Season 5, Episode 15 | Original Air Date: Sunday, March 23, 2014 ______________________________________________________________
Spoiler
Alert! If you haven’t watched ‘Dramatics, Your Honor,’ turn back now and
immediately catch up. What has happened
is huge. Gigantic. Epic.
Sitting Here in Camp Denial
They say it
is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. For this reason I’ll be thankful for the time
I had with the original Good Wife cast and not bemoan the fact I’ll never have
a Team Gardner Sunday again. Sigh.
Assuming
everyone reading this has heeded my warning, I’ll skip burying any more of the
lead.
Will Gardner is dead.
Really dead.
It’s not one of these, ‘he’ll be back in a few years and surprise
everyone’ sorts of dead either. He was
murdered in a courtroom massacre, by a client he was trying to defend. He was shot in the neck and pronounced dead
at the hospital. It was one of the most
tragic things I've witnessed on a television drama, maybe ever. In fact, it is being touted as one of the
most shocking deaths in television history.
I have to agree. If I’d seen it
coming, I’m not sure that would have made it any less sad, but the fact no one
expected it brought a true sense of vulnerability to the situation.
It’s not
just that Will is gone that has left me grieving, but what – and who – he has left
behind. Diane – his business partner,
cheerleader and ethical compass; Kalinda – his friend, confidant and drinking
partner; Alicia – his one true love, legal rival and lifelong friend. It’s about his sisters, the firm and the fact
he’ll never have to testify against Peter in the show’s third grand jury (which
I image should be aptly named Another,
Another Ham Sandwich). Selfishly, it’s
also the end of one of my favourite on-screen romances – the end of Team Gardner
and a love that deep inside, always stood a chance. There’s no accounting for a lifetime of bad
timing.
“In the
end it’s all okay. If it’s not okay, it’s
not the end.”
I’ve loved
and lived this quote a few times in my life and it’s always worked out for
me. This is the end of an era. It’s the end of Team Gardner. It’s the end of Lockhart Gardner. It’s the end of the Peter/Will rivalry. We’ve seen the last of Will and Diane dancing
in the halls. There will be no more
tumblers of Whiskey between Kalinda and Will.
I’m sad because I’m going to miss all of these things tremendously and
also because it means we’re going to have to watch David Lee lurking around
more than ever before and thusly I will have to shower twice on Sundays just to
feel clean.
I don’t
know how long the sadness will last. Saying goodbye to a character I've backed from
the beginning won’t be easy. While I can’t quite believe he is really gone, I
find myself thankful for the time we had with this dynamic character. I’m not yet angry we’ll never see him again,
though of course I’m disappointed Will and Alicia will forever be remembered as
a couple with perpetually poor timing.
Still, their chemistry was electric and we’ll always have the elevator,
a $7,800 hotel room and a butler named Jerome.
I’m thankful
that the writers didn’t back away from a challenging situation by taking the
easy way out. That’s what The Good Wife
has always been about – taking chances and challenging us on a weekly
basis. Whether Will had been killed by a
bookie, one of Bishop’s henchmen, a Florrick underling or an unstable client,
it wouldn't have mattered. Okay – a Florrick
underling would have been something different altogether – but the point is,
the writers took a stand and it was shocking.
It made all of us feel a bit more human, if just for a moment. The fact is, what happened to Will could have
happened to anyone on the show. He was
in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It’s a situation that is sadly played out in real life each day. The writer’s choice to have Will killed doing
the one thing he always did best and loved most – law – provides pause for each
of us to be grateful for the times when the right place and the right time
allowed us to say ‘I love you,’ hug our kids or mend broken fences before it's too late.
The Show Must Go On
Now we’ve
been left to grieve alongside Alicia, Diane and Kalinda. It’s going to be an emotional ride, and one
with a few flashbacks that might provide some kind of closure, or at least give
us some perspective on Will’s final moments. Seeing Diane cry breaks my heart and knowing
Alicia and Diane are going to cry together is almost more than I can bear. I have a feeling I’ll be digging into a fresh case of Kleenex, just to make it through. I better go to Costco this week.
What will become
of Lockhart Gardner is anyone’s guess. It
will surely involve a new named partner (please Julius, come back!) and more
new stationery (this, on the heels of all that rebranding). Perhaps it will mean new characters. We’ve seen Louis Canning will be part of the
mix, but who else will come along for the ride?
How will The Good Wife rebuild from this loss? At the end of the day,
The Good Wife is about Alicia Florrick and her journey through life. While I will always ship Team Gardner, I hope
that Alicia is able to move on and find someone new to love. I don’t think it’s Peter – I think it’s
someone else entirely and I look forward to seeing Alicia move past this extraordinary
loss to find happiness.
Now it’s
your turn. How do you feel about the death of Will Gardner? What are you
going to miss most about him? What do you think is next for The Good Wife? Sound off below!
P.S. – Thanks
to everyone for so many thoughtful messages about me writing this post… and
also for the condolences. I have been a
huge Team Gardner fan and this is certainly a loss! I’m glad I have all of you to share in this
next adventure with me though. Cheers!
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:
Location:
The elevator (because, let's face it, that's where all the best things happen) followed by the reception area on the 28th 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.
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!
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:
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
For me, the mark of a great hour of television comes when my heart rate elevates and I feel as though I haven’t taken a breath for a full 60 minutes. Heading into “Another Ham Sandwich” I knew I was going to be on the edge of my seat, if not falling completely off of it. Did I shriek? Once. Okay, maybe twice. Did I cover my face? Twice. Okay, maybe four times. Did I yell at my TV, “Did that just happen?!? I can’t believe that just happened!” Yes. In fact, I haven’t stopped… and I have witnesses.
This week, I’m excited to feature a recap of “Another Ham Sandwich” and a special section feature: “The Top Seven Breath-Taking Moments” – because if you’re anything like me, you spent most of the episode hyperventilating with paper bag in one hand and a stress ball in the other.
In My Opinion – Episode Commentary
Eyes. Pirates. Stickmen. Ferris wheels. Wait, pirates? All of these things flashed on the screen in the opening of “Another Ham Sandwich” as the impaneled jurors doodled during Wendy Scott-Carr’s opening remarks. Frankly, I was thrilled to see the grand jury portrayed as a whimsical bunch – anyone who doodles pirates is going to be a difficult sell when it comes to bribery, unless it’s on the high seas. Will Gardner, you may have just dodged a swashbuckling bullet. Maybe.
The case this week revolved solely around Will Gardner. The issue? Being indicted by a grand jury for felony bribery. The possible sentence? Three to seven years in prison. For Will, everything came down to who was put on the stand and fortunately, everyone from Lockhart Gardner was on the same page thanks to Elsbeth’s shrewd legal mind: If all answers led back to Peter Florrick, the grand jury could be called off. Let’s get this show on the road.
First up: Andrew Wiley. Whenever Andrew the investigator is on the scene, you know things are going to get dicey for whoever’s on the receiving end. His “always in the pursuit of justice” attitude is both admirable and annoying. Perhaps I would like him more if ever he was on the side of Lockhart Gardner? This week he revealed that three judges (Parks, Dunaway and Winter) decided favourably for cases Will argued 95% of the time. As if this wasn’t questionable enough, as it turns out, they all played basketball with Will. Now, that could be like saying, “they all drove ’57 Chevys” or “they all went to law school,” but in this case, it is unfortunately implied they all know something. Exiting stage right, Wiley quickly picked up his stroller and headed to court’s hallways, where he saw Will go into Judge Parks’ chambers, passing him an envelope. Quickly using his baby as a diversion, he took a picture of the exchange. My question? Why can’t this man ever find daycare? He knows dozens of Dad’s who stay at home with their kids – could none of them have babysat, even for an hour? A grand jury is kind of important…
Next on the stand: Diane Lockhart. It’s impossible not to love Diane in the place she draws the most strength: the courtroom. In what can only be called, “The Battle of the Beautiful Blazers” Wendy Scott-Carr (WSC) and Diane went head-to-head. How long had Diane known Will? Eight years. Did Will ever invite Diane to play basketball? Yes. Did Diane ever go to a basketball game? No. Why? She doesn’t play basketball (enter cackles from the 16 jurors, because, well, does it look like Diane plays basketball? This was a silly line of questioning coming from WSC, who is clearly also not a basketball player either. A jouster? Maybe. A ballerina with an axe to grind? Most certainly. But not a basketball player). Does Diane think Will playing basketball with judges is inappropriate? No… and she doesn’t think Peter Florrick would either, since he’s also been involved. Swoosh. WSC didn’t see that coming. Unfortunately for Diane this meant a new line of questioning coming back to the infamous “McDermott file” Kalinda planted in Dana’s hands. Did Will ask to take over the case because he knew Judge Parks, subsequently winning the argument? Yes. Oh dear.
David Lee – don’t forget to smile. Ever a loose cannon, David Lee is both the first and last person I would want testifying on my behalf. He’s sketchy but efficient, both things WSC would typically appreciate in a person, preferably on her side of the table. With a quick note from Elsbeth to “smile” while being questioned, David took to the stand and caught ASA Dana Lodge in a messy web surrounding the fair market value of doing trust work – sure David gave Judge Parks a deal… but he did the same thing for Peter. That’s another swoosh for three points. Thank you, David.
In hot seat with Judge Parks. As an audience, we haven’t seen Judge Parks since season two’s “In Sickness.” While his on-screen appearance made me yearn for a good bout of verbal sparring between Will and Patti Nyhom, the only conversation we were treated to involved Parks saying, “Upon the advice of counsel, I insist on my fifth amendment rights.” This is always a dodgy way of evading a question because guilt is somewhat assumed. Point WSC.
At the heart of the matter with Will Gardner. The moment Wendy Scott-Carr had been waiting for: getting Will on the stand with the evidence Dana secured from her “inside source.” Having been given an easy opening with the photo Wiley snapped, Will quickly admitted to meeting with Parks and passing along an envelope of money. Stunned at Will’s honesty, WSC falls off pointe and follows up with a “was there an agreement between you and Judge Parks?” as per the $2,000 sealed in the yellow “you’re being served” stationary. As it turns out, there was: Parks was to give the money to a Unicef Immunization Drive benefitting those in Uganda. The three point shot? Will had the charitable receipt in his suit jacket. Having nowhere left to go, WSC began pirouetting around questions surrounding the McDermott case, where the I’ve got your back bond of Will and Kalinda became increasingly obvious. Yes, Kalinda had given Dana the file, but as predicted, it wasn’t entirely pure. The emails in the file, believe it or not, had been tampered with: WSC had no real evidence. Who had it? Will – in his briefcase.
Enter Will’s Achilles heel, Alicia Florrick: Everything quickly turned from business when WSC summoned Alicia to the stand. After getting virtually nowhere with all of the previous witnesses, it was time to make Will Gardner pay for this runaround. With Cary in the background shaking his head at the audacity of WSC for turning the fishing expedition into a full-fledged circus, he had nothing left to do but stand up and question WSC on his own, urging her to stop probing Alicia for personal details. In the end, Alicia ended up having to admit she had a sexual relationship with Will but it has since ended (paper bag + stress ball = me, freaking out on my couch). Did that honestly just come out?! I’m still in disbelief, but after re-watching this scene once, twice, okay, three times, I can state for the record: that just happened. While Alicia looked horrified at WSC’s line of questioning (which seemed to equally bother Cary), the accusation that Alicia was moving up in the corporate ladder because of her relationship with Will, threw things over the edge. Getting up, Alicia walked out of the courtroom while saying, “You’re out of control.”
With the fate of Will Gardner left to the people, WSC assumed she had made her case, because as we know, grand juries will indict anything – even a ham sandwich. What WSC didn’t bank on was the fact this pirate-doodling crowd was more suspicious of the oft-mentioned “Peter Florrick” and the “fifth amendment” judge. In their minds, Florrick and Parks should have been the ones arrested (enter a coy smirk from Cary, who, on some level, also agreed). Wendy Scott-Carr, game over. Literally. Peter Florrick just had your parking validated.
What the Fish?
While Will, Diane and Alicia were busy with grand jury, Eli was off sleuthing new business over at the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Chicago (GLAC). Also vying for new business was Stacie Hall, the clever campaigner who worked Eli out of his dairy job. Chicago, it would appear, is a very small city, especially for these types of gigs and in the case of Eli and Stacie, they always seem to find themselves in each other’s business… both figuratively, and as of this episode, literally. Stacie admitted she “desired” Eli and Eli reciprocated, but only after securing the GLAC account. The sting? Stacie is now representing Eli’s ex-wife, Vanessa, in her campaign for state senate.
Top Seven Breath-Taking Moments (Just be thankful I didn’t pick my top 28… because that’s where this list started)
1) The Kitchen Conflict – Time for my stress ball! Worried about Will, Alicia confronted Peter about the grand jury, asking him to back down. Accusing her of sleeping with Will, Peter yelled, “off course that’s the issue!” regarding this whole legal mess. Following up to the outburst, Alicia calmly, and honestly stated there’s nothing between she and Will… but Peter called her out on semantics, a game he knows, and plays, all too well.
2) The Friendly Phone Call – Finally, a truly great glimpse into the beautiful world of Team Gardner – Oh how I’ve been waiting for this moment! Harkening back to the I miss you phone call from “Feeding the Rat,” Alicia called Will to wish him luck and apologize for any involvement she may have had in his current situation. In what could be considered one of their most heartfelt conversations to date, their chat was a perfect blend of concern, love and respect for each other. Sigh. I think I just melted. Let’s get these two back together!
3) Will on the Stand – This scene made me pull out a paper bag and be thankful for those deep breathing techniques learned in dance class. Having Will on the stand was nail-biting enough, but when he pulled out all of the evidence to contradict what WSC was presenting? I couldn’t help but shriek. Also, it was nice to learn Will has a philanthropic spirit – giving to Unicef and supporting immunizations in Uganda is downright admirable. In fact, I’m pretty sure public knowledge of that would elevate him to at least 10th spot for Chicago’s most eligible bachelors.
4) There’s the Slap – I don’t know what Dana expected when Kalinda passed along the McDermott file, but she couldn’t possibly have though K would throw Will under the bus. Surely she’s not that naive. Oh wait. She was. As predicted, Kalinda saved both Alicia and Will in one fowl swoop, like a leather-clad hero whose main superpowers involve sheer brilliance and a knack for outwitting those who have spent eight plus years attending university. Two words: Pa chow. Admittedly, Kalinda felt kind a little bad about having to use Dana to save those she cares most about, so she offered Dana a consolation prize: “Go ahead, hit me. It will make you feel better.” Slap.
5) The New Subpoena: Alicia Florrick – Perhaps the most intense moment of the whole episode came when Alicia took to the stand, was forced to admit her relationship with Will and found a surprising ally in Cary who tried to diffuse the situation. Walking out in the middle of WSC’s accusations was part of the new Alicia we’ve seen grow and develop over the past three years. She’s not afraid to take a stand and she’s even less afraid of what Peter or anyone else is going to do about it. I was proud that she stuck her ground – Alicia 2.0 is someone you don’t want to cross.
6) Mulled Wine and Brandy – Eli has danced on the verge of relationships before, but we’ve never seen him take the leap… until now. Baited with mulled wine, brandy and whipped cream-covered fingers, Eli was seduced (or was he the one doing the seducing?) the unflappable Stacie Hall. Talk about a game of thrones – these two have a love/hate relationship that continues to see them working to one-up each other in the chess game that is business. I can’t wait to see these two face-off again… and with Eli’s ex in the mix, it’s likely to happen sooner rather than later.
7) Here I Go Again, On My Own – The one thing you can always count on to make an episode of The Good Wife better is a scene with Will and Diane. Spotting each other through the fishbowl boardroom glass, they met, looked at each other and began to dance to Audra Mae’s powerful version of Here I Go Again. As Will spun Diane and they looked warmly at each other, I couldn’t help but think: this is what television gold looks like… if only they had won the SAG.
Quotes of the Week:
Elsbeth: So, here’s the thing: Grand juries indict, hamburgers and all.
Will: Ham sandwiches.
Elsbeth: Yes. So, you’re going to get indicted unless… Oh, I like that pin.
Diane: Thank you
Elsbeth: Unless someone pulls the plug, someone higher...
Alicia: Will… I’m sorry.
Will: Don’t be.
Alicia: I am.
Will: Well then be sorry because it’s happening, don’t be sorry because of anything else.
Alicia. Okay. Do good.
Will: Always.
Will: That was a close one.
Diane: Yes. Let’s try to reduce the excitement level from now on, shall we?
Peter to Wendy Scott-Carr: Thank you for your service. My assistant will validate your parking… Now, get out of my office.
What’s next?
There are many things The Good Wife has taught me about law and a few things I’ve picked up on the street. In episode 15, “Live from Damascus” the culmination of book smarts and streets smarts collide when the Bar Association calls for Will, because, let’s face it: they rarely call about anything good – it’s official, you’re in trouble. It appears that Wendy Scott-Carr wasn’t joking about sending Will’s infractions to the Bar Association and the next step is having him disbarred. Unfortunately we have to wait until February 19 for this next collection of trials of tribulations, so until then, I suggest enjoying some mulled wine and brandy topped with whipped cream – things are going to get bitter sweet.
One of the great things about living in New York is being able to get out and explore the different communities within the city. When it comes to districts I like to frequent, Soho certainly tops the list. It’s full of stunning cast-iron architecture, art galleries, restaurants and, best of all, shopping. Okay, the amazing stores were the best part of Soho until The Good Wife rolled into the neighbourhood.
While I rarely need an excuse to wander through Soho (the frozen yogurt mecca, Pink Berry, is just one of many obvious draws), this past week I took the opportunity to sip a latte and stroll through the trailer-filled streets to see what was happening with The Good Wife, on-location in NYC.You see, some people love Sundays because of football, while others would hold it in high esteem as a day of rest.For me, Sundays mean one thing: The Good Wife… so any time I can spread that joy throughout my week, I’m willing to jump at the opportunity.
This was my second on-location experience and entirely different from my first (where I saw Christine Baranski shooting the lobby scene from “Alienation of Affection.”). This time, I lucked out with spotting Josh Charles and getting more than a few hints on guest stars we can expect later in the season. Without further ado, I present “The Good Wife: On Location in NYC – Take Two.”I hope you enjoy the photographic journey!
Deep in the heart of Soho, I spotted The Good Wife filming on the fourth floor of this beautiful brick building. Who and what could be inside? Predictions to follow...
Reflections from inside the building
Signage aplenty!
Just a few blocks away from the set, the beautiful "Most Precious Blood Church" opened their doors as the holding and catering area
One of my favourite images of the day: a large lighting rig with the Woolworth Building pictured in the distance
On-site catering... basically a pantry containing everything from apples to yogurt and peanut butter to Sour Patch Kids. Check out Food Inspired by The Good Wife for this week's latest recipe, created in honor of this very well-stocked table!
After a bit of waiting, Josh Charles (and who I believe to be Nadia Dajani, one of the newest additions to the cast of The Good Wife) appeared to browse treats on the catering table
Charles poses with a fan
It's official! Based on this trailer door, Will's younger sister, Audra Gardner (played by Merritt Wever) has rolled into town. Word on the street is that she is going to be whimsical and fun-loving... I can only hope she is pro-Team Gardner, like Alicia's beloved brother Owen.
This trailer door says it all: Sara Gardner (played by Nadia Dajani), Will's older sister, is also in town and rumor has it she and her sister are looking to help Will find love. Sigh. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Team Gardner, we have a problem.
The best find of the on-location shoot (except for Josh Charles, of course) is what appears to be trailer of Mr. Lou Dobbs. We last saw Dobbs, appearing as himself, in season two's "Double Jeopardy." When Bond was ousted, I assumed (perhaps inaccurately) that his business similarly walked out the door, despite Dobbs' adoration of Diane. It looks like Dobbs and his controversial ways could be lurking in the halls of Lockhart Gardner before too long.
With Lou, Sara and Audra set to hit the scene, I can't help but think we're in for an absolutely thrilling last third of season three (and dare I predict that Elsbeth gets Will off the hook with the grand jury... I mean, his sisters weren't visiting him in prison...). I'm guessing the filming I've captured above will surface around episode 17... stay tuned!
A special thank you to On Location Vacations- a great group that
shares information about television and movie shoots each and every day
