Season 5, Episode 2 | Original Air Date: Sunday, October 6, 2013 ______________________________________________________________
Between
Grandma Veronica, Chumhum, the brief appearance of Patrick Edelstein and the
surprise resurgence of a conniving Becca and a crying Nessa, “The Bit Bucket”
spent the entire episode overflowing with story lines built atop a sticky web of
personal/professional connections.
If I’m
being perfectly candid, I’ll confess this episode left me thinking I need to
take more notes – and build more flowcharts.
Am I alone here? Did everyone
else get everything that was happening?
We had Chumhum looking to sue the government who, as it turned out, is
tapping the phones of Alicia and Diane, only to find out that some terrorist
group is calling the Florrick house 12 times a day. The terrorist group is none other than Nessa,
who is actually just upset that Becca is back and stealing gavels, which makes
it seem like Zack is cheating (are they even still together?), which of course
he isn't – it’s the world’s most annoying sister, Grace, who is getting makeup
tips from Eli’s 21 year old arch nemesis.
Unfortunately, this means Peter is now being looked at for connections
to terrorism and the government is more in the loop than Kalinda… which just
seems wrong. Confused? This was strangely the least complex plot web
of the entire episode.
So, what
did we learn? Grace is undermining the
government, Chumhum and the state of Illinois without even knowing it. Of all the things I didn't see coming over
the last five seasons, this doesn't make the list – it’s just the cherry on
top.
“The Bit Bucket:” Highlights, Lowlights and
David Lee
1) The Slow
Drip: I’m not one to side with David on much (especially his horrible choice of
ties), however, there’s no denying his shrewd instincts when it comes to people
and the firm. “The absence of bad news
is not good news” he says to Diane, who seems somewhat oblivious of the soldier
ants slowly moving the grains of sand from her kingdom. While Diane is worried about her seat on the
Supreme Court, she’s missing what David is catching – and that’s a mutiny. It’s a slow drip that she’s not seeing
between her meetings with Mandy Post, but it’s there. If only Julius were around. He and David would fight about the lack of
fourth year texts and life would be grand.
2) Welcome to your Closet: The highlight of the
episode for me? Watching Cary take Alicia
to a closet filled with boxes and brooms and saying it was her new office. Having followed Cary through some seriously
unappealing work spaces, this was especially fun to watch. The best part? He thought so, too. If ever I’m having a sad day, I think I’ll
put this scene on repeat.
3) Pour a
Little Sugar on Me: It’s not a full David Lee experience without his square
dish of M&Ms and candy scattered across the boardroom. My questions: 1) Who eats candy off a
boardroom table? 2) What does Veronica
see in David? I mean, really – who knows
where that candy dish has been. 3) This line: Veronica: “You’re a
carnivore. You’re a jungle cat.” Me: “Ewww.”
4) The Golden
Gavel: Two things about these scenes: 1) Peter has a ‘gift room?’ This seems like the best and funniest place
on earth, especially with Eli lurking around and trying to sleuth items put
into storage. It’s like finding out
relatives are coming over and having to go into the basement to track down
Great Aunt Judy’s crystal ashtray to put on display, even though you don’t
smoke and it actually makes no sense you would have this out anyways. What I’ve learned here: meetings at the
Governor’s office and family gatherings aren’t all that different. 2) Becca is
back! Now that “Don’t Trust the B in
Apartment 23” is over, Becca is back as the “B” of Illinois, which is fun and
surprising development. She’s just as
evil as before which means we’ll get to see Eli upping his game. I guess that’s what comes with being Chief of
Staff. Sometimes you have to play in the
mud… and sometimes that means paying a price for your golden gavel.
5) If Jesus
Says So: The only thing better than having Grandma Veronica come to visit is
seeing Uncle Owen. This week, Grandma V
was in fine form as she took Grace shopping and came home uttering the words, “Jesus
has no problem with Grace looking her best.”
Even Zack is concerned – but that probably has a bit to do with last
week’s findings that Grace has made the list of hot politician’s
daughters. This year, I sense, is going
to be a family disaster. The best
part? We haven’t even seen Owen or
Jackie (or Jackie’s caregiver/lover, Cristian!) yet. Once these three resurface, anything could
happen.
6) I’ve Got
Your Back: Eli is backing Peter who is
backing Diane who is backing Will. It’s
a strange yet comfortable place for everyone, as individually, each of these
characters have connections with each other.
Though, when push comes to shove, I’m not sure they would if the roles
were at all reversed. For now though,
everything is bliss as Peter tries to get Diane elected to the Supreme
Court. Well, bliss for everyone but the
Chief Justice, who it now seems Peter has something on… and maybe for Diane who
has avoided selling Will out for the last year, until maybe now. Okay, so it’s not bliss for anyone, except
maybe Will who doesn’t seem to know anything is happening with Diane, the
missing gavel, the firm or Alicia. I
sense a rude awakening coming and the only good that can come of that is the
hope Will’s sisters will once again surface.
Favourite Guest Star:
There’s no
question for me this week: Dreama Walker as Becca. She’s just so manipulative and sly – kind of
like a young Colin Sweeney. She’s one of
those characters you love to hate and that’s what makes her so compelling to
watch. Of course, the fact she could be
the undoing of Eli’s sanity is always an entertaining plus.
What did
you think of, “The Bit Bucket?” What
were your highlight and lowlight moments?
Sound off in the comments below!
I’ll confess: I spent most of season
three pining for Eli Gold.
There, I said it.
It wasn't in some doodlingour names in hearts kind
of way, but in something else altogether.I missed the fresh, vibrant, sometimes conniving, always hilarious,
sit-on-Alicia’s-couch Eli we had come to know and love.I missed campaign Eli.
In honor of my one-year Lockhart
Gardner blogiversary (22 episodes and a total of 36 posts – thank you to
everyone who has joined me on this adventure!), I have decided to celebrate
with an ode to our favourite political strategist and PR mastermind.Enjoy!
Reasons why we’re glad Eli Gold is back on the Campaign
Trail
1) He’s busy again – Eli Gold (Alan Cumming) is at rallies and
fundraisers, strategizing on the campaign bus and squeezing into Alicia’s
over-crowded office.Gone are the days
of longing for an espresso machine and wondering where his jellyfish
paperweight had mysteriously migrated (first guess: David Lee’s office). He's back to booking public appearances and crafting carefully scripted sound bytes 'a woman's right to choose.' He's like the Mark Penn of The Good Wife and when he's busy, he's brilliant.
2) He’s weaving things tighter than a
basket-maker – So far in season four, Eli has woven a tight web of enemies and
allies, with a very hazy middle ground separating the two.The foggy zone between friend and foe is
becoming palpable, especially to Peter who is watching Eli tread a fine line
when it comes to favours. With Kalinda
investigating and Will calling the media, Peter is quickly being put in a
position of owing a lot of people in Alicia’s close circle.In Chicago, where the mentality hinges on
‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours,’ Eli is setting Peter up to make good
on some pretty major ‘I owe yous.’And
the last person he wants to owe is Will Gardner.
4) He’s strategizing in all the right ways
– Finally Eli is back to using his smarts for political domination rather than
office domination.His brief stint of
trying to overthrow Will and send Diane to a soup kitchen was not only unsuccessful,
it was completely flawed (especially considering he was busy flipping coins
with Julius in the back room).Now,
Eli’s back doing what he does best: using his political acumen to manage campaign debauchery and win Peter the Governorship.
5) He’s in full-fledged ‘scandal
management mode’ – I imagine having Peter as a client would like having Bill
Clinton circa 1998 as a client.You
would always be wondering who was hiding under his desk or what past
indiscretion might surface at an inopportune time.While the media continues to be Eli’s
greatest challenge, watching him throw reporter’s under the wheels of other
reporter’s is oh so sweet and oh so Eli.
6) He gets to hangout in Alicia’s office
again – What can I say?I love this man
chilling out on Alicia’s couch or occupying a random office chair.In
season one, it’s like he was an expectant mother nesting in there.This year, he’s practically bunking with
Cary, despite having his own space.Oh,
wait.Now 15 associates are camping out in
his office and leaving coffee-stained fingerprints on his polished pens.I’m
sure Clarke Hayden can arrange a third desk in the office of Florrick and Agos,
right?
7) He is forced to deal with Jackie’s shenanigans
– I know we haven’t seen the contract Eli has with the Florrick campaign, but
I’m pretty sure if we did, we would find a robust paragraph outlining the hefty
bonus paid at the end of it all if Eli can manage not to kill the family matriarch.So far we’ve already seen him suggest using a
2 x 4 to get Jackie to stop talking, so it’s anybody’s guess if he can survive
the rest of the season with her.Eli’s
saving grace might just be in the form of the Cuban Mambo dancer.Hmmm.I didn't see that coming – but Jackie’s new caregiver might just be the
Florrick campaign’s ace in the hole.
8) He’s a master at turning the tables on
those who try to cross him – Exhibit A: Becca.Remember her?Zach’s troublesome
first girlfriend was pure evil in a delicate strand of pearls. After tweeting
insider details about the Florrick’s life and weaseling her way into campaign
headquarters, Eli had enough.The
result? A high school scandal worth of the year book: Becca’s abortion.Dun, dun, duuuuun!Exhibit B: Mandy Post.With all of this Indira Star (a stripper name
if ever I heard one) business floating around, Eli had no choice but to head to
the media opposition in Peggy Byrne and spill the beans on Mandy’s past.The result?One more person on unemployment.Eli’s
treachery is so sweet, it’s downright Machiavellian.
9) He is doesn't care about making friends
– There are few people in life Eli truly likes.
Alicia, Peter and Natalie Flores (the nanny/day trader I kind of wished would
come back…) are the three best examples I can think of.I guess that comes with the territory of
politics and PR. You keep your friends close and your enemies closer.Unfortunately in his line of work, he has
more enemies than friends.Team work isn't necessarily his strong suit, as was made abundantly clear in season three when
he couldn't find an office ally to save his life.Now he’s back where he’s most comfortable:
pretending to like people.That’s not to
say Eli is entirely without friends, that’s just to say we have yet to see them.
– 9) He has an actual story line again -Eli is back.
It’s that simple. The level of in-fighting at the firm has decreased by a solid 94% since Eli started working out of the bus with Peter. As if that weren't enough, the Eli we've come
to love and hate (read: the great “I love you” message interception of season two) is at the top of his game and stealthier than ever. He’s superbly entertaining and he’s full of
unexpected drama. I just hope he gets
invited to the Florrick’s Thanksgiving feast, because it’s time to
celebrate.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness”… but most of all, it was the age of drama.
And that’s the best age of all.
Goodbye 27th floor, hello shared office space. Goodbye clean slate, hello scandal. Goodbye everything we've ever known, hello season 4. With all of this messy drama, I’m pulling apart this week’s episode to look at ‘Don’t Haze Me, Bro’ as a turning-point for season four of The Good Wife. Also, I've got some big questions, like: 1) Who is leaking to the press? And 2) Has Cary really been working in the lunchroom for the last two months? Feel free to dig in with me by sounding off in the comments below.
His and Hers Offices
Diane is mad. And apparently she eats Wheaties. Both of these things are unusual and not just because I never pegged Diane for a cereal eater. After going to review what’s left of the 27th floor, Diane is more determined than ever to get Lockhart Gardner back on top. It’s going to be a challenge, but I admire her for dreaming big. First the firm will return to its former office space glory and then they’ll expand. New York? You bet. The world? Clearly the next stop. The only one getting in the way? That pesky Clarke Hayden.
While Hayden seems to have a legitimate care and concern for Lockhart Gardner, Diane can’t help but think he’s undermining the firm’s success. Yes, they need to hire an accountant who can actually, well, account, and sure they need to cut back on expenses – fresh flowers just don't grow on trees. Well, they do, but they don't put themselves in vases, so that's the point – but when it comes to sharing office space, that’s where Diane draws the line. One would think Diane would embrace the chance to share an office with Will. Oh wait, that’s me.
For fans of The Good Wife, I think it’s easy to see validation in having Hayden on staff. He’s the voice of reason in an otherwise unreasonable world. “At some point you’ll realize I’m trying to save you from yourself,” notes Hayden. He’s more invested in the firm’s sustainability than the fair-weather David Lee, yet because he’s new to the scene, everyone loathes his suggestions.
Everyone but Cary Agos.
With the 27th floor demolished, the seating arrangements at Lockhart Gardner are in a state of flux. Hayden has a plan (and by the looks of it, a lot of agile workers willing move large mahogany furniture) to condense three floors to two. It’s at this point we find out the beloved golden boy, Cary Agos, hasn't had a desk, filing cabinet, office chair or paperweight in two months. Seriously? Where has he been working? The lunchroom? Eli’s closet? Will’s bathroom? Does this man even have business cards?
Noting the injustice of seating, Hayden approaches Alicia to ask how she feels about Cary. The review she gives is glowing and before long, Cary has moved into Alicia’s space. Already it’s loud and full of madness, but this is a partnership that just might work. Also, this could finally be the push needed to get Cary a bigger role on The Good Wife (something that has been missing).
Now, I've said it before and I’ll say it again: These two are destined to start their own firm. Sharing offices? Step 1. Welcome to the hallowed halls of Florrick Agos. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? I hear the 27th floor is available for rent…
Pass the Gin and Titonic
There’s nothing worse than a bad date. You know what I’m talking about: That moment when you look at your watch, secretly hoping the crab cake appetizer you just ate was tainted with listeria and that you’ll have an excuse to exit stage right because of near-death food poisoning? Watching Alicia’s drink date with Maddie was like that… but maybe worse. No amount of gin could cover how awkward things got when Alicia brought up Peter’s campaign and his supposed fidelity. Why didn't she stick with her gut instinct and leave it to Maddie to bring up politics? Why did she feel the need to justify her marriage to Peter?Why did she have to kiss him in the last episode?Whhhhhhy?
I’ll be the first to admit I have some not-so pent-up angst about Peter, but Alicia unwittingly sabotaging a budding friendship with Maddie because of Peter was so disheartening. I hope these two get a second round at the local watering hole - this is a relationship Alicia needs.
The Return of Jackie Florrick
A cold wind was blowing today and I couldn't help but think, Jackie Florrick is near. Like the cat who came back the very next day, Jackie continues to surface just when you've resigned to the fact she’ll have to be treacherous from a hospital bed. This week, her pearls were clasped, her hair was pinned and her lipstick had a perfect lustre. The only thing missing? The Jackie we’ve come to know. Since her stroke she has been struggling with her senses and her confused reality. It’s true, she’s always lived in a bit of a delusional world, where Peter walked on water, but it’s always been about what she wanted to believe, not what her mind was convincing her into. Now she’s seeing bugs crawling across her speeches and doing the backstroke in her wine. She’s tearing up over Alicia’s loyalty and zoning out while composing simple sentences.
This is not the Jackie Florrick we've come to know and love to hate.
This development is going to take The Good Wife into an entirely new world – a place where the lines between lies and truth are blurred, where darkness eludes light and where reality is superseded by imagination. On second thought, maybe Jackie’s new-found issues are a direct reflection of Peter’s campaign. Either way, it’s going to be a sad road for Jackie, but it’s sure to be interesting for Peter, Alicia, Eli and the viewers.
And the Best Scene of the Night Goes to…
Eli Gold and his epic meltdown while on the phone to Jim Moody (who we haven’t seen in a while, but it’s sure nice to know he’s back on the campaign trail!).
When discussing Jackie and her Peter has always has many women around-inspired speech: “Beat her off with a 2x4 if you have to!”
Oh Eli Gold, welcome back.
Who is Leaking to the Press?
It’s the straw poll party. American flags are flying, people are eating sausages cut into coins skewered on those little plastic-ended toothpicks and voters are hip-hip-hooraying all things Peter Florrick. Well, all people but Eli. Why? Because he just got a call from ‘Jimmy V,’ a blogger with PoorAnarchy.com and the news isn't good. Let’s face it though: Eli’s phone rarely brings good news (Jackie botched a speech, Peter slept with an intern, the Kung Pow Palace is all out of ginger beef – you know, the result is always the same). In any case, Jimmy V says he is going to run with a story that a magazine he knows, is sitting on an article of Peter’s new scandal. It’s going to press in one hour. Click. Say what?!
My first question: Who leaked this story? I have three lines of thought here: 1) Kalinda. It's a unlikely yet fascinating theory to ponder. She is out to protect Alicia and she's pro-team Gardner. Could she be working for Eli and clearing scandals on one side the fence while slipping information to a local blogger on the other? 2) Maggie. She's in a mood that Eli rained on her Peter parade and this is one way all her work would still pay off. 3) Miss Star - the campaign worker accusing Peter of the hotel visit. She's mad about Kalinda accusing her of lying and she knows people are looking into her story. She could have easily spilled the beans on the article.
My second question: Why does Eli answer his phone when ‘unknown caller’ surfaces? Okay, sure, it’s his business to be responsive, but the way the camera menacingly panned down to the call display, we could all tell it was going to be bad news.
Other Notables
The case of the week: Chicago PolyTech vs. Lockhart Gardner.In a case about hazing and bullying, this week’s in-court drama was another stunning example of art imitating life. Judge Brochard was just the right amount of quirky while looking shockingly similar to Jimmy Kimmel.Please tell me I’m not the only one who noticed?
The use of ‘swishiness.’Chummy the Gopher (squirrel?) last week, “swishy” this week – The Good Wife never ceases to entertain and educate.I’m sure the people over at Merriam-Webster are busy crafting a new entry as I type: The act of not being gay while being feminine, or being gay while not appearing as such = swishy.
Kalinda is busy working for Eli who is, as we all know, is busy working for Peter.It’s deliciously awkward without Eli even knowing it.This is story line is like a slow-ticking time bomb.Ka-boom!
Up Next: "Waiting for the Knock"
"When you protect the devil, prepare for hell." Consider me intrigued.
One of my favourite characters is about to return: Lemond Bishop is back and things seem dodgier than ever. Next week we're taken to Bishop's house, a place we've never seen but are about to become intimately acquainted with (and, which looks strikingly similar to Highland Park, no?). Bishop's son is the single most important person in his life, so watching how his illegitimate business might interfere with his master plan is just the kind of inspired drama I've been looking for. Also, let's not forget when last we saw Bishop he was threatening Kalinda to get the FBI off his back. Could K be able to use Bishop as a pawn in her game to oust Nick from her life? Let the countdown to "Waiting for the Knock" to begin!
Article Update: After having been in an on-set accident while filming The Good Wife on July 11, Kristin Chenoweth has made public her decision to leave the show. "It is with deep regret to inform everyone that due to my injuries, I am unable to return to The Good Wife" notes Chenoweth. With just one episode under her belt, I can only hope she will make a speedy recovery and return to the hallowed halls of Lockhart Gardner as a journalist on a mission to bring down the Florrick campaign. It's official. This is the most exciting week for casting in the history of The Good Wife. It's a big claim, I know, but I'm willing to sing it, dance it, act it and mime it - Season four of The Good Wife is going to feature the single most star-studded ensemble cast on television.
As if the
June 25th announcement of Marc Warren and Maura Tierney joining the cast of the Good Wife wasn't big enough, news of triple-threat Kristin Chenoweth’s recurring role
on the show has quickly become the delicious icing atop The Good Wife’s casting
coup cake.According to a press release from CBS, Chenoweth’s character will debut in The Good Wife’s season premiere
as a political journalist slated to report on Peter’s campaign for Governor.You can bet news of the Florrick’s
estranged marriage won’t take long to hit the press which means Eli will be
quickly back to work doing what he does best: acting as a political puppet
master.
I, for one,
can’t help but wonder what other implications having a top-of-her-game
journalist around will bring to the show.
Will the beloved Team Gardner romance of season three get blown out of
the water? Will Chenoweth’s character
befriend staff at Lockhart Gardner to get the inside scoop on Alicia? Will Grace and Zach end up caught in the
middle (or, better yet, be forced to put their season one Kalinda-esque PI skills
to good use)? Look out Cook County, things just got a little more interesting.
Of course, there is one other huge variable that comes into play with Chenoweth joining the cast. It's no secret Christine Baranaski (Diane), Alan Cumming (Eli) and Graham Phillips (Zach) are all accomplished singers. Is it wrong to hope for at least one scene in season four involving a singalong? Karaoke anyone?
Kristin Chenoweth,
Tony and Emmy Award winner, is best known by TV audiences for her roles on the
West Wing, Pushing Daisies, Glee, and most recently, GCB. Of course, long-time fans of Chenoweth (a
category where I happily find myself), knows her best from her acclaimed
Broadway roles in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Wicked and Promises,
Promises. You can follow Kristin Chenoweth on Twitter @kchenoweth.
For me, the mark of a great hour of television comes when my heart rate elevates and I feel as though I haven’t taken a breath for a full 60 minutes. Heading into “Another Ham Sandwich” I knew I was going to be on the edge of my seat, if not falling completely off of it. Did I shriek? Once. Okay, maybe twice. Did I cover my face? Twice. Okay, maybe four times. Did I yell at my TV, “Did that just happen?!? I can’t believe that just happened!” Yes. In fact, I haven’t stopped… and I have witnesses.
This week, I’m excited to feature a recap of “Another Ham Sandwich” and a special section feature: “The Top Seven Breath-Taking Moments” – because if you’re anything like me, you spent most of the episode hyperventilating with paper bag in one hand and a stress ball in the other.
In My Opinion – Episode Commentary
Eyes. Pirates. Stickmen. Ferris wheels. Wait, pirates? All of these things flashed on the screen in the opening of “Another Ham Sandwich” as the impaneled jurors doodled during Wendy Scott-Carr’s opening remarks. Frankly, I was thrilled to see the grand jury portrayed as a whimsical bunch – anyone who doodles pirates is going to be a difficult sell when it comes to bribery, unless it’s on the high seas. Will Gardner, you may have just dodged a swashbuckling bullet. Maybe.
The case this week revolved solely around Will Gardner. The issue? Being indicted by a grand jury for felony bribery. The possible sentence? Three to seven years in prison. For Will, everything came down to who was put on the stand and fortunately, everyone from Lockhart Gardner was on the same page thanks to Elsbeth’s shrewd legal mind: If all answers led back to Peter Florrick, the grand jury could be called off. Let’s get this show on the road.
First up: Andrew Wiley. Whenever Andrew the investigator is on the scene, you know things are going to get dicey for whoever’s on the receiving end. His “always in the pursuit of justice” attitude is both admirable and annoying. Perhaps I would like him more if ever he was on the side of Lockhart Gardner? This week he revealed that three judges (Parks, Dunaway and Winter) decided favourably for cases Will argued 95% of the time. As if this wasn’t questionable enough, as it turns out, they all played basketball with Will. Now, that could be like saying, “they all drove ’57 Chevys” or “they all went to law school,” but in this case, it is unfortunately implied they all know something. Exiting stage right, Wiley quickly picked up his stroller and headed to court’s hallways, where he saw Will go into Judge Parks’ chambers, passing him an envelope. Quickly using his baby as a diversion, he took a picture of the exchange. My question? Why can’t this man ever find daycare? He knows dozens of Dad’s who stay at home with their kids – could none of them have babysat, even for an hour? A grand jury is kind of important…
Next on the stand: Diane Lockhart. It’s impossible not to love Diane in the place she draws the most strength: the courtroom. In what can only be called, “The Battle of the Beautiful Blazers” Wendy Scott-Carr (WSC) and Diane went head-to-head. How long had Diane known Will? Eight years. Did Will ever invite Diane to play basketball? Yes. Did Diane ever go to a basketball game? No. Why? She doesn’t play basketball (enter cackles from the 16 jurors, because, well, does it look like Diane plays basketball? This was a silly line of questioning coming from WSC, who is clearly also not a basketball player either. A jouster? Maybe. A ballerina with an axe to grind? Most certainly. But not a basketball player). Does Diane think Will playing basketball with judges is inappropriate? No… and she doesn’t think Peter Florrick would either, since he’s also been involved. Swoosh. WSC didn’t see that coming. Unfortunately for Diane this meant a new line of questioning coming back to the infamous “McDermott file” Kalinda planted in Dana’s hands. Did Will ask to take over the case because he knew Judge Parks, subsequently winning the argument? Yes. Oh dear.
David Lee – don’t forget to smile. Ever a loose cannon, David Lee is both the first and last person I would want testifying on my behalf. He’s sketchy but efficient, both things WSC would typically appreciate in a person, preferably on her side of the table. With a quick note from Elsbeth to “smile” while being questioned, David took to the stand and caught ASA Dana Lodge in a messy web surrounding the fair market value of doing trust work – sure David gave Judge Parks a deal… but he did the same thing for Peter. That’s another swoosh for three points. Thank you, David.
In hot seat with Judge Parks. As an audience, we haven’t seen Judge Parks since season two’s “In Sickness.” While his on-screen appearance made me yearn for a good bout of verbal sparring between Will and Patti Nyhom, the only conversation we were treated to involved Parks saying, “Upon the advice of counsel, I insist on my fifth amendment rights.” This is always a dodgy way of evading a question because guilt is somewhat assumed. Point WSC.
At the heart of the matter with Will Gardner. The moment Wendy Scott-Carr had been waiting for: getting Will on the stand with the evidence Dana secured from her “inside source.” Having been given an easy opening with the photo Wiley snapped, Will quickly admitted to meeting with Parks and passing along an envelope of money. Stunned at Will’s honesty, WSC falls off pointe and follows up with a “was there an agreement between you and Judge Parks?” as per the $2,000 sealed in the yellow “you’re being served” stationary. As it turns out, there was: Parks was to give the money to a Unicef Immunization Drive benefitting those in Uganda. The three point shot? Will had the charitable receipt in his suit jacket. Having nowhere left to go, WSC began pirouetting around questions surrounding the McDermott case, where the I’ve got your back bond of Will and Kalinda became increasingly obvious. Yes, Kalinda had given Dana the file, but as predicted, it wasn’t entirely pure. The emails in the file, believe it or not, had been tampered with: WSC had no real evidence. Who had it? Will – in his briefcase.
Enter Will’s Achilles heel, Alicia Florrick: Everything quickly turned from business when WSC summoned Alicia to the stand. After getting virtually nowhere with all of the previous witnesses, it was time to make Will Gardner pay for this runaround. With Cary in the background shaking his head at the audacity of WSC for turning the fishing expedition into a full-fledged circus, he had nothing left to do but stand up and question WSC on his own, urging her to stop probing Alicia for personal details. In the end, Alicia ended up having to admit she had a sexual relationship with Will but it has since ended (paper bag + stress ball = me, freaking out on my couch). Did that honestly just come out?! I’m still in disbelief, but after re-watching this scene once, twice, okay, three times, I can state for the record: that just happened. While Alicia looked horrified at WSC’s line of questioning (which seemed to equally bother Cary), the accusation that Alicia was moving up in the corporate ladder because of her relationship with Will, threw things over the edge. Getting up, Alicia walked out of the courtroom while saying, “You’re out of control.”
With the fate of Will Gardner left to the people, WSC assumed she had made her case, because as we know, grand juries will indict anything – even a ham sandwich. What WSC didn’t bank on was the fact this pirate-doodling crowd was more suspicious of the oft-mentioned “Peter Florrick” and the “fifth amendment” judge. In their minds, Florrick and Parks should have been the ones arrested (enter a coy smirk from Cary, who, on some level, also agreed). Wendy Scott-Carr, game over. Literally. Peter Florrick just had your parking validated.
What the Fish?
While Will, Diane and Alicia were busy with grand jury, Eli was off sleuthing new business over at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Chicago (GLAC). Also vying for new business was Stacie Hall, the clever campaigner who worked Eli out of his dairy job. Chicago, it would appear, is a very small city, especially for these types of gigs and in the case of Eli and Stacie, they always seem to find themselves in each other’s business… both figuratively, and as of this episode, literally. Stacie admitted she “desired” Eli and Eli reciprocated, but only after securing the GLAC account. The sting? Stacie is now representing Eli’s ex-wife, Vanessa, in her campaign for state senate.
Top Seven Breath-Taking Moments (Just be thankful I didn’t pick my top 28… because that’s where this list started)
1) The Kitchen Conflict – Time for my stress ball! Worried about Will, Alicia confronted Peter about the grand jury, asking him to back down. Accusing her of sleeping with Will, Peter yelled, “off course that’s the issue!” regarding this whole legal mess. Following up to the outburst, Alicia calmly, and honestly stated there’s nothing between she and Will… but Peter called her out on semantics, a game he knows, and plays, all too well.
2) The Friendly Phone Call – Finally, a truly great glimpse into the beautiful world of Team Gardner – Oh how I’ve been waiting for this moment! Harkening back to the I miss you phone call from “Feeding the Rat,” Alicia called Will to wish him luck and apologize for any involvement she may have had in his current situation. In what could be considered one of their most heartfelt conversations to date, their chat was a perfect blend of concern, love and respect for each other. Sigh. I think I just melted. Let’s get these two back together!
3) Will on the Stand – This scene made me pull out a paper bag and be thankful for those deep breathing techniques learned in dance class. Having Will on the stand was nail-biting enough, but when he pulled out all of the evidence to contradict what WSC was presenting? I couldn’t help but shriek. Also, it was nice to learn Will has a philanthropic spirit – giving to Unicef and supporting immunizations in Uganda is downright admirable. In fact, I’m pretty sure public knowledge of that would elevate him to at least 10th spot for Chicago’s most eligible bachelors.
4) There’s the Slap – I don’t know what Dana expected when Kalinda passed along the McDermott file, but she couldn’t possibly have though K would throw Will under the bus. Surely she’s not that naive. Oh wait. She was. As predicted, Kalinda saved both Alicia and Will in one fowl swoop, like a leather-clad hero whose main superpowers involve sheer brilliance and a knack for outwitting those who have spent eight plus years attending university. Two words: Pa chow. Admittedly, Kalinda felt kind a little bad about having to use Dana to save those she cares most about, so she offered Dana a consolation prize: “Go ahead, hit me. It will make you feel better.” Slap.
5) The New Subpoena: Alicia Florrick – Perhaps the most intense moment of the whole episode came when Alicia took to the stand, was forced to admit her relationship with Will and found a surprising ally in Cary who tried to diffuse the situation. Walking out in the middle of WSC’s accusations was part of the new Alicia we’ve seen grow and develop over the past three years. She’s not afraid to take a stand and she’s even less afraid of what Peter or anyone else is going to do about it. I was proud that she stuck her ground – Alicia 2.0 is someone you don’t want to cross.
6) Mulled Wine and Brandy – Eli has danced on the verge of relationships before, but we’ve never seen him take the leap… until now. Baited with mulled wine, brandy and whipped cream-covered fingers, Eli was seduced (or was he the one doing the seducing?) the unflappable Stacie Hall. Talk about a game of thrones – these two have a love/hate relationship that continues to see them working to one-up each other in the chess game that is business. I can’t wait to see these two face-off again… and with Eli’s ex in the mix, it’s likely to happen sooner rather than later.
7) Here I Go Again, On My Own – The one thing you can always count on to make an episode of The Good Wife better is a scene with Will and Diane. Spotting each other through the fishbowl boardroom glass, they met, looked at each other and began to dance to Audra Mae’s powerful version of Here I Go Again. As Will spun Diane and they looked warmly at each other, I couldn’t help but think: this is what television gold looks like… if only they had won the SAG.
Quotes of the Week:
Elsbeth: So, here’s the thing: Grand juries indict, hamburgers and all.
Will: Ham sandwiches.
Elsbeth: Yes. So, you’re going to get indicted unless… Oh, I like that pin.
Diane: Thank you
Elsbeth: Unless someone pulls the plug, someone higher...
Alicia: Will… I’m sorry.
Will: Don’t be.
Alicia: I am.
Will: Well then be sorry because it’s happening, don’t be sorry because of anything else.
Alicia. Okay. Do good.
Will: Always.
Will: That was a close one.
Diane: Yes. Let’s try to reduce the excitement level from now on, shall we?
Peter to Wendy Scott-Carr: Thank you for your service. My assistant will validate your parking… Now, get out of my office.
What’s next?
There are many things The Good Wife has taught me about law and a few things I’ve picked up on the street. In episode 15, “Live from Damascus” the culmination of book smarts and streets smarts collide when the Bar Association calls for Will, because, let’s face it: they rarely call about anything good – it’s official, you’re in trouble. It appears that Wendy Scott-Carr wasn’t joking about sending Will’s infractions to the Bar Association and the next step is having him disbarred. Unfortunately we have to wait until February 19 for this next collection of trials of tribulations, so until then, I suggest enjoying some mulled wine and brandy topped with whipped cream – things are going to get bitter sweet.
