Why 2012 is the Year of Christine Baranski

25 Reasons Why Christine Baranski Deserves an Emmy for her Role as The Good Wife's Diane Lockhart

Summer 2012 Hiatus | Original Post Date: July 22, 2012

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Emmy nomination day (and, let’s be honest, the weeks and months leading up to this day) is like Christmas in my house.  Think: decorations, champagne, party favours and jazz hands.  I wake up with eager anticipation of what’s to come, having done my research on who’s up for consideration and which shows are likely to lead the pack.  Of course, I’m prone to cheering for all things having to do with The Good Wife, so the announcement that Julianna Margulies, Archie Panjabi and Christine Baranski were all showered with Emmy nods left me more than a little excited.  This week, all was right with the world.  Thank you Emmy committee.

For the entirety of season three, I spent 100% of my time touting Christine Baranski as the next person deserving of an Emmy for her role on The Good Wife.  It’s no secret I love her outfits and her outrageously wicked and comedic laugh. I’m similarly enamored with her ability to command a room and outsmart even the stealthiest of opponents.  It has been, without question, the year of Diane Lockhart and by extension, the year of Christine Baranski. 

25 Reasons Why Christine Baranski Deserves an Emmy for her Role as Diane Lockhart

1. Diane held almost every storyline of season three together.  She selflessly gave Will credit for the firm’s pro-bono program, she managed the firm after Will was suspended (no easy feat with Eli and David battling it out using their Sun Tzu ‘art of war’-style maneuvers), and, and, and...

2. We’ve watched Diane seamlessly transition from antagonist to mentor (see “The Evolution of Diane Lockhart”).

3. Diane doesn’t shy away from confrontation (let’s flash back to her yelling at Will on the rooftop re: his relationship with Alicia.  Pa chow!  One point for making Will punch a metal pole, two points for doing it while wearing a stunning dress).

4. She can is as comfortable drinking Scotch as she is with drinking wine.

5. Diane cares more about upholding the law than almost anything else.  Sure, she can play the game, but at the end of the day, she loves justice.

6. Speaking of which, for the first season, she had a dog named Justice.  What ever happened to him?

7. She has the best laugh on television.

8. She can maintain her composure even when David Lee is sporting his HMS Pinafore costume during business hours.

9. Her shoe collection is epic (We’ve seen her wear everything from Stuart Weitzman to Salvatore Ferragamo) and her broach collection is something jewelry historians will marvel at into the next century.

10. Diane and Will have the best work marriage in the history of television.  They are perfectly paired, even when the going gets tough.  Need proof?  This “Love Will Keep Us Together” montage I found is sure to convince you!

11. Quick on her feet, Diane can outwit everyone at the firm.

12. She can juggle multiple love interests without batting an eye.

13. Diane’s not afraid to ask for help.  Whenever she wants more information, or needs to learn something, so goes right to the source.  In most cases, this means Kalinda.  In need of gun-toting lessons?  Diane calls Kalinda.  In need of information about Will and past business associates?  Diane calls Kalinda.  Who can blame her, really?  I mean, I adopted the “what would Kalinda do?” life motto in 2009.  The fact Diane has embraced a similar attitude makes me love her even more.

14. Diane is a woman you don’t want to cross.  See point #12 – she’s now a trained marksman (markswoman?).  Also, since Kalinda was her instructor, you can bet Diane is now equipped with more street smarts than Lemond Bishop.  

15. Diane doesn't get fazed by even the most outrageous of questions (like Wendy Scott-Carr’s aggressive interrogation during Will’s grand jury about why Diane doesn't play basketball in “Another Ham Sandwich”).

16. Her comedic timing is second-to-none.

17. Diane doesn't put up with traitors – she’s loyal to a fault.

18. She’s the only woman on television who can pull off a smoking jacket.  Exhibit A:

19. No one has ever argued that Diane gets too much screen time.  In fact, most of the time we don't get to see her nearly enough.  The more Diane, the better!  Who's with me?

20. Diane is comfortable with who she is: the firm’s matriarch, Will’s business partner (and, let’s face it, devoted friend), the driving force behind the Lockhart Gardner pro-bono program, an esteemed advisor and a brilliant legal mind. 

21. Diane loves to celebrate, especially when it comes to a win in the courtroom.  Note: She deserves the Emmy if not solely for the fact she has danced in the office with Will on more than one occasion.  It melts my heart.

22. She’s not afraid to stand her ground – Take season one’s “Lifeguard” for example.  Diane turned down a judicial appointment because they wanted her to compromise her values and her name.  The thing about Diane is that she doesn’t need outside validation – she knows who she is and what makes her strong.  Also, who would act as firm’s referee if she were to leave?  Julius doesn't have the legs for those pencil skirts.  Just saying. 

23. Diane is great at giving advice.  Her “suck it up” speech to Eli after he lost the Dairy Association is just one of dozens of examples.

24. Everyone wants to be like her.  Seriously.

25. This is Baranski’s third consecutive nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress for her role as Diane Lockhart – While she has been great other years, she was exemplary in The Good Wife’s third season.  There is no one who deserves their moment in sun more than Christine Baranski in 2012.

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart | GIF credit:  Deelylah86

While I will be sitting on my couch cheering for each nominee from The Good Wife on Emmy night (Sunday, September 23... just seven short days before the season premiere!), I will be most looking forward to seeing the incomparable Christine Baranski battle the field to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.  Who will you be cheering for at the Emmys?  Do you think it's Baranski's time to win for her performance as Diane Lockhart? Sound off in the comments below!

The Good Wife: On Location in NYC

On Location in NYC

On-site filming November 22, 2011| Post date: November 28, 2011 | Update: January 9, 2012

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Knowing there would be no new episode of The Good Wife this week, there was nothing left to do but take to the streets - and the hallways - of Lockhart Gardner to fuel my scheduled Monday post.  In fact, last weekend I got my lucky break in getting word The Good Wife would be filming at an on-site location in NYC.  I'm not one to miss such an opportunity, so after grabbing my purse, laptop bag and umbrella, I was out the door for an adventure that would last seven hours and feature a cast of colorful characters, including Christine Baranski.

In my Opinion - a Photographic Journey

When a show rolls into an on-site location, there is nothing small about the production and filming of The Good Wife is no exception.  Signage goes up, trailers appear and everything from lights to set pieces suddenly fill the streets.

Kalinda would have been proud: this sign proves I was able to sleuth the filming location!

Originally I had assumed The Good Wife was filming outside based on the influx of twinkle lights and old-fashioned lamp posts.  I may or may not be correct... (UPDATE: I was, in fact, incorrect - this was just a festive street)

Lights, cameras, nuts and bolts!

This way!

Perhaps this was just a festive block?  Fortunately, my observations are much more concrete later in the day 

Set up in the rain, these lights were aiming directly at the office tower in which they were filming

Setting up the lobby for shooting

One of my favourite pictures from the day:  I'll let the chaos and the colors speak for themselves

On-set supplies, from crates to carpets

The Scene

When I arrived at the filming site, they were finalizing blocking and rehearsing a three-person scene with Christine Baranaksi (Diane Lockhart).  The premise?  Diane is witness to a man being served with papers in the lobby of a building.  Needless to say, the process isn't smooth and said man ends up getting body slammed into one of the lobby's marble columns.  He quickly exits stage right and Diane is left to chat with the person doing the serving.  When the show airs, the highlight of the scene, it could be said, will be the man being pushed into the pillar.  I would contest this though.  It's really Diane's shoes.  Stay tuned.


Update: This scene is from episode 12, "Alienation of Affection." The premise?  Diane is heading into work when she happens upon Jack Copeland, the man who earlier in the episode, served not only her, but Alicia, Will and David.  Here, she finds him serving someone else - it seems the offices of Lockhart & Gardner are in his service area.  Could we be seeing more of Copeland?  I predict yes... perhaps with a tasty helping of love interest on the side.  Note: I'm still working on sourcing these amazing shoes!

Blocking and rehearsing...

Blocking and rehearsing take IV

Rest assured, I will be getting more information on these shoes.  Any guesses the designer?
Stuart Weitzman perhaps?

Oh yes, and we're rolling here - this is what you will see on screen!

A Special Thanks

Standing outside an on-location filming, you meet some interesting people - those who have no idea what's going on, those who are interested in behind-the-scenes experiences, those who like to catch a glimpse of celebrities and those who are fans of the whole process.  I met all of these people and was thrilled to be part of the process... even if it was in the rain! Thanks to Ron, the television and film composer I met, who listened intently to my explanation of all things "The Good Wife" and later called me an 'expert' to other passers by, and thanks to the security guard who is responsible for protecting doors and elevators during filming - you're doing a great job!


Related to this Post

• The Good Wife: News - Check out what's happening on-location and off, with 'The Latest Briefs'
• "Alienation of Affection" - Episode recap and Top 10 Favourite Moments

"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"

Episode Title: "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"

Season 3, Episode 9 |Original Air Date: Sunday, November 20, 2011

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Like a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” had all of the elements that make a holiday feast something that can (and should) only happen a few times a year.  It was witty, wry and wily with a scoop of savoury drama on the side – everything a good family gathering should be.  Add in two scathing admonishments, an equal amount of high-end whiskey and stir to combine. This episode was a recipe for things to come…

In my Opinion – Episode Commentary

As the episode opens we find ourselves watching surveillance camera footage as someone maps the distance from a truck to landmarks and civilians.  Before long… kaboom.  With the push of a button, the truck explodes in a cloud of flames.  Enter one of my season two favourites, Captain (formerly Lieutenant, so things must be going well) Terrence Hicks, who is representing the person responsible for the explosion which killed 12 people. The charge? Murder and one dozen counts of it.  Captain Hicks has a soft spot for Will and Alicia over at Lockhart Gardner (and the feeling continues to be mutual) so he pitches the idea of them working together for a second time.  After getting word the State’s Attorney’s investigation is coming to a close, Will takes Kalinda’s advice: “Now go exhale. Do something nice for someone.”  Translating this into something tangible, he decides that Lockhart Gardner can work with Captain Hicks and tackle the murder case.  The only downside?  That means going back into military court.

Moving swiftly, we’re quickly whisked away to the military court room where there is nothing to do but have flashbacks to season two’s “Double Jeopardy.”  At the outset, Will is immediately cast in the role of pariah by Judge Leora Kuhn, who picks up right where she left off: making Will enemy number one.  As an audience, we were all thinking the same things Will was saying, “are there any other judges in the military?” The answer, “Yes there are, and yet here I am again. Happy days.”

The Investigation

While things for Will are shaky at best in military court, things aren’t getting any easier on the home front.  Kalinda was premature in telling him the coast was clearing on the investigation… the new special prosecutor assigned by Peter is none other than Wendy Scott-Carr.  Based on last season, we know that Wendy has a propensity to fight to the death while covering her claws in a sugary sweet coating.  Also, she’s dressed to kill… and it seems her plan is just that – bring down Will Gardner on charges of judicial bribery.   After a visit with Diane, who was, thankfully, not willing to buy into Wendy’s veiled threats, Diane confronts Will, in what can only be called the cautionary reprimand of the century.    

“Peter Florrick is coming after you because you’re sleeping with his wife. Don’t lie to me. It’s wrong. You are her boss. He is the State’s Attorney.  Even if it weren’t wrong, it’s not smart. Stop sleeping with his wife. Do you understand me?”

Given Will and Diane’s close relationship, I can’t help but think this conversation will have an impact on him.  Will has worked hard to get where he’s at and I don’t think he’s about to throw it all away.  Perhaps it will mean a cooling-down of things, or maybe it will just mean Team Gardner will have to get a little stealthier in their relationship?  Will can clearly keep things hidden – his gambling past is proof-positive – the question will be how far Alicia wants to push the limits.

Stuck in the Middle

Meanwhile, Eli is in knee-deep with the cheese people.  I’ve been waiting for this storyline to resurface for a few weeks and I’m thrilled to report it was back with a vengeance. You see, the food pyramid has been changed into a food plate, which is much more ambiguous when it comes to what you are supposed to eat and in what quantities.  I’ve been saying this for years.  Okay, I haven’t. I didn’t even know there was a food plate now… but I agree that it’s less helpful.  Obviously, there’s nothing else to do but lobby: Food pyramid vs food plate.  Who is stuck in the middle? Corn, of course. While Eli tries to form some natural synergies with the Fruit Association (cheese and fruit plates have been wooing party-goers for decades), plans backfire and he’s left to create his own new food diagram (the food person) and try to find an ally with the bread and grain people.  As it turns out, none of the food groups can play nice together and Eli, sadly, loses the Dairy Association as clients.  Well, there’s no crying over spilled milk.  There’s nothing left to do but wallow… or at least that was Eli’s plan until Diane had something to say about it.  The new plan? Win them back.  Operation ‘stick it to the cheese people’ begins tomorrow.

Locked Up

There’s nothing worse than opening your computer to find an unexpected surprise.  It can come in the form of the blue screen of death, or in finding out your webcam was on when your mother-in-law was snooping through your things when you weren’t home.  Last week, Jackie channeled her inner Kalinda to spy through Alicia’s things, not knowing that Alicia’s computer was recording her rummaging.  This week, Alicia turns on her computer only to be greeted by the footage.  If we’ve learned anything from Alicia over the least 15 episodes, it’s that she’s all about action.  Pull up a chair, it’s game time. Step 1) Change the locks! Step 2) Talk to the kids – while the phrase “Jackie is crazy” didn’t emanate from Alicia’s lips, the sentiment was there. Also, finally Grace was on the same page as everyone else in noting Jackie’s insanity.  Step 3) Confront Jackie. “I don’t want you in here Jackie. I don’t want you going through my things. I don’t want you in my computer. … Look at my face, Jackie - You no longer have the power to wound.” Point Alicia Florrick.  This scene was priceless! Step 4) Buy Zach a car.

And the Emmy goes to… 

Christine Baranski.  Once again, this was a fantastic episode for Baranski’s Diane Lockhart.  She’s hard-hitting, poignant and can deliver a line like no one else.  Pure brilliance. Give this woman an Emmy!

Quotes of the Week 

Will: “I told Mrs. Florrick, ‘You take it, she hates me’”

Judge Kuhn: “You wound me, sir.”

Eli: “I need something to drink.”

Diane: “Well, don’t get morose.”

Eli: “Why not? It deserves a little wallowing, don’t you think? Four or five million a year between us. NORA – why don’t I have scotch?!”

Diane: Win them back

Eli: Oh yes, you’re right, what was I thinking?

Diane: Do men really have that much success in their life that the first setback that comes along they get all weepy?

Eli: We’re not weepy. I’m… tired.

Diane to Eli: “You are brilliant, but you’re not God’s gift”

So, what’s next? 

With Wendy Scott-Carr hot on Will’s trail, I think we can expect to see a lot more investigators hanging around which could make Will’s life less than comfortable.  Remember Andrew Wiley?  He’s definitely coming back and as we know, he always gets to the bottom of things.  Will is going to have to run his personal and professional life on the up-and-up for the next while which could signal an unwanted pause on the budding romance of Team Gardner (things are far from over there though… thank goodness!).  Of course, there’s no accounting for working late hours at the office.  This is something Cary, Dana and Kalinda know all about… though their overtime seems to involve shots of tequila and trading insider tips on one another.  I think we can expect Cary to continue to fight his conscience on the legitimacy of the Gardner investigation while Dana tries to climb the ladder over at the State’s Attorney’s office.  Dana and Wendy could be a powerful force.

Next up?  Sadly, we’re on a one-week hiatus.  I’ve been dreading this announcement since week six when I started to expect a break.  A nine-episode run has been a welcome marathon though and it gives us just enough time to prepare for the return of Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning in episode 10 “Parenting Made Easy.”  The preview indicates Grace has been kidnapped.  I have one word for this news: Finally. On the downside, things like this tend to bring people together.  Look out Team Florrick, episode 10 could be for you... but hopefully it won't last.

Related to this Post:

*Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Pineapple Cheese Bread

*Episode 10 preview - "Parenting Made Easy"

*Josh Charles talks about the Will Gardner Investigation
*Don't forget to keep up with "The Latest Briefs" - your one-stop-shop for news about The Good Wife