The Good Wife: The Best & Worst of Season Three

A Look Back at the Most Memorable Moments

Summer 2012 Hiatus | Post Date: June 16, 2012

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With season three of The Good Wife officially in the record books, it only seems fitting we pause to celebrate the best (and worst) of those 22 glorious episodes.  It was a year that saw fans shrieking with joy (Team Gardner, we got this!) and moments later, covering their faces while repeating, ‘did that just happen?  No really.  Did THAT just happen?!’  Okay, maybe those were *my* reactions, but I like to think I’m not totally alone.  Honesty, did anyone see the whole Wendy Scott-Carr situation ultimately being about Peter?  Who would have predicted the end of Alicia and Will would be as simple as a ringtone?  To that end, whose heart didn't get torn into a million pieces during their breakup?  And last, but certainly not least, who would have thought Kalinda’s husband (ex-husband? Who really knows?) would be the start of her potential undoing?  While K waits at her door, gun close at hand, let's kick back and enjoy some of season three's most memorable moments.

Best Guest Star - Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni

“Whew!  Look at all this paper.”  It’s a phrase fans of The Good Wife (I swear, it’s not just me!) have incorporated into everyday conversation, all because of the brilliantly whimsical and stunningly clever Elsbeth Tascioni.  She was hired by Will on Alicia’s recommendation and outsmarted Wendy Scott-Carr in court and outside a play about dancing bears.  All I can say is: ‘Someone, please get this woman an invite to the Lockhart Gardner Christmas Party!’ – just imagine the hilarity that would ensue!  Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni is dynamic and charming… and strangely makes me yearn for more legal debauchery so she can grace our screens again.  I can’t help but think: Elsbeth having to defend Kalinda would be outrageously entertaining.  “Whew!  Look at all these uncashed cheques and stacks of money…”

Worst Story – The Florrick Homestead in Highland Park

The truth be told, I had to toss a coin to decide this one.  Heads was Alicia on the teeter-totter of her old Highland Park home; tails was Grace getting fauxnapped by Internet Jesus.  Oh how I long for the days of season one when Zach and Grace were channeling their PI skills and doing something useful.  *Sigh* Heads won, so it was decided: The back and forth on the Highland Park house was enough to make even Eli want to scream (which is saying something, since he specializes in mitigating disasters).  The house continues to provide an interesting device for a story arc as we head into season four and Peter makes a run for Governor.  With Jackie’s money tied to the house and Peter committed to doing yard work when he’s not trying to take out Mike Krevesta (Matthew Perry) at the knees, the idea of ‘can you ever go home?’ seems to be a theme the writers desperately want us to conquer.

Best Random Resurfacing Character (Single Episode) – Tammy
Okay, okay.  I know what you’re thinking. “Tammy?!  Really?!”  Oh yes, I’m not kidding.  Anyone who can elicit such dramatic expressions from Alicia deserves an honorable mention.  Not only that, she rocks journalist chic in an epic way.  While it’s no secret I’m a Team Gardner fan, for reasons I cannot explain, I have always found myself to be intrigued by Tammy’s character and how she fits into the bigger picture. 

Best Judge – Linda Emond as Leora Kuhn

Colonel Leora Kuhn, aka, Will’s arch nemesis in the land of military justice.  Her demeanor is dry but her wit is sharp and if there’s one thing she’s serious about, it’s making Will uncomfortable.   In many cases Will is able to charm and persuade not just Judges, but everyone (let’s not forget, he IS one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors).  With Leora Kuhn, the opposite is true and it makes for deliciously awkward and hysterical scenes.  Season three’s “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” prominently featured Kuhn and, for those of you keeping score, Lockhart Gardner didn’t win the case that went before her, despite a well-fought argument (and the beloved Captain Terrance Hicks).  Let’s hope the military gets roped into something next year.  Double points if Elsbeth and Will have to team up and go before Kuhn together.

Most frustrating character – Eli Gold

Now, don’t get me wrong.  In general, I love Eli.  He’s a public relations mastermind and his snappy dressing is second to none.  Unfortunately, this season posed a challenge for his character.  With no active campaigns, Eli was left floundering between crisis management and the brink of his own insanity.  Take, for example, the fact he spent the last quarter of the season trying to undermine his former ally, Diane.  We were never really given the full story as to why Eli wanted to oust Diane from named partnership, but the best thing to come from that story line was seeing him butt-heads with David Lee.  With the exception of Eli’s gig at the Dairy Association, his bed-side visit to Jackie and a smattering of brilliant one-liners, Eli Gold was a mere shell of his former self.  I can’t wait for his season four redemption, back in campaign mode and not crying over spilled milk.

Best Scene – “It’s a surprise party for you”
This category was almost impossible, but I had to challenge myself to come up with a single moment in time that I loved above all others.  Here goes:

Episode 3.22: “The Dream Team”

Location: The elevator (because, let's face it, that's where all the best things happen) followed by the reception area on the 28^th floor at Lockhart Gardner

Scene:  Will and Peter end up on the same elevator and engaged in awkward conversation. When the doors open, Alicia is there to greet them both.  Enter Eli who doesn’t know what to say to the Florrick/Gardner/Florrick team when Cary comes into the scene balancing a banker’s box on one knee while trying to shake Peter’s hand.  Through the group rolls Patti Nyholm’s baby who Will calls ‘their new associate’ and then, *ding* the elevator doors open to reveal Kalinda.

Why this scene was so great: It was a collision of, at minimum, five storylines at one time.  It was brilliantly scripted and exquisitely filmed.  Beyond that, this scene boiled so much of the show down to one key theme: Nothing is ever simple – we live in shades of grey.  It’s something Alicia mentioned at the beginning of season one and it’s a quote that continues to permeate the stories on The Good Wife each week.  

Best Overall Performance - Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart
There is little I can say that will do any justice to Baranski's excellence this year.  The character of Diane Lockhart has been strong since day one, but season three was the year for Baranski to shine.  Not only was she the glue that held Lockhart Gardner together, she defended Will's professional integrity, brought a legal aid organization into the firm and dated two men... at the same time.  She's like superwoman but in Stuart Weitzman heels. If ever there was a time to honor this actress with an Emmy, this would be the year.

Top Six Episodes - The Season's Best... In My Opinion
According to a recent article, The Good Wife has submitted 10 episodes for Emmy consideration.  That's 45% of their total shows this season.  Now, let's be honest.  I'm not great at narrowing things down and readers of this blog can all attest that brevity isn't my forte.  Noting this, how was I able to boil things down when the writers and producers couldn't?  It's simple.  I used a formula.  I don't want to get into specifics, but it involved a precise calculation of moments that made me laugh, clap, cry and cover my face while shrieking. I gave bonus points for scenes and episodes that did all four, especially when they did so simultaneously.  It's very scientific.

• Feeding the Rat - While Alicia is tackling a complicated pro-bono case, Will, Peter and Celeste are all busy attending a local conference.  The result?  An outrageous charade.  Also, Will drops an 'I love you' into conversation with Alicia.  Needless to say, I adore everything about this episode. 
• Executive Order 13224 - Alicia lands in hot water with the Treasury Secretary Monitor (the cupcake loving Mr. Higgs) and she hires Elsbeth Tascioni to help her from winding up in prison.
• Alienation of Affection - "You've been served."  Three little words that haunt everyone at Lockhart Gardner as Diane's soon-to-be love interest, Jack Copeland, shows up around Chicago delivering ominous manila envelopes.
• Another Ham Sandwich - Two words: Grand Jury.
• After the Fall - Will's suspension is official and his sisters arrive to comfort him during his time of need.  Hilarity ensues.  Rewatch count: Probably shouldn't admit.
• Blue Ribbon Panel - Alicia and Kalinda finally begin to connect about the mysterious tax file, but before long, Alicia gets pulled onto a Blue Ribbon Panel and finds herself looking for justice while defending herself from sociopath, Mike Kresteva.

Season Three Honourable Mentions - Most Memorable Moments
What can I say?  There are a few things I can't help but mention again...

• Alicia and Will at his apartment in the season premiere. Should they go to his room?  No.  The cabinet at the front door works just as well.  This was quite possibly the steamiest scene of season three (that is, depending on how you felt about Kalinda getting "flexible" with Lana...)
• Alicia’s infamous “Mom pick up the phone” ringtone exposing her relationship with Will. (Urgh. Will I ever be over this?  Unlikely.  I’m holding out hope for a season five Team Gardner reunion.  Who's with me?)
• David Lee coming to work in his HMS Pinafore costume
• Cary and Kalinda sharing a kiss
• Will saying, "I love you" to Alicia
• Diane confronting Will about his relationship with Alicia in the ‘we’re ousting Bond’ rooftop courtyard
• Alicia walking out of the courtroom during the grand jury showdown versus Wendy Scott-Carr
• Will’s sisters come to town and make every moment with their brother on-screen magic
• Kalinda getting arrested
• Will and Diane dancing around Lockhart Gardner to Audra Mae's 'Here I Go Again'
• Peter deciding to run for Governor 
• Alicia returning to Highland Park and remembering her former life
• Kalinda and Alicia finally sharing a drink together <insert jazz hands and tequila shots>
• Kalinda sledge hammering her bedroom wall/pulling up a chair to await her husband's  impending visit, gun close at hand

A Note of Thanks 

I’m particularly fond of season three because my love for all things The Good Wife came together in the form of this blog.  It brought some wonderful new friends into my life and helped me reconnect with those with whom I’d lost touch.  A special thanks to everyone who has supported my (occasionally) irrational love of Team Gardner... and to those of you who have celebrated Good Wife Sundays and Mondays with me every step along the way.  Here's to season four - here's to a new day!

Closing Arguments - January 2012

Alicia's iPod Playlist & January's Top Five Scenes

Season 3, February Hiatus | Post Date: February 6, 2012

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Between the Super Bowl and the Grammy’s, February is turning out to be “the great waiting game” for fans of The Good Wife.  Of course, we know that it will return with a vengeance on February 19, but what are we supposed to do until then?

Fortunately, I have more than a few ideas… so let’s get started!

Of course, Alicia's iPod would have Mika's "Any Other World"
filed in "Favorites" and playing on repeat, but there are plenty of new songs to add to that list!

Alicia's iPod Playlist

When it comes to music, new episodes of The Good Wife can only mean one thing:  It’s time to update current playlists!  Here are some of the most notable songs from January 2012’s episodes:

From Another Ham Sandwich

Here I Go Again | Audra Mae (2009) 

The scene: Will’s indictment falls through, so there’s nothing left to do but celebrate with drinks and dancing over Lockhart Gardner (and really, could there have been a better song for Will and Diane?  I think not).  Perfection!  Note: I recommend this song in large doses and on frequent replay. 

Set Us Free | Black Mountain (2005) 

The scene:  Wendy Scott-Carr introduces herself and the indictment process to the grand jury for Will Gardner.  While she talks, we see jurors doodling everything from pirates to wagon wheels.  Set us free, indeed!

From Bitcoin for Dummies

Magic Arrow | Timber Timbre (2009) 

The scene: Guest star, Jason Biggs, enters the lobby at Lockhart Gardner looking for Alicia, while being tracked by Federal Agents representing the Treasury.  He may be in trouble, but this song has both a serious and playful quality to it – much like the case surrounding Mr. Bitcoin.

Walk Like an Egyptian | The Bangles (1986) 

The scene: Kalinda heads to Decode-A-Con to get to track down the mysterious Mr. Bitcoin.  Why there are Egyptian goddesses dancing at Decode-A-Con is something that’s explained only in passing – it’s because hieroglyphics were the first cryptograms and therefore Egyptian-inspired dancers are the perfect tradeshow booth décor.  Well, now that’s all cleared up… 

I Like to Boogie | Lightnin’ Hopkins (1964) 

The scene: Kalinda meets Dana at a bar to discuss some paperwork surrounding Will’s indictment… and Alicia’s potential forgery of a document from an earlier case.   It’s only appropriate this classic Blues song plays in the background: no one wants to boogie with someone who’s trying to blackmail someone else’s best friend.

From Alienation of Affection

String Quintet in D Major, No. 6, Op. 30 (part five, Passa calle) | Luigi Boccherini
The scene: Diane stands in a museum gallery, admiring the works of Harry Borgman (opening credits).  The song plays again at the end of the episode when the truth about the couple suing Lockhart Gardner comes out and when Will is served with papers pertaining to his indictment.  Crescendo!  And Scene. 

January's Top Five Scenes

Let's face it, January was an epic month for The Good Wife: Will dodged charges surrounding felony bribery (but not before a grand jury was impanelled), Kalinda worked her behind-the-scenes ninja-style magic to ensure the future careers of both Will and Alicia, Diane met a potential love interest, Wendy Scott-Carr was sent packing, Alicia walked out of a courtroom despite the threat of arrest… and that’s just the beginning!  January was oh-so-sweet… so let’s take a look at the top five best scenes of the month:

5) Clash in the Kitchen – Things had been going swimmingly for Alicia and Peter – As State’s Attorney, Peter used his pull to get Zach and Grace into private school and Jackie was no longer hacking Alicia’s computer – all signs pointed to “stalemate.”  Of course, that was before Alicia asked Peter to stop the investigation into Will.  With accusations flying around Alicia’s pristinely kept kitchen, Peter snapped and confessed to Alicia the grand jury was being impaneled because of her relationship with Will.  With cooler heads prevailing, Alicia admitted there was no relationship Peter had to worry about, but if there’s one subject on which Peter is an expert, it’s walking the tightrope of semantics related to truth.  In this battle of “who can rub the most salt in the deepest wound” I don’t think anyone came out the victor (though I will admit this argument had a hint of sweetness for Team Gardner as Alicia fought for Will).

4) Welcome to the asbestos office… are those dancing bears? – When Wendy Scott-Carr arrived at Elsbeth’s asbestos-filled office with Cary and Dana in tow, I couldn’t help but think, this scene is going to change everything… and it did.  Sitting in a stripped, concrete room with workmen roaming about in steel-toed boots and hardhats, it took everything Wendy Scott-Carr had to keep her cool.  Unfortunately, with Elsbeth, all bets are off.  Between offering up breakfast smoothies and apologizing for the exposed beams, she managed to get Wendy Scott-Carr to spill the beans on the judges Will was being accused of bribing.  It’s as though WSC forgot about Elsbeth buying a ticket to the Dancing Bear Jamboree just days before when it became all too obvious this case was going to be anything but ordinary.  The second best part of this scene?  Cary’s coy smirk hidden from Wendy Scott-Carr when he astutely pointed out: “She played you.”  What would I have said? “You’ve been Tascionied.”

3) Save the last dance for me – It wouldn’t be a true celebration at Lockhart Gardner without the free-flow of libations and a great soundtrack playing in the background (seriously, Audra Mae’s version  of Here I Go Again is getting non-stop play from this writer!).  Enter Will and Diane locking eyes from across the party and before long, creating their own dance floor in the hall.  This scene was absolutely priceless and confirmed the one thing we’ve come know with absolute certainty: Will and Diane are a match made in heaven.

2) The questioning of Cary Agos – In "Alienation of Affection," Cary was called back to Lockhart Gardner to comment on some of the firm’s paperwork with a mysterious background.  While he was able to answer honestly in saying he didn’t believe any nefarious dealings were afoot (though, if he had seen David Lee in his HMS Pinafore getup, that might have changed), Cary simultaneously pulled Alicia out of the fire.  After the questioning, Alicia and Cary made amends and locked eyes with an unspoken understanding of friendship.   It’s too bad this new bond got tested so soon, for when Alicia took the stand and had to confess to having had a relationship with Will, Cary could do nothing to stop it, despite his best efforts. 

1) “The witness has not been excused” – It wouldn’t be a “best of” list without highlighting this scene: Alicia walking out on Wendy Scott-Carr during questioning in front of the grand jury.  We’re now seeing the new and improved Alicia – she’s full of moxie and she’s not afraid to show it.  Putting WSC in her place by coldly saying, “You’re out of control,” Alicia walked out of the courtroom with a refreshing blend of strength and grace.  I’ll have what she’s having – because Alicia Florrick season three is full of gumption and dressed to kill.  I can only imagine what will happen when she and Kalinda team up and take to the streets again… but for that we’ll have to wait.

I don’t know about you, but personally, February 19 can’t come soon enough!

Related to this post:

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• Food Inspired by The Good Wife: A Romantic Salad
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"Alienation of Affection"

Episode Title: Alienation of Affection

Season 3, Episode 12 | Original Air Date: January 8, 2012

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After a one-month hiatus, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to have a new episode of The Good Wife to kick off 2012.  Let’s be honest – I spent most of my day keeping busy so as to pass the time more quickly before that elusive hour of 9 pm (okay, 9:17 pm, because I live on the east coast, home of the football/CBS/The Good Wife/hot mess).  Lucky for me, the four week and 17 minute wait was absolutely worth it – this episode exceeded my exceptionally high expectations on every level: dialogue, story line, humor and fashion.  To say it was a drama-filled, madcap adventure would be an understatement.

Typically I write a full episode recap and leave it at that, but this week I thought I would spice things up with an overview of "Alienation of Affection" and finish things off with my top 10 favourite moments of the episode.  Look out – you’re being served.

In My Opinion – Episode Commentary

Despite being very confused by what day this episode was supposed to be starting on (Diane was at an art gallery, Alicia was at a busy school, Will was at a wedding and David Lee was backstage at a Gilbert and Sullivan production), everyone had one thing in common: getting served.  The Good Wife production staff must have placed a special order for office supplies just to keep enough yellow envelopes on hand.  The problem? A 2010 divorce gone awry.  As it would happen, David Lee, and therefore Lockhart Gardner, was being sued for $44 million dollars – the value of a company that was sold in said divorce. The crux of the problem was actually the tort Alienation of Affection – did Lockhart Gardner try to further their business interests (and therefore make a tidy sum) by ensuring the successful breakup of April and Jake Hundley?  With the hard-hitting Burl Preston (played by F. Murray Abraham) in from LA, the heart of the matter came down to what information could be collected in depositions.

First up: David Lee.  Always good for sarcasm and banter, David can’t pass up the opportunity to, as Will would say, “poke the bear.”   Does David run his legal dealings above board?  If I were to be called to the stand, I would have to confess to having some reservations about his ethical conduct.  What I do know is: a) he likes to tread a fine line around semantics and b) he could be cast in a production of H.M.S. Pinafore quicker than most.  While we don’t know much about David, we have the keen suspicion he is rather smart.  In “Alienation of Affection” we see this shine when he proclaims he didn’t hire a stripper to sleep with his client’s husband.  No, he had Kalinda do it – but Preston didn’t ask, so that little tidbit was astutely left out of the discussion.  Was it perjury?  No.  Is Diane going to be giving David sidelong glances for the rest of the season?  Hopefully…  but not just because she’s seen him in tassels.

Second in the hot seat: Alicia Florrick.  I’ve never seen anyone give a stare-down quite like her and let me just say, it’s intimidating.  If there’s one thing I’ve come to respect and admire about Julianna Margulies’ character, it’s that she is always in pursuit of justice.   Certainly the path isn’t without its meanders and proverbial potholes, but that doesn’t change the fact Alicia always tries to land on the right side of the fence.  This week, Alicia seemed even more direct and determined when it came to depositions – She’s done with being raked over the coals, personally and professionally.   While it provided a point of frustration for Buro Preston, I think in the end Diane was a little proud.

Buro: “You told her [April Hundley] you had also dealt with an unfaithful spouse?”

Alicia: “We commiserated over similarities in our personal lives.” 

Buro: “Did you express what a relief it was to be away from a cheating husband, saying “You can’t imagine the relief you feel that first night, just being alone, having a glass of wine” 

Diane: “Objection Mr. Preston. Are we really delving into the private life of Mrs. Florrick?”

What I loved most about this scene is not that Alicia stood her ground and didn’t crack one iota under the pressure, but that Diane was in the room to hear Alicia’s quote about her personal life.  Diane only knows Alicia to be someone who draws a strong line in the sand between her home and work spheres.  Yes, there was the relationship with Will (sigh…), but that didn’t impact the quality of her work.  In hearing those very intimate feelings Alicia had shared with the client, Diane can now appreciate what Alicia has be juggling for the past three years.  It may never be brought up again, but I think the level of respect Diane has for Alicia, has further elevated.  Also, I’m pretty sure if the circumstances were different, she would be rooting for the Team Gardner relationship.

Third time’s the charm: Cary Agos.  With all questions going somewhat unanswered, Buro had no option but to call in Cary to the deposition process.  You see, a rider went missing with the original divorce filing… unfortunately it happened on Alicia’s watch.  Believe it or not (emphasis on “or not”) the document was found in Cary’s old files.  Happenstance?  Unlikely.  David Lee definitely planted a fresh copy and passed it off as the 2010 document, but there’s no way to prove it.  Well, there is.  A $30,000 ink analysis could confirm its legitimacy, but who was going to conduct that analysis with the divorce being back on?  Oh yes, in an unpredictable series of events, the man responsible for serving everyone with those treasured yellow envelopes, Jack Copeland, was the one to break the news to Diane – the husband in the divorce was still cheating on this wife.  Case closed.

Alienation of Affection – Top 10 Favourite Moments 

(because 11 seemed like too many and nine seemed like too few)

1) On Exhibit– The episode opens with Diane standing alone at a Harry Borgman art exhibit (robust piano music plays in the background).  Personally, I was thrilled with this scene as we got a glimpse into the world of Diane after hours (she wears flats and likes art - now we're getting somewhere). Enter a rather handsome older man with an Australian accent.  They strike up a slightly flirtatious conversation and all signs point to Diane having plans for a dinner date later in the week until… she gets served.  The man?  Jack Copeland.  Well, at least he was nice.

2) “I am the Captain of the Pinafore” – Having also been served, David Lee shows up to work wearing his costume from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, H.M.S. Pinafore.  I may or may not have clapped when I saw him dressed in such theatrical garb – moments like these make The Good Wife stand apart from other network dramas. Diane, Alicia and Will all did their best not to laugh and/or cry at David’s expense.  I tried to do the same.  There’s nothing more I can say, except, perhaps, “Ahoy!”

  

3) Fisticuffs – There’s nothing I like more than a good bout of verbal sparring and this week was full of moments on which the writers can proudly hang their hats.  The fact there is no love lost between David and basically everyone at the firm was officially settled.  Julius almost punched David in the face and Eli began quickly crafting a coup to oust Lee from his high horse... or ship deck, whichever the case may be.  It’s just a good thing Eli didn’t see David dressed up.

4) “I’m going to write that down as a yes” – For the first time since season two, Kalinda and Alicia were finally on semi-casual speaking terms.  In fact, the thawing ice between these two was a welcome addition to “Alienation of Affection” especially because Alicia was responsible for the missing rider.  Kalinda had to bring up the error and you could tell she was willing to do just about anything to get Alicia out of the sticky situation. While Alicia became confused about what could have happened to the document, Kalinda once again proved she has Alicia’s back.  On the trust report card, I think Alicia would move K back up to a solid C+.

5) "Are you looking for a lawyer?" – Let me open with this: Did anyone predict the whole “grand jury” situation coming out to Alicia so, well, plainly?  Just one more thing to add to my I didn’t see that coming list I suppose.  Will just blurted out “Wendy Scott-Carr” and “grand jury” over the speaker phone and that was it:  Can of worms, you’ve been released.  That surprise aside, I was thrilled to see Alicia and Will have a somewhat normal conversation.  It was sweet, genuine and a little mysterious.  It made me long for the days of “Feeding the Rat” with the proclamation of love, but, in a strange way, Will being able to approach Alicia for Elsbeth Tascioni’s business card sent a message: I’m around, I love you, I’m not mad and I could be in trouble.

6) "Don’t judge by first impressions" – Will quickly headed to Elsbeth Tascioni for help after a few botched interviews with other lawyers (who unwittingly would have him inside of a prison cell faster than Kalinda can take a bat to a car).  As it turns out, Elsbeth’s office was under construction so off the top, the meeting was a bit unorthodox.  First, Elsbeth had to double check the chair she gave Will because the contractors were practical jokers.  Well, sure.  Second, it seemed that while she had no desk, she also had no phone.  Correction.  She had a phone (maybe two) and all were hidden under drop cloths.  Kicking at the floor, she tried to dislodge them to stop the ringing.  Third, for whatever reason the only thing exposed in her office, aside from two chairs, was a pile of purses.  I’m going to keep active notes on this in the future, but do we think she ever carries the same bag twice?  Despite all of this, Will trusted Elsbeth with his grand jury turmoil because unlike the other lawyers he talked to, Elsbeth began to immediately tackle the idea of innocence.

7) “I like anything with bears” – You just never know where or when Elsbeth is going to show up when she’s on a case, but surprising Wendy Scott-Carr at a children’s play was a brilliant move.  Also, she probably bought a ticket and thoroughly enjoyed the show with dancing stuffed bears, elephants and lions.  No judgment here – I think she’s a superb blend of clever and zany swirled together with comedic genius and dramatic flair.  Even better?  As predicted, Wendy Scott-Carr has no idea what to do with her!  Oh yes, and Elsbeth leaked Wendy’s back-room dealings to the press and therefore three of Cook County’s most honest judges.  Point Tascioni.

8) The questioning of Cary Agos – This scene was brief but telling.  Cary truly loves being a lawyer and he’s not in it to throw anyone under the bus.  In fact, out of anyone on the show, he may have the most altruistic goals of all.  He’s willing to work hard, he appreciates a job well done and if circumstances had been different, I truly believe he and Alicia would be friends.  As Cary stated: “I have absolutely no reason to believe that document is a forgery. I knew Mrs. Florrick and Mr. Lee to be outstanding, competent and ethical lawyers at the firm.”  Maybe this is the new leaf that needed to be turned, after all, the last time Alicia and Cary spoke was because Kalinda had been arrested.  It’s just too bad Cary is being pulled into Wendy Scott-Carr’s hornet’s nest.

9) For the love of children – Diane never had children, and I think at this point, she’s grateful.  Quite frankly, with Eli and David going head-to-head trying to fight each other to the death, she is playing both mother and boss.  The best part?  She’s tough and she wins.  Both men are strong-willed, but no one is more capable of sending two people to their corners to make them think about what they’ve done than Diane Lockhart.  There’s a reason she’s the master of the eye-roll.  That’s a time-out, men. 

10) The pillar push – Finally!  The scene I’ve been waiting since November for – the lobby altercation!  This is the scene I saw filmed live (see The Good Wife: On Location in NYC for details) and I couldn’t have been happier to see it finally air.  What’s even better is that we now have context for that story line – Jack Copeland, welcome to the show.

Quotes of the Week:

Diane: “We’re not throwing anyone under the bus.”

Eli: “Last time I looked we were all under the bus.”

Will to Alicia (about the grand jury): “I just don’t want to make life more complicated”

Will: “It’s probably too early to drink…”

Diane: “Another two hours”

Jack: "Where am I looking?" (when searching for the artist's autograph in a painting)

Diane: "The inside top of the right thigh... That wasn't a pick up line, I did think you wanted the spot."

Jack: "I know, I just like your voice. I wanted to hear it again."

What’s Next?

Next week we’re in for a real treat when guest star Jason Biggs joins the cast as a computer programmer turned client who is “arrested by the government for not revealing the name of an anonymous client” and it all ties back to a new online currency (Clarissa, TV Over Mind).  Stay tuned, it’s going to get juicy.

Also, Elsbeth will be back for round two, where it’s likely her run-ins with Wendy Scott-Carr are only going to increase in number.  Will we finally learn how legitimate this case against Will really is (or isn't, as it may turn out)?

To top things off, Bob Balaban will return as Gordon Higgs (remember, the man from the Department of Treasury who just loves his red velvet cupcakes?).  I can only hope there will be a happy reunion between Tascioni, Higgs, Florrick and Gardner over coffee in a break room. 

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The Cutting Room Floor

The Cutting Room Floor – Top Scenes We Wish Existed

Season 3 – December Hiatus | Post Date: Monday, December 19, 2011

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For true fans of television dramas, the Christmas/New Year’s hiatus is something akin to awakening December 25 only to find a lump coal in the toe of your stocking.  It seems outrageously unfair that a one-month break is even a possibility and yet here we are.  Fortunately, we’ve already made it through one week… just three more to go until The Good Wife’s 12^th episode, “Alienation of Affection,” debuts on January 8.

When Left to Wonder...

The break has given me time to ponder (more than usual) what’s happening behind the scenes at The Good Wife.  What are the writers talking about?  How are they storyboarding plots?  What’s next for Team Gardner?  I will confess to getting my fix of The Good Wife by keeping up on the latest news and reading interviews from the cast.  In a recent TV Guide article, for example, it was said: “While there may be trouble ahead for the pair [Will and Alicia] “it doesn’t mean they won’t be able to work through it” says Margulies.”  Whew!  Of course, the writers are reporting that Alicia is unlikely to dip her toe in the same water twice, so I’m left to wonder:  1)What could possibly be next?  After I made my “I didn’t see that coming list” last week, I’m waiting, with baited breath  2) Why can’t I listen to Rihanna’s song “We Found Love* [in a Hopeless Place]” without thinking of Will and Alicia? and 3) What is scattered on the cutting room floor?

Spread photo taken from the November 7, 2011 TV Guide

Looking back over the last 11 episodes, there are a few holes I wish The Good Wife writers had filled in for us.  Of course, then I wouldn't be left to imagine anything, so maybe I’m a little thankful, too.  Now, without further ado, here’s my list of “Top Scenes We Wished Existed… in the First Half of Season Three.”

1) The Christmas Gift Exchange.  I had hoped for weeks that Team Gardner would survive until the holidays as I couldn’t wait to see what Will would buy Alicia.  Seriously, I wanted this scene so badly it topped my list to Santa.  While I’m the one left crying in my eggnog over this possibility gone awry, I still imagine he would have given her something amazing.  I mean, really – if Will was keen enough to drop $7,800 on a hotel room and a butler named Jerome (who, let’s face it, Will and Alicia probably never saw), what’s not to say he wouldn’t have given her some kind of fabulous jewelry?  A beautiful necklace or pair of earrings?  Please, oh please, Good Wife writers… give us some kind of gift-giving occasion!

2) Thanksgiving Dinner.  Just think about it.  Did Alicia cook and host?  Was Jackie invited?  Where was Peter?  What did Will do?  Come to think of it, where does Will go for any major holiday?  We’ve never seen him with family or hear him talk of siblings or other relatives.  All we know about him is that he has a nice old car that he barely gets to drive.  Ahhhh… to have seen Thanksgiving dinner

3) Will, Meet Grace.  Will meeting Zach was awkward enough… and Zach is the definitely the pick of the litter when it comes to Alicia’s kids.  Will meeting Grace would have sent me over the edge with a) shrieking and b) wanting to hide under a table.  The only thing that might make this scene possibility even better would be if Jennifer was at the meeting.  If Will was tongue-tie with Zach, who knows what he would say to Grace and Jennifer.  “Keep on, keepin’ on” Will… maybe it’s best Grace has eluded you for so long

4) The Office Christmas Party.  A few of my new Twitter friends (hi Tweeps!) have been suggesting this for a while, and I can safely say I would be in love with an episode involving an office Christmas/Hanukkah  party.  First off, I would hope for a secret staff gift exchange where Diane would have to buy something for Eli (a quick trip to Barnes and Noble would see Diane secure a copy of “Who Moved My Cheese” and then she could kick back with a glass of Scotch and contemplate her brilliance).  Second, there would have to be a group sing-along after the free-pouring of holiday libations.  The cast of The Good Wife is stacked solid with talented singers: Alan Cumming, Christine Baranski, Monica Raymund and Graham Phillips to start.  Imagine what things would look like by 11 pm over at Lockhart Gardner?

Forget visions of sugar plums dancing in my head this Christmas…  I’ll remain blissfully content dreaming of these potential scenes while sipping a holiday bevvy from my Team Gardner mug.  Thank you to The Good Wife writers for continuing to keep viewers on their toes each week with thought-provoking stories and actors who shine beyond measure.  With just three weeks to go, we can all kick back and wonder what 2012 will bring for this cast of brilliant characters.  

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