"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 GOOD WIFE "Don't Fail"

Article originally written for Seat42F.

As soon as this week’s episode of THE GOOD WIFE opens on CBS with Alicia (Julianna Margulies) working on her memoirs, it’s clear that she isn’t ready for such a tedious, end-of-career task. Alicia is a lawyer, a do-gooder, restless and in need of a project. So when she stumbles upon a former client of hers, Brett Tatro (Dorian Missick, Southland), who needs assistance, though she does try to pawn him off on others at first, it’s no surprise that she ends up taking the case herself. She “Don’t Fail.”

THE GOOD WIFE is never one to grow stale, constantly changing up the structure of the characters’ lives in the series, but that doesn’t mean they don’t stay true to who they are. Alicia isn’t about to start a new career path, outside of the law, at this stage. She has her calling, what she’s meant to do, and despite major setbacks, she is going to find a way to do it. Even if her idea to do so may not be financially feasible, something Grace (Makenzie Vega) asks about and Alicia doesn’t have a good answer for.

This revelation comes to her when revisiting a story set in season one. The events of “Don’t Fail” are not recycled from the freshman run; the case has not been seen on screen before, it just takes place during that time period. This is a really poignant time to evoke the past, though, with Alicia feeling aimless and Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) gone. It’s with a certain amount of nostalgia that flashbacks show Alicia and Cary (Matt Czuchry) working for this client, and reminds both Alicia and the fans of the tone of those early days, which is long gone. Alicia thinks it’s time to get it back, at least sort of.

As usual, the courtroom is well-stocked with talent. You’re the Worst’s (an excellent FX sitcom) Aya Cash plays the naïve, young attorney who needs Alicia’s help to defend Brett. Kurt Fuller returns as cranky Judge Peter Dunaway, who hasn’t been seen since late 2013. The prosecutor is Matan Brody (Chris Butler), who appears much more frequently in past seasons than of late. These people make “Don’t Fail” a great episode as much as Alicia herself and what she’s going through.

I think Alicia is also nostalgic for her family, evidenced by the way she calls Zach (Graham Phillips) after hearing an old, taped conversation he has with Jackie (Mary Beth Peil), another recurring character whose frequency has majorly dropped off. But Alicia isn’t stuck in the past either, proven when she converts Zach’s room into her new office with nary a thought about him coming home, which of course he says he wants to do as soon as she has cleared the space. She is evaluating what she can get back and being happy with what she chooses to do now.

Will Alicia embark on this latest adventure alone? Well, she does ask Finn (Matthew Goode), the dispenser of the advice “Don’t Fail,” to join her. I don’t know if he will. He certainly likes Alicia and she is starting something he can get behind, so that leads me to believe he will accept. But he’s also practical and already has a job. It’s too bad Cary is in no position to leave the firm, as it’s awesome to see him pitch in and help Alicia, sharing a glass of wine together. But I don’t think he’d join a new startup with Alicia again so soon. And Grace offers to intern for her, but Alicia doesn’t jump at her daughter’s words, so I don’t know if that’ll happen.

My wish, and this is purely a wish, with no basis in any inside information, is that Cary and Diane (Christine Baranski) will acquire Alicia’s little office in the near future as a pro bono segment of their own organization, which solves everyone’s problems. It gives the firm a positive win that might even overcome R.D.’s objections to having Alicia there, helping repair the image caused by the leaked emails, and it means Alicia wouldn’t have to worry about money. This twist would make sense to come about mid-season next year, but we’ll see. I’m no fortune teller, and I’m sure whatever happens is something the writers are deciding or have already decided independent of whatever anyone says on the internet.

“Don’t Fail” is an inspiring hour that gets back to the roots of THE GOOD WIFE and the character of Alicia. It ends one chapter and begins another, while acknowledging that these people do not exist in a vacuum and cannot separate their lives into actual, stand-alone chapters. This is far from the procedural format that dominates so many broadcast networks, especially CBS, and truly has a special place in the television landscape.

THE GOOD WIFE’s season sixth season finale airs next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET and will feature the return and final appearance (at least as a main cast member) of Kalinda!

THE GOOD WIFE Goes "Dark"

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 13 Dark Money on Seat42F.

CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE returned from hiatus this week with “Dark Money.” Alicia (Julianna Margulies) faces the bad side of her campaign as she and Prady (David Hyde Pierce) compete for a big money donor. Meanwhile, Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter) cashes in his favor with Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), and Diane (Christine Baranski) and Cary (Matt Czuchry) defend Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker) in a defamation lawsuit. Nothing huge happens in the mythology of the show, but it is another excellent installment.

Any episode with Colin Sweeney in it is most welcome, and when Baker gets to play dual roles, also portraying an actor hired to play a version of him in a TV show, well, that’s just icing on the cake. He is a supreme creep, the type of person one never wants to meet in real life, but the same eccentricities that make him a scary psychopath also help paint him as a fascinating television character.

This go ‘round, things start off with a prosecutor, Selma Krause (Julie White), trying to prove a show didn’t use Sweeney’s likeness, then morphs into yet another case of someone trying to show Sweeney killed his wife. With Sweeney’s current spouse, Renata (Laura Benanti), a woman as unpredictable and self-absorbed as her husband, tossed in as a wild card, there are many interesting back and forths as the case shakes out, each side taking a turn in the lead.

I don’t know if The Good Wife will ever see Sweeney convicted, but “Dark Money” is as close as the show has ever gone to saying he did it. Part of me wants Sweeney to get his just desserts, but part of me is glad he gets away with things because it’s our heroes who represent him.

Alicia has been getting in touch with her dark side, too, even as she tries to stay out of Sweeney’s business, a position he isn’t happy about. Instead, she meets with a Koch-brother-type, Guy Redmayne (Edward Asner), who wants to support her because he thinks Prady is gay and he doesn’t like “faggots.” In his own way, Redmayne is just as despicable as Sweeney, even if Redmayne has never killed anyone. Because Alicia has to deal with him, she is torn up inside, realizing the high cost she’s paying by going into politics.

I think Alicia will be able to live with herself, though. It’s true that she doesn’t like doing what she’s doing and she has a good cry afterwards, especially after Prady makes her sympathize with him again. However, this is all for a reason, and Alicia wants to win. Having come this far and knowing everyone else is just as deep in the mud, she feels this is the game she has signed on to play. Similar to being a lawyer, entering politics is impossible to do over any period of time with a clean soul.

Can she still be a good person, though, if she does bad things? Her daughter, Grace (Makenzie Vega), seems to think so, and I’m inclined to agree. People can’t be judged by every single action they take; they have to be considered as a whole person. Overall, Alicia does far more good than bad in this world.

The final of the trio of stories finds Kalinda tasked with playing chauffer to Bishop’s son, Dylan (Eric Ruffin). Bishop has his reasons for enlisting Kalinda and those play out, but that’s not nearly as interesting as the accidental circumstance Kalinda finds herself in when she sees a bully being mean to Dylan. Kalinda handles it, but Bishop finds out anyway.

Bishop is a scary dude, which is why Dylan doesn’t want Kalinda to tell his dad what happened. When faced with the situation, though, Bishop calmly calls the bully’s father and asks him to talk to his son. There are no threats, veiled or otherwise, and no physical punishment is dealt out. It’s frustrating to Bishop not to use every tool in his arsenal to protect his loved one, but he knows it’s better for his son if he shows restraint. He is many things, including a good father.

This doesn’t make Bishop a likeable character by any means. Like Redmayne and Sweeney, he isn’t someone you’d want to be friends with. Also like them, he’s rich. I think there’s a commentary to be noticed here about the trio of villains in “Dark Money” and how they tie into the stories of our main characters, who are not bad people.

“Dark Money” leaves the viewer with much to ponder, and in between serious moments, Marissa (Sarah Steele) drops in to lighten the mood. Plus, there’s a terrific West Wing reference. This is a recipe for a great television show, and I’m constantly amazed at how THE GOOD WIFE thrives on a boring network like CBS. Thankfully, the channel seems to let them do their thing their way.

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

THE GOOD WIFE Goes to "Trial"

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 10 The Trial on Seat42F.

It’s finally the day of “The Trial” for Cary (Matt Czuchry) on CBS’s THE GOOD WIFE. Unfortunately for him, trials do not happen in a vacuum, and there are a number of exterior factors that affect various parties involved. Meanwhile, a joke note that Alicia (Julianna Margulies) writes ends up in the wrong hands, becoming a problem for her campaign. Will she compromise her morals to save it?

We all realize that judge, juries, and lawyers have lives outside of court, but rarely does a television show ever present those stories. THE GOOD WIFE chooses to do so here when the stakes are high. Judge Richard Cuesta (David Paymer) is trying to score Neil Diamond tickets for his anniversary. One juror (Zak Orth, Revolution), perhaps the one most sympathetic to Cary, has to read lips to understand what is being said. The prosecutor, Geneva Pine (Renee Elise Goldsberry), is watching her marriage fall apart because of an affair. None of these things should influence the trial, but they do.

It’s this level of authenticity and whole-world outlook that sets THE GOOD WIFE apart. Sure, Cary’s trial may not be the most convenient time for this to happen, but the truth is, it’s a factor in every single case. People are only human, and humans have messy lives with separate areas that bleed into one another. That’s no stopping that, so it’s nice to see it illustrated so nicely.

Interestingly, though, none of the elements mentioned above actually affect the outcome of the case. They all have the potential to do so, but they don’t, at least not in any meaningful way. The trial stands on the evidence presented, some factual, much circumstantial. But it’s what’s laid out for the jury to consider that matters most. So maybe THE GOOD WIFE is trying to show us that, even in a distracting world, justice can still be served.

Of course, Cary going back to jail is not justice. Viewers know this, Cary knows this, Cary’s friends know this. The judge and jury do not. The case against Cary is awful, and even when Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) finds a way to force the one witness who can help Cary, Dante (Mark Green), onto the stand, said witness is intimidated to lie, torpedoing Cary’s chances of being acquitted. It’s frustrating, but the jury could be completely forgiven for finding Cary guilty based solely on what is presented to them in court.

At the end of “The Trial,” Cary pleads guilty. We don’t see any further than that, and we’re left to assume Cary is going to prison for at least two years. I don’t think that’s what is happening, though, because THE GOOD WIFE can’t send away one of its best characters for such an extended period of time. What I am hoping is that Cary is taking the other deal, pleading guilty with time served in exchange for testifying against Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter). Cary is terrified of Bishop, and turning against him would not only endanger Cary’s life, but go against his ethical code as a lawyer.

The reason Cary might take the deal is for Kalinda. If no one stops Bishop, she is dead. Kalinda goes into Bishop’s home and threatens to have his son taken away. Kalinda is still alive because she took steps to protect herself in that moment. But Bishop didn’t give in to the blackmail and will come after her. Jailing Bishop is the only way to save Kalinda, and even that might not work because his reach is long.

It’s time for THE GOOD WIFE to have all of its characters turn against Bishop. Kalinda and Alicia need to step up and testify, too, supporting Cary. They need a strong enough case to put Bishop away for a long time. These characters uniting would be a grand, triumphant moment, reaffirming how much they care about each other, which we do see in several excellent moments in “The Trial,” and stopping a very bad man once and for all. It has to happen. Doesn’t it?

Alicia’s subplot is another example of the ridiculousness of politics. Alicia’s quote from a TV show, written down to make her daughter, Grace (Makenzie Vega), laugh, is accidentally shown to the wrong person and taken out of context. Then, a conniving teacher and principal leverage it to gain political favor. When they can’t get that from Alicia, they get it from Peter instead, which Alicia doesn’t like any better. This is a dirty, ugly business, and like the trial, it is just not fair.

The benefit of this plot, though, is that it gives us more wonderful scenes with Eli (Alan Cumming) and Johnny (Steven Pasquale), who make a terrific combo. From the moment they find out this is a real crisis, through how they handle it, they deliver the humor that THE GOOD WIFE wisely uses in combination with its dark drama, making for a very well-put-together episode overall.

It also provides yet another scene in which we can’t tell if Prady (David Hyde Pierce) is a jerk or not. He may not have intentionally attacked Alicia, but he refuses to walk comments back, which says something. He could offer to negate his words about school violence as they pertain to Alicia if Alicia denounces the homosexual rumors surrounding him. He doesn’t. I still don’t know if he genuinely wants the campaign to be clean, but he’s not giving it his all to keep it that way.

“The Trial” also has some good Alicia / Finn (Matthew Goode) stuff as they try to avoid getting romantic, and end up in a romantic cliché. Their being a couple is another thing that “has to happen,” and while the writers are finding authentic ways to delay the inevitable, fate seems determined to see them together.

This week’s installment is yet another example of how excellent THE GOOD WIFE can be, combining a plethora of great characters with brilliantly interweaving story. The plot is carefully constructed to keep things tense and allow surprises, and the story is very engaging. Well done.

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

"Dear God," The GOOD WIFE is Good

Article first published as THE GOOD WIFE Review Season 6 Episode 3 Dear God on Seat42F.

On THE GOOD WIFE, all of Eli Gold’s (Alan Cumming) considerable political prowess and manipulation couldn’t get Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) to run for State’s Attorney. Leaked news stories, NPR mentions, and Gloria Steinem (herself) couldn’t change Alicia’s mind. In the end, it’s James Castro (Michael Cerveris), the one currently holding the office, and who’d like to keep it, whom convinces Alicia to enter the race in last night’s episode, “Dear God.” What a tool!

Castro is his own worst enemy. He goes after Alicia’s partner, Cary (Matt Czuchry), and Alicia lets him slide. He bullies her and threatens the future of her firm, and she lets it slide. She even is clearly deciding to stay out of the race after knowing he will win it and how bad he is. Yet, he pushes just a little further, invoking Will’s name in a shameful fashion, and that’s the final straw. If he would just keep his big trap shut, he could retain his job. But because he is scared, he keeps acting out, and eventually, he causes exactly what he is trying to avoid.

I know it isn’t a foregone conclusion that Alicia will win the race, but it seems likely, barring a strong third party entry. She’s pulling way ahead of Castro, and he’s obviously a terrible choice for the job. THE GOOD WIFE is not afraid of shifting around its players, putting them in new positions, and the State’s Attorney’s office is a long-established set piece on the series. It is sad, though, that it could take Alicia out of her new firm right when it’s getting its legs.

The one who will lose the most by Alicia running is Cary. He and Alicia started Florrick, Agos, & Associates together. Lately, their power is eroding because Diane (Christine Baranaksi), Dean (Taye Diggs), and other former Lockhart / Gardner employees have come in and tried to grab power. We see this week that they are gaining ground and Alicia isn’t in any particular hurry to stop them. With her out of the game entirely, Cary stands no chance against the organized team of experienced lawyers.

“Dear God” has many brief cut-scenes showing what is going on at the firm. While Cary, Alicia, and Diane speak with Cary’s case worker, Joy Gubick (Linda Lavin, Alice), viewers are treated to glimpses of their workplace. It’s an interesting way to tell the story of Cary losing his own firm, and it certainly makes one sit up and pay attention as they occur.

Even better, THE GOOD WIFE makes Joy important. At first, she seems to be a clever story-telling device, something the show does from time to time. But late in the hour, Joy goes before a judge and has major sway over whether Cary will go back to jail or remain free. Up to this point, she isn’t portrayed very positively, and it’s no wonder Cary thinks he is screwed. Buy Joy is revealed to be a very fair judge of character, good at her job, and she ends up supporting Cary when no one else can. It’s a beautiful pay off for the character and the episode.

We find out in “Dear God” that Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) didn’t have Cary’s accuser killed after all! It appears in the previous installment that Kalinda gives up the witness to his kingpin boss, spelling certain death. Now, we learn Kalinda also warns the man so he can escape. This will certainly have implications, likely bad ones, for all involved, in both Cary’s case and Lemond’s business. But at least Kalinda isn’t as cold as she appears, and Cary may forgive her for this misstep, as he never would if Kalinda were responsible for a man’s death.

The B plot in “Dear God” is fun, too. Cary’s client, Ed Pratt (Richard Thomas, The Americans, The Waltons), gets tired of the vicious arguing of the courtroom and decides, through civil conversation with his opponent (Robert Joy, CSI: NY), to take the case to a Christian mediator (Robert Sean Leonard, House). This throws Cary, Alicia, Dean, and their opponent, Carter Schmidt (Christian Borle), off their games as they try to adapt to a system based on open honesty, rather than rules of law.

I love this plot for many reasons. One, it highlights how ridiculous the courtroom posturing often gets. Two, it boasts great guest stars. Three, it takes our characters to a new environment. Four, it gives Alicia a chance to bond with her religious daughter, Grace (Makenzie Vega). Five, it all comes together with a very nice ending. And six, it’s just plain fun.

THE GOOD WIFE continues to excel. Each episode, “Dear God” definitely included, presents a complex puzzle that brilliantly comes together seamlessly in the end. The acting is phenomenal, which is why the show can reliably, consistently attract such talented guests and recurring players. The drama is compelling. Each episode is highly entertaining and smart. I marvel at how in maintains this high quality week after week, but it currently shows no signs of slowing down. Great job.

THE GOOD WIFE airs Sunday nights on CBS. Air times vary based on stupid, ridiculous, frequent football run-overs.

"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.

"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.

"What Went Wrong" for The Good Wife?

     CBS ends the fall run of The Good Wife with "What Went Wrong." A Lockhart/Gardner case is lost, but Judge Dunaway (Kurt Fuller, Psych, Better With You) thinks the verdict is unfair, and encourages the firm to find evidence to help him overturn the decision before sentencing. Wendy Scott-Carr (Anika Noni Rose) smells some of the corruption she is investigating, and threatens Dunaway, making him more reluctant to overrule the jury. But Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) learn that the judge friended a jury member, and a mistrial is indeed called. In the process, Alicia discovers what Kalinda did for Grace (Makenzie Vega), and the ice between the pair begins to thaw. Good thing, as Alicia suddenly realizes she has no friends.

     The big shocker of "What Went Wrong" is Wendy Scott-Carr's hidden agenda. The investigation that Peter (Chris Noth) originally orders is against Lockhart/Gardner for their ties to a drug kingpin. But then he shifts things to Will (Josh Charles), whom he believes is involved in illegal gambling and corruption, and Peter must remove himself, lest he look like it's a personal vendetta. Hence, he nominates his nemesis, Wendy Scott-Carr, to do the dirty work for him. Wendy tells Will this week, though, that she is really after Peter. In response, Will lawyers up. This whole thing is couched in murky and changing motivations, with betrayal coming at every turn. This cannot end well for Peter or the State's Attorney's office. Guess one should never trust their enemies, huh?

     But Will and Peter have always been rivals of sorts in The Good Wife, and Will refuses to turn on Peter. When the chips are down, and Wendy is blustering, Will doesn't reveal anything he knows. Instead, he clams up, and won't cooperate. It's a smart move for himself, and could earn him Peter's gratitude, which, if Peter isn't taken down, might mean something. Plus it leaves the door open with Alicia, should Will try for a reconnection.

     Which he might very well do. Alicia dumps Will because she isn't in love with him and wants to focus on her career, which she definitely does in "What Went Wrong," accepting Diane's (Christine Baranski) friendship and mentorship. But Will is a different story. He shows many signs of being in love with Alicia, and despite his best efforts, things are now very awkward between them. Apparently Alicia just wants him for sex, and he wants something real. How this new balance will shake out is still anyone' guess.

     That Wendy chooses now to go after Peter is unfortunate, given that he has set aside corruption in his new office. Or has he? Peter seems to be playing by the rules, but a very private meeting, where he bullies a private school administrator to get his kids in, tells a different story. And if he acts this way there, what else is he doing that viewers have just not been privy to? With The Good Wife, it's impossible to tell what is really going on until the writers choose to reveal it. Which means the whole case against Peter and Will, as flimsy as it looks now, could be perfectly valid in the end.

    It is awesome that Alicia is warming back up to Kalinda in "What Went Wrong." Their friendship is a driving force in the series, and in "What Went Wrong," emotions finally seem to be reversing. For good reason, of course. All isn't forgiven, as Alicia has drinks with Diane at the end, not Kalinda. But Alicia is accepting her company again, and not treating her like a pariah. Given all that Kalinda is doing to make up for her betrayal, which happens long before they actually form a friendship, she deserves a second chance. Thank goodness she will get it.

     The Good Wife will return to CBS in January.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To buy The Good Wife DVDs, please click here.

"Get a Room" for The Good Wife

     In last night's episode of CBS's The Good Wife, "Get a Room," Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Will (Josh Charles) are forced to mediate with a former girlfriend of Will's, Celeste (Lisa Edelstein, House, American Dad!). Celeste tries to use what she knows about Will to gain an advantage, while Alicia agrees to play dirty to help their side. The mediator does side with Alicia, but she feels bad when he calls her out on her sneaky tactics.

      Alicia is a "good girl," as well as a good wife, when the series begins. There has been a slow transition in her character to someone who can be a bit naughtier. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sure, she finds some moral grey area where there wasn't any before. But it also makes her seem like a freer, happier, more well-rounded person. Whatever else her relationship with Peter (Chris Noth) is, it is a bit suffocating for her. Seeing Alicia being truly happy, even if that means stepping on a few toes, is worth the price.

     One can credit Will with much of the change. Finding pleasure in his arms, she loosens up sexually. Alicia may seem a bit prudish and repressed to most, but she is not that way when flirting with Will, as evidenced by the fact that she offers to dress in costume for him; an American Revolution costume, no less. Will is allowing Alicia to find her sexiness, and they seem to enjoy each other's company. It's really a win-win situation for the couple.

     That is, it's a win-win unless Will is in love with her. Alicia's brother, Owen (Dallas Roberts), keeps trying to get Alicia to talk about her new lover, but she refuses. This leads Owen to figure out that Alicia is just using Will as a fun release, not because of a deep emotional connection. Sure, Alicia and Will are old friends, but she isn't fancying him for the role of husband number two. instead, he's a secret that she keeps just for herself, and that makes it even more tantalizing, but not so important.

     Might Alicia be, at least in part, trying to figure out what causes Peter to stray? Knowing all the things he did, maybe her affair with Will is her way of living out some of that fantasy life and better understanding her husband. Or, maybe she just wants to get even. They are separated for now, but the circumstances of Will and Alicia's current arrangement open the door for a possible reconciliation later on. Both Alicia and Peter will have to find a way to forgive and move on, making the split two-sided instead of one.

     The problem with that scenario is that Alicia may choose to work with Peter against the firm, intentionally or not, as she eventually tries to repair her marriage. Diane (Christine Baranski) is already worried about such a conflict, and has secured Will's blessing to sack Alicia should that occur. This is a very real possibility with the path Alicia is currently walking.

     The major B plot in "Get a Room" involves a bunch of school kids puking their guts up, possibly because of the cheese that they eat. The cheese people come to Eli (Alan Cumming) for assistance with their image, and he convinces them to retain Lockhart / Gardner as counsel. This leads to a major conflict, as what is in Eli's clients' best interests for public image does not necessarily gel with what is in their legal interest. Diane and Eli fight for control of the situation, even in front of the client.

     It's a very exciting battle of wits between Eli and Diane. Both are very strong characters who are not often challenged by equals. That's because they have few equals. Yet, in this case, both are extremely intelligent and well matched; and both are completely correct in their respective approach, as per their business. This makes the struggle for power between the two of them not only entertaining, but complicated and intense. Pitting the two against each other is a stroke of genius for The Good Wife, and one that will hopefully crop up again.

     Eli is involved in another struggle at Lockhart / Gardner, this one more of a longer arc. He discovered Kalinda's (Archie Panjabi) skills last week, and continues to make good use of her in "Get a Room." While it's cool to see the two interact, and for the audience to experience yet another character impressed by Kalinda's mad skills, this presents a problem. After all, the rest of the firm already relies pretty heavily on their sexy investigator. With Eli pulling her time and attention, she's spread pretty thin — Will and Alicia have to wait for evidence for their mediation while Kalinda looks into the cheese situation. This balance cannot last long, and will soon erupt into another (probably juicy) showdown.

     The Good Wife thrives in subtlety, as well as conflict. Kalinda and Cary (Matt Czuchry) make or may not have had a relationship, but he'd certainly like to. That's obvious because of Czuchry's wonderful acting, and the tension the two build in multiple scenes and a passionate kiss. In "Get a Room," Cary actually calls out Kalinda on said tension in a mostly unsatisfying way. Was there once a relationship there? Might there be in the future? Did she break his heart, or lead him on? Surely Kalinda didn't mean to hurt one of the few people she is close with, but apparently nothing serious ever blossoms between them. Shame, that.

     A couple of final random tidbits... Now that Zach (Graham Phillips) knows that it's Peter's fault that Alicia kicks him out, how might Zach's relationship with his parents change? At minimum, he will no longer treat Alicia as the bad guy. Also, will Grace (Makenzie Vega) ever stop being so easily influenced by others? Might Jackie (Mary Beth Peil) begin to better tolerate Owen, and vice versa?

     And, how will Celeste working at Lockhart / Gardner affect Will and Alicia's relationship? Might Will be inclined to go back to someone else when he learns that Alicia isn't ready for something meaningful with him? Celeste could at least be a good rebound/comfort for him.


     Watch The Good Wife, as outstanding as ever, Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. If you DVR it, be sure to check and make sure it starts on time, as CBS's NFL runover can push the show back, an inexcusable offense, in this reviewer's opinion.

     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 - "Get a Room" on Blogcritics.

"A New Day" dawns for The Good Wife

     CBS's The Good Wife faces a few major changes as season three begins with "A New Day," but most of them are not completely obvious, unlike a new hair cut on the lead character. Alicia (Julianna Margulies), confident in her new office, is tasked with defending a young client accused of a hate crime. Cary (Matt Czuchry) acts tough, as per Peter's (Chris Noth) new strategy, and tricks Alicia into setting up her client for a murder case. Alicia wins, but only because Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), working very closely with her former lover, Sophia (Kelli Giddish), manages to get a confession from the real killer.

     Cary's actions seem a little out of step with Peter's message about the way they will now be running the office. Peter wants to eliminate plea bargains for a couple of months to keep defense attorneys on their toes, and that works fine with Cary's case. But Peter also asks to keep things clean and on the up and up. Considering the brief conversation between Peter and Cary when talking of settling, it seems like Cary might be sneaking around behind Peter's back to set Alicia up. And yet, with a case such as this, where a murder charge is the real goal, how can Peter possibly not be signing off on it? If Peter is aware of the charade from the start, than that doesn't mesh with his stated philosophy. Either way you slice it, something stinks a bit in the state's attorney's office.

     It's too bad Alicia is so easily tricked. Her happy glow and new found self-esteem translate to overconfidence, allowing her to fall into Cary's trap. This does not seem like something Alicia would do fairly recently, but she is definitely distracted in "A New Day." While it is great to see Alicia truly happy for the first time in a long while, she best be careful, so as not to lose her edge in the courtroom. That would not be good for her career.

     The reason for Alicia's sudden mood change is her fling with Will (Josh Charles). Though they act distant at work to throw off Eli (Alan Cumming), lest he be reporting back to Peter, Eli isn't the only one that they fool. Diane (Christine Baranski) thinks Will is being too hard on Alicia, which could easily be the clue that allows Diane to figure them out. Diane knowing would be a problem, since she is Will's partner and Alicia's boss. Also, it's probably unethical for Will to be sleeping with one of his employees, regardless of the history they might share, or how much fans root for seeing the two of them together.

     Alicia's daughter, Grace (Makenzie Vega) notices the change in her mother's attitude, though she doesn't dig too deep, assuming it has to do with Alicia's (secret to the public) split from Peter. Plus, Grace has other things occupying her mind, such as her crazy new tutor. It's hard to know what to make of this new character, but Grace is quick to obsess, trying on new ideas and outlooks like clothing. Which means Alicia had better keep an eye on her daughter, something Alicia isn't too distracted to pick up on.

     Eli is also not able to give Alicia his full attention, despite his delight at her apparent coldness towards Will, since that means he can help Peter campaign without worrying about whether the two will get divorced. But Eli's primary focus in "A New Day" is getting fresh business, which he manages to do in spades. Eli's genius idea, one he sort of stumbles into, is to pit a pro-Arab group against his fellow Jews, forcing Michael Kahane (House's Peter Jacobson) to hire Eli, even after Eli has dropped the other client and pocketed their money. It's a brilliant bit of strategy, but one that is just another day at the office for Mr. Eli Gold.

      Lastly, it looks like Kalinda might have a full dance card. True, Alicia still isn't speaking to her in anything other than a professional capacity. But Sophia seems jealous when it appears that Kalinda is dating Cary. Whether she is or not is a moot point, and unclear, despite Kalinda's claim that they are, in fact, together. What's important here is that Kalinda is playing Sophia like a fiddle, and the white hot chemistry between them has cooled not at all. Cary and Kalinda might make a nice pairing, but Sophia and Kalinda definitely burn hotter.

     "A New Day" is a great start to the new season. Don't miss 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.

The Good Wife "Nine Hours"

     Sometimes a show that is already great produces such an amazing episode, I am enthralled by every second and want to talk about it to everyone I know. The latest example of this accomplishment was last week's fall finale of CBS's The Good Wife, entitled "Nine Hours". The plot was practically ripped from the headlines, timely and interesting. Real stakes were on the table, and the characters had to stretch themselves, trying desperately in a last ditch effort, and making mistakes along the way. This scramble had a (spoiler alert!) happy ending, but I wasn't sure it was going to until the end. Sure, it was likely that things would work out for our heroes, but it wouldn't be the first time a show tossed a twist in that ruined everything. However, though it took the easy ending, it was not a disappointment.

     The episode began when Alicia (Julianna Margulies) got an early Saturday morning phone call asking if she planned to add an addendum to an appeal to stop an execution she had filed the night before. The file clerk was breaking the rules to tip her off that she may have a chance to save her client, Carter Wright (guest star Chad Coleman, The Wire). Immediately, she called Will (Josh Charles), who was heading out of town for the weekend, and he called Diane (Christine Baranski), who was at the prison visiting their client. All sprang into action, calling in a whole team of lawyers to the firm on their day off to try to save Carter's life.

     One of my (and many fans') favorite characters is Cary (Matt Czuchry), Alicia's competition in season one, who now works for the District Attorney. Cary had worked on a project with the clerk, and Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) sought his assistance, which he was reluctant to give. Cary is not a bad guy, but he is a bit bitter with the firm, you see. His emotions towards them are completely understandable, even if most viewers wanted Alicia to win, as she did. I think we all know how Cary feels, not getting recognition he believes he deserves. I wish he had more screen time this season, because every time he graces the stage, he gets some good meat. In this episode, a call from the director of the Innocence Project, Barry Scheck (guest starring as himself), convinced him to join the cause. This was great, even though regrettably Cary had almost no screen time after he agreed to help.

     Diane also had some great stuff. She was simultaneously wanting to help her firm with their legal case, but also attempting to convince Carter's daughter (Alexandra Metz) to visit her father, and the warden (Michael Pemberton, Damages) to extend visiting hours so that she could. These aims came into conflict when Diane acted on something she overheard, temporarily helping a last minute court hearing, but also losing goodwill at the prison. It's this type of actions have consequences storytelling that makes The Good Wife so compelling, though those consequences aren't usually as quickly apparent as they were this week. Life is complicated, and these types of touches make the show feel authentic.

     Besides the major legal plot, Alicia's family had some drama brewing of its own. Her husband, Peter (Chris Noth), was preparing for a debate. We assume he did well, until asked if his wife had forgiven him for his affair, and then he was stumped. Has Alicia? The show rarely has explicit conversations between the two of them, stating exactly how they feel. Alicia has been sending plenty of mixed signals this season to that effect. Peter has to be confused and doubtful. Sure, he's back living with his family, but he sleeps in the maid's quarters (alone; they don't have a maid). It's a pretty neat tactic, one not seen often on television, trying to rely on physical cues and inferences to tell a whole major story arc. As a viewer, I felt as speechless as Peter. How could he possibly answer that when he, and we, don't know ourselves? The show does not seem poised to answer it too quickly, as Alicia is clearly considering acting on her feelings for Will.

     And on top of all of that, Alicia's daughter, Grace (Makenzie Vega), was finding God. Religion is not a common theme in The Good Wife, none of the principal characters being particularly spiritual, though it does rear its head from time to time. Grace's family obviously is uncomfortable with the teen praying openly and wanting to attend a religious camp. Sure, church attendance in the 21st century is down, but here's a look at a real family, and how non-practicing parents might deal with a daughter who wants to believe. Though, Peter himself also dealt with religious issues this year, so he may be more understanding than Alicia. This was just the beginning of an arc sure to continue in 2011 episodes.

     Crack writing, tight editing, brilliant acting, interesting direction, and a world that seems so realistic, sometimes it's easy to forget it's fiction. These elements are demonstrated consistently in The Good Wife, and it is the reason the show received so many Emmy nominations for its first season. With episodes like "Nine Hours", it can expect to see more of the same next year. The Good Wife will continue its sophomore season on January 11th.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Good Wife "Nine Hours" on Blogcritics.