Closing Arguments - January 2012

Alicia's iPod Playlist & January's Top Five Scenes

Season 3, February Hiatus | Post Date: February 6, 2012

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Between the Super Bowl and the Grammy’s, February is turning out to be “the great waiting game” for fans of The Good Wife.  Of course, we know that it will return with a vengeance on February 19, but what are we supposed to do until then?

Fortunately, I have more than a few ideas… so let’s get started!

Of course, Alicia's iPod would have Mika's "Any Other World"
filed in "Favorites" and playing on repeat, but there are plenty of new songs to add to that list!

Alicia's iPod Playlist

When it comes to music, new episodes of The Good Wife can only mean one thing:  It’s time to update current playlists!  Here are some of the most notable songs from January 2012’s episodes:

From Another Ham Sandwich

Here I Go Again | Audra Mae (2009) 

The scene: Will’s indictment falls through, so there’s nothing left to do but celebrate with drinks and dancing over Lockhart Gardner (and really, could there have been a better song for Will and Diane?  I think not).  Perfection!  Note: I recommend this song in large doses and on frequent replay. 

Set Us Free | Black Mountain (2005) 

The scene:  Wendy Scott-Carr introduces herself and the indictment process to the grand jury for Will Gardner.  While she talks, we see jurors doodling everything from pirates to wagon wheels.  Set us free, indeed!

From Bitcoin for Dummies

Magic Arrow | Timber Timbre (2009) 

The scene: Guest star, Jason Biggs, enters the lobby at Lockhart Gardner looking for Alicia, while being tracked by Federal Agents representing the Treasury.  He may be in trouble, but this song has both a serious and playful quality to it – much like the case surrounding Mr. Bitcoin.

Walk Like an Egyptian | The Bangles (1986) 

The scene: Kalinda heads to Decode-A-Con to get to track down the mysterious Mr. Bitcoin.  Why there are Egyptian goddesses dancing at Decode-A-Con is something that’s explained only in passing – it’s because hieroglyphics were the first cryptograms and therefore Egyptian-inspired dancers are the perfect tradeshow booth décor.  Well, now that’s all cleared up… 

I Like to Boogie | Lightnin’ Hopkins (1964) 

The scene: Kalinda meets Dana at a bar to discuss some paperwork surrounding Will’s indictment… and Alicia’s potential forgery of a document from an earlier case.   It’s only appropriate this classic Blues song plays in the background: no one wants to boogie with someone who’s trying to blackmail someone else’s best friend.

From Alienation of Affection

String Quintet in D Major, No. 6, Op. 30 (part five, Passa calle) | Luigi Boccherini
The scene: Diane stands in a museum gallery, admiring the works of Harry Borgman (opening credits).  The song plays again at the end of the episode when the truth about the couple suing Lockhart Gardner comes out and when Will is served with papers pertaining to his indictment.  Crescendo!  And Scene. 

January's Top Five Scenes

Let's face it, January was an epic month for The Good Wife: Will dodged charges surrounding felony bribery (but not before a grand jury was impanelled), Kalinda worked her behind-the-scenes ninja-style magic to ensure the future careers of both Will and Alicia, Diane met a potential love interest, Wendy Scott-Carr was sent packing, Alicia walked out of a courtroom despite the threat of arrest… and that’s just the beginning!  January was oh-so-sweet… so let’s take a look at the top five best scenes of the month:

5) Clash in the Kitchen – Things had been going swimmingly for Alicia and Peter – As State’s Attorney, Peter used his pull to get Zach and Grace into private school and Jackie was no longer hacking Alicia’s computer – all signs pointed to “stalemate.”  Of course, that was before Alicia asked Peter to stop the investigation into Will.  With accusations flying around Alicia’s pristinely kept kitchen, Peter snapped and confessed to Alicia the grand jury was being impaneled because of her relationship with Will.  With cooler heads prevailing, Alicia admitted there was no relationship Peter had to worry about, but if there’s one subject on which Peter is an expert, it’s walking the tightrope of semantics related to truth.  In this battle of “who can rub the most salt in the deepest wound” I don’t think anyone came out the victor (though I will admit this argument had a hint of sweetness for Team Gardner as Alicia fought for Will).

4) Welcome to the asbestos office… are those dancing bears? – When Wendy Scott-Carr arrived at Elsbeth’s asbestos-filled office with Cary and Dana in tow, I couldn’t help but think, this scene is going to change everything… and it did.  Sitting in a stripped, concrete room with workmen roaming about in steel-toed boots and hardhats, it took everything Wendy Scott-Carr had to keep her cool.  Unfortunately, with Elsbeth, all bets are off.  Between offering up breakfast smoothies and apologizing for the exposed beams, she managed to get Wendy Scott-Carr to spill the beans on the judges Will was being accused of bribing.  It’s as though WSC forgot about Elsbeth buying a ticket to the Dancing Bear Jamboree just days before when it became all too obvious this case was going to be anything but ordinary.  The second best part of this scene?  Cary’s coy smirk hidden from Wendy Scott-Carr when he astutely pointed out: “She played you.”  What would I have said? “You’ve been Tascionied.”

3) Save the last dance for me – It wouldn’t be a true celebration at Lockhart Gardner without the free-flow of libations and a great soundtrack playing in the background (seriously, Audra Mae’s version  of Here I Go Again is getting non-stop play from this writer!).  Enter Will and Diane locking eyes from across the party and before long, creating their own dance floor in the hall.  This scene was absolutely priceless and confirmed the one thing we’ve come know with absolute certainty: Will and Diane are a match made in heaven.

2) The questioning of Cary Agos – In "Alienation of Affection," Cary was called back to Lockhart Gardner to comment on some of the firm’s paperwork with a mysterious background.  While he was able to answer honestly in saying he didn’t believe any nefarious dealings were afoot (though, if he had seen David Lee in his HMS Pinafore getup, that might have changed), Cary simultaneously pulled Alicia out of the fire.  After the questioning, Alicia and Cary made amends and locked eyes with an unspoken understanding of friendship.   It’s too bad this new bond got tested so soon, for when Alicia took the stand and had to confess to having had a relationship with Will, Cary could do nothing to stop it, despite his best efforts. 

1) “The witness has not been excused” – It wouldn’t be a “best of” list without highlighting this scene: Alicia walking out on Wendy Scott-Carr during questioning in front of the grand jury.  We’re now seeing the new and improved Alicia – she’s full of moxie and she’s not afraid to show it.  Putting WSC in her place by coldly saying, “You’re out of control,” Alicia walked out of the courtroom with a refreshing blend of strength and grace.  I’ll have what she’s having – because Alicia Florrick season three is full of gumption and dressed to kill.  I can only imagine what will happen when she and Kalinda team up and take to the streets again… but for that we’ll have to wait.

I don’t know about you, but personally, February 19 can’t come soon enough!

Related to this post:

• Catch up on all of January's episodes with recaps and reviews of "Alienation of Affection," "Bitcoin for Dummies" and "Another Ham Sandwich"
• The Latest Briefs - All news that is news surrounding The Good Wife
• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: A Romantic Salad
• Preview: "Live from Damascus"

The Good Wife: On Location in NYC - Take Two

On Location in NYC – Take Two

On-site filming, January 18 & 19, 2012 | Post Date: January 23, 2012

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One of the great things about living in New York is being able to get out and explore the different communities within the city.  When it comes to districts I like to frequent, Soho certainly tops the list.  It’s full of stunning cast-iron architecture, art galleries, restaurants and, best of all, shopping.  Okay, the amazing stores were the best part of Soho until The Good Wife rolled into the neighbourhood. 

While I rarely need an excuse to wander through Soho (the frozen yogurt mecca, Pink Berry, is just one of many obvious draws), this past week I took the opportunity to sip a latte and stroll through the trailer-filled streets to see what was happening with The Good Wife, on-location in NYC.  You see, some people love Sundays because of football, while others would hold it in high esteem as a day of rest.  For me, Sundays mean one thing: The Good Wife… so any time I can spread that joy throughout my week, I’m willing to jump at the opportunity.

This was my second on-location experience and entirely different from my first (where I saw Christine Baranski shooting the lobby scene from “Alienation of Affection.”).  This time, I lucked out with spotting Josh Charles and getting more than a few hints on guest stars we can expect later in the season.  Without further ado, I present “The Good Wife: On Location in NYC – Take Two.”  I hope you enjoy the photographic journey!

Deep in the heart of Soho, I spotted The Good Wife filming on the fourth floor of this beautiful brick building.   Who and what could be inside?  Predictions to follow...

Reflections from inside the building

Signage aplenty!

Just a few blocks away from the set, the beautiful "Most Precious Blood Church" opened their doors as the holding and catering area

One of my favourite images of the day: a large lighting rig with the Woolworth Building pictured in the distance

On-site catering... basically a pantry containing everything from apples to yogurt and peanut butter to Sour Patch Kids.  Check out Food Inspired by The Good Wife for this week's latest recipe, created in honor of this very well-stocked table!

After a bit of waiting, Josh Charles (and who I believe to be Nadia Dajani, one of the newest additions to the cast of The Good Wife) appeared to browse treats on the catering table

Charles poses with a fan 

It's official!  Based on this trailer door, Will's younger sister, Audra Gardner (played by  Merritt Wever) has rolled into town.  Word on the street is that she is going to be whimsical and fun-loving... I can only hope she is pro-Team Gardner, like Alicia's beloved brother Owen.

This trailer door says it all: Sara Gardner (played by Nadia Dajani), Will's older sister, is also in town and rumor has it she and her sister are looking to help Will find love.  Sigh.  I've said it before and I'll say it again: Team Gardner, we have a problem.

The best find of the on-location shoot (except for Josh Charles, of course) is what appears to be trailer of Mr. Lou Dobbs.  We last saw Dobbs, appearing as himself, in season two's "Double Jeopardy." When Bond was ousted, I assumed (perhaps inaccurately) that his business similarly walked out the door, despite Dobbs' adoration of Diane.  It looks like Dobbs and his controversial ways could be lurking in the halls of Lockhart Gardner before too long.

With Lou, Sara and Audra set to hit the scene, I can't help but think we're in for an absolutely thrilling last third of season three (and dare I predict that Elsbeth gets Will off the hook with the grand jury... I mean, his sisters weren't visiting him in prison...).  I'm guessing the filming I've captured above will surface around episode 17... stay tuned!

A special thank you to On Location Vacations - a great group that
shares information about television and movie shoots each and every day

Related to this Article:

• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
• Catch up on episode 13, "Bitcoin for Dummies" and find out more about those involved in the judicial bribery scandal with Will
• Preview: episode 14, "Another Ham Sandwich"

"Bitcoin for Dummies"

Episode Title: Bitcoin for Dummies

Season 3, Episode 13 | Original Air Date: January 15, 2012

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Bitcoin, it can be argued, is both a currency and a commodity.  If you’re Will Gardner, it’s most easily understood as a bushel of fruit.   While I prefer to think of it as pairs of shoes or pints of ice cream, I appreciate his metaphor (and also the fact bushel is a highly underused word, at least in my circles).  Always eager to learn something new, I tackled “Bitcoin for Dummies” in a similar way to Alicia: I headed to the source – Google and YouTube – to get to the heart of the matter.  More about that later.  First, let me say this: We’re a little more than halfway through season three and my I Didn’t See That Coming list is ever-growing.  For fans of Kalinda (and I think we all are), this episode was a tribute to a character who continues to be one of the most compelling on TV, surrounded by story lines that keep the viewers guessing.  If ever you find yourself thinking, I Didn’t See That Coming, you’re not alone – that’s the beauty of The Good Wife and the mystery of Kalinda Sharma.

This week, I'm featuring a recap of “Bitcoin for Dummies” as well as an analysis of The Judges in Question: Winter, Dunaway and Parks.  Which judge do you think is most likely to be corrupt?  

 In My Opinion – Episode Commentary

This week, The Good Wife opened with the empty reception area at Lockhart Gardner.  Enter guest star Jason Biggs as Dylan Stack, a Digital Information Lawyer from New York.  Sitting down, he is quickly followed in by two men representing the Treasury.  While I’m not an expert in legal dealings, I do know that if you’re being tracked by Federal Agents from the Treasury, you’re in some kind of trouble.  Alicia Florrick knows this first hand, which happens to be why Stack is in the lobby.  “The rumor is you’ve had your own dealings with the Treasury” he tells Alicia when she asks why he is at Lockhart Gardner.  Apparently word on the street is that Alicia got out of a tight spot unscathed so now she’s the “go-to” for these types of matters.  In her mind, she’s probably thinking “shouldn’t you be in Elsbeth’s lobby?” but instead she gets Diane who is wearing what can only be described as a upholstery-inspired smoking jacket.  But I digress.

Stack has money and plenty of it.  His biggest problem is that he is unable to disclose the name of his client, henceforth known as “Mr. Bitcoin.”  The Treasury is after Mr. Bitcoin and Stack is, seemingly, the only one who can give up his identity.  The thing is, he won’t and the Treasury is trying to imprison him over it.  Fortunately for everyone, Diane is a closet techie and happens to know that Decode-A-Con, a conference of cryptographers, is in town.  While I want to know why Diane is so well versed in computer coding, we’re only left to speculate as to why this event was top-of-mind.  Maybe the person who sold her the smoking jacket told her?  In any case, if there’s one person who can uncover a computer mystery, it’s Kalinda, so off to Decode-A-Con she goes.

Before I go any further, it’s important to understand Bitcoin, an online currency (or is it a commodity… I’m still confused on the specifics).  Luckily, like Zach (who, by the way is still with Neesa), I was able to track down a video (dare I say, the same video The Good Wife writers found online and used as a model?) to learn, in just under two minutes, the intricacies associated with these new “digital coins.”

Now you’re an expert in Bitcoins, we can move on.

It wouldn’t be a matter involving the Treasury without the cupcake-loving Gordon Higgs on the case, and this week he’s in top form as he tries to take down Stack and Mr. Bitcoin.  What he didn’t bargain for was Kalinda tracking Mr. Bitcoin on her own and, in fact, getting caught up in the case to the point of having her computer “ghosted” and ending up on the stand after accidently taping a conversation between herself and Mr. Higgs.  You see, at the Decode-A-Con conference, Kalinda met two potential Mr. and Mrs. Bitcoins: the former, quickly fell for K and the latter, gave her just enough help to crack the code on her own.  In the end, presiding judge, Dwight Sobel, had no option but to let Stack off.  With Alicia and Kalinda working together, they’re nearly unstoppable.  Case closed.

Tascioni & Asbestos

With the Bitcoin drama unfolding over at Lockhart Gardner, Will found himself away from client’s cases, instead spending his time with Elsbeth working on his own defense.  While Elsbeth found herself busy juggling Will’s debacle, she was also trying to manage life in a construction zone.  It seems asbestos was found in her office, so gone are the drop cloths and painting ladders of last week, only to be replaced with bare concrete and workmen in steel-toed boots roaming the space.  The only thing that seems to be consistent is the pile of purses and bags squirreled away in the corner.  Of course, this isn’t the ideal circumstance to host guests, but the element of surprise is what keeps Elsbeth top of her game, and so she welcomed Wendy Scott-Carr, Cary and Dana into her modest quarters.  The meeting went, well, poorly for the State’s Attorney’s Office and rather splendidly for the team of Tascioni and Gardner.  The beauty of it all was that Elsbeth was able to get Wendy to drop the names of three judges who Will is being looked into with regards to bribery: Winter, Dunaway and Parks.

The Judges in Question: Winter, Dunaway and Parks

There was nothing left for me to do but investigate the judges on my own (why should Elsbeth do all the work?  She has bigger problems… like finding a desk).  The facts are these:

We have seen all of these judges throughout three seasons of The Good Wife.  The breakdown?  Here goes:

Judge Robert Parks – He has appeared in five episodes, more than any other judge in question – Season 2 Episode 21: In Sickness,  Season 2 Episode 6: Poisoned Pill,  Season 1 Episode 17: Heart, Season 1 Episode 10: Lifeguard and Season 1 Episode 5: Crash.  Personally, I’ve always been a fan, and not just because “Heart” was one of my favourite episodes of all time.  He’s sharp, smart and never showed what I would consider to be biased judging.

Judge Harvey Winter – Judge Winter was notably absent in season two, but has still managed to preside over four cases in The Good Wife’s history: Season 3 Episode 6: State of Affairs, Season 1 Episode 14: Hi,  Season 1 Episode 13: Bad and Season 1 Episode 8: Unprepared.  Winter hasn’t been my favourite judge over the years, and I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t say he could land on my potentially into shading dealings list.

Judge Peter Dunaway – Judge Dunaway is the biggest wildcard of the pack, having only been presided over one case, Season 3 Episode 11: "What Went Wrong". He’s a bit quirky but that’s what makes him fun.  In “What Went Wrong” we saw him fall strongly on the side of the defense (Lockhart Gardner), but he made them work for their win.  Was it because of a past relationship with Will or was it because the original verdict was unjust? 

In the end, the only judge that may matter at all is Parks – my favourite of the three.  A verdict from a 2009 file went the way of Stern, Lockhart & Gardner to the tune of $8 million and because it was a bench trial, things look a little suspicious.  What is inside the file is a mystery to us, but we know the following: 1) incriminating evidence can be found within the manila walls of the accordion folder and 2) Will didn’t ask Kalinda to “get rid of the file” – he can’t, that would be tampering with evidence – but with one look, the file was gone.  Thank you, Kalinda.

Who is under the bus now?

Between attending Decode-A-Con, having her computer hacked and meeting with Will in a parking garage, Kalinda still had time to get together for drinks with the predominantly evil ASA, Dana Lodge.  Unfortunately, Dana is trying to use Kalinda to further the Florrick-under-the-guise-of-Gardner investigation.  Waiting for the ball to drop, Dana presented K with a shocking piece of paper: the forged document from “Alienation of Affection” – the one David Lee had Alicia sign.  I didn’t see that coming… and neither did Kalinda.  As Dana presented the situation, the evidence is “highly actionable” unless Kalinda points the State’s Attorney’s Office to one of Will’s cases that makes him vulnerable.  At this point, I may or may not have yelled at my TV, “That did NOT just happen.”  Gasp.  Fortunately, if there’s one thing Kalinda is willing to protect more than herself, it’s Alicia Florrick. 

While I’m left questioning how Dana is going to prove the document is a forgery (the analysis alone costs $30,000 and we know Wendy Scott-Carr’s budget is being closely monitored by Peter, who, let’s face it, isn’t going to spend the money only to have his wife disbarred), Kalinda has no choice but to protect those near and dear to her.  Who is under the bus now?  Will.  Maybe.  Kalinda handed over the Judge Parks file from Will’s office in order to protect Alicia.  Of course, one never knows what Kalinda did to the file before passing it along.  Could evidence be missing?  Absolutely.  Is K clever enough to outsmart Dana to save both Alicia and Will?  Is the sky blue?  Of course.  She’s brilliant. There’s no way Kalinda is going to let Will (or Alicia) go to jail, at least not without a fight (and if one of them does end up there, my money is on Kalinda to be the first one to make a pie with escape materials baked into the crust).

Quotes of the Week:

Judge Sobel: Do you guys in Treasury get a lot of dates?

Mr. Higgs: Yes we do… (pause) thank you for asking.

Will: You’ll visit me in prison?

Diane: Every Friday.

Kalinda to Dana: “I like Will. I go back and forth on you.”

Wendy Scott-Carr: “That was a sham.”

Cary: “She played you”

Wendy: “Yes, thank you, Cary.”

 Team Gardner, we have a problem… as if we didn’t already 

(formerly entitled, “What’s Next?”)

After months of waiting, the grand jury story line finally reveals itself in an episode that’s bound to be overrun with courtroom drama: “Another Ham Sandwich.”  Avid viewers will remember the original, “Ham Sandwich” from season two when Kalinda gets hauled into her own grand jury.  This time around, Alicia gets called to testify with questions surrounding her relationship with Will.  While previews aren’t always what they seem, it can’t be denied that we’re in for a real treat: Alicia if forced to dodge questions about sleeping with Will (is it wrong that I want her to state for the record “it was worth it!”… no, right?) and that she walks out of the courtroom proclaiming, “then arrest me.” 

The episode also promises to be engaging on an entirely different level when Amy Sedaris reprises her role as Stacie Stahl.  Could Eli be back in the cheese business? Perhaps he’s simply taking Diane’s advice, “we’ll sit and talk, we’ll hatch a plan, and Stacie Stahl is going to rue the day, and that’s a fact?” Oh for the love of a bushel of fruit (and dairy), I can’t wait!

Preview: Episode 14 "Another Ham Sandwich"

Related to this Article:

• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Morning Smoothie (if it's good enough for Elsbeth to have for breakfast, it's good enough for me!)
• The Latest Briefs - News from The Good Wife
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