Closing Arguments - March 2012

Alicia's iPod Playlist & Poll Results - Why Alicia Shouldn't Return to Highland Park

Season 3 | Post Date: April 13, 2012

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March was packed to the brim with new episodes of The Good Wife and with just three new shows left, it’s time we take a quick look back over the last month.  This means it’s time to update your playlists with songs from The Good Wife and review the results behind our “Why Alicia Shouldn't Return to Highland Park” poll. 

Alicia's iPod Playlist

I’m not going to lie. I haven’t been able to stop playing Audra Mae’s “Here I Go Again” since it was featured in January, but fortunately, March brought with it a few new songs worthy of a playlist upgrade.

From After the Fall

Ombra mai fu |George Frideric Handel (1738) 

Originally featured as the opening aria in Handel’s Serse 

The scene:  As Will sits at home (in a rustic, manly and superbly decorated loft), just days after the grand jury, he finds himself watching a video documentary on suicide for a case on which he is still allowed to comment.  “Ombra mai fu” plays somberly in the background as a young woman throws herself from a bridge.  End scene.

From Long Way Home

Dust Bowl III | Other Lives (2011)

The scene: After hearing her old house in Highland Park is back on the market, Alicia takes an emotional walk through the place she called home for 15 years.  In a performance truly worth of another Emmy, we watch Alicia struggle with the joy and sorrow trapped in each room of the house.  This song is a perfect accompaniment to the heartbreak we all felt as we opened the door to the past with Alicia.  This scene deserves to be watched over and over again.

From Gloves Come Off

My Name is Money | Sonia Leigh (2011)   

The scene: Alicia and Will get together with Frank Michael Thomas (Fred Dalton Thompson) in a bar to discuss a suit Lockhart Gardner is bringing against the NHL.  Thomas, however, is looking for something different, something he can use against Louis Canning in an upcoming class action.  Nothing is ever simple, is it?  At least we can hope Will and Alicia shared a drink before they left the bar… 

Pretty Good | Peasant (2012) 

The scene: Sitting in a different Chicago bar waiting for our favourite process server, Jack, Diane realizes she has been stood up.  What’s a lady to do but go to plan ‘b’ with the lyrics “And all night I was on your mind” playing in the background?  Seizing the moment, Diane decides to call the oft-thought about ballistics expert, Kurt McVeigh.  If there's one person who deserves to have a little fun (and a night on the town), it's Diane.  The song may have been "Pretty Good," but Diane of late has been more like Pretty Great.

From Blue Ribbon Panel  

November 1, 1832 (featuring Jesy Fortino) | Balmorhea (2009) 

The scene: With encouragement from her realtor, Alicia decides to write a heartfelt letter to the woman selling the old Florrick house, in the hopes it will give her offer an edge.  As Alicia struggles to write the letter, as an audience, we similarly struggle watching her go back down memory lane.  Warning: This song is intense but beautiful – listen only if you are prepared to feel a little morose.

For more songs from The Good Wife, check out Tune Find. 

The Results:  Why you, the readers, don’t think Alicia should return to Highland Park

In case you missed it, I’ve been stewing over this whole “Alicia moving” debacle since the story first surfaced and I couldn’t help but put together a list of reasons why I thought going back to Highland Park was a bad idea (click here if you missed it). Having had the poll up for just over two weeks, the results are in!  You, the readers of Lockhart Gardner: An Inside Look at The Good Wife, have voted and in doing so, helped me rank the reasons why Alicia should take Highland Park off her radar and focus on her future:

From my perspective, the only thing this list is missing is the obvious #9: The fact living in her old house would be awkward when things with Will finally work out.  Oh for the love of Team Gardner *sigh.*

Next Up (Note: Spoiler Alert)

The wait is finally over!  April 15 is boasting the first of three episodes that will marathon through the finale on April 29.  In the upcoming “Pants on Fire” (formerly titled “No Ordinary Lie”), things will pick up right where they left off with Jackie and Alicia in the beauty salon.  Word on the street is that Alicia recruits Kalinda to help her with the Jackie problem, but it might not be quick enough as Peter has a thing or two to say about his mother’s interference in his life.  Meanwhile, Mike is back to give Peter a run for his money, Cary is back to join Lockhart Gardner and an old “friend” of Will’s (Cassie), enters the scene and is looking for a date.  Get out your paper bags, stress balls and memories of the season two finale (elevator fireworks anyone?) – the final three episode of this season are set to be explosive.

"Blue Ribbon Panel," Gold Medal Performance

Episode Title: Blue Ribbon Panel (yields Gold Medal Performance for Julianna Margulies)

Season 3, Episode 19 | Original Air Date: March 25, 2012

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Rarely am I at a loss for words.  This blog is clear proof of that fact.  There’s little I can write that would be more accurate or succinct than this: If ever there was an episode for Julianna Margulies to shine as Alicia Florrick, “Blue Ribbon Panel” would be it.

In fact, I loved Alicia *so* much in this episode, I’m going to forego a standard recap and instead take a closer look at scenes from this week that made me say, “Just when I thought I couldn’t love this show any more they went and [insert awe-inspiring moment that made me laugh, cry or cheer].”

Now, where to begin?   

The Honesty Policy 

The scene: Alicia staring at Kalinda staring at Alicia.  Silence. 

Kalinda broke the stillness by saying, “I’m not sure.”  You see, Kalinda feels she has an obligation to keep secret the names of those who employed her for freelance work.  The IRS has a different opinion on these matters and now it’s Alicia’s job to invoke the honesty policy she put in place last week and get Kalinda to disclose her income sources.  The first cheque in question came in the amount of $2,460 for three days work (which amounts to $102.50/hour for anyone who’s counting) but right off the top Kalinda was guarded.  Why?  Well, someone Alicia knows paid Kalinda for her time.  

Oh no.  

When it comes to Kalinda, the who and the why could be anything, so Alicia is left to shoot K an oh god, what did Peter pay you for now? look but before she could answer, Kalinda jumped from her chair in order to pay Diane a quick visit.  Returning with a bounce in her step, Kalinda shared with Alicia that Diane contracted her for… firearms lessons.  At this point, Alicia’s expression said, I’m simultaneously relieved, impressed and glad I asked Diane for the raise before her marksmanship skills were revealed, while Kalinda’s expression said, I could give you firearms lessons, too… and it wouldn’t cost you $102.50/hour.  This was the best three minute opening of The Good Wife maybe ever.

Side note: What is this mystery account from which Diane is writing cheques?  I have a feeling there could be a good backstory lurking in, say, season five?

Alicia Florrick's "Firearms" face

Live from the IRS

The scene: Kalinda is busy getting to know the IRS officials when Alicia rushes in. 

Alicia: I am so sorry. I was held up.  Sorry Ms. Sharma.

Kalinda: That’s quite alright, Ms. Florrick. It gave us time to get acquainted.

When it comes to Kalinda, the IRS is after one thing: getting down to the brass tacks surrounding her mysterious income… or at least that’s the façade they are using.  Apparently they aren’t satisfied knowing she has been hired in the past to perform research and background checks, they also want to know who has hired her and exactly what the projects entailed.  From the perspective of the IRS, this is like catching Al Capone on tax evasion.

Unfortunately, that’s not Kalinda’s biggest problem.  It seems this IRS “negotiation session” was being secretly recorded by a laptop webcam, an observation Kalinda shared with Alicia as they were leaving.  Having had a rough day already, Alicia stormed back into the room, approached the camera and exclaimed, “If you want something from us, call my office.  Stop playing through intermediaries!”  Pa chow, Alicia Florrick!  

It wasn't long before Kalinda's old friend, Lana Delaney (Jill Flint), appeared in Alicia's office with questions surrounding not only the IRS issue but for details surrounding Kalinda's potential connection to the oft-mentioned but rarely seen, Lemond Bishop.  As far as we know, Kalinda hasn't done any work for Bishop (remember, this was Blake's beat, not hers), but, let's be honest: anything can happen on The Good Wife.

Dear Gilda

The scene:  Having had her initial offer on the Highland Park house refused, Alicia's Realtor suggests a personal note of interest might sway the sellers in their decision. 

I’m the first to admit I’m completely against Alicia moving back to Highland Park (you can check out the top reasons why I think she shouldn't go back by clicking here), but that doesn’t mean it’s not an interesting rollercoaster.  Pulling out her “from the desk of Alicia Florrick” cherry blossom stationery, we watched Alicia struggle to put into words why she wanted the house again.  As an audience, we felt the exact same way.  The good memories were plentiful – Grace’s first steps, playing at bath time, installing a front yard mailbox and even playful moments with Peter; but the bad memories continue to be so haunting – news trucks parked on the driveway, Grace coming home crying, Alicia having to explain to both kids why their lives would forever be changed.  In the end I wasn’t sure Alicia would send the letter, but she did and Gilda responded.  While touched by Alicia’s words, her offer still wasn't enough.

Flash forward with a call from the Realtor, congratulating Alicia on figuring out a way to secure the house.  The problem?   It wasn’t Alicia.  That left two other Florricks and after a brief confrontation with Peter, the truth revealed itself: Jackie purchased the Highland Park home.

Peter: “Where are you going?”

Alicia: “To buy a gun.”

As though my love for Alicia wasn’t sealed years ago, and more recently in the opening scene of “Blue Ribbon Panel,” this quote was the icing on the cake.  First Jackie was coming to the apartment uninvited, then she was riffling through Alicia’s fine washables and now she’s buying Alicia’s old house?  I’d be enraged, too.  Also, now Alicia knows Kalinda can train her in firearm operation, the idea of purchasing a gun probably isn’t entirely unappealing.  

Now, I can’t say I didn’t see that coming, but it was surprising nonetheless.  I have a feeling Jackie bought the old Florrick homestead so Peter can move in and give off the impression that all is well in Pleasantville before election season.   Whatever the reason, Alicia tracked down Jackie in the hair salon to have a little chat.  And curtain.  All I can say?  I hope Alicia pulls out her you’re out of control face and gets her yell on.  

Blue Ribbon Panel

The scene: Diane, busy dealing with the ever-present inter-office bickering that has taken over Lockhart Gardner, asked Alicia to take her place on a Blue Ribbon Panel investigation surrounding a police shooting.  Alicia accepted and headed off to a location that can only be described as an old boy’s club.

This particular panel was made up of a few new faces paired alongside some familiar ones.  Two of the three judges in question from “Another Ham Sandwich” – Judge Winter (Peter Riegert) and Judge Dunaway (Kurt Fuller) – were both present, as were a few fresh characters, including Pastor Yarrow (Charles Dutton) and Mike Kresteva (Matthew Perry).    

Now, I don’t know much about Blue Ribbon Panels – only that they are independent investigations that can pull in field experts to analyze information and study a specific question.  In this case, that question had to do with an undercover police shooting involving a civilian and a dropped gun.   Sitting in a semi-circle, everyone on the panel had five minutes to question each of the witnesses; however, Alicia was the only person to use their time, which quickly forced her to be reprimanded by the other panelists.  After having been warned that she could be making quick enemies, Alicia never wavered in her resolve to get to the bottom of the shooting, that was, until Kresteva started to make things about Peter.

Ultimately being forced to recuse herself from the panel based on a conflict of interest, Alicia stood up to the challenge like a seasoned pro and was ultimately granted the respect she fully deserved by the likes of Winter and Yarrow.  As for Mike Kresteva?  He enjoyed putting Alicia between a rock and a hard place, making the police shooting about Peter and forcing Alicia off the panel.  For Alicia, this kind of pressure showed her strength as a lawyer and as a woman, but also highlighted her passion for justice and her desire to believe that not all verdicts in Chicago can be bought.

Bits and Bites - Flip you for it

If there’s one thing that can bring Eli, Julius and David together, it’s a good bout of verbal sparring.  Diane must be counting down the days until Will can return to work instead of throwing his baseball in the air and rearranging office supplies.  

This week, everything came to a head between the equity partners – Eli and Julius teamed up (okay, flipped a coin and Julius won) to go up against David Lee.  The only problem?  Neither David nor Julius has ultimate seniority.  No, that falls to the beloved Howard Lyman (Jerry Adler), who we last saw in season two’s “Great Firewall.”  Remember when everyone was trying to oust Bond and they had to call in all of the old equity partners (who hadn't died) to make it happen?  Yes, Lyman is the only one who seems to have survived and he’s looking for an office close to the bathroom… and Will’s inside scoop on nefarious websites.   He’s in, Julius and David are out.  Lockhart Lyman it is – let’s get some stationery ordered!

What’s next?

With just three episodes left this season, what’s in store is anyone’s guess.  While we have to endure a mini-hiatus (to ponder what will become of Jackie and her wet hair), The Good Wife will go out with a marathon of new episodes, April 15, 22 and 29. Until then, here’s something to think about: In April 15^th’s “No Ordinary Lie,” Alicia finds herself working on a plea deal while juggling life back in the public spotlight thanks to Peter’s latest political rival.  Who could this adversary be?  My money is on Mike Kresteva (Matthew Perry).  With all of the mentions of Peter during the Blue Ribbon Panel and Mike fully willing to pin the whole “mishandled gun” incident on the State’s Attorney, I can’t help but think we’ve been set up. 

Related to this Post:

• Behind the Scenes at the Filming of “Blue Ribbon Panel”
• Eight Reasons Why Alicia Shouldn't Return to Highland Park
• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Grilled Apple and Cheese - A perfect sandwich for Jackie's wholesome, 'apple pie' style
• Catch up on episode 19, “Gloves Come Off”
• The Latest Briefs – The Good Wife in the news

The Good Wife: Why Alicia Shouldn't Return to Highland Park

Eight Reasons Why Alicia Shouldn't Return to Highland Park

Season 3 | Original Post Date: March 23, 2012

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It’s a question everyone has contemplated at some point in life: Once you leave, can you ever really go home? Lately, we’ve seen Alicia Florrick crunch the numbers and toy with the idea of purchasing her old house in Highland Park.  It’s large, it’s beautiful but it’s also a reminder of everything she once had, good and bad.  While yelling at my television doesn’t seem to be helping her make the decision any faster (“Please don’t do it, Alicia – I’ll give you a list as to why this is all a very, very bad idea!”), the next best thing is actually compiling a record of the most important reasons she shouldn't go back.

1) Price – This is the most obvious reason, but something that cannot go unmentioned.  The Highland Park house is $1.9 million.  I don’t care what kind of bonus Diane approved, Alicia is still a third-year associate with two kids, both of whom she presumably wants to send to college.  Let’s look at the numbers:

First off, wow.  At first glance it almost looks like Alicia is making $40,000 a year... which is clearly ridiculous (and would mean things at Lockhart Gardner are tighter than I had imagined!).  Yes, it could be her expense budget... or, perhaps the director just didn't realize we'd be looking so closely at Alicia's math.  Where is this $5,200/month coming from?  In any case, the list seems to be missing a few critical line-items, including payments for Zach’s new car and a budget for Alicia’s ever-growing wardrobe of beautiful designer suits, shoes and blazers. 

2) Grace’s Swing – Sure, I’m still holding a grudge against Grace for that whole being “kidnapped” by Internet Jesus thing, not to mention the “Mom, pick up the phone” ringtone incident, but the fact of the matter is, Grace broke her arm on that swing.  Clearly it holds bad karma (or, Grace forgot to hang onto the swing’s ropes).  Either way, the result is the same: the swing is just another strike against the Highland Park house.  

3) College – Zach is going to be thinking about College sooner rather than later (with Grace not far behind) and with mortgage payments on the Highland Park home, Alicia’s ability to help with those costs will be increasingly limited.  Also, it is unlikely Zach will have Neesa as a study partner if he moves – scholarships could be in jeopardy. 

4) Yard work – A house means one thing: yard work.  Does Alicia really have time to mow the lawn, rake the leaves and cultivate a practical yet attractive seasonal garden?  I think not.  This means Zach and Grace will have to pitch in, or Alicia will have to hire someone.  Alternatively, she’ll be spending her weekends mowing the lawn unless she can convince Owen into coming over and helping out.  I’ll be the first to admit a scene of this nature would be entertaining (it’s like picturing Diane on a fishing boat dressed in Burberry), but, logistically, it’s not the right decision.

5) Grass Maintenance – If there’s one thing we learned from the season one episode, “Home,” it’s that Highland Park has strict rules about grass length and watering protocol.  Sure, those rules helped Alicia win that case, but having to adhere to such stringent regulations once getting to a condo/apartment setting is sure to be a shock to the system.  Owen will have to move in just for foliage observation and maintenance alone.

6) Commute Time – Admittedly, we don’t know much about the distance between the office and Highland Park, but we do know that Alicia’s current apartment is reasonably close to Lockhart Gardner.  More time in the car means less time on cases and more opportunities to spill coffee.  Also, this could mean she won’t be able to give Louis Canning as many rides because she won’t be “going his way” as often and, let’s be honest, The Good Wife wouldn’t be the same without those awkward car conversations that begin with, “my driver is at the dentist… would you mind giving me a ride?”

7) Fair Weather Friends and Neighbours – I feel like Alicia should be listening to Johnny Cash’s song, “Fair Weather Friends” on a daily basis so she can remember the fact that all of her former cohorts abandoned her when news of Peter’s scandal surfaced.  Alicia moved and no one called or visited.  Where did everyone go?  As Owen has noted, probably Facebook… but that’s of little consolation.  What Alicia needs is a sit-down with Kalinda, with these lyrics playing in the background:

Fair weather friends, fair weather sailors 

Will leave you stranded on life’s shore 

But one true friend, who really loves you 

Is worth the pain your heart endures

Of course, the irony of it all is that Kalinda is the one true friend who really loves Alicia…

8) Memories: Like price, the rationale behind this “reason not to go back to Highland Park” is obvious – everything about Alicia’s old life is represented in this house.  She will never be able to escape her history if she’s back living right in the middle of everything.  She can repaint the bedroom, remodel the kitchen, get new doorknobs and take down the swing, but these renovations won’t change anything.  Alicia 2.0 is about moving forward – the memories in Highland Park are too powerful for her to ever escape.

Now it’s your turn!  Sound-off in the comments section below: Do you think Alicia should or shouldn’t buy her old house?  Pro/Con lists are welcomed.

Related to this Post:

• The Top Five Things We’ve Missed about Kalinda and Alicia
• Johnny Cash's "Fair Weather Friends"