The Good Wife: "The Art of War" and the Mambo

"The Art of War"

Season 4, Episode 6 | Original air date: November 4, 2012

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Picture this:  A lobby on the 28^th floor. Leather furniture.  A room full of people.  Chatter is becoming increasingly loud and sidelong glances are being exchanged from one person to another.  It’s like the waiting room in a dental office, only slightly more ominous because a sleazy tow-truck driver/potential ax murder is chatting up the clientele.  This is what happens, I can’t help but think, when you go from three floors to two.  Madness.  Remind me to never verge on the edge of bankruptcy.

Lucky for me, I revel in the understanding that The Good Wife knows how to make everyone exceptionally uncomfortable at least three times a year.  “Throw everyone together and watch what happens” is becoming a tried-and-true formula on The Good Wife, and, like Peter to a scandal, I fall for it every time.

The real beauty of this opening?  Well, I’ll get to that in a minute.  With Josh Charles making a fabulous directorial debut, this episode of The Good Wife churned up more questions than it did answers.  Who made the decision to have the Florrick campaign posters feature Peter in a casual JFK-style, ‘look at me with my coat thrown over my shoulder’ pose?  Where did Alicia get her new watch?  Is the FBI tracking Eli or Kalinda and either way, what are they after?  Will Nick Savarese ever leave Chicago? 

With so many questions and so little time, it’s best to get right down to business.  In honor of Charles’ new title of ‘director,’ this week I’m featuring the Top 5 scenes from “The Art of War.”  Let me know your favourite moments in the comments below!

The Art of War – Top Five Scenes

1) Thrown off in a Waiting Room – I couldn’t leave you hanging (what was the real beauty of the opening?!) – There’s nothing I like more than watching Will squirm.  Okay, correction.  It’s one of my favourite things about him, when he’s not trying to woo Alicia or plot world domination with Diane.  Clearly there are a few things I adore about this eligible bachelor.  For today, I’m focusing on the squirming part.

For a man who usually exudes confidence, we’ve only ever see a few situations truly rattle him.  Flash back to season three’s, ‘Feeding the Rat,’ when Celeste approached Peter with Will by her side and started probing for answers surrounding Alicia working for Lockhart Gardner.  It was one of my favourite moments of all time, maybe because I like to see Will dance to the beat of a different drum, or maybe because I’m addicted to the drama.  Either way, it was gold. 

In “The Art of War” we found Will power-walking off the elevator, only to stumble into the powder keg known as the Lockhart Gardner waiting room, where he found his arch nemesis of the judicial community waiting: Judge Lorna Kuhn (insert gasps and cheers – I love character!).  From steadfast leader to babbling mess, Will continues to be rendered virtually speechless in her presence.  It’s awkward and outstanding… and I’ll probably watch this scene another six times before the week is through.  10 times if I’m being really honest.  This is getting added to my ‘favourite openings of all time’ list.  

2) Drinks for Two – It wasn’t celebratory tequila shots circa season one, but in a way it was even more delicious because of the journey to this point.  It was the moment we’d all been waiting for: Alicia and Kalinda sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, sipping drinks and sharing stories.  After last week when Alicia told Kalinda to ‘stay safe’ before K ended up sniffing out a dead body like a crime-fighting bloodhound, the thought of a refreshing libation was clearly the next logical step.  As is usually the case with these two, the conversation turned personal, but this time, for the first time, Kalinda wasn’t the least bit dodgy about her answers.  Is it possible that for Alicia, K has turned over a new leaf?  Let’s take a quick (slightly modified) look at what went down:

Alicia: “Do you love him?” 

Kalinda: “No” 

Alicia: “Did you just say no without hesitating?  Maybe this friends-on thing really is going to work.” 

Kalinda: “It’s about the only good thing having come from Grace’s run-in with Internet Jesus.” 

Alicia: “If only you knew how right you were.  One day I’ll have to tell you about Will, because frankly, I’m dying to talk to someone about what happened [and how hot it was], but for now, because I’m feeling especially creeped out by him, I have to ask: Is Nick dangerous?” 

Kalinda: “Sometimes.” 

Alicia: “Can you be more specific, because today he threw a fit in the office of Florrick and Agos over his Bishop-style tow-truck operation and now I have to get my desk repaired.” 

Kalinda: “I have a hard time staying away from him.” 

[insert Alicia’s I really have no idea what to say right now because he’s astonishingly dodgy and I’m still wrapping my mind around you having a husband expression] 

Kalinda: “I know it doesn’t make any sense.  I’m so much more mysterious when he’s not around.  Also, he’s cramping my style and drinking all of the milk in the house.”

3) Lieutenant Governor, Anyone? – Maddie Hayward, Mike Kresteva and Peter Florrick are all vying for Governor while Eli Gold is spending his time running to keep up.  If ever there was an Olympics for managing hot messes, this man would be the winner of multiple gold medals.  His office has being taken over by Lockhart Gardner associates and Clake Hayden has taken exception to Eli’s snide attitude about what’s rightfully his.  In Hayden’s defense, Eli does have a campaign bus in which to work while some people (read: Cary Agos) have been spending months working like gnomes under stairwells and behind bookshelves   If there’s one thing we know about Eli though, it’s that he doesn't like sharing… even if it is his mostly-vacant office. 
 

That’s what made Maddie’s offer for Peter to join her on the campaign trail that much more interesting.  While overhearing Maddie’s proposition, Eli lurked in a dark corner (where, by the way, he looked especially evil (see picture below) and almost as though he could be twirling a dirty mustache) and only surfaced when the coast was clear.  Eli isn't one to partner on a campaign and he’s keen enough to know Peter is no fool – at least when it comes to decisions surrounding a running mate.   Eli doesn't want to share Peter’s win with anyone else and with the straw poll results so strong (96% approval, let’s not forget), camp Florrick is going to be difficult to beat.  Who needs to share when you've got it all?

4) Cary Agos, at your Service – For whatever reason, Clarke Hayden has taken a liking to Cary.  It’s a bromance at its finest – the only thing missing is an after-work beer.  This love-in has not gone unnoticed and so the logical next step was for Diane to recruit Cary to investigate why Hayden couldn't find another word besides “crap” to describe the Lockhart Gardner month of September.  The answer?  Steve Jobs’ biography.  Oh sure.  Apparently crap is the new pink. 

With an ‘I owe you’ pending with Diane after his bout of sleuthing, Cary was handed two criminal cases on which to work.  For whatever reason Will has been shy in passing along work (which could be a result of Cary’s past involvement with the grand jury, or it could be because he only recently found out Cary had a desk), but as Diane has always been pro-Agos, she’s willing to play the game:  You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. 

At this rate, it’s just a matter of time before Cary gets bumped from Alicia’s office and put in Eli’s leather chair.  Granted, watching Alicia and Cary share an office and play the ‘twos a party, threes a crowd’ game is a lot of fun.  Also, I’m not ready to say goodbye to these two tag-team cases like they are with Nick and his tow-truck company.  Without saying too much, Alicia and Cary are able to read each other’s minds.  It’s fascinating and delicious.  Did I mention I want more?  Two scoops of Cary Agos, please.

5) Starting up Again – The case of the week involved Captain Laura Hellinger (Amanda Peet) who was sexually assaulted while in Afghanistan.  In a case where everyone knew the accused should have been convicted, he walked free.  Even his own lawyer, Bucky (not to be confused by the Chum-Hum mascot, Chummy), wouldn't shake his hand at the end of it all.  While the case was full of intricate details and more than a few outstanding sound bites (take Judge Abernathy’s, “global warming – one; skeptics – zero” quote as merely one example, only because I can’t do justice his commentary surrounding ‘LOL’ and ‘LMAO’), the most meaningful part of the case came not in its loss, but rather, for what was gained.  Alicia and Laura had an instant bond – a mutual respect – that could possibly turn into a friendship down the road.  Alicia was strong and yet comforting, two traits I find to be most admirable in her character.  Perhaps most significant were two lines to cap the episode:

Laura: “What do you do when it’s all over?” 

Alicia: “Start up again.”

If anyone knows anything about having to rebuild, it’s Alicia.  No two truer lines have ever been uttered on The Good Wife. 

Honorable Mentions

A) Jackie has a new man in her life.  His name is Christian, he’s Cuban and he’s going to teach her how to Mambo.   Sure, Peter is paying him $40/hour to keep an eye on her, but that’s hardly the point.  Christian could have the potential to turn into The Good Wife’s next greatest character.  The best part?  He makes Peter very uncomfortable.  I’m in complete and total love.

B) Kalinda, Eli and the Feds.  It’s anyone’s guess who Lana is really after, but based on her secret photo stash of Kalinda, my bet is that Eli might just end up being a casualty of war.  If Lana brings Kalinda down because of Lemond Bishop, that’s not going to look good on Eli, who, for the most part, enjoys the benefits of being an equity partner of Lockhart Gardner.   Working with David Lee is just a nasty irritant. Next stop: A blow-up in Peter’s campaign.  For someone who doesn't like making friends, Eli is certainly good at weaving complex relationship webs and all of his ties leading back to the firm might not end up working in his favor. 

Eli's "Kalinda, what the hell?" face

Next Up:

“Anatomy of a Joke” – The Good Wife welcomes Christina Ricci to its ever-growing slate of guest stars, in an episode that looks like it’s about to take dramatic hilarity to the next level.  With Eli fending off questions about Peter’s lower half and Alicia defending a vulgar comic, all bets are off with where the chips are going to land.   

  

Related to this Post:

• Catching up: “Waiting for the Knock” aka The Case of the Illegitimate Juice Bar
• This week in news: The Good Wife’s latest briefs
• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: Cuban Campaign Snacks - Guacamole!

The Good Wife: "Waiting for the Knock" aka The Case of the Illegitimate Juice Bar

"Waiting for the Knock"

Season 4, Episode 5 | Original air date: October 28, 2012

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Lemond Bishop: He’s suave, he’s sophisticated and he’s smart.  Did I mention handsome?  Well, he’s that, too.  Best of all, he’s a father who loves his son to limitless bounds – an admirable quality that would surely challenge the top spot for Chicago’s Most Eligible Bachelor list.  Of course, the reason he’s eligible is because he had his wife offed.  Oh, and he’s a drug king pin.

Fortunately for me, I can’t get enough of Lemond Bishop and his shading dealings.  That could be one of the reasons I loved this week’s episode.   The Good Wife’s now classic roaster of criminals I adore is ever-growing (and can I just say I would pay a lot of money to see Sweeney and Bishop share a jail cell?  A lot.  Like illegitimate juice bar a lot). 

“Waiting for the Knock” was one of the better character development episodes of the season so far – in my opinion – so this week my commentary will look at things from an individual perspective.  Get ready for ‘Cary Agos, Big Brother’ and ‘Will you want me to do what? Gardner.’  As always, I invite you to take to the comments section at the end and let me know your thoughts on this week’s episode!

Eli Gold – The Man Who Wants the Shirt off your Back. Literally.

Picking up right where we left off, Eli was, once again, fully ensconced in a case of reputation management.  It’s probably a good thing he didn't know Alicia was off sharing tea with a drug lord, otherwise he probably would have had a complete meltdown.  But I digress.  With Maddie hovering at the party, Jimmy V lurking behind his computer and Peter shaking hands and holding babies, Eli was bound to get caught up in more than he could handle.  We've seen Eli scramble before, but it’s a place he doesn't like to be and a place he doesn't handle particularly well.  

What I find to be interesting about Eli this season is how he is using his Lockhart Gardner connections to further Peter’s campaign.  Alicia is just an aside in this whole thing.  He is building a network of unexpected Florrick campaign allies – Kalinda investigating off the side, Will getting pulled into the crux of problem-solving – it’s something unexpected that could have some very interesting repercussions down the road.  Eli is already close to unearthing the Kalinda/Peter fiasco and the more he pulls in people close to Alicia, the more he’s building an ‘I owe you’ network.  Peter can already see this going badly – you can tell simply by his reactions every time Eli shares something good that has happened because all the things that are going right are coming from Alicia’s little corner of the world.

The fact is, Eli is paid to mitigate risk and keep up an appearance of cool, but sometimes the campaign trail isn't so kind.  Sometimes you need to take extreme measures.

 Will you want me to do what? Gardner

Having nowhere left to turn in the case of ‘Jimmy V and the blog post’ Eli called Will.  Will?  Wait.  Did that just happen?  Whipping out my ‘things I didn't see coming list,’ I put this at the very top.  Ever the professional, Will did what he could for a client (while, wearing another great semi-casual Saturday outfit *sigh*) – it’s not personal, it’s business – but unfortunately this business just got very personal.  Even though we only had the chance to look at Will’s face for a minute, his expression told a story of epic proportions.  It went something like this:

Out of everyone you know, everywhere in the world, why did you call me?  ME.  Seriously Eli, weren't you there when we all got out of the elevator in The Dream Team?  It was awkward.  And not just because Patti Nyholm's baby was running around.  I know you remember this - you pretended like it was a surprise party for Kalinda, who, by the way, also thought it was awkward.  You know Peter and I don’t really get along and that Alicia and I have shared a little love in the afternoon.  Okay, you don’t know specifics, but you intercepted my ‘I love you message’ so you know I’m not the first, second, or 45^th person you should be calling.  Glen Childs would have been a better choice – and that’s saying something.  Sure, I know I’m good at intimidating the media – I've done it before (and I think I've even had a few dates come out of it), but it’s not something I want to do to help Peter.  Also, did I mention I’m still in love with Alicia?  Right, so there’s that, too. 

Kalinda Sharma and the 100 Meter Dash

For the second week in a row Kalinda’s head has been back in the Lockhart Gardner game and in “Waiting for the Knock” she was even able to juggle Nick’s creepy shenanigans while finding a rotting body in a trunk (the latter she did while chasing a motorcycle in her 5 inch heels – not an easy feat, ladies and gentleman, not an easy feat).

While K’s ability to sniff out a corpse is second to none, what I was most impressed with this week came during her interactions with Nick.  First, her ability to keep her professional cool during the meeting about his skeezy tow truck business and second, her candor and strength when telling him she’s a different person than he once knew.  I mean, sure.  She went from Laila to Kalinda; from being married to a man to being flexible with everyone and from making omelettes to shooting tequila.  My words to Nick: You've got to get out of dodge - she’s not the same.  Also, you’re not the first person who has loved her only to have their heart broken.  Take a number.

Perhaps the most interesting development in Kalinda’s story line came as a result of Nick (hallelujah, he’s doing more than pulling knives and inappropriately licking ice cream) and the fact he ransacked Lana’s apartment, only to find a shrine dedicated to Kalinda.  Me + notebook = I didn't see that coming, take II.  The one photo Nick was able to snatch from the apartment was of Kalinda and Eli talking – someone was clearly lurking in the bushes, watching K’s every move.  I’ll confess to being intrigued about where this is going. Is Lana keeping these pictures because of personal or professional reasons?  She’s always really liked Kalinda, so are the images the product of an obsessive love, or are they because of Lockhart Gardner’s close ties to Lemond Bishop? 

Now the tables are turning on Kalinda.  Where she was the one using people, it appears that now people are turning around and using her.  At least she has Alicia, who is saying caring things like, ‘stay safe,’ which, while making Nick lose his mind because he thinks K is in love with Alicia (a likely observation – I mean Alicia is the only person to ever have made Kalinda cry), is also a great development of the new K & A relationship.  There’s no room for Nick in Kalinda’s life anymore.  She has Alicia.

Alicia Florrick, Belle of the Ball

When last we saw Alicia she was taking time away from sharing her office space with Cary to visiting the straw poll to show her support of Peter.  Making the rounds, we had the chance to relive Alicia’s encounter with Jackie and her roach-infested wine, only to be followed up with Jackie calling Alicia ‘the belle of the ball.’  While viewers might agree with that statement, Jackie has never been so kind.  Even Maddie, who doesn't know Jackie, thought the statement to be boldly sweet.

Before having the chance to see Jimmy V’s blog go live, Alicia was whisked off to Lemond Bishop’s Chicago mansion (which, I might add, I want to model my dream home after.  This man knows how to decorate.  Or, he knows who to pay.  Either way, I loved it).  We haven’t seen Alicia be able to use her caring, nurturing side in a case much lately, but it’s always interesting when we get to see that side of her.  She is a smart, hard-hitting lawyer, but unlike many of the other associates we encounter on the show, Alicia has a distinct sense of empathy that makes the audience relate to her.  Diane can be caring, and we've see this, but Alicia has a calming warmth and the ability to put people at ease, even during the most challenging of times.  Watching her interact with Bishop’s son, Dylan, reminded me why Alicia Florrick is one of my favourite characters on television, and why Julianna Margulies is one of the best actors around.

Cary Agos, Big Brother

With all hands on deck for Lemond Bishop’s case, Cary was pulled in with everyone else to get to the bottom of the FBI’s new-found interest in this drug king pin.  Legitimate business, illegitimate business,  tomato, tomatoe.  The one thing Cary has always been good at is working as a part of a team and this week that was taken to a whole new height when he got himself arrested just to get the FBI’s search warrant.  Oh Cary – I’m so glad to see you back in action.  I just wish we would have seen who had the opportunity to bail you out.

Meanwhile, Cary was wrapped up with all kinds of things this week when he wasn't in handcuffs.  Making the highlight reel:

1. Cary watching Kalinda and Nick interact in the elevator bank at Lockhart Gardner – he knew something was up – investigators and clients don’t usually shove and talk so close they are near kissing… but then again, it is Kalinda, so like many things involving her, Cary was willing to let it slide.
2. Cary pulling Clarke Hayden into the Bishop investigation.  As it turns out, Hayden really enjoys using his accounting skills to crack a case.  This week, that came in the form of footnotes in some unbalanced books from a juice bar in a gym.  It was like all-too-twisted Nancy Drew mystery, but Hayden loved it.  He was almost happy.  In fact, when he sat down with Cary to talk about his involvement in the case, he was downright gleeful.  For whatever reason, Hayden has taken to Cary like a moth to a flame.  It’s strange though – where one would think Hayden would be acting as a mentor to Cary, it’s actually the other way around.  Cary is the one playing the role of big brother.  Cary is inspiring Hayden to be actively involved and not just provide commentary from the sidelines; Cary is the one giving him career tips and encouraging Hayden to be more at the firm. 

What’s next?

First, a preview: "The Art of War"

Maddie Hayward has pulled her support from Peter’s campaign.  It was a good two episodes while it lasted.  I’m sure her contributions paid for the shirt Eli wrote Jimmy V’s number on and maybe Jackie’s bug-infused Malbec.  While she wants to continue being Alicia’s friend, I’m beginning to sense a new plan afoot.  With no other female candidates in the running, and Peter being dragged back into the media under the veil of another sexual indiscretion, I can’t help but think Maddie might just throw her hat in the ring.  I’m not entirely sure where that’s going to put her relationship with Alicia, but my money is on ‘strained.’ 

Also up next week: Judge Abernathy and Judge Kuhn are back in Josh Charles’ directorial debut.   Color me excited!  Judge Kuhn has previously loathed Will and Judge Abernathy has kept the bar raised when it comes to quirkiness.  The two of them together is sure to be an outrageous adventure.  Is it Sunday yet?

Related to this Post:

• Lemond Bishop gets carted off to prison while Josh Ritter plays in the background…

• Catching up: “Don’tHaze Me Bro” and all that swishiness
• This week in news: TheGood Wife’s latest briefs
• Food Inspired by TheGood Wife: A Juice Bar Smoothie