Fly AWAY

Article first published as TV Review: AWAY on Seat42F.

This weekend, Netflix released AWAY, a drama revolving around the first manned mission to Mars. A five-person, internationally diverse crew is sent on the trip, and problems, both the personal and the technical, plague them. Back on Earth, the supporting characters have their own challenges, while being called upon to help the travelers from a great distance.

It isn’t clear what time period AWAY is set in. From all appearances, it’s today, with no notable technological advancements in television, cell phones, or other everyday objects. Yet, there is some serious technology available for a moon base and Mars mission, and inexplicably those in space can pull out their phones and talk to people on Earth whenever they want, which seems extremely advanced and far from what we have now. So I’m left assuming this must be some sort of alternate dimension from our own, where technology evolved a little differently, though that isn’t made clear.

This isn’t the only thing AWAY can’t seem to decide. Sometimes it’s an astronaut- (and other terms for the other team members) fueled action adventure, with disaster lurking. Other times, it’s a family and co-worker drama, with personal issues coming front-and-center. Sometimes it seems to be a tale of international cooperation, while at others, it’s an illustration of how different various cultures can be. AWAY is a lot of things, which isn’t in of itself a bad thing, except they seem so disjointed that it feels unfinished or not a purposeful choice.

I started off knocking the series, so I should say, despite those flaws, I am enjoying it after three episodes. There are some interesting issues raised and plot points explored. I am glad that AWAY is not afraid to linger on long scenes when the story calls for it, but not jam such in unnecessarily for arguments or calls home. The direction is solid and the production looks amazing, with movie-quality special effects and sequences.

The cast is also terrific. I’m not a big Hilary Swank fan in general, but the Million Dollar Baby does a great job with the part of Emma Green, captain of the mission and lead of the series. The pressure Emma is under in a job where she will never please anyone is easy to relate to, and the stress it puts her under is very understandable. Her husband is played by The Good Wife’s Josh Charles, and his struggle after a stroke is engaging to watch. Their daughter, Alexis (Talitha Eliana Bateman, Annabelle: Creation), is also quite an interesting character, well performed, though her scenes often feel the most stuffed-in.

The rest of the crew are played by Vivian Wu (The Last Emperor), Ato Essandoh (Chicago Med), Ray Panthaki (Marcella), and Mark Ivanir (The New Pope), and each do an admirable job. Their characters are complex and layered, and I’m glad AWAY is getting around to revealing a lot about each, one per episode, as the story unfolds. I find their portions more compelling than Emma and her family, even though I like both halves.

AWAY presents an intriguing tale with well-developed players and looks fantastic. If it could lock in just a little more on some of the details, such as what it wants to be exactly, it could be pretty darn good. I don’t think it’ll be one of those cultural touchstones that everyone talks about or rated must-binge. Nor should it be binged, as the episodes are at-times dense and should be allowed to rest before jumping into the next. Yet, I think most people that do check it out will probably be satisfied with the drama shown. I am, and I think it quite likely I’ll finish the entire season in a week or two.

The first season of AWAY is available on Netflix now.

Be Sure to Attend WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP

Article first published as WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP Review on Seat42F.

I love that we live in the modern age where television can be done in many different models, not just the strict, twenty-some episodes per year for an indeterminate number of years commitment. If things had not been shifting as they are, we would never get a gem like WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP (premiering this week on Netflix) due to actor availability alone. Just look at the cast list, which includes Janeane Garofalo, Jason Schwartzman, Paul Rudd, Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Meloni, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, H. Jon Benjamin, John Slattery, Josh Charles, and many more. It would not have been possible to get them all together in a longer-format series.

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP is actually a prequel to the 2001 film, Wet Hot American Summer. Whereas the movie covers the last day of the year at Camp Firewood, the eight-episode series is set eight weeks earlier, to the first day of the season. Practically all of the adult actors from the original, both major and minor characters, reprise their roles, with a new batch of kids tossed in, and a ton of guest stars who are often as famous, if not more so, than the central cast.

The question might occur to you, as it did me, is this necessary? The movie is terrific; I just re-watched it last night and laughed frequently. But it’s also irreverent, with a loose plot and relatively under-developed characters. It succeeds because of the jokes and the performances, not because of its depth.

Well, if the new version were an exact copy, I’m not sure it would work. Sure, we could enjoy a goofy sitcom over a longer period of time, but it would certainly get tiring if binge watching, as many Netflix subscribers prefer to digest their shows. Instead, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP builds a much more complex story (i.e. can of vegetables), interweaving a number of running subplots, intriguing mysteries, and origin stories fans may not have known they even wanted.

Lest you worry that will take away from the style of humor that worked for Wet Hot American Summer, it does not. The silly gags are still present, Arty (recast) still the radio station, and the characters are the same as they ever were. They just have a little more to do, and what they do sometimes (but not always) has a little more importance. Continuity remains intact, as much as it ever was.

Given the short bits this four-hour comedy is broken up into, not everyone can show up right away. Most of the biggest stars are back in episodes one and two, with a lot of the smaller ones joining in episode three. The original ensemble is supplemented mostly by cast members from writer David Wain’s other TV show, Childrens Hospital (which also has Wet Hot American Summer stars), and Mad Men alum, along with Wain himself, so it takes even longer to get around to everyone.

Yet, it doesn’t feel crowded. Sure, Michael Ian Black, for one, doesn’t have a lot to do in the first few installments, but I’m optimistic that will change as the season goes on. Like the movie, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP jumps around a lot, and that allows for lots of subplots.

Most importantly, though, it just feels like the magic is back. True, the actors don’t pass for sixteen-year-olds, but they didn’t in 2001, either, and the only adds to the conceit. I was enjoying the show so much, I couldn’t stop to write this after one or two episodes, and barely tore myself away after the third. As someone who loves the film, I think this iteration adds to, not takes away from, the work. I hope we eventually get to see even more of this terrific summer of 1981.

WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP was released last Friday on Netflix.

Brilliant "Mind's" Behind THE GOOD WIFE

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 14 Mind's Eye on Seat42F.

This week’s episode of THE GOOD WIFE on CBS, entitled “Mind’s Eye,” is really great, and also very different than any other episode of the series, if not of television in general. A large portion of the hour plays out in Alicia’s (Julianna Margulies) imagination, rather than in reality. This is not a fantasy in the traditional sense, though, nor a musical extravaganza. Instead, the series takes us through her thought process on several issues, sometimes interconnecting, showing possibilities play out and how she comes to the conclusions and decisions that she comes to.

First off, Alicia is preparing for an interview to secure a major endorsement that could win her the State’s Attorney election. Prady (David Hyde Pierce) does very well with his own attempt, making her nervous. She has reason to be concerned. What if they ask about her son, Zach’s (Graham Phillips), abortion? What is they ask her is she’s aware her PAC is being funded by drug kingpin Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter)? Should Alicia tell the truth, or play the politician?

Secondly, Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) is still suing the firm and threatening to publicly smear Alicia just before the election. Canning is smart, likely having his former partner, David Lee (Zach Grenier), in his pocket. He also milks his health issues for all they’re worth. But when he does turn out to be very sick, Alicia rushes to the hospital, putting her compassion for a human being ahead of her rocky relationship with the jerk of a man.

Both of these intersect, giving her ideas for the other. They are not obviously related, but the mind is good at making connections. People are hard wired to find patterns, and the smartest ones, like Alicia, use that to their advantage. Her jumping back and forth from one notepad to the next, scribbling ideas as they come, is impressive to watch and inspiring. This isn’t just an experimental, cool look into human psychology, but also gives us a deeper insight into a particular beloved character.

This being The Good Wife, romance does come into play in “Mind’s Eye.” Alicia has been unable to move on from Will (Josh Charles), although she has two possible suitors at present, Finn Palmer (Matthew Goode) and Johnny Elfman (Steven Pasquale). This episode has her find a way to let go of Will, finally opening herself up to new possibilities. It’s time, and I’m glad to see Alicia hasn’t given up on finding love.

Charles doesn’t actually appear as Will in the episode, his appearances shrouded in shadow, though the actor’s voice is clear. This might be because of a scheduling conflict, but I think it works out rather well as it’s done. Will is fading, becoming an indistinct memory, and she doesn’t need to have him firmly locked in her mind.

There are also a ton of little, juicy tidbits tossed into “Mind’s Eye.” Alicia imagines Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) and Peter (Chris Noth) together, proving she’s never forgiven her former friend and husband. She sees Richard Dawkins (Michael Siberry) and Pastor Easton (Gbenga Akinnagbe) as she struggles with religion and morality. Sometimes the people in her head turn and talk to her. And, as has become frequent, Marissa (Sarah Steele) pops in to give terrific one-liners and insights. She should be locked into the cast full-time immediately.

Throughout “Mind’s Eye,” Alicia is having trouble finding her voice, both figuratively and literally. She doesn’t know what she wants to do. But at the conclusion, when she makes up her mind, her voice comes back. She compromises with herself and decides what she thinks is best, which often isn’t clear-cut in complex, adult decisions. It’s quite a clever little metaphor that adds to the enjoyment of the immensely enjoyable piece.

Not a lot happens in “Mind’s Eye,” yet it’s one of my favorite episodes of THE GOOD WIFE this season. It shows once again how the series is willing to take chances and make bold choices. This series is on the bubble this year, but I desperately hope it is renewed because it is probably the best show on the broadcast networks, certainly one of the most original, and every week I anticipate it greatly.

The Good Wife airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

"The Last Call" From Will on THE GOOD WIFE

Article first published as "The Last Call" From Will on THE GOOD WIFE on TheTVKin

In my review of last week's installment of CBS's The Good Wife, I mentioned Will's (Josh Charles) bond with the three main women in his life, and how his connection to each is served. This week's followup, taking place in the immediate wake of Will's death, centers on that trio, as each confronts their grief in a different manner.

The overall tone of this episode is a powerful one, remniscent of Buffy's mother's sudden death on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the gold standard for great grieving programs. There's a general feeling of sadness and numbness, enhanced by the lack of the soundtrack that usually lifts the dramatic moments. Instead, there's a feeling of nothing, a vacuum sucking the air away. It is sure to evoke an emotional reaction in any viewer with a heart.

Alicia (Julianna Margulies), being the main character of the show and the woman Will actually loved romantically, is the most important, as one would expect. "The Last Call" picks up exactly where the previous installment left off, with Alicia getting the call about Will. Not long after, she finds a voicemail from Will on her phone, interrupted and incomplete, and spends the day obsessed with putting together the last moments of Will's life, tracking down Judge Politi (Vincent Curatola) and the prosecutor, Finn (Matthew Goode, promoted to main character now), to help her fill in the blanks.

Alicia keeps flashing to things Will might have been trying to tell her when he died. Was Will angry with her? Was he remorseful, wanting to repair the bridge between them? Was it something else? These are powerful glimpses, a look into the chaos of Alicia's mind on this pivotal day, and the last one she envisions is the right one for her to choose.
For Alicia, is this about closure, or about mourning what might have been? The latter seems to play into it, since Alicia dodges phone calls from Peter (Chris Noth), her husband and the other man who shares her heart, though she'll answer Eli's (Alan Cumming) communications. This is dangerous territory, tossing aside what you have for something you can't obtain. Now that Alicia knows the truth about what transpired, will she be able put things behind her, or will she stay fixated on Will and his tragic demise?

There is a telling moment when Alicia rejects her daughter, Grace's (Makenzie Vega), attempts to comfort her with thoughts of god. Alicia may just be a realist who doesn't buy into religion, which is valid, but she's a little cold in shutting Grace down. Maybe Alicia doesn't want to be comforted. Maybe she doesn't want to be happy, even if she says she will be eventually. This could be a sign that Alicia is spiraling.

Diane's (Christine Baranski) reaction to Will's passing is without reproach. She welcomes Alicia into the office to wallow together, no animosity left between them. She cancels professional engagements. And she not only fires a high-paying client that oversteps, demanding a meeting on the day Will died, but also makes sure to poison every well said client might now seek to sip from. It's beautiful revenge, passionate, justified anger, and a mark of just how strong Diane is, even in the tough times. Will could have had no better partner, and Baranski's performance is award-worthy, even more so than usual.

This anger and righteousness is echoed, albeit in a smaller way, in Cary (Matt Czuchry), who is forced to take up a deposition the other side demands not be postponed, even though Alicia cannot attend. Cary and Will weren't friends, but Cary's loyalty to Alicia (and Diane in going along with her shut down of the terrible client), is commendable, and proves he deserves the esteem many fans hold him in.

David Lee (Zach Grenier) is an interesting character. He's softer than we've ever seen him when insisting to Diane that he call clients, taking the task off her plate, but being realistic that it needs to happen. Even so, most would have probably thought him callous if we hadn't gotten to glimpse a mini break-down by him first, proving he is moved by Will's passing, and just dealing in his own way. He's not as bad a guy as he sometimes seems. One might even like him in "The Last Call."

The third woman after Diane and Alicia is Kalinda (Archie Panjabi). With enabler Jenna (Jordana Spiro) at her side, Kalinda gets the detective, Doug Young (Will Chase, Nashville, Smash), and the coroner to give her unfettered access to the case. Kalinda is diving into work to cope, her own way of processing grief and a dedicated tribute to Will.

See, Jeffery Grant's lawyer, Alma Hoff (returning guest star Becky Ann Baker, Girls), plans to plead temporary insanity. What's more some will argue that it's hard to tell if the fatal shot came from Jeffery (Hunter Parrish) at all, considering the cross fire. But Kalinda knows Jeffery is guilty, and she is not about let him get away with it.

Kalinda's taunt of Jeffery in his cell, offering him an opportunity at suicide, then yanking it away, is cruel. However, it's no more cruel than she thinks Jeffery deserves, and she may be right. Kalinda is a determined woman, and with her sights set on bringing Will's killer to justice, Jeffery likely will be punished.

Yet, there's still a lingering doubt that Jeffery does deserve to be locked up forever. Hoff's belief in him is an understandable one. The case was not going well for Jeffery, and he was innocent. He genuinely might have gone a little crazy, and certainly didn't intend to shoot Will. Jeffery does need help, to be sure, but a mental hospital might be more appropriate and humane that prison. And that's coming from someone who deeply misses Will and is very sad about his death (me).

I like "The Last Call" notably more than last week's "Dramatics, Your Honor," and that's saying something because "Dramatic, Your Honor" is an excellent episode. This one is just so much more character-driven, giving the actors a new side of their roles to work with, and each one more than rising to the occasion. Margulies, Baranski, Panjabi, Grenier, Czuchry - these are all fine performers, and they get to prove to everyone their skill set in this showcase. Add to that terrific writing, editing, directing, and everything that goes into the style and tone of this show, which has to match the actors and does so perfectly, and the result is very impressive. Awesome job, all around.

The Good Wife isn't done with its fifth season yet, airing Sundays at 9 p.m.-ish (varying because of the network's inability to competently schedule sports) on CBS.

THE GOOD WIFE Shocks With "Dramatics"

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Shocks With "Dramatics" on TheTVKing.

This week's installment of CBS's The Good Wife, "Dramatics, Your Honor," begins like any other. In fact, two thirds of the way through the hour, it sure seems like this will be one of the more boring episodes the series has produced, providing a few nice character moments, but focusing too heavily on Will's (Josh Charles) current case. Which is likely why it's so surprising when (SPOILER ALERT!) gunshots ring out and Will Gardner is killed.

Those behind the surprise twist, not even airing as a sweeps stunt or season finale event, should be commended for keeping this under wraps. No leakage occurred that I am aware of, making for a truly shocking turn of events for unsuspecting viewers. Especially considering that the show airs on CBS, a network not known for taking big chances, and coming during a stellar year when The Good Wife has already allowed so much upheaval, its impact is maximally delivered. If only CBS didn't screw up the air times with stupid sports overruns they apparently still haven't figured out how to schedule for despite having decades to solve the problem, this would be perfect.

Will Gardner's death comes at an opportune time for a major story arc. The ballot box stuffing scandal is in full swing and Nelson Dubeck (Eric Bogosian, Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is putting the pressure on Alicia (Julianna Margulies), Peter (Chris Noth), and others hard. His key witness, who he is trying to blackmail into stepping forward is Will. Will's demise might end up saving Peter's career and the Florricks' lives as they know them if Dubeck doesn't find a new trail to pursue.

More importantly, though, is the emotional impact losing Will will have on the cast. Will has not one significant woman left to mourn him, but three, each getting their own special scenes in "Dramatics, Your Honor," and each will need to deal with the punishing blow in their own manner.

Diane (Christine Baranski) is Will's partner. They haven't always seen eye to eye, but they are in a good place right now. They had to pull together when their employees rebelled and split off, and Will offers comfort and support when Diane loses a cherished career opportunity. Diane's role in this episode is to offer Will advice on his trial, but also to let him know that someone has his back.

Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) is Will's platonic close friend. She is pondering a change in jobs (again), and Will is sympathetic, but also knows Kalinda better than she may even know herself. The drink they share is warm and comfortable, showing there is much more than a professional relationship between them.

Both Kalinda and Diane happen to be in the courthouse when Will's client, Jeffery Grant (Hunter Parrish), pulls the weapon and fires. While I'd still like to see those events at some point, it's very effective to get the terror from the women's point of view, down the hall. We see the horror in their faces, subtle, because neither character would panic. And we see what this immediate danger does to them, especially when it becomes apparent that Will is not only in the room with the shooter, but a victim.

The third female whose boat is rocked is Alicia, the former lover. I won't say that either Will or Alicia still hold a torch for their relationship, especially after the ugliness of the past year, with Will feeling Alicia betrayed him, but neither are they just friends. They have a complicated bond that is hard to pin down, but it's clear that Alicia will take Will's demise roughly.

Thank goodness Alicia reaches out an olive branch to Will earlier in the episode. At the time, it seems like a small thing, the first step on a long road to reconciliation. In retrospect, it means everything, the thaw that will keep Alicia from being stricken immobile with regret, a lifeline to cling to. Kalinda and Diane's decision to call Alicia from the hospital proves that Alicia is still an important part of Will's life, no matter has happened between them, and this will come into play now more than ever. If nothing else, shared grief will help heal the lesser rift between Alicia and Diane.

The scene in which Alicia is called is a fantastic, though small, moment for Eli (Alan Cumming). He respects Kalinda enough to answer the phone when she calls twice, valuing someone who should be valued. His initial resistance to pull Alicia away from her event is expected, but the way Eli shrinks and becomes immediately obedient upon hearing Kalinda's words is not something he would have done a couple of years ago. This is the human, compassionate side of Eli, and it's very well displayed.

By the end of "Dramatics, Your Honor," one is left with a deep sense of unease and sadness. Will didn't do anything wrong and didn't deserve to die. Jeffery may have been innocent of murder before, but he's not now. His helplessness, an act of desperation leading to tragedy, only makes Will's passing more senseless and regrettable. There is no winner in this game, even when the perp is brought to justice. It's just a broken, messed up situation that will have far-reaching consequences, and one that is handled authentically.

This drama is anything but trivial, a dark tale with real emotion. The acting is superb, the set up is one of the most interesting and unique turns on network television, and the series continues its trend of delivering higher quality programming than its genre, channel, and premise would indicate. Terrific job by all involved.

The Good Wife airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET (when CBS isn't being stupid and screwing up their schedule at the last minute, so keep an eye out for this).

THE GOOD, er, Awesome WIFE Hits 100 Episodes

Article first published as THE GOOD, er, Awesome WIFE Hits 100 Episodes on TheTVKing.

CBS's excellent drama The Good Wife, which is barely a procedural any more, thankfully, has never been better than it is in its fifth season. Recently, the show marked its fall finale with an important milestone: the 100th episode. The installment, which is entitled "The Decision Tree," is both very special and very typical of a standard entry at the same time.

The story is simple enough. Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is surprised to find herself in a legal battle over deceased client Matthew Ashbaugh's (John Noble) will. He left her an extremely sizable sum of money, and Lockhart Gardner insists on trying to deprive her of it. Or, more accurately, a hurt, betrayed Will (Josh Charles) wants to make Alicia suffer.

Will and Alicia's romance is a brief footnote for The Good Wife, but one that was much anticipated, and has had a lasting impact. Their relationship came as Alicia's marriage was falling apart, and when she chose to try to repair it, Will paid the price. Funnily enough, though, Will understood Alicia then. He didn't begin taking the break up personally until Alicia quit his firm.

Why has Alicia striking out on her own hit Will so hard? Did he think that as long as she worked for him he'd have another chance with her? Did he believe that they still cared deeply about one another, even if they couldn't be involved? Is Will starting to suspect (wrongly, of course) that she was sleeping with him just to further her career?

Whatever Will's reasons may be, he is very, very angry at Alicia, and wants to cause her pain. We see this when Will questions Alicia in his head, preparing for court, anticipating her answers and trying to hurt her as much as possible. It's a moving, emotionally charged sequence, which continues when he actually confronts her. Their past comes to back him, something he can't move on from, and it really informs his reaction in the present.

Alicia, for her part, handles Will beautifully. She knows he's off his game, allowing emotion to rule him, and takes a more detached approach. I don't think this paints Alicia as cold, as we see that she does have to steel herself to go into court, tampering down her feelings, not being without them. Instead, it just means she's more mature and can compartmentalize more effectively. And that she's a winner.

As much as Cary (Matt Czuchry) helps Alicia in court this week, a crack in their partnership is exposed as they plan their new firm's Christmas party. The turnout is expected to be low until Cary convinces Alicia to invite Peter (Chris Noth). Then, he jumps the gun and announces Peter's attendance, which inflates their guest list but annoys Alicia, who doesn't want to use Peter to help build the business.

It's easy to put oneself in Cary's shoes, and Alicia's, too. Their law firm has a trump card that can really help them soar, but Alicia is reluctant to play it. In a competitive world, they need to use every resource at their disposal. However, it's also understandable that Alicia doesn't want to be seen abusing her husband's reputation for her own financial gain, and it's up to her to block such an occurrence, as Peter is only too willing to step in, even when it's not wise in regards to his own career. So it's a sort of awkward situation. Alicia and Cary have been through worse, though, so as long as they take time to talk to one another, I think they'll eventually strike a balance that works.

Of course, whether their firm succeeds or flops may not be completely up to them. The new partner Will recruits, Damian Boyle (Jason O'Mara, Terra Nova, Life On Mars), is clever and devious. He seems to want to prove his loyalty by taking down Alicia and Cary. They're smart, too, and his early efforts have inflicted more boo-boos than major wounds, but he may still be sizing up his competition, biding his time before a damaging blow.

Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) isn't sure whether Damian can be trusted. She tails him to try to figure him out, a splendidly hilarious scene that ends in her arrest by Damian's friend, Jenna Villette (Jordana Spiro, My Boys, The Mob Doctor).

Kalinda and Jenna sleep together, which is kinda great. I love their chemistry, Kalinda needs a new partner, and I'll take any excuse to have Spiro on my screen. However, I really thought The Good Wife was building towards a Damian-Kalinda pairing. Granted, Damian seems awfully similar to Kalinda's abusive ex, which was a very unpopular plot arc, but it really felt like that's where "The Decision Tree" was going earlier in the hour.

Damian may not be Alicia's only problem. "The Decision Tree" ends with Marilyn (Melissa George) telling Eli (Alan Cumming) that she's going to name her baby Peter. As Peter's ethics adviser, it seems very unlikely that Marilyn means to say that the baby is biologically Peter's, which would be a huge violation of the public's trust in Peter. On the other hand, Peter does have a history of cheating on Alicia with blondes, and Eli certainly falls for the jibe, spectacularly spitting out in his drink in a hell of a cliffhanger.

I don't think Peter and Alicia could survive him fathering a baby with someone else. They've been through a lot, but this crosses too many lines and shows he hasn't changed as he claims to have done. If Marilyn is carrying his baby it could explain why he's been so overeager to be attentive to Alicia, or he may try to blame her avoidance of his help on why he strayed. But it all adds up to an implosion of their marriage, should Marilyn's implication turn out to be true.

Besides the wonderful recurring parts played by Nathan Lane, Mary Beth Peil, George, Spiro, and O'Mara, "The Decision Tree" gives us more of less-seen great performers like Noble, Stockard Channing, Kurt Fuller, and others. Toss them in with an already-stellar across-the-board cast and a guest appearance by Donna Brazile as herself, this episode is bursting with terrific people doing what they do best, making The Good Wife highly engrossing.

The focus of The Good Wife is now solidly on the characters. When Zach (Graham Phillips) tells his mother she's a very interesting person, he's right, and viewers will agree. It's easy to fall in love with the various parts, and the way each is written so authentically, often leaving disagreements with more than one reasonable side. The writing is as excellent as the acting. As far as broadcast network dramas go, this one is tops.

The Good Wife will return January 5th on CBS.

THE GOOD WIFE Is "Hitting the Fan" This Week

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Is "Hitting the Fan" This Week on TheTVKing.

Ever since fans of CBS's The Good Wife learned that Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Cary (Matt Czuchry) were splitting off to form their own firm, there's been a tension as we wait to see it happen. We knew it wouldn't be easy and it wouldn't be pretty, but it's hard to imagine most pictured it getting as rough as it does in this week's installment, "Hitting the Fan."

First of all, the associates are not able to deliver the news on their own terms. Days before Alicia and the others can offer their resignations, Diane (Christine Baranski) finds out and tells the other partners. This is why it was a bad move to wait weeks after making the plan. Secrets don't stay secret, and Alicia and Cary should know better. They wanted to leave themselves in a great position to kick off the new firm, but they sacrifice trust and relationships in being sneaky and holding out.

And, as Anthony (Bhavesh Patel) obsesses over all along, they still don't get their bonuses. Greed hurts them.

What happens after Diane tells Will (Josh Charles) and David Lee (Zach Grenier) is exciting and dramatic. Will rails on Alicia, then fires her. Cary, Carey (Ben Rappaport), Robyn (Jess Weixler), and the others scramble to get client files, knowing Lockhart Gardner will delay handing them over, while Will and David Lee rush to figure out who else is leaving and get rid of them. With a sweeping score and excellent character moments in conflict, this is one of the most brilliant sequences The Good Wife has done yet.

This series excels at the big things. Shunning the case-of-the-week format, for the most part, on CBS, of all places, it focuses on larger arcs that move people along, never afraid of shifting the status quo. "Hitting the Fan" is the messiest example of that so far, and everything the producers, editors, writers, etc. have learned in previous years have prepared them well for this. For nearly fifteen solid minutes before the title card, viewers are on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the next line or the next development.

It's why I love The Good Wife, while shunning its peers. It does something different, and it's the best at doing so. Here, we see a variety of viewpoints, Alicia wants to build something of her own, Will feels betrayed, Diane understands but wants to protect the firm she's built, Cary is bitter over what was done to him, some of the associates just want all they can milk from their employer, and all are balanced without demonizing anyone. Yes, I want Alicia and Cary to succeed, but I don't want Will's business to collapse in the process.

Not to mention, the show rocks the humor. The scene where Grace (Makenzie Vega) leads her bible study through the chaos of Florrick Agos is hilarious, and so is the repeat restraining order delivery just as a meeting is about to happen. So much of the magic is in the details, and they are strongly delivered.

What follows the initial mass exodus is a supreme battle of wits in the new firm versus the old. Lockhart Gardner slaps a restraining order against Florrick Agos so they can't talk to Chum Hum's Neil Gross (John Benjamin Hickey), the biggest client in play, and Florrick Agos fights back hard. If this is any indication of what the rivalry will be for the rest of the season or beyond, it's going to be great.

Of course, the older firm is more experienced and gains the upper hand. But the new one is run by the governor elect's wife, and Peter (Chris Noth) can't resist getting involved, stacking the deck to push Chum Hum into Alicia's hands.

It's not fair, and it does leave Peter open to charges of improper use of office and violating the public's trust. Eli (Alan Cumming) somehow doesn't see it coming, but it'll be his job to clean up the mess. Peter is a stubborn man and he is protective of Alicia, but I can see how Eli would think Peter wouldn't cross such a major line until he does. This has trouble written all over it, and there will surely be negative repercussions for Peter's actions.

In the meantime, Peter is continuing to screw up, considering going back on his word to Diane about a judgeship. This is really vindictive and immoral, and Diane simply doesn't deserve it. Although those outside her firm are not privy to all of Diane's actions, Diana is the one that is reluctant to fire Alicia and brokers a deal to drop the restraining orders. Unlike Will, who feels personally betrayed, she does see the associates' side of things, and isn't angry. The fact that the whole brouhaha could cost her her dream career is heartbreaking. It's a good thing she hasn't officially quit her old job yet.

The backstabbing that may be most surprising in "Hitting the Fan" is that of Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) towards Cary. In service to Will, Kalinda pretends to change her mind about leaving for the new office to pump Cary for information, then turns around and blabs it all. There is definitely a line in the sand drawn and Kalinda has chosen sides. However, after staying above the fray for so long, it's unfortunate Kalinda has to wade into it now, especially against Cary, whom she obviously cares about.

And Cary is naive to believe her. It's not his only screw up of the hour, slipping in a charged conversation with Diane earlier. I didn't expect Cary to be the weak point, but it's nice that his honesty and good-naturedness are his downfall. At least he gets to keep our respect and affection, and it's more his kind soul than his stupidity than does him in.

Basically, "Hitting the Fan" is a masterpiece of an episode, which serves all of the main players effectively, and changes the makeup of the show forever. A lot happens, and it's a really rocky roller coaster, with uncertainty hanging in the air until the very end. Best of all, this is not over yet, with more to be worked out in the coming weeks.

The Good Wife airs at approximately 9 p.m. ET (depending on the network's ridiculous ineptitude in scheduling stupid football accurately) on CBS.

"Everything Is Ending" Or Just Getting Started for THE GOOD WIFE

Article first published as "Everything Is Ending" Or Just Getting Started for THE GOOD WIFE on TheTVKing.

CBS's The Good Wife, arguably the best drama on that network, returns tonight with "Everything Is Ending." The pressure mounts for the fourth years to tell the partners they are leaving the firm and striking out on their own. Alicia (Julianna Margulies) is caught in the middle of the two worlds, and tries to appease both sides, while still keeping her secrets. A case involving an inmate on death row gives her pause about her own decision.

Alicia likes working for Will (Josh Charles) and Diane (Christine Baranski), and who can blame her? They've been good to her, promoting her when appropriate, giving her opportunities, and assigning her to cases she feels passionate about, such as the pro bono work in "Everything Is Ending," saving a man named Eddie (Malik Yoba, Alphas) from execution. She is comfortable there.

Yet, she has given her word to Cary (Matt Czuchry) that she will help him start a new firm. Part of that decision might have been prompted by wanting to get away from Will, avoiding old feelings, but her word has been given. It's too late to back out. Or is it?

It's a real conundrum for Alicia. She has already made plans with Cary, and further digs her grave by lying to the partners when questioned about what she knows. Even if she wanted to stay, the only way to be forgiven would be to rat out her co-conspirators, but then Diane and Will still probably wouldn't trust her. And if she does the right thing, coming clean to the partners, she would not be welcome at the new firm, her co-workers feeling betrayed. Whatever she does now, after the lie, someone will feel like she stabbed them in the back. There is no good way out.

The problem may have been who Alicia got into bed with. It's one thing for her to want to work with Cary. They have a relationship, and similar sensibilities. He can be reasoned with. It's another to go with a democratic rule with a bunch of rash, greedy people, who don't want to leave Lockhart Gardner until after they get their bonuses. It's a short-sighted move on their part, and Alicia may end up being the one to pay the price for it. It's too bad she and Cary aren't really the new Will and Diane, as Cary is fond of calling them, because wise leadership is needed to right the course.

I do wonder if Alicia might change her mind. She seems to waver because, if she goes to a start up firm, she won't be able to help people like Eddie for quite some time. It seems Alicia didn't fully think out her choice, and now it contributes to her being stuck. But I don't want her to stay at Lockhart Gardner because Cary has felt screwed over enough and it took awhile to rebuild their trust the last time. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what she decides.

Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) may pay the price, too, also trying to cover for the associates when David Lee (Zach Grenier) starts digging. She tries to put him off, and even denies knowledge that she possesses. This is clearly done out of loyalty to Cary, and maybe Alicia. It's noble, to be sure, but when everything goes down, David Lee will surely bring Kalinda's evasiveness to the senior partners' attention.

Peter (Chris Noth) may be getting himself into much the same circumstances as Alicia in "Everything Is Ending," not thinking things through completely. To protect his image, at the behest of Eli (Alan Cumming), he promotes Marilyn (Melissa George, Alias) out of his office. Eli is correct in saying that pictures taken of Peter and Marilyn might spark bad rumors. But Marilyn is smart enough to know exactly what Peter is doing, and doesn't seem happy about it. Will she return to cause trouble, making Peter regret his decision?

It is touching when Peter suggests that Eli be his chief of staff. Eli and Peter have been through a lot together, and it's a little surprising the idea hasn't been floated before. Eli, for all his ego, actually seems surprised to be considered, and certainly appreciates the offer. While it's not completely clear Eli will accept, that's the assumption I've made, and I'm glad to solidify their partnership on the show, hopefully seeing Eli in new roles now.

Grace (Makenzie Vega) is cast in a new role, as a sex symbol. Zach's (Graham Phillips) buddies alert him to the website objectifying his sister, and he isn't pleased, though he soon realizes there's nothing he can do about it. Given Grace's religion and personality, it's unlikely she'll take advantage of the situation, and it will likely cause her more embarrassment than pride. I wonder where The Good Wife intends to go with this thread.

"Everything Is Ending" is a fantastic episode. Besides the various plots covered above, we get Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development) as a judge, a classic Lockhart Gardner Hail Mary, and see a softer side of Geneva Pine (Renée Elise Goldsberry). The tension is high, the pacing is fast, and the show still takes time for character development. If only other CBS shows, stuck in the procedural formulas, could take some notes, the network would quickly rise in quality.

The Good Wife airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

The Good Wife Finds Out "What's in the Box?"

Article first published as The Good Wife Finds Out "What's in the Box?" on TheTVKing.

So much is happening in The Good Wife's season four finale, "What's in the Box?" which aired on CBS this week. Zach (Graham Phillips) thinks he spots voter fraud, sending Lockhardt Garner scrambling into multiple court battles to try to save the election for Peter (Chris Noth). Meanwhile, who will be splitting off to form a new firm is revealed, personal relationships are rocked, and the election results come in.

One of the things The Good Wife does well is build a stable of reliable, fantastic recurring players. Lots of them appear in "What's in the Box?" lending a bit of extra excitement and tension to the proceedings. Among those returning favorites in this episode are Patti Nyholm (Martha Plimpton), Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker), Judge Arbernathy (Denis O'Hare), Judge Lessner (Ana Gasteyer), and Jordan Karahalios (T.R. Knight).

But while all of these familiar faces are wonderful to see, none are the focus of the episode, as The Good Wife does know how that their bread and butter is the core cast, nearly all of whom get development and plot in this finale.

Zach doesn't always have a lot to do, but he is instrumental in the various legal battles that play out throughout the installment. It's nice to see him have such a vital part, not only starting the trouble, unintentionally, but also getting to share credit for his dad's victory, sort of. It's a good use for the teen, who looks to possibly have an increased role moving forward if he stays involved, maybe working for his dad?

The brilliant maneuvering, as the characters zip from courtroom to courtroom, is highly entertaining and sharpy crafted. The Good Wife has presented many interesting cases in its day, but the ones in this episode are some of the most enjoyable, especially after the flip, when our heroes must argue the opposite side of the previous debate.

I'm not so thrilled with the election outcome. Yes, I'm happy that Peter wins, but at what cost? It seems pretty obvious that his team cheats, whether Eli (Alan Cumming) is involved or not, and he very well may be. It makes the win hollow. If only the 30,000 votes are rigged, it won't change the results, but since we know that some false counts got in there, it opens up the possibility for others. Is this the arc for next year, with the mystery slowly uncovered?

Despite this scandal, Peter's reputation is not damaged in my eyes. He may not tell Will to reveal the secret (who would?), but he doesn't ask him not to, either. It seems obvious that Peter has no knowledge of the rigging, so his hands are clean there.

Of course, that means Will (Josh Charles) does something shady, again. He's been a murky character at times, and the choice to tell the court about the false votes fall to him. I feel like his decision is not an easy one, as Alicia (Julianna Margulies) could be upset at him for exposing Peter, rather than running to him for comfort, so that would shoot himself in the foot with her. Yet, by protecting Peter, Will keeps Alicia's husband looking good to her. Neither choice will get him what he wants, so should he keep Alicia happy, or do what's right? He chooses Alicia's happiness, proving his feelings for her are real, even if he doesn't get her at this juncture.

Peter's other misstep, trying to intimidate and pay off Cristian (Yul Vazquez) to leave Jackie (Mary Beth Peil) alone, can be chalked up to a son protecting his mother. What's more, as funny as Cristian's handling of Peter is, it also hints that Peter's instincts about him could very well be correct.

Alicia is the titular character for good reason, and she has a couple of decisions to make in "What's in the Box?" First, should she renew her wedding vows to Peter, or try again with Will, who shows his continuing interest with a second kiss? Peter promises not to cheat on her again, and he seems sincere. They've spent a lot of time working on their marriage, and I don't think Alicia should throw that away for a guy she hasn't been able to make it work with twice in the past. Which is why I'm glad we don't see her go for Will this hour.

Second, should she stay at Lockhardt Gardner, or split off with Cary (Matt Czuchry) to form Florrick, Agos, and Associates? I think the episode does a great job with the fake out, making us think Alicia might be calling Will in the end, when really, she is telling Cary she is in. I'm glad that is revealed, rather than just showing the cryptic phone call. Alicia needs to do what's best, and that's get away from Will. I figure that's her deciding factor, though there's also the opportunity to begin something new here. I doubt Sweeney's opinion has much weight, even though we see him encourage the move.

With two firms next season, and Diane (Christine Baranski) presumably heading for the bench, the cast is likely to be split. For this reason, I'm glad that new investigator Robin (Jess Weixler) goes with Cary and Alicia, and Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) stay. I hate to see Will left by himself, and we're surely not done with stories set within Lockhardt Gardner. When Cary was by himself, he got far less screen time. I hope to not see that happen to a lead again.

The regrettable thing, though, is that Kalinda feels betrayed by Cary. Say what you want about Cary Agos, but he has handled this whole rebellion with grace and politeness, juggling others' various interests. He doesn't stab Alicia or Kalinda in the back. He does what he can to make everyone happy, while not allowing himself to be pushed around by a firm that hasn't been fair to him. I really hope Kalinda can be made to realize this, and since he won't be her boss, maybe they can even have a romantic relationship. That would be the best case scenario.

I can't help but anticipate next year, the momentum already set for a new and different season, full of surprises and ups and downs. The Good Wife will return to CBS next fall.

The Good Wife fights the law

CBS's The Good Wife returns with the episode "I Fought the Law." The episode title refers to an incident where Zach (Graham Phillips) is pulled over and subjected to a search under false pretenses, as so many have been before him, because he is profiled as possibly having drug money. He's clean, of course, but the event spurs Alicia (Julianna Margulies) to fight back in order to protect her son, which leads to the uncovering of this immoral practice.

I liked the story because Zach rarely gets anything good to do on the series. Having him involved in a court case, and proving his mettle as an online investigator, is a worthy plot, allowing the actor some positive focus. It also lets he and Alicia bond as they play hero together. In the end, they win, and the arresting officer (Matthew Del Negro, United States of Tara) apologizes.

The question is, what repercussions might occur? The district attorney of the county where the arrest takes place is not happy to have Peter's (Chris Noth) family interfere with the way they do things. At one point in "I Fought the Law," he vows retribution. Even though Zach comes out on top, it would not be surprising if this comes back to haunt Peter in his attempt to seek the governor's office. This might even happen as early as next week, as that episode will be called "And the Law Won."

Poor Peter. He is already suffering because his opponent, Kresteva (Matthew Perry, Go On), is selling himself with his sick kid, and Alicia will not allow Peter's children to participate in the campaign. How do the voters not see through such an obvious ploy? I mean, it's one thing to trot out your smiling family for photo ops, but it's quite another to play on sympathy the way Kresteva does. And one would think that parents would understand Alicia's desire to keep her kids out of the spotlight, and appreciate that Peter agrees to this.

At the firm, things are tense. There have already been cutbacks, and now, facing bankruptcy, there will have to be more. This means people are going to lose their jobs. Hopefully, not Alicia or Cary (Matt Czuchry), as they are more senior now, and have earned their spots. But it will surely make things tougher on everyone.

At first, the court appointed man who gets to make the budget decisions, Clarke Hayden (Nathan Lane, The Lion King, The Producers), seems like a jerk, telling the partners bluntly that he will be making cuts to their budget. But then, seeing him manipulate David Lee (Zach Grenier) into staying, and seemingly approving of Diane (Christine Baranski) and Will's (Josh Charles) loyalty to each other, which he immediately tests by offering them both sole leadership, it seems that there may be compassion within him. He may not turn out to be bad news, after all, as Diane and Will are clearly not good at managing money, and it would be nice to have someone who knows what they're doing in that arena, but still cares about people.

Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) sure has a weird relationship with her husband, Nick (Marc Warren, Hustle)! She beats up his point man, then fist fights with Nick himself, then falls into bed with him, before pulling a gun on the guy. So there's a strong physical attraction, but she's also afraid of him? And he definitely seems up to no good, throwing punches at a girl he's supposed to care about. It would almost be funny if Warren didn't play Nick so scary. Kalinda has a real ugly situation on her hands.

"I Fought the Law" is exactly what an episode of The Good Wife should be. There is character development for most of the leads, wonderful (but not too showy) guest stars, some thrilling legal issues, and an overall entertaining package. New episodes air Sundays at 9pm EST(-ish, depending on stupid sports run overs) on CBS.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

The Good Wife goes up against "The Dream Team"

The season finale of CBS's The Good Wife, entitled "The Dream Team," finds two of Lockhart / Gardner's biggest foes, Louis Canning (Michael J. Fox) and Patti Nyholm (Martha Plimpton), teaming up to try to bankrupt the firm. As the senior partners scramble to prevent this, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) becomes confused once more about her feelings for Peter (Chris Noth), and accidentally stirs up a hornet's nest involving Kalida's (Archie Panjabi) dangerous husband.

First, it must be said that the scene by the elevator, when Alicia sees both Will (Josh Charles) and Peter arrive together, and then others joining them, and finally, a baby scooting through the middle of the group, is one of the best moments ever! There is the perfect build up of tension, clashes happening all at once, a perfect storm coming together, and another recurrence of a joke that runs throughout the hour. Brilliant!

What is going on with Kalinda? She seems on the verge of skipping town in "The Dream Team," but then, after learning Alicia is in danger, she changes her mind. Clearly, Kalinda has put down roots here, and worries about those she would leave behind. It isn't revealed just what her husband is capable of, but it cannot be anything good, given Kalinda's decision to wait for him with a gun. Might the first case for the firm next year involve clearing Kalinda of a murder charge? Or will this new, as of yet unseen, character stay around for a bit to complicate things? The latter is more appealing, and could still lead to the former happening down the road.

Fox and Plimpton are two of The Good Wife's best recurring characters, which is saying something, given the elite company the series keeps. Having them both in the same episode, working together, well, that's a dream come true! Which is probably why this installment is called "The Dream Team." They both prove to be formidable foes in the past, so it's little wonder that once they put their heads together, they are able to deal a crippling blow! And that is accomplished just by a little distraction.

Dragging Andrew Wiley (Tim Guinee) into the mess as well certainly doesn't hurt the episode!

It seems like Lockhart / Gardner is ending the season on the same shaky ground it's been battling to stay off of for a very long time, which is a shame, given the promising start of the episode, in which the firm looks to get a share of a twenty-five million dollar settlement. L/G's finances are not stable, but this is nothing new. However, with Louis and Patti's victory in "The Dream Team," L/G has now lost 20% of its income. This will certainly result in massive layoffs. Who is on the chopping block? Alicia, who recently becomes more highly paid than her equally qualified colleagues, or Cary (Matt Czuchry), who just gets his foot back in the door, and is doing everything in his power to make himself valuable to his former employees? Neither deserve it, but both appear to be top candidates, except for the fact that they are main characters.

Unless Cary's employment at Lockhart / Gardner is a scam. Peter acts genuinely surprised when he learns that Cary is quitting the District Attorney's office. But Cary also later receives that call from Peter that is not shown on screen. It doesn't seem like Peter would be plotting against the firm, considering how friendly he is getting with his wife again, but one never knows. Cary could be involved in a shady plot. And Lockhart / Gardner will be lucky to weather their current attack, let alone a second one!

Please let this not be the case! It's so good to have Cary back where he is, and he is a much more noble character than he once was!

Alicia losing her job might just push her back into Peter's arms. She is independent for now, but with no income, she won't be for long. Might Canning's offer of employment still stand, albeit with a lower pay rate attached? She could probably find a job somewhere, but not one as comfortable as the spot she currently holds. Though, given Eli's (Alan Cumming) sway at Lockhart / Gardner, and his desire to keep her happy so she will help Peter, Alicia is probably safe.

That being said, Peter would probably take her back. He needs her by his side to win the governor's race, and while she's willing to help him already, perhaps entwining more would draw the pair closer together. Plus, now that their separation is public knowledge, a reunion of sorts would greatly improve Peter's chances. There are strong hints in "The Dream Team" that Alicia might be warming to the idea of a reconciliation, especially at the end of the episode, when she glimpses her cozy family through the window. And Peter is working hard to be at good to her, proving he could be worthy of a second chance. Might this be the direction that The Good Wife will go? If Eli senses this is a possibility, his protection of Alicia will be over.

Why, oh why, isn't Noth a main character?

Just as sick as Lockhart / Gardner's balance sheet is Jackie (Mary Beth Peil). She is up to her devious games when she buys Alicia's old house out from under her. But at least that comes from a semi-kind place, in that she is trying to provide a familiar home to her son and grandchildren. Hopefully she will heed Alicia's request to hand the house over to the kids because that will still accomplish Jackie's goal, for now, and the family doesn't need a lawsuit to make things more tenuous than they already are.

But this is not Jackie's greatest sickness in "The Dream Team." She becomes confused, and doesn't know what is going on. She imagines her television set playing a movie, but the power is off. These are not healthy signs, and, perhaps surprisingly, only Alicia picks up on it. Peter isn't too concerned when Alicia raises the issue. Might it be up to Alicia, who loathes Jackie, to do something to help her mother-in-law?

"The Dream Team" is a terrific season finale, with some juicy character bits for many of the leads, some new mysteries and obstacles, and leaving whopping cliffhangers. Anticipation for next year will be high! Though fans of The Good Wife have come to expect such standards, and should not be surprised.


The Good Wife has been renewed and will return to CBS next fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy The Good Wife DVDs, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: The Good Wife - "The Dream Team" on Blogcritics.

The Good Wife takes the 'Long Way Home'

In last night's installment of CBS's The Good Wife, "Long Way Home," Alicia (Julianna Margulies) must once again represent Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker), this time as he faces the outcome of a sexual harassment suit. Unfortunately, Colin is keeping her guessing as to whether he is committing perjury or not, making her job more difficult. And, of course, she has plenty else going on, too, learning that she will soon need to find a new place to live, and also having difficulty with her mentee, Caitlin (Anna Camp).

Baker's Sweeney is always a pleasure. He's a manipulative, borderline psychotic troublemaker, so it's not like he's a nice character. But Baker plays hm with such talent and grace, constantly keeping viewers guessing what Sweeney's real motivations are. It's a prime part for the actor, and one that he excels at. "Long Way Home" is no exception to that recurring performance.

In "Long Way Home," Sweeney is trying to wrest control of his company back from his rival. This power play is interrupted when a young woman named Isobel (Morena Baccarin, V, Homeland, Firefly) steps forward with a child that she says is Sweeney's, and accuses him of improper conduct. He denies it all. The rush for Alicia, Caitlin, and the firm is on to prove that Sweeney's competition is behind the stunt. Except, Sweeney begins lying under oath. Then so does Isobel, to the dismay of her own attorney, Victoria Adler (Kate Burton). And then Sweeney and Isobel come to an amiable agreement, raising the child, who is, indeed, his, together. What's going on?

Well, it's pretty clear that Sweeney has once more gamed the system. If a connection between Isobel and Sweeney's foe can be established, which is what appears to happen during the machinations, then Judge Friend (Bebe Neuwirth, Cheers) must rule in Sweeney's favor, removing the competition from the game. So there is plenty of motivation for Sweeney here to stage such a connection for his own benefit. Add to that, Isobel is a softcore porn actress, meaning, she can fake things decently, and how comfortable Sweeney is with his son, it looks like Sweeney used Lockhart / Gardner all over again.

Which is fine. After all, Lockhart / Gardner gets a big payday. Being oblivious to Sweeney's plans, they are not culpable in the illegal activities. And other than a suspicion, the lawyers can prove nothing. Nor do they have any desire to do so, as it would simply lose them money and get them into trouble. Not to mention, if they turn on him, Sweeney would go to someone else next time, costing them even more. And with a devious, intelligent mind like his, there is sure to be a next time.

All told, "Long Way Home" is a fantastic return for one of The Good Wife's best recurring characters.

Too bad Caitlin won't stick around to enjoy the spoils of the victory. She chooses to give up the legal life to be a stay-at-home mom, a decision that baffles Alicia, perhaps because Alicia sort of regrets having done so herself. Alicia tries to convince Caitlin to stay, to no avail. It might be a good thing for Alicia that Caitlin is leaving, considering a rivalry seems to be building between them. But The Good Wife fans will definitely miss Camp's terrific presence.

Hopefully Caitlin's uncle, David Lee (Zach Grenier), won't continue to blame Alicia for running Caitlin off, as he begins to this week, as it is very clear that Alicia has nothing to do with the resignation.

Adding to the office chaos, Will (Josh Charles) is treading carefully, now that he's back at work. He still cannot have any involvement in the legal proceedings of the firm, and Lionel Deerfield (Edward Herrmann, Gilmore Girls, The Practice) is on hand to make sure that Will doesn't cross a line. Will's return calms the power vacuum, but will he be able to keep his nose clean for six whole months, resisting the career that is his calling?

In "Long Way Home," Alicia learns that she must find somewhere else to live, as her rental unit will soon be sold. She can't really afford to buy the place herself. Peter (Chris Noth) suggests impropriety is afoot, in that they are not giving her enough notice. This is something Alicia may end up fighting in court, but she is still likely to have to move eventually, and so, not wasting any time, she begins looking.

One possibility is buying back her old house. Grace (Makenzie Vega) and Zach (Graham Phillips) are all for this plan, as it is back on the market, but Alicia isn't so enthusiastic. She claims it would be a financial hardship for her, which may be partially true. But then Alicia asks Diane (Christine Baranski) for a raise, so the money thing might not be an issue, long-term. No, there's more to it than that.

Alicia' visit to the house reveals a vulnerability, as she is overcome emotionally with memories of her time there. At first, those memories are happy, as she recalls her children. But when Peter's image is evoked, they turn upsetting. It may very well be that Alicia doesn't want to remember her marriage any more than she has to, now that it has fallen apart. This is reason enough not to return to the home. Alicia has moved on and built a new life for herself, and getting back her old dwelling is a step backwards, not forwards.

While no reconciliation seems imminent, Peter has his own troubles in "Long Way Home." He orders Cary (Matt Czuchry) to investigate reports that two co-workers had relations on Peter's office couch. When Cary comes forward with the guilty party, Peter fires them. But then Cary confesses his own indiscretion. Peter wants to slip it under the rug, but Cary tells him this is not possible, especially because others in the office know. What to do now?

Would Cary have come forward if Geneva (Renee Goldsberry, One Life to Live) hadn't pressured him to? It's hard to know. Geneva wasn't going to turn him in, so Cary could have escaped consequences, other than the damage to his reputation. But Cary is a stand up guy, and so one would like to think that he eventually would have confessed anyway. Cary understands that one must admit their mistakes and suffer the consequences, and that's what he does. Now he can move forward proudly, rather than hide this shame.

Peter has the tougher choice, and that's deciding what to do with Cary. Peter can't stand to loose his right-hand man, but neither can he let Cary continue on, unpunished. How much discipline is needed to satisfy the rest of the staff, but not damage Cary's standing too much? It's a fine balance, to be sure.


Next week's episode features the return of Tammy (Elizabeth Reaser), and so , like most installments, it's one not to miss! Catch The Good Wife Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy The Good Wife DVDs, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: The Good Wife - "Long Way Home" on Blogcritics.