne (Aquarius), Mark Duplass (Togetherness), Brian D’Arcy James (Smash), Lynn Collins (John Carter), and Jane Lynch (Glee) making for a pretty formidable ensemble. And that’s not even a full roster.

But where MANHUNT: UNABOMBER suffers is where it differs most from a feature film: the running time. At eight hours, it is too long, telling a story that would have been hard to cram in two, but isn’t interesting enough for a full miniseries. Yes, I make that claim after having only watched twenty-five percent of it, but the amount of wasted screen time in those initial two hours is why I feel comfortable saying it.

A lot of time is given over to Fitz begging his bosses to let him use his talent, do his thing, and his bosses refusing him, telling him to just follow orders. Now, I like the point this makes, as Ted’s whole thing is about not being blindly obedient to the system. But it could have been told in one scene, not many. It started to feel pretty repetitive by the third time it happened. And it’s not like seeing it over and over built much suspense because, given the framework story, even those who didn’t follow the case as it was playing out know that eventually the higher ups will listen to Fitz.

I didn’t care for the framework story in general, either. Showing us what happened to Fitz later on, starting just before he goes to talk to Ted, who is awaiting trial, could be an interesting tale. But it’s a different tale than most of the rest of the episodes are telling. It gives away an ending unnecessarily, and is actually quite a bit less interesting than the investigation itself. Maybe it would have worked if it was saved for the conclusion, showing the arc of growth over time, rather than revealing it right away. But what’s here just doesn’t feel all that well planned out.

So, I like MANHUNT: UNABOMBER for its cast, performances, and style. But I probably won’t finish it because the pacing and story just doesn’t engage the way it should.

MANHUNT: UNABOMBER premieres this Tuesday at 9/8c on Discovery.

Strong "Bond" With THE GOOD WIFE

Article originally published as THE GOOD WIFE Review "Bond" on Seat42F.

THE GOOD WIFE (L-R) Chris Noth as Peter Florrick and Margo Martindale as Ruth Eastman Photo: Paul Sarkis/CBS

In the season premiere of THE GOOD WIFE on CBS, “Bond, “Alicia (Julianna Margulies) struggles to make it on her own as a lawyer, Cary (Matt Czuchry) struggles to connect with the young associates at Lockhart Agos, and Ruth Eastman (Margo Martindale) struggles to handle her candidate’s wife. Oh, and in one of the biggest shakeups ever in a show known for shakeups, that happens.

The that I’m referring to is Peter’s (Chris Noth) betrayal of Eli Gold (Alan Cumming). In a world where Eli found Peter and molded him into what he is today, helping him achieve his dreams, that same Peter turns his back on the campaign manager and cuts him loose. It’s selfish and unfair, and not all that surprising when you think about what we’ve seen of Peter.

But is still feels surprising. Eli and Peter’s partnership is the one that doesn’t waver when everything else does. We’ve seen managing partners at law firms come and go, relationships fall apart, and a variety of people come in and out of the scene. What we’ve never seen is that strong “Bond” between Peter and Eli waver much. And now we not only have, but we’ve witnessed it disintegrate completely in the course of a single hour, leaving Eli bent on revenge against his former boss and best friend.

The fact that Eli essentially gives up and shuts down is understandable. His pain is felt in Cumming’s brilliant performance, and it makes sense for Eli to be thrown by this. His lamenting about being ‘the help’ is not accurate, but one can easily understand how he feels that way in the face of Peter’s chill. Thankfully, Eli is not a man that can be kept down, and with some support from Alicia, soon has a strategy to get back in the game.

Some might wonder why Alicia is so loyal to Eli. For those regular viewers, though, it shouldn’t be a mystery. Alicia is a loyal person, by and large, only betraying when she has to, and after being given good reason to do so. She didn’t like Eli at first, perhaps, but she has learned to respect him, as he has her. They have a great working relationship, and dare I say it, even an odd kind of friendship. That Alicia chooses to stand by Eli reinforces the “Bond” they share and rewards those who may have defended Eli in the past.

What Eli’s plan is, I have no idea, but I hope he wins.

That’s not because I don’t like Ruth Eastman. Sure, she’s a slippery political manipulator, but so is he. And I absolutely adore Martindale (The Americans, Justified, The Millers), who delivers her usual excellent performance in this role; the longer it takes Eli to defeat her, that happier I’ll be, and if they should team up to hurt Peter, even better. I just love Eli more, having watched him for years on THE GOOD WIFE, and he must triumph.

Alicia has business challenges, becoming a “Bond” lawyer to make ends meet. She continues to resists Louis Canning’s (Michael J. Fox) overtures, finds a way to work with prickly Judge Schakowsky (Christopher McDonald, Harry’s Law), and even makes a friend who will surely soon be a partner or employee, Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo, Getting On, Torchwood: Children of Earth). This plot is enjoyable but not particularly compelling because it’s easy to be confident Alicia will come out on top. What would be fascinating is if she takes Canning up on his offer, which it seems she’s inching closer to doing.

Alicia isn’t the only one with troubles, though, as Cary struggles to connect to the lawyers working under him. Cary is unique in the his firm because he’s the one young person in a group of much older people running the place. He can’t connect with those on his power level because he’s too different, and those that should be his peers are intimidated because he’s their boss. Like Alicia, I feel like Cary will find a way to get through, as he is tenacious, and Lockhart Agos can’t possibly change names again anytime soon. So I liked his sections, but don’t feel much suspense in them.

Those are the main points in “Bond.” I could actually write about ten pages were I to gush about all the wonderful moments, especially those involving guest stars Jane Curtin (Coneheads, Saturday Night Live, 3^rd Rock from the Sun) and Mo Rocca (The Daily Show), among others, and courtroom showdowns, but I won’t. The above paragraphs hit the main points, and there will be plenty of time to talk about THE GOOD WIFE in the weekly columns I’ll write covering the show this year. Suffice it to say, “Bond” is a fantastic episode, and season seven promises to be on par with the first six years, which are overall very strong.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

"Wanna" Watch THE GOOD WIFE

Article originally written for Seat42F.

The title of THE GOOD WIFE’s season finale, “Wanna Partner?,” seems to refer to Alicia (Julianna Margulies) asking Finn (Matthew Goode) to start a law firm with her. But in the delightfully twisty hour, that doesn’t end up being what the quote is lifted from at all, and as much as this installment doesn’t feel like a season ender, it does indeed push a number of things forward.

First of all, as most people have known since last fall, “Wanna Partner?” serves as Kalinda’s (Archie Panjabi) final episode on the show, at least for now, most probably forever. Charles Lester (Wallace Shawn) comes looking for her, threatening Alicia, Cary (Matt Czuchry), and Diane (Christine Baranski) in the process. Still, it’s a surprise when Kalinda shows up to confront him in the frozen pizza aisle, and even more of one when Alicia burns Kalinda’s confession right in front of Lester. Kalinda is off to who-knows-where, her friends are decently protected, and the Lemond saga is over. For now, anyway.

Before Kalinda leaves for good though, THE GOOD WIFE decides to finally give fans what they’ve been longing for: a Kalinda / Alicia drink. For three years, these former best friends have barely been on speaking terms, and have not been sharing scenes together like they constantly did in the early days. The behind-the-scenes conflict between the actresses does dampen the moment slightly, but for the characters, apologizing and declaring their feelings for one another (sort of) feels right and the perfect way to say goodbye to the badass investigator. She will be missed.

Kalinda is far from the only thing on Alicia’s mind. Peter (Chris Noth) tells her that he wants to run for President of the United States. Well, technically he’s angling for VP. At first, Alicia is happy for him. But after realizing this means she gives up any chance for happiness and fulfillment on a personal level, Grace (Makenzie Vega) reminding Alicia that she will have to continue pretending to be married to him, she turns on the idea. Eli (Alan Cumming) pushing for it and “massaging” Alicia’s memoir doesn’t help, either, the campaign manager finally going too far.

Let’s be honest: Peter has no realistic shot at the White House. He’s spent time in prison, he cheated on his wife, who is herself implicated in voter fraud, and the two live apart. No matter what Eli does, Peter could not succeed in the real world. But THE GOOD WIFE, as grounded as it usually is, does make leaps from time to time, and this may just be its biggest yet. How far will they take it?

Alicia also has work to worry about. Finn does initially accept her partnership offer, and two go on a crusade to free Jacob Rickter (Seth Gilliam, The Walking Dead) – a client last seen on the show four years ago. They attack a bad cop (Danny Mastrogiorgio, Gotham), manipulate a good one (Kevin Bigley, Sirens), and finally prevail, only to have Finn back out of the arrangement.

It makes sense for Finn to do so. The reason he wants to work with Alicia is the same reason he can’t. She threatens his tenuous relationship with his ex-wife, whom he is trying to get back together with. The electricity between the lawyers is too intense and cannot be ignored. Finn doesn’t trust himself around Alicia, and as regrettable as it is for him to step away, not doing so would definitely have led to some bedroom scenes next season that might not have been a good idea for either one of them, especially if Peter runs.

“Wanna Partner?” ends much the same way THE GOOD WIFE concluded season four, with a knock on Alicia’s door from a potential new partner. This time it’s Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) instead of Cary, sadly, but might Alicia take him up on the offer? She doesn’t want to work alone, and she’s always had a strange kind of friendship with the slime ball. Is that enough to tempt her?

There’s a very real chance Louis is coming for Alicia because he sees her as a way to get even with Diane, Cary, and David Lee (Zach Grenier), whom he feels wronged his wife, Simone (Susan Misner), by firing her. Whether Simone was a corporate spy or not (she probably was not, but Louis may have tried to trick her into being one), her tears are genuine, and Louis wants revenge. Alicia is on good enough terms with Diane and Cary I don’t see her willingly participating in their downfall, but Louis is a master manipulator. How far can his scheme go before Alicia is clued in to the truth and ends their sure-to-be-temporary partnership?

While “Wanna Partner?” may not feel conclusive enough to close the sixth year on, it is a very good episode with a lot of interesting stories and some threads that are just getting started. The hour is yet another brilliant example of how the writers on this show juggle a lot of balls at once, letting them pass right through one another, and keeping them in the air for a very long time. CBS had better bring the show back.

THE GOOD WIFE has not yet been renewed, but a decision from CBS is expected no later than Wednesday morning. Chances currently look slightly better than even.

"The Deconstruction" of THE GOOD WIFE

Article originally written for Seat42F.

This week’s episode of THE GOOD WIFE, “The Deconstruction,” begins with a scene mirroring one from the pilot, this time with Alicia (Julianna Margulies) making an announcement in disgrace, Peter (Chris Noth) the supportive presence behind her. Remembering what a catalyst that event is for the entire series, it should come as no surprise that this hour marks another huge change for the show that refuses to stay stagnant, though somehow the ending still feels unexpected.

Much of “The Deconstruction” involves Alicia warring with Diane (Christine Baranski) and the firm, not because they actually have reason to go to war, but because David Lee (Zach Grenier) is playing them again, always the slimy one. It’s frustrating to watch two long-time friends who just want to be partners again furious with one another once more, and viewers will yearn for resolution. Thankfully, Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) ensures the errors are cleared up, just before R.D. (Oliver Platt) torpedoes resolution.

One cannot blame for Diane for choosing R.D. over Alicia, nor R.D. for not wanting the stink surrounding Alicia, justified or not. R.D. is making the firm huge amounts of money, and Alicia could drive away clients in her current state, not attract them. I’m just grateful Diane and Alicia can still be friends, not holding a grudge from an ugly death match. It’s too bad that David Lee gets away with his secrets intact, as he will probably cause more trouble in the firm, but the situation is wrapped up as satisfyingly as it can be with Alicia still on the outs.

Any other show would have returned the cast to status quo. THE GOOD WIFE makes the opposite choice, casting Alicia adrift with no idea as to what she wants to do next, and only two hours left in the season. One might assume she’ll be a public defender, given how she is attracted to the passion in the movie she is watching and how much she respects Prady (David Hyde Pierce), who will take the job she vacated. But Alicia is also a pragmatist, needing to make more money than that position offers, and while she offered Prady a job, there is no guarantee he will do the same. Since her exit package with the firm is void, though, she may be able to negotiate enough of a pay out to do what she wants, when she figures out what that is.

One person not around to help her any more is Kalinda. Kalinda tries to put Lemond (Mike Colter) away and pin it on Dexter (JD Williams). This seems neat in her mind, as even if Lemond kills Dexter, Dexter is a criminal who won’t be missed much. But Cary (Matt Czuchry), not realizing her plan and ever playing the noble knight, nixes that idea by telling Dexter he himself is the rat, which causes Kalinda to flee, presumably after letting Lemond know that she is responsible.

Kalinda’s goodbye in “The Deconstruction” is a sad, yet fitting, one. She gets to say her farewell to Cary, Diane, and, in a note, to Alicia, even as none of them realize what she’s doing. She’s always been a bit of a shady character, but her last act before exiting is to engage in self-sacrifice, giving up her life and her love to protect the people she cares about. Her lingering over Alicia’s photographs reveals the depths of her feeling, and Panjabi sells the moment. I hope one day we’ll see what happens to Kalinda, but I’m relieved she isn’t dead, at least not yet, and leaves on her own terms.

I don’t think Lemond will come through Cary to get to Kalinda. He should be smart enough to know that if Kalinda is going to disappear, she’s going to do it thoroughly and hurting Cary won’t bring her back. Besides, with the evidence that Kalinda gives Geneva Pine (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Lemond will be in jail. Who knows how much influence he’ll have left from behind bars?

As all this happens, THE GOOD WIFE makes time to have Diane help out a grandmother (The Big C’s Phyllis Somerville) caught with E, bringing back Joy (Linda Lavin) and introducing Reg E. Cathey (House of Cards) as a judge. This subplot is not huge, but it highlights how deep THE GOOD WIFE’s bench is and the supreme talents they can bring in, even for one-offs. Plus, the case is thoroughly engaging and exposes yet another part of the judicial system that is just not fair.

I can’t believe only two episodes remain in THE GOOD WIFE’s sixth season. It has not been renewed yet, but signs are positive that it will be. I can’t imagine the story stopping now, and would mourn it greatly if it did not come back. Every single installment, “The Deconstruction” included, is excellent and inspiring.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

No "Loser" With THE GOOD WIFE

Article originally written for Seat42F.

CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE was one of the few broadcast network shows airing on Easter Sunday, but those who ignored this installment, “Loser Edit,” because of the holiday missed out. Alicia (Julianna Margulies) grants an interview to Petra Moritz (American Horror Story’s Lily Rabe), who is doing a profile on her. But when Petra gets a hold of the firm’s hacked emails, which reveal Alicia’s affair with Will, it becomes a race not to hide the truth, but to deflect and minimize damage.

The persona of Saint Alicia has always been an interesting one. Those who know Alicia know that she’s not a saint, but in general, she’s a very respectable woman deserving of much of the praise she gets. Still, she is human, and there are temptations. Will is one of those temptations, and while we viewers, who witness what Peter (Chris Noth) does and how their marriage is basically over before anything happens with Will, understand Alicia’s choices, the public, who only see that packaged image, will not.

Is spin the best way to handle this? Eli (Alan Cumming) and Josh (David Krumholtz) think so, having Alicia deny as much as possible, admitting only to a flirtation, while scooping Petra in a petty way by distracting her and setting up other interviews in the meantime. But this dodging, this outright lying, while it does protect Alicia’s public image to some degree, also sends her further down the path of a politician. Alicia doesn’t settle in naturally to the role, but the more she compromises herself, the more she seems like Peter and others we’ve seen in that arena, and the further detached she becomes from Saint Alicia.

Even as “Loser Edit” finds Alicia weathering this storm OK, it spins up an even greater one as accusations of election tampering are lobbied against her. It’s certain that Alicia is not at all involved in voter fraud in her own election, but because there have been strong suspicions that Peter has rigged results in the past, this story carries a lot of potential damage for THE GOOD WIFE. The show is great at pulling skeletons out of closets, picking up threads long forgotten about, and this is the latest continuation of a story from an earlier season. It should be quite exciting.

While Alicia undergoes all of this, Diane (Christine Baranski) gets to work for her new client, R.D. (Oliver Platt). R.D. brings her into a mock trial on civil protection for homosexuals versus religious rights. It’s definitely another ripped-from-the-headlines case, this being a contentious issue of our day. After being given permission, nay, orders, to take the kid gloves off, Diane fights hard and wins the day, though seeing how she does so gives R.D. ideas on how to fight for the other side in a real court of law.

What I love about the way that THE GOOD WIFE handles this is that we get to see thoughtful opinions on both sides from nuanced characters. I agree with Diane, as will many viewers of the show. Her position is well known and, I think, well understood. What’s interesting about R.D., though, is that he approaches the issue from an argument I haven’t heard very well-articulated, someone who respects people who keep consistent values, and who can separate the individual from a widespread practice. He may not be doing right by his nephew (Wesley Taylor, Smash), nor the country in general, but one would be hard-pressed to argue that R.D. is stubborn or hate-filled. Very well done articulating a position that is so often misunderstood or miscommunicated.

The third subplot brings back Andrew (Tim Guinee), who is able, without much effort, to expose Kaldina’s (Archie Panjabi) data falsification. Even if the intention behind it is correct, Kalinda does something very, very wrong that will have bad ramifications for her, Diane, and likely the firm as a whole. Finn (Matthew Goode) tries to help a bit, because he apparently is the most understanding, nicest guy in the world, as anyone else in his place would be furious, but it won’t be enough. Kalinda is about to leave the show for good, and she will not be going quietly.

These three threads, all of which continue serial stories on THE GOOD WIFE, are all excellent, as is par for the program. It always impresses me how THE GOOD WIFE can churn out twenty-two high quality episodes a year, a feat that seems to elude practically every other broadcast network drama, staying timely, engaging, and surprising. Only a few weeks remain this year, but I am ready for the ride!

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

THE GOOD WIFE Has "Meat"

Article originally published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 16 Red Meat on Seat42F.

THE GOOD WIFE gets into some “Red Meat” in this week’s installment on CBS. You may take that title literally, as Diane (Christine Baranski) goes hunting with her husband and his rich, conservative buddies. But there is also ample opportunity to take it figuratively. The Good Wife is always juicy and filling, and “Red Meat” is no exception.

The main plot revolves around Election Day for Alicia (Julianna Margulies). Things are looking good for her, so Marissa (Sarah Steele) and Finn (Matthew Goode) try to distract her with video games so she doesn’t worry too much. Unfortunately, a little worry is necessary when Peter (Chris Noth) blows up Alicia’s chances, sending Josh (David Krumholtz) and Johnny (Steven Pasquale) scrambling. They even considering having The West Wing’s Melissa Fitzgerald (herself) do a robo-call, though they don’t know who she is. Thankfully, Eli (Alan Cumming), almost always a fan of Alicia’s these days, and relatively honorable where she is concerned, convinces Peter to help fix his mistake, and Alicia wins.

Peter and Alicia’s marriage is over. This has never been more clear than in “Red Meat.” When Eli has to convince Peter to help his wife after Peter is the one that screws things up, that’s a sure sign there’s nothing left there. He has little respect or love for her, using her merely as a political tool. She has seemingly shut down most of her emotion towards him as well, and hopefully now that the election is over, they can get a divorce. It might not be what Eli wants, or the most helpful thing for their public image, but it’s time for them to move on.

Alicia has two romantic options going into “Red Meat,” but both seem to be gone by the end of the hour. Although Finn offers to cancel a date to go out with her, Alicia doesn’t let him. And while I think she would take up with Johnny, Johnny sees Alicia and Peter together and wrongly assumes their marriage is still viable, so he leaves town. Either would be good matches for Alicia, but I have to admit, I’m sad that Johnny seems less likely at this point because they were very good together. Thank god Marissa is sticking around to help Alicia, even if she only provides for less physical urges.

Alicia offers Prady (David Hyde Pierce) her number two spot and he declines. This is disappointing, but understandable. He doesn’t believe in Alicia’s approach, and how can he serve an office he doesn’t respect? A friendship of a sort may have formed between the two, and I do hope they come back into one another’s circles in the future. But they are just too far apart in outlook for the District Attorney’s office to be place for it.

While this is going on, Diane is off hunting with Kurt (Gary Cole). She can’t resist turning it into a work trip when she finds out a big name in the tech industry, Gil Berridge (James Snyder, Adonis), is present, but that’s still relaxing for her, as she enjoys her career immensely. Despite screwing things up with Gil, she does find herself in an engaging political debate with R.D. (Oliver Platt, The Big C), who turns out to be even richer and much more open to her pitch, providing her firm stays out of abortion issues.

“Red Meat” is pure fun for Diane. We get to see her out of her element, but also somehow in her element at the same time. She’s surrounded by those she has fundamental disagreements with, but as in her marriage, she makes it work, and she ends up having fun. Diane is a complex, wonderful character, and I’m glad that THE GOOD WIFE gives her this focus, away from cases, to explore her personality.

Back at the firm, that leaves Cary (Matt Czuchry) and David Lee (Zach Grenier) as unlikely partners. Thank goodness Diane will soon be back, as I can’t imagine David Lee getting a position of too much power again, given his recent bad behavior. Still, Alicia leaving the firm will shake things up, especially for her co-founder, Cary, and I look forward to The Good Wife milking the dramatic possibilities.

Finally, Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) continues to work for Lemond (Mike Colter) in a situation she should absolutely not be in. That Lemond has decided to get out of the drug business after his son is kicked out of yet another school doesn’t improve Kalinda’s position any. Now Lemond wants Kalinda and Alicia to protect him for jail, which will not be easy. I don’t think Lemond will find Alicia all that cooperative, no matter what he did for her campaign, and Kalinda is the easiest one to take his frustration out on. Even if Alicia doesn’t like Kalinda any more, I’m sure she’ll try to protect the investigator from harm. Will she be able to?

We still have half a dozen episodes in this season of THE GOOD WIFE, but “Red Meat’ is starting to build towards the finale, as have other episodes that have come before it. The story is extremely serial at this point, and it’s enjoyable to watch each unexpected new twist.

The only complaint I have about “Red Meat” is, where are Alicia’s children? Shouldn’t they be around while she’s waiting for the results, and certainly at the celebration after?

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays around 9 p.m. ET (depending on inexcusable sports overruns) on CBS.

No "Debate" About THE GOOD WIFE

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 12 The Debate on Seat42F.

The latest episode of CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE, which aired an hour later than usual last night for some reason, is “The Debate.” Alicia (Julianna Margulies) faces Frank Prady (David Hyde Pierce) in a televised debate, while at the same time, Diane (Christine Baranski) and Cary (Matt Czuchry) square off with David Lee (Zach Grenier) in Neil Gross’s (John Benjamin Hickey) divorce, and Peter (Chris Noth) tries to keep race riots from erupting in Chicago.

Alicia’s evolution to politician has been interesting to watch. She is so completely anti-politic at the start, and slowly finds her footing in a thing that she begins to care about. She gets into the State’s Attorney’s race to fight a corrupt incumbent, but in order to do a decent job at running, she has to convince herself she deserves to be there. Thus, even when that opponent drops out and she likes her new antagonist, somewhat anyway, she stays in because she now wants to do this thing she talked herself into. It’s a pretty cool example of character development.

During “The Debate” itself, Alicia starts off rocky, then gets on track just before the proceedings are put on hold, wherein she and Frank continue their talk, sans moderator, for the kitchen staff, much to the chagrin of their campaign managers. This may be slightly silly, but THE GOOD WIFE is just so good at writing these moments of high drama. Were Alicia and Frank not totally believable, a credit to both performers and the writers, none of this would work. Instead, it’s a gripping narrative for those who love good political stuff.

I actually hope Alicia wins. It would suck to see her taken away from Cary and Diane, but the firm has plenty of people to go on without her. The State’s Attorney’s office has long been a part of the show, too, and seeing Alicia there would shed even more light on the job. Plus, the prosecutor / defense chemistry is almost always one of friction. It would be interesting to see Alicia, who has respect for defense attorneys, take over in that role, changing the dynamic of the justice system in fictional Chicago.

Alicia’s current problems are not so much in the race itself, but in the parts of her life affected by her new position. Cary and Diane make decisions without consulting her, such as hiring back David Lee, which somewhat justifiably upsets Alicia, though the pair can be forgiven for taking that step. They support Alicia’s candidacy, but they have a job to do, too. She did the exact same thing while Cary was embroiled in legal troubles. Her marriage with Peter is suffering again because once more he’s been caught with another woman, even though their union is merely for show at this point and Peter quickly ends things. Not to mention, Alicia accidentally discovers her own campaign manager, Johnny (Steven Pasquale), may have feelings for her.

I didn’t see the Alicia / Johnny thing coming. If Alicia were to be with anyone other than Peter, Finn (Matthew Goode) seems the natural choice. But there’s something kind of cool about the two of them together, so I’m kind of hoping that THE GOOD WIFE does go there. After the election, of course, as she won’t win if her marriage is known to be falling apart.

Alicia is asked about the state of her marriage during “The Debate,” and she responds quite aggressively that it’s none of the press’s business. I feel like this is a tough topic. On one hand, if you put yourself in a position where you’re asking the public to trust you, what kind of person you are is their business. On the other, those kinds of questions can’t be asked in an interview for virtually any other job, so why should they be brought up here? It’s a complex issue, but for Alicia’s personal situation, she handles it beautifully.

Another, even more complicated matter unfolds on the streets of Chicago, eerily bringing to mind the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, which THE GOOD WIFE references in text on screen at the start of the hour. We’re at a crucial moment for race relations and police power in the United States. The system is obviously broken, but an easy fix is hard to find, as Alicia and Frank argue in their kitchen debate. And as one staff member asks them, why do these white people think they can or should solve it for everyone else? There’s no really good way to broach things, but Peter does the best he can while stepping up with the local religious leaders.

Is Peter acting out of personal self-interest or because he wants to help? Probably a bit of both, but that doesn’t make him wrong or bad. He advocates peace, and gets others to do the same. He doesn’t have a solution yet, but he’s right to try to keep violence from erupting, as that doesn’t solve anything. Peaceful protests are completely justified, and it’s easy to see how some may take it a step further out of frustration. It just doesn’t help their cause in the eyes of the larger society if they hurt anyone. Nor does letting police who have acted wrongly get away scot free, of course. I applaud THE GOOD WIFE for tackling a divisive, important issue before there is a clear path through it, sparking conversation without being teach-y or preachy.

In all, “The Debate” is yet another example of great television from the best drama series on the broadcast networks. As usual, I cannot wait for next week, nor can I predict with any degree of certainty what will happen.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

All "Hail" THE GOOD WIFE

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 11 Hail Mary on Seat42F.

This week’s mid-season premiere of THE GOOD WIFE on CBS, titled “Hail Mary,” is a fine example of what the series does best: rollercoaster drama. It’s Cary’s (Matt Czuchry) last day of freedom, but as he prepares for prison, the firm scrambles with a last ditch effort to overturn his guilty plea. They find something, then it falls through, then they fake something, then they find something else, and the whole time Cary’s fate rests on the whims of one finicky judge, Richard Cuesta (David Paymer).

I love THE GOOD WIFE for exactly this type of episode. It’s emotionally draining, to be sure, but it’s so well-crafted that viewers won’t know the outcome until the end. We feel the characters’ ups and downs as they experience them, and the stakes are such that we care deeply about the outcome. Cary is one of the most likeable people on the show, and to see him go through this mess he doesn’t deserve… well, it’s rough.

The frustration Alicia (Julianna Margulies) must feel, unable to participate, is palpable. She is being prepped for a debate by Eli (Alan Cumming) and Johnny (Steven Pasquale), with some help from Finn (Matthew Goode), Peter (Chris Noth), and a stoned professor (Chris Elliott, How I Met Your Mother, There’s Something About Mary). Cuesta hates her, so she’s no good in the trial room, and Diane (Christine Baranski) understands how important Alicia’s prep is, so makes Alicia the lone staff member working on Cary’s case.

On a side note, Alicia’s happy kiss with Johnny in “Hail Mary” is a fluke, right? She’s just happy because Cary is saved. Her real chemistry is with Finn, whose practice sparring could not be more charged, the polar opposite of the way Alicia coldly slays Peter. I like Johnny, but I just don’t see him and Alicia together. Double side note, I love watching Eli desperately cling to the almost-completely-disintegrated marriage of Alicia and Peter.

Anyway, when Judge Cuesta finally apologies to Cary and dismisses the charges against him, it’s a great relief to everyone watching at home. I doubt many thought Cary would spend the next two seasons behind bars. Then again, the show doesn’t like to let its characters stay stagnant, so you never know. Still, Cary crying and hugging his friends is moving, and we’re glad to see justice prevail.

“Hail Mary” completes one of the most interesting story arcs of the show thus far: an innocent man, a main character no less, suffering because of the flaws of the system and unlucky circumstance. Cary never did do anything wrong, but there’s no way to prove it for the longest time, and as it looks more and more certain that he will be locked up, it gets harder and harder to watch. Now to realize that what Cary, a character on a television show, goes through happens in real life, to real people with family and friends, it just tears at one’s soul. I hope something can be done to make things better for any individuals suffering a similar fate.

There will likely be repercussions from “Hail Mary.” Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) does find actual evidence to clear Cary’s name, but before that, she fakes some. It’s understandable why she does this. Kalinda will do anything for Cary, whether it be making a deal with the almost-literal devil, Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter), or showing up when Cary’s prison preper, Bill Kroft (Domenick Lombardozzi, The Wire), asks her to make a booty call to Cary. But forging evidence is crossing a serious line that will surely come back to haunt Kalinda. If she’s still alive to answer for it.

It has been publicized that season six will be Panjabi’s last on THE GOOD WIFE. That means the show needs a way to write Kalinda off. She and Cary have never been closer, really seeming in love with one another in a way they (or at least she) hasn’t been before. This makes it less likely she will choose a new career path, and more probably that she will be killed or jailed. Neither option is pretty, but both could make a heck of a good story, depending on what THE GOOD WIFE wants to do with her. Dream scenario: Lemond kills her and it spurs the firm to rally against him and shut him down once and for all, guilt hanging on the decisions made that led to this point.

Besides the major arcs, “Hail Mary” answers the prayers of those longing for the small moments of fun between the various excellent players on this show. From Johnny telling off Eli, to Geneva (Renee Elisa Goldsberry) calling out Diane for playing to Cuesta’s love of the dramatic, to Marissa (Sarah Steele) declaring she’s not Alicia’s fluffer, there are many, many scenes that beautifully illustrate the chemistry of the many recurring players seamlessly connected to our core crew. THE GOOD WIFE is an extremely realized world, and every moment in it is magic.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. And now that football is coming to a close for the season, it might actually get to air at the proper time every week!

TV Review: THE GOOD WIFE "Sticky Content"

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 9 Sticky Content at Seat42F.

Despite the easy dirty jokes that can be made at the title of this week’s installment of CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE, “Sticky Content,” which just happens to be the ninth episode of season six, the hour is, in fact, quite serious. The FBI plays Cary (Matt Czuchry) a tape of Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter) ordering his execution. Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) works to verify the authenticity of the recording. Meanwhile, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) considers what type of campaign ads to run.

I am terrified that THE GOOD WIFE might kill Cary. On one hand, he seems far too vital to the story to do away with. Just last year, the show killed off someone just as important, which does set precedent, but it seems too early to repeat the stunt. But Cary is a rich character who the writers have dumped on in the past for good drama, and there’s always a chance the show will go there.

Cary thinks the tape is fake, and I’m inclined to agree with him, given all the static on the tape and the untrustworthy way law enforcement has been portrayed this season. But, after Lemond sees Carter Greyson (Victor Williams, The King of Queens), the body guard the firm hires for Cary, the threat becomes quite real, if it wasn’t already. Why else would Cary have a bodyguard for than if he is turning on Lemond and needs protection from the drug dealer?

Cary stupidly goes to confront Lemond one-on-one, just as Kalinda confirms that the tape is real. It may not be the wisest decision Cary can make, but at least he has guts to directly confront Lemond. Cary’s frankness may rise from desperation, which makes him no less brave for laying his cards on the table. It’s one of the best scenes in recent memory from THE GOOD WIFE, which has plenty of excellent contenders for this category, a moment full of tension and pregnant pauses, with both actors involved doing brilliant work.

Cary leaves this meeting apparently feeling reassured, but I’m not sure why. Surely he knows he can’t trust what Lemond says in “Sticky Content.” Lemond doesn’t have the same moral code most of us do, and I would not put lying past him in the slightest. Even when he admits the truth, or part of the truth, to Cary, there is a nagging suspicion he plans on going through with the execution order, maybe even more so than before. If I were Cary, I would not sleep soundly any time soon, even if Lemond should be put behind bars.

I do think it may be time for Cary to cooperate with investigators. Past time, in fact. Having Lana (Jill Flint), Kalinda’s girlfriend, present when Cary, Kalinda’s boyfriend, is played the tape is dumb and brings messy emotions into the mix, which at least contributes to Cary’s resistance. It could also hurt Cary’s legal career to flip on a client. But with a man as cold and dangerous as Lemond, getting him off the streets is necessary. Though the outcome here would have to be witness protection for Cary, which would remove him from the show as surely as killing him does.

The ending of “Sticky Content” shows Lana is likely in trouble for leaking the tape to Kalinda. I don’t care. Lana is whiny and needy and Kalinda belongs with Cary. Though a fired Lana could provide someone for Kalinda to run away with for a happy ending when she departs later this season, which would be acceptable.

In the B story, Frank Prady (David Hyde Pierce) asks Alicia to keep the campaign clean, much to chagrin of Alicia’s campaign manager, Johnny (Steven Pasquale), and advertising editor, Josh Mariner (David Krumholtz, Numb3rs). Can she take him at face value? I want to believe him, as he seems like a decent guy. Alicia’s distrust of him in a previous episode have biased me against him, though. Her wariness is based on circumstantial evidence, and THE GOOD WIFE has not revealed whether he is noble or not. But I have a hard time knowing if I should root for him.

Prady is just one of Alicia’s obstacles in “Sticky Content.” Seeing Peter (Chris Noth) with Ramona (Connie Nielsen) sparks some jealousy in Alicia, almost sending her into the arms of Finn (Matthew Goode). She stops herself, but not by much. Alicia’s later cold dismissal of Peter, telling him she’s annoyed that he threatens their political careers, is insincere, covering her pain. But might she finally be ready to move on from the dead marriage, getting over Peter once and for all? If so, Finn seems a good choice for moving on with.

It does certainly look like Alicia is slowly getting more comfortable with politics. She does have some trouble recreating a sincere moment, but the fact that she listens to her advice guys and lets them play on her sympathetic moments shows a change within Alicia. I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing, politics being a dicey arena, but growth is always welcome, and it will probably make Alicia a tougher competitor in all areas of her life.

“Sticky Content” is another great episode of THE GOOD WIFE, providing engaging plot, intense drama, and enjoyable moments. I’m glad the show has continued to stay at the top of its game, still not having come down from last year’s high benchmark.

THE GOOD WIFE airs at 9 p.m.-ish (depending on football) Sundays on CBS.

THE GOOD WIFE Delivers a "Message" of Excellence

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 7 Message Discipline on Seat42F.

“Message Discipline” is yet another fine installment of CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE. Alicia (Julianna Margulies) struggles to be a politician, something she is not accustomed to and maybe not suited for, in order to keep a new opponent out of the race. Meanwhile, Cary’s (Matt Czuchry) legal woes face several ups and downs.

First, Alicia. Told that a popular commentator, Frank Prady (David Hyde Pierce, Frasier) is thinking about running against her and Castro (Michael Cerveris), Elfman (Steven Pasquale) encourages Alicia to get out in front of this and stop it. Alicia tries, awkwardly asking for Prady’s endorsement and screwing up a softball interview. In the end, she fails in every encounter with Prady, other than the final one, and he is now a very real threat to her candidacy.

Prady is an interesting character because he is introduced as so nice and likeable, but is actually a sleazy politician. The kind face is just a public image he puts up, and while it may not be obvious to the viewer what Prady is doing, Alicia figures it out, calling him on his crap late in “Message Discipline.” Someone who can rally legions of fans behind him but also plays the game makes for an excellent politician, at least so far as running for and winning office goes. It also makes for a dangerous foe for Alicia, though, who has so far only had to deal with the openly-despicable Castro.

Castro exposes himself for the villain he is this week. Finn (Matthew Goode) goes after Cary on behalf of Castro and the DA’s office, introducing new evidence that makes Cary look hella guilty. However, when it becomes clear in the course of the investigation that Cary is innocent, Finn wants to switch gears. Castro refuses to do so, indicating he really is after smearing Cary, and by extension, Cary’s partner Alicia, rather than fighting for justice. Castro is a weasel of the worst kind, and when confronted with undeniable proof of this, Finn quits. He has to.

Finn has been a wonderful addition to the cast of THE GOOD WIFE and his sudden unemployment frees him up to take a bigger role. He talks of opening his own firm, possibly in Alicia’s building, and that is one way to go. A better way might be to somehow get him hired on. He and Alicia have a flirtation, and if he is hired, she would be his boss, basically putting Alicia in the opposite position from where she was with Will. That, and the pathos that goes with that, I’d like to see.

Speaking of the offices, it is extremely weird to be back in the Lockhart/Gardner space. I understand the reasons for it, but as I mentioned in past reviews, it feels like a rare step backward for the series. The setting needs to undergo a major redesign quickly to avoid this.

Back to Cary, I’m gratified to see that the case against him falls apart, thanks in large part to Kalinda (Archie Panjabi). Unfortunately, the witnesses who can clear Cary’s name are murdered, not an unexpected happenstance, and Cary goes right back to square one. Now, he doesn’t have Finn, a righteous man, on the other side, though, and so Castro will likely come at Cary ever harder, completely undeserved. This is depressing because one wants to believe that our legal system works and truth will win. But it does make for some excellent drama television, constantly keeping the audience guessing what will happen as fortune shifts back and forth rapidly.

I’m not sure I completely buy the strong pull between Kalinda and Cary in “Message Discipline,” the one weakness in the hour. Last time they are dealt with as a couple, Kalinda hooks back up with an old girlfriend to help Cary. Isn’t he still mad or jealous? Has he forgiven her so easily? They do make a hot pairing so it’s something I’d like to see again. Except that would lead to Cary breaking his parole again and landing in very hot water, which he doesn’t need.

Things are chaotic in Peter’s (Chris Noth) office, too. He hires Ramona (Connie Nielsen, The Following, Boss), who quickly establishes herself as a voice opposite Eli’s (Alan Cumming). Unfortunately for Eli, Ramona is smart, not like the bimbos Peter has gone for in the past, so she won’t be easy to get rid of, especially once Peter starts sleeping with her, which seems a foregone conclusion. Who will this dynamic shift hurt more in the long-run: Peter or Eli?

I may lament Cary’s troubles, but they don’t necessarily have to be over yet. The Cary / Kalinda / Diane (Christine Baranski) side of the episode pairs nicely with Alicia struggling to stay afloat and the chaos in the governor’s office. All together, they make “Message Discipline” another great episode in the larger arcs of the season, forgoing a case-of-the-week, as the series thankfully often does.

THE GOOD WIFE airs some time on Sunday nights, depending on when CBS finally stops worshipping football above all else for the day. Yes, I’m still angry about the network’s poor treatment of an outstanding program, even if stupid sports is how they make money, and football overruns actually raise THE GOOD WIFE’s ratings.

THE GOOD WIFE Remains "Shiny"

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 5 Shiny Objects on Seat42F.

CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE has a very intriguing recurring character in Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston), one they cannot resist bringing out on a fairly regular basis, thankfully. This week’s episode gives us a peek at the genius who is easily distracted by “Shiny Objects,” letting her take the opening of the hour, and showing glimpses of the way her brain works throughout. It is a fascinating.

Unfortunately, Elsbeth is not the focus of most of the hour. Don’t get me wrong; I really like “Shiny Objects” as an episode. It has some wonderful moments, exciting legal battles, and the type of compelling drama that THE GOOD WIFE is known for. The story is interesting and the characters are well-developed. It’s just, with the Elsbeth-centric opening, I was looking forward to more of the quirky lawyer, and am disappointed she is only in a few scenes, in a relatively minor capacity. Even her love interest, Josh (Kyle MacLachlan), showing up is barely a quick blip. She should get more.

It’s hard to point to one main plot for this week’s episode because there are several. Obviously, there’s the case where Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Dean (Taye Diggs) face Elsbeth in court is important. Then, there’s Kalinda’s (Archie Panjabi) reunion with Lana (Jill Flint), an FBI agent, which is connected to the tale of the law firm’s computer data being held for ransom and the search for the blackmailer. This also leads to Diane (Christine Baranski) having to face David Lee (Zach Grenier). And Alicia has to plan the important announcement of her candidacy. It’s a pretty full hour.

If pressed to pick a favorite subplot of “Shiny Objects,” other than the Elsbeth stuff, I’d have to go with the Diane vs. David Lee showdown. David Lee has an email that Diane needs. Diane still controls the lease for the office space David Lee uses. In recent struggles, Diane has been losing, but now she has a much bigger hand to play. She finally gets one over on him, getting him to give up the email in exchange for her consideration of transferring the lease, not a promise to do so, proving how much more important the lease is than the email. That should wipe the smirk of his smarmy face for an afternoon.

I have to say, though, I’ll be disappointed if Florrick, Agos, & Lockhart moves right back into the old Lockhart/Gardner building. Admittedly, the new space has plenty of flaws, but it’s been nice to get some fresh sets. I assume the former place would undergo some kind of makeover, if for no other reason than to provide three main spaces for the three named partners. But part of THE GOOD WIFE’s strength is that it keeps moving forward, and returning to Lockhart/Gardner would an uncharacteristic step back.

One thing that is not a step back, though it some ways it may appear to be, is the recreation of that famous Alicia / Peter (Chris Noth) press photo on stage. Now, it’s Alicia running for office and Peter supporting her, rather than The Good Wife standing by her cheating man. It’s not repetitive because the power dynamic has shifted so much, even though Peter still needs her more than she needs him, and Alicia has come quite far. It highlights Alicia’s arc and growth more than anything.

Unfortunately, this may also be the end of Alicia and Peter as a couple. They’ve never been all that solid, throughout the course of THE GOOD WIFE, but after Will’s death last year, things have been even more tense between them. When Alicia refuses to give in to Peter’s demand that Finn (Matthew Goode) not introduce her, it almost ends their arrangement, Peter being furious and not used to having to give in to Alicia. It shows us just how far apart the two have become, and makes any type of reconciliation, which is a long-shot before this anyway, totally unrealistic. I hope there are no shippers for the two of them left.

Speaking of shippers, Kalinda / Cary fans will be let down when Kalinda falls back into bed with Lana in “Shiny Objects.” Kalinda definitely cares much more for Cary and sees Lana as a tool she needs to use, and yes, sex is part of that. But I doubt Cary will understand if he confirms what he already suspects about the girls. And any hope that Kalinda could just pick up with Lana after losing Cary disappears when Kalinda finally feels something for Lana, but for the wrong reasons, driving Lana away.

Kalinda has, arguably, the messiest love life of any character on THE GOOD WIFE. Cary is her chance at stability, but (SPOILER ALERT!) since the actress is leaving the series at the end of the year, there’s virtually no chance of them ending up together. I feel like Kalinda only seems put together, and knows what she wants least of anyone. I’m rooting for her to find meaning by the time of her departure, as she deserves it.

“Shiny Objects” is not a “big event” episode (we’ll probably get one of those soon for November sweeps), but it is a fine hour of television, something THE GOOD WIFE manages to pull off most weeks, one of the few broadcast shows to do so. As long as they keep up this level of quality, I’ll watch them forever.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. (or so, depending on football run-overs) on CBS.