Showing posts with label Pants on Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pants on Fire. Show all posts

19 April, 2012

Why Cary Agos Belongs Back at Lockhart Gardner

Just in time for the finale, Cary is set to return to Lockhart Gardner
Season 3| Post Date: April 19, 2012
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News of Cary Ago’s imminent return to Lockhart Gardner is swirling in the air like the sweet smell of cookies on a summer afternoon.  I, for one, couldn’t be more excited, as Cary is one of The Good Wife’s many treasures.  He’s always up to something interesting, whether trying to keep one step ahead of Kalinda, undermining the opposition or finally understanding the kind of power Peter wields.  Moving back to Lockhart Gardner also means more air time for this character, something fans have been wanting since he moved to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  Did I mention he’s not terrible to look at, either?  Yes, that too.  With much love and admiration, I say: Cary Agos, welcome home.


10 Reasons Cary Belongs Back at Lockhart Gardner
(Number one is my favourite... but how could I stop there?)

10) He has grown up – Cary’s first job out of college was with Lockhart Gardner.  His ego complimented his eagerness to tackle any project and, when he played his hand right, he came out ahead of Alicia.  He was a junior associate on fire, until the economic situation (and Alicia’s political acumen) forced him out of Lockhart Gardner and onto other opportunities.  Glen Childs found Cary at a bar and Peter kept him on after the election.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Having been gone for two years, Cary has grown into a mature, shrewd and up-standing lawyer.  Now is his time to shine.

9) He has seen some things – The situation at the State’s Attorney’s Office is, as Cary has stated, “getting murkier by the day.”  There’s no mistaking who runs the show in Cook County – it’s Peter Florrick.  Of course, that’s the way it should be, but with Peter hiring friends, firing ASAs and making decisions that could be reflecting racial bias, there’s no telling how far up (or down) the totem pole Cary will land.  One day he has a monogrammed door, the next day he’s lurking in a cubicle, using old newspaper as a note pad.

8) Now he can date anyone he wants in the SA’s Office – Dana Lodge is gone (though by no fault of Cary’s… she was the one who happily hopped aboard the Wendy Scott-Carr bandwagon and was subsequently trampled by it when it went off course) and Geneva Pine wants his head on a platter after her forced “relocation” imposed by Cary but ordered by Peter.  For now, that clears off anyone Cary *might* want to date at the SA’s Office, or at least anyone we’ve met.  Cary’s probably safest chatting up Matan Brody anyways.


7) He knows secrets… and those things are best kept in-house – Let’s not forget: Cary is the only person, aside from Alicia who knows a) That Kalinda slept with Peter and b) That Alicia and Will had a relationship.  Other people have half the story, some people have only speculation.  Cary has it all. 

6) He is like a Joni Mitchell song – Cary has “seen the world from both sides now” and he knows the pros and cons of each side of the fence.  When you think about it, in some ways, he’s the “new Kalinda” when it comes to the inner workings of the SA’s office.  Okay, no one can ever BE Kalinda, but he can try.  Also, people don’t suspect him of treachery as they do Kalinda, so it could work out in Lockhart Gardner’s favor to have him well connected.


5) He knows how Peter operates – Like Alicia, Cary now understands how Peter operates.  Having worked with Peter for a stretch of time, Cary will be able to better predict decisions and anticipate how outcomes are going to impact Peter’s campaign to become Governor.  Also, Cary now “gets” Alicia – he has been manipulated by Peter, knows how it feels and understands Alicia’s motives more than ever before.  This inside track will give him something to chat with Alicia about over late-night beers.

4) He knows Lockhart Gardner isn't really the dark side – Let’s not forget, Cary had to report to the purveyor of all things sinister, Wendy Scott-Carr.  The thing is, WSC is likely to return during the upcoming election (remember, Will wasn’t the one she was really after, even though, looking back, that remains confusing) – this means that no matter what, Cary will always be on the wrong side of WSC’s fence.  Sometimes you just can’t find greener grass… and sometimes you realize it’s the patch on which you’re standing.  


3) He is used to moving – Box in, box out, what’s one more trip?  I’ve never seen someone have to pack and unpack more than Cary Agos.  Transferring over to Lockhart Gardner hopefully means a more permanent office space… and they might even splurge to move his ficus.  I hope while they’re at it they give him a company mug.

2) He works better with Kalinda than against her – When Cary arrested Kalinda, I’ll confess that was a low-point for their relationship, but it was something he had to do.  I mean, against Kalinda, Cary is virtually powerless.  She takes things from his desk, sweet talks him into slipping him information and on occasion, he even offers things up (flashback to Cary tipping Kalinda off about her own grand jury investigation as well as all things “Blake”).  Sure, these two always tread a fine romantic line and now they’re becoming colleagues again, that could be tricky.  All things considered though, Kalinda has seen what an inappropriate ringtone can do to a relationship, so if she wants it to work, she’ll be discreet.


1) He could be part of the next legal “it” couple – Just think: Alicia and Cary could be the next Diane and Will.  Pa chow!  Stop the presses.  Yes, I just went there.  Of course, it’s too early to speculate, but I’ve thought a lot about this and it makes perfect sense.  How? 1) Alicia and Cary understand each other in a way no other two people on this show do 2) They are developing a strong friendship based on mutual respect and understanding 3) They aren’t attracted to each other (and so could happily dance in the hallways of their own law firm after hours) 4) Breaking off from Lockhart Gardner will be an inevitability – I mean, the rumor around the firm starting to sink takes hold in the last episode of this season… who’s to say if (or when) the ship will go down?  It's never to early to plan ahead.  Also, because I’m a die-hard Team Gardner fan, this would mean Alicia and Will could finally go on a date that doesn’t involve lurking in hotel bars, and 5) Cary has shown strong management potential – he is good in difficult situations and with Alicia’s keen political savvy and increasing network of business associates, the firm of Florrick and Agos is looking better by the day.


Now, over to you.  Are you excited to see Cary come back to the firm?  Sound off in the comments below.

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16 April, 2012

"Pants on Fire"

Episode Title: Pants on Fire (aka, A Ficus, a Fiend and Three Florricks: Let the Games Begin)
Season 3, Episode 20 | Original Air Date: April 15, 2012
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In the carefully calculated cocktail that is The Good Wife, this week’s, “Pants on Fire” added one part ficus, two parts fiend, two parts feud and one part friend to create something deliciously telling.  The result?  Jackie had a stroke, Mike announced his desire to be Governor, Kalinda solved a case involving bike clips for pants and friendship bracelets, and Eli broke things off with his ex-wife Vanessa to focus on Peter who, with Alicia by his side, is also running for Governor.  Oh yes, and Will ate a doughnut… and maybe got his pre-Alicia groove back with an old lawyer friend, Cassie. 


Whew!  Now that’s out of the way, it’s time to focus on some character updates, because, with just two episodes left, each show is beginning to matter more than the last, especially when it comes to things getting personal.  I’ll confess: Much like how Alicia is feeling with regards to Mike, I’m feeling with regards to the impending finale of The Good Wife: I have a sneaking suspicion we’re being set up.   

In my Opinion: Character Updates

Cary Agos – One man in a cubicle 

If there’s one thing Cary has learned from working with and against Kalinda for the past three years, it’s how to conduct timely and astute research.  He’s getting so clever in fact, he’s leaving Kalinda sticky note messages when he’s one step ahead.  He’s smart, he’s shrewd and as of this week, we know he can keep a ficus alive.  Basically Cary is the whole package, or was until his demotion.  Now, is it just me, or does Cary’s office space look different (sometimes better, sometimes worse) every time we see it?  I mean, sure, he has a plant and some comics, but after watching him fiddle with his pen, I’m left to wonder if he has even been given a workable writing implement.  Soon we’ll be seeing him having to sharpen a pencil with a pocket knife borrowed from Kalinda.  Clearly Peter took Cary’s advice and gave him anything but preferential treatment upon finding out about the Agos/Lodge affair on the State’s time (but, let’s not forget, not on the State’s couch).

Now, unless you’ve missed every article, commercial and interview pertaining to The Good Wife for the past month, you know that Cary will soon find his way back to Lockhart Gardner (okay, the next episode).  I’m not sure how all of this will play out, but I for one, can’t wait.  I just hope he gets to bring his ficus.


Will Gardner – Job: 0  Love life: 0  Future author prospect: 0 

Oh Will.  He’s still suspended and has written a book that apparently stinks.  I’m not sure why he hasn’t thought to ask Diane to co-author something (she IS brilliant), but it’s probably because she’s juggling a) cases b) administration duties c) two very datable men and d) the ever-looming question: Is there any point to having new glass etched with “Lockhart Lyman” or is that a line item on the budget that can be moved over into Eli’s pending request for an espresso machine? 

Enter Callie, an old friend of Will’s who apparently owes him a date from three years ago.  The thing is, Callie is a recovering drug addict, so she’s been through this whole “not allowed to practice” business and decides she’ll take Will to an AA-style meeting for disbarred lawyers.  I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get to hear the words, “Hi. My name is Will. I had a gambling problem.  10 years ago I took money from a client to pay a bad debt and returned it as soon as I could.  Unfortunately, I’m in love with the State’s Attorney’s wife, and, well, one thing led to another and I ended up in front of a grand jury… and now, here I am, eating doughnuts when I should be throwing my prized baseball in the air and being brilliant.”  Now, because this didn’t happen, we are left with the mental image of Callie feeding Will a delicious piece of deep-fried dough after having watched her hand Will her apartment address.  Callie’s no Tammy and she’s certainly no Alicia, but despite her upsetting sense of style, I’m sure she’ll be interesting to watch.  Okay, who am I kidding?  I detest her already.  I’m just trying to keep things cordial…



Peter Florrick – Let the race begin!

Will he run?  Won’t he run?  Will he run?  Won’t he run?  Eli surely spent more than a few days plucking petals off daisies in a “he loves me, he loves me not” fashion, only to find that, yes, Peter has decided to run.  Maybe it’s because Alicia has said she’ll support him, maybe it’s because Mike threatened him and, as we all know, no one threatens Peter and gets away with it, or maybe it’s because being Governor is what Jackie has always wanted for Peter, and now she’s had a stroke, he feels somewhat obligated?  Either way, Peter’s hot on the campaign trail.  My prediction?  Eli's going to have his hands full because I think this campaign is going to turn quickly towards Peter's alleged racial biases.  Just saying.



Jackie Florrick – Knows when to hold 'em, knows when to fold 'em

The cat’s out of the bag on this one: Jackie has had a stroke.  For all of the Jackie fans out there, don’t worry, I’m pretty sure this woman has at least nine lives.  At the opening of the episode we found ourselves back with Alicia and Jackie at the hair salon… and while I was disappointed their discussion didn’t get a little more heated, Alicia did promise to dig into Jackie’s background and find something to use against her.  Good thing Kalinda and Alicia are back on the friendship track!  Not worried, Jackie got her hair set and styled and went about her week.  Eventually ending up at the State’s Attorney’s Office, Peter tore a strip out of his mother while saying, “I need you to butt out … Do not buy that house.  Do you understand me?”  Pa chow!  No one buys Peter’s old house and leaves him standing on the doorstep looking in.  Okay, no one but Alicia. 

Jackie’s eyes welled and the next thing we know she’s calling Alicia from a flip phone from a hospital bed.  Before finding out she’s had a stroke, we learn Jackie got the down payment money for the house from Zach and Grace’s trust.  I can’t help but wonder if David Lee had something to do with this… but I digress.  When Alicia arrived on the scene, Jackie smugly whispered “I forgive you” in Alicia’s ear.  Confused?  Me too.  Also, I’m not entirely sure Jackie’s not faking the stroke entirely…



Mike Kresteva – Anything can be true if you believe it...

Speaking of frustrating people in Alicia’s life, Mike was back in full force, with more tricks up his sleeve than an aspiring magician.  He’s a sociopath and has an assistant named Ginger.  Really, he's kind of unbelievable.  Upon announcing his desire to run for Governor, he simultaneously threw Alicia under the bus, twisting the truth about the Blue Ribbon Panel and a cover-up from the side of the State’s Attorney.  I’m not sure whether to love or hate this character, so I’m willing to put him on my “love to hate list.”  Alicia, however, is adding him directly to her bucket list of people she must outsmart and with due haste. 



Alicia Florrick – Her story, his scandal... take two?

One step forward, eight steps back?  For whatever reason, Alicia has decided she wants to support Peter in his quest to become Governor.  Why?  I have no idea.  Maybe because for the moment she hates Mike more than she detests Peter’s indiscretions … or maybe it’s because for most of season three Peter has been painted with a palette-cleansing brush.  I’m not nearly as forgiving, but I also wouldn't have considered going back to Highland Park.  For all of the traits I admire in Alicia, my stomach dropped when I saw her standing next to Peter on the podium at the news conference.  The one thing I know: this won’t be a repeat of season one – Alicia is standing by, but this time she has a plan.  



Quotes of the Week:

Alicia: "I thought you said you liked the, what did you call it? Clarity." 
Cary: "Well, let's just say it's getting murkier by the day." 
Alicia: ... "You don't seem happy here, Cary." 
Cary: "Really?  Here in my cubical?  I've got my Family Circus cartoons and my ficus.  What more could I want?"

Mike (to Alicia): "I know a lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting its shoes on..."


What's next?
The preview for episode 21, "The Penalty Box" has rendered me nearly incapacitated... and I wish I was kidding. Cary returns to the folds of Lockhart Gardner (Lockhart Lyman?), Alicia and Kalinda share a drink at a bar (FINALLY!) and Diane is forced to say to Will, "Could you please leave your pants zipped?"  Oh yes, that just happened.    



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