The Good Wife: Best of 2011

The Good Wife – The Best of 2011

Season 3, December/January Hiatus | Post Date: January 2, 2012

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Looking back over the last year, fans of The Good Wife have been treated to drama, romance, comedy and everything in between.  I can’t count the number of times I’ve found myself clapping, shrieking, gasping and/or hiding during the last half season two and first half of season three.  Good Wife Sunday has become the day I look forward to most each week.  Needless to say, I’m a big fan.  Correction – huge fan.  Amendment - gigantic fan. 

With the season three hiatus over in less than a week (six days, but who's counting?), it only seems fitting to commemorate the past 12 months and the New Year with a “Best of 2011” list.  Enjoy!

Best Storylines 

Bond Getting Ousted – First it was Stern, Lockhart and Gardner.  Then it was Lockart Gardner.  Next up: Lockhart, Gardner and Bond.  When Derek Bond came on the scene he instantly gave off a strange vibe and he began pitting Diane and Will against each other.  When it came to light he had tracing software installed on certain employee’s computers (Alicia included), the battle lines were drawn.  In season two’s “Great Firewall,” equity partners were pulled and the votes were cast: Bond messed with one too many people and crossed a few too many lines.  Diane and Will might not have a perfect marriage, but they’re certainly better without Bond.  Lockhart Gardner, take two.

Welcome to Lockhart Gardner, Eli Gold – Bringing Eli into the Lockhart Gardner fold at the end of season two meant the personal/professional/legal/political web was going to end up more tangled than a string of Christmas lights.  The facts are these: Eli had business connections but things have quickly started going south, which has meant Eli has needed to befriend other people in the firm, besides Alicia.  As fate would have it, Eli needs the firm now more than the firm needs him.  With that, Eli is now forced to make nice with key partners like Will (a relationship that is somewhat counterintuitive, considering Eli technically still works for Peter).  The more Eli is around, the more he becomes a big part of what makes this show tick.  Time for a flow chart, just to keep things straight:

Will and Alicia, Take One – Love them or hate them, Team Gardner finally had their moment in the sun and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.  This relationship was years in the making (flash back to season one’s “Heart” with their first on screen kiss) and let’s be honest, things were good while they lasted.  Team Gardner was sneaky at being smitten and sultry while being sexy.  I loved every juicy moment of their relationship and I continue to be more than a little heartbroken things are over.  Still, I’m grateful for all of the memorable moments Will and Alicia “together” brought to the screen.  Flashback to these classics: “Mom, pick up the phone, Mom pick up the phone,” Will meeting Zack for the first time, Alicia: “Well, I can dress up” and Will’s confrontation of Peter on the steps of the court.  Now, I’ll sit, eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this storyline, even if it takes a few more years, because no one makes an elevator look as good at Alicia Florrick and Will Gardner.

Best Scenes – Those seconds and minutes we want to watch on repeat

A New Side of Kalinda Sharma –  Let’s face it: Kalinda can take a bat to someone’s car (knees or ribs), let loose and sip a nightcap while admitting nothing interesting happened that day.  She appears effortlessly emotionless and can get virtually anything she wants by a)flirting and b)knowing how to work a leather jacket, tight skirt and tall leather boots and c)keeping her eyes and ears open at all times.  Alicia, in some ways is quite similar.  She’s all business, ever stoic and able to maintain her composure even in the most challenging of circumstances.  All of that went out the window when Alicia confronted Kalinda about sleeping with Peter after Andrew Wiley dropped the name ‘Leela,’ into conversation.  We knew Alicia and Kalinda’s relationship would never be the same.  Enter one of my favourite cinematic devises: the melt down.  Alicia, shaking, wanted to scream at the top of her lungs, while Kalinda, for the first time, entered the elevator and had a breakdown.  This scene was epic for the character and monumental for the show.  Will these two ever toast with a shot of tequila again?  They say time heals all wounds, and in this case, I hope that’s true.  In the meantime, I’m secretly wishing Kalinda gets called into the Wendy Scott-Carr vs. Peter Florrick grand jury debacle so we can finally find out what went down when K was Leela from Toronto and Peter was someone who could get away with… everything.

What if we were to suddenly have good timing?  Two years in the making, the will-they/won’t-they tension of Alicia and Will finally came to a head in “Closing Arguments” the season finale of season two last May.  I probably watched the now infamous elevator scene (okay, and also the tequila scene and the I’ll take the hotel room for $7,800 scene) at least 25 times… and that’s likely a staggering under-exaggeration.  Mika’s “Any Other World” song is at the top of my playlist now and if ever I need a healthy dose of Team Gardner, this is the scene to which I turn. 

The Midwest Bar Association Mixer – Taking the cake for one of the most awkward and yet entertaining scenes to date, the encounter between Will, Peter and Celeste at the Midwest Bar Association mixer in Season Three’s “Feeding the Rat” is memorable for being so good and so bad all at the same time.

Celeste: So, Alicia Florrick, huh? Well, she works with Will, she’s married to you.  It must be quite an arrangement.  Discuss. 

Peter: (Pausing) It is quite an arrangement, yes. 

Celeste: Any awkward moments? 

Peter: You mean besides this one?

Everything about this scene was pure magic, and sure, while I’ll admit to loving a good Team Gardner/Team Florrick show down, the whole episode was made even better by Will’s “I love you” slip to Alicia just minutes after this uncomfortable exchange.  Instant replay, take 15.

Characters we Most Love to Hate

Jackie Florrick – Also the winner of “the worst mother-in-law in the world” award, Jackie Florrick is the character we love to hate.  I don’t think I’m alone in saying that whenever she comes on screen I want to see her turn right back around.  Quite frankly, every time she mentions how much she knows about what goes on in the Florrick apartment re: the kids, I want to take her plate of lemon muffins and throw them out the door.  That’s the beauty of Mary Beth Peil and her great acting – she makes Jackie Florrick the conniving conservative who can, admittedly, pull off pearls and a headband better than anyone else and simultaneously manipulate everyone in her life all while clad in cashmere.

Wendy Scott-Carr – She may have lost the battle to become the State’s Attorney in season two, but that doesn’t mean she has lost the race altogether.  In fact, now that we’ve hit the mid-point of season three we see her lurking in the shadows: She’s out for blood and she’s willing to use anything and anyone she can to get back at Peter Florrick.  Dressed to kill and with the attitude to match, Wendy Scott-Carr is proving to be one of The Good Wife’s most formidable villains.

Best Guest Stars       

Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni – It’s true: she has glitter decals on her computer, she runs around Chicago with a Vera Bradley quilted laptop bag, she thinks cupcakes are too pretty to eat and she can’t use a speaker phone.  Scatterbrained and brilliant, Elsbeth Tascioni never fails to impress when she crosses paths with anyone on The Good Wife. If she’s met a case she can’t win, we haven’t seen it.  In “Executive Order 13224” she was able to get Alicia out of a tight spot, something Will Gardner is hoping for when the grand jury comes calling.  Every scene she’s in is gold, always making my highlight reel. Whew – look at all this paper!

Dallas Roberts as Owen Cavanaugh – Whenever Owen shows up we know good things are going to happen.  He’s full of pizazz, humor and personality and he isn’t afraid to probe Alicia to spill personal details about her life.  Owen truly is the brother everyone wishes they had and whether they are on a road trip from Oregon to Chicago or sipping wine on Alicia’s couch, Owen proves time and time again he’s got Alicia’s back no matter what… and even Will can’t say that because of his loyalty to the firm.  Also, let’s not forget, one of his favourite pastimes is getting under Jackie’s skin, a trait which endures him to the audience even more.    

Michael J. Fox as Louis Canning – He’s cunning, he’s bright and he wants Alicia at his firm.  For all of 2011, Louis Canning has been vying for Alicia to come to his side of the fence in lieu of the Lockhart Garnder rat race.  Sure, he may steal things from Alicia’s briefcase and, yes, he uses his condition to woo any jury he can, but somehow we still buy into the fact Canning might just be the next best thing. 

Gary Cole as Kurt McVeigh – Sure, we only saw Kurt McVeigh once in 2011, but he deserves an honorable mention nonetheless.  As Diane’s only love interest since the show started, McVeigh, the squeaky clean ballistics expert, has been the only character who could throw Diane even a little off her game.  Inviting her to go away with him, McVeigh was turned down and with that, exited stage right.  They have left the door open for his return at some point in the future, and I think I speak for the masses when I say he would be a welcomed back with open arms. 

Best New Cast Addition of Season Three

Romany Malco – The revolving door of guest stars on The Good Wife continues to impress and that’s certainly true with Romany Malco on the scene as Justin, the newest addition to the offices of Lockhart Gardner.  As the head of legal aid, Malco’s character is smart, quick, adaptable and friendly.  He breathes new life into the firm and is whole heartedly committed to truth and justice.  Bringing Justin in-house was Diane’s best decision of season three… well, next to her wardrobe selections.

Here’s to another great year of The Good Wife!  Thank you for all of the support of lockhartgardner.blogspot.com over the last few months – it’s so appreciated.  Happy New Year, friends and fans!

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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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"What Went Wrong"

Episode Title: "What Went Wrong"

Season 3, Episode 11 | Original Air Date: Sunday, December 11, 2011

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If I had to pick just one thing I love most about The Good Wife, it would have to be the element of surprise.  It’s the over-arching trait that makes this show tick.  In “What Went Wrong” we were treated to more than a few of these delicious moments – those times that make me, personally, sit up a little taller, or even stand-up and exclaim, “Well, I didn’t see that coming!” This week, I had three of these moments.  Let's call them huge storyline developments and further nods to the Emmy-winning potential of The Good Wife.

In my Opinion – Episode Commentary

This week, the episode unfolded in a dramatic way when a jury reached a guilty verdict despite the defense, prosecution and judge believing in the accused’s relative innocence.  Unfortunately, this meant a loss for Lockhart Gardner and something they weren’t ready to accept.  Taking a cue from Diane, the team was tasked to find out “what went wrong” and secure a piece of evidence solid enough to provide grounds for a reversal. 

Of course, finding the golden ticket – that one piece of key evidence – isn’t as easy as it should be, but that’s what made this episode especially interesting.   The first order of business?  Securing the jury’s old garbage.  Luckily, Justin found the janitor and smoothly handed over a token of gratitude in the form of a pristinely folded $5, $10 or $20 (I’m guessing $20 – surely Diane would have splurged for this ripe refuse).  Upon digging in, Alicia and Justin were interested to find layers of ‘guilty’ and ‘not guilty’ verdicts sandwiched between meal remnants.  At lunch – the Chinese food layer – the jury was leaning towards ‘not guilty,’ but by their pizza dinner everyone was unanimous with a “guilty” verdict.  What happened in between?  Flash to Kalinda who tracked down juror number five, a blogger named Lisa who was openly passionate about writing twice-daily on the subject of buttons.  Yes, you read that correctly, buttons.  It seems that while sitting on the jury, Lisa had to take time away from her button-based adventures and later reported some jury frustration out to her readers. Not to dismiss the practicality or usefulness of buttons, but who would read a blog devoted to the subject?  The answer?  Apparently 45,000 people.  Only Diane Lockhart could deliver that statistic and have me believe it.

With a sympathetic judge presiding, we watched as Lockhart Gardner made three attempts to have the verdict reversed: 1) Throw Lisa under the bus – “improper contact between a juror and a non-participant.”  Good try (and kudos on all the blog hits)… but denied; 2) Back to the garbage – try to make juror 12 feel threatened by a letter found torn up next to discarded coffee cups… too bad he admitted he didn’t really care.  Solid attempt… but back to square one; 3) Social media “friending” – the undoing of all great cases.  As luck would have it, the judge accepted a friend request on "FaceBranch" by our social butterfly button-lover during the trail – just the ethical breech Lockhart Gardner was after.  Signed, sealed, delivered. Case over.

The Art of Friendship

If the case had been any different this week – that is to say, if Diane hadn’t uttered the words, “what went wrong” – I’m convinced the episode would have been entitled “The Art of Friendship.”  Everything tying this episode together was based on this one thing we’ve seen Alicia struggle with for the last three years: having friends.  Perhaps this is why she and Eli actually get along so well?  As we’ve seen, Eli isn’t so good at that whole ‘friends’ thing either.

Alicia and Kalinda

I never would have imagined handcuffs and Internet Jesus would have brought Alicia and Kalinda back together.  I also never imagined I would write that sentence… which makes the whole situation the perfect way to start my I didn’t see that coming list.  That said, all things being equal, I’ve taken to working under the assumption that any storyline needs at least seven degrees of separation from Grace to succeed.  How Alicia tracked down Internet Jesus at his day job – a skateboard shop – is uncertain, but I’m glad she did.  Do I care about the fact Alicia doesn’t want Grace to hang out with this guy anymore?  Not really, but that could be more because I was rooting for her to be kidnapped.  I was, however, thrilled when he explained the details of Grace being found and returned home.  Even better was Kalinda’s threat to him, which clearly made her name stick in his memory.

Then, of course, an integral part of the storyline I have yet to tackle: Cary arresting Kalinda.  Getting too close to jurors was a risk K was willing to take for this case; Cary took exception and had her handcuffed and carted off to prison.  While she didn’t have enough time to make a shiv from her trusty notebook binding, she did get moved around the system until Alicia, after having found out Kalinda rescued Grace, decided to return the favor, yell at Cary and get her released from jail.  The moment tens of thousands of The Good Wife fans have been waiting for finally arrived – Alicia and Kalinda had a civil conversation.  "Alicia, I haven't changed.  I'm the same person.  I knew I could help, so I helped, that's all." It’s not full-fledged friendship yet, but it doesn’t have to be.  The subtext said it all – these two will be reconciled before too long.

Alicia and Owen

Thank goodness for brothers!  Owen is definitely Alicia’s best friend these days - he is the one and only person she can confide in about every aspect of her life, without judgment.  Okay, so maybe she didn’t tell him she tuned into a hot and heavy made-for-TV movie about Joan of Arc before they met for drinks, but otherwise, he’s pretty in the know.

Alicia and Will

After the heartbreak of last week’s episode, a trauma I’m not sure I’ll recover from until at least season 17, Will and Alicia had one exchange that both softened the edge of awkward encounters and complicated their future dealings simultaneously.

Will: “I don’t want things to be awkward.” 

Alicia: “I so don’t want things to be awkward.” 

Will: “Good. Then they won’t be” 

Alicia: “So that’s it then, isn’t it? 

Will: “What?” 

Alicia: “We just decide it and it’s so?” 

Will: “Yep, we’re adults”… 

Alicia: “Thank you” 

Will: “You have no reason to thank me Alicia, no reason at all.”

Well, what does that mean?  Alicia looked as puzzled as I felt.  I’m sure things will become clear later in the season, likely when it comes out that Will is in professional trouble but didn’t tell Alicia.  For now, I foresee a dwindling friendship between these two.  It makes sense the writers put some distance in this storyline, at least for the immediate future.

Alicia and Diane

Not only did Diane do a literal dance of joy with Justin at the beginning of the show (see photo below), she performed admirably in her metaphorical dance around Alicia.  Wanting to discuss Alicia’s potential path to partnership, Diane eloquently touched on the dangers of office romances and how distractions could be Alicia’s one and only downfall.  In the end, Diane made a proclamation of friendship, something we know Diane is careful not to offer to just anyone.  In fact, like Alicia, we don’t see Diane with friends.  As of season one, we knew she had a dog named Justice, but even he seems to have been missing for the last two and a half years.  Not knowing where any of this was going, my list of I didn't see that coming items quickly grew when Diane and Alicia met for drinks after work.  Pass the Scotch – these women mean business.

Down at the Gym

Whenever Wendy Scott-Carr shows up, two things immediately cross my mind: 1) Why can’t I, or anyone else, call her “Wendy” instead of “Wendy Scott-Carr” and 2) Why does she remind me so much of the Dark Lord?  The first question I pose could be a mystery from now until eternity, but the second answer is quite simply: because she’s evil.  First she was Peter’s opponent in the race to become State’s Attorney.  Next, Peter hired her to go after Lemond Bishop.  Not liking that track, she decided she wanted to go after Will under the guise of judicial corruption.  When she finally approached Will this week (if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time they’ve met), she arrived on the scene almost as a shadowed silhouette.  The only thing that could have made her entrance more sinister would have been her first lurking behind the bleachers watching Will play basketball by himself.  Knowing the details on the investigation, Will was quick to brush her off until she dropped the ultimate bomb: She’s not actually investigating him - she’s trying to bring down Peter.  What can I say?  I didn't see that coming, take three.

Quotes of the Week:

Alicia: “I had friends… Where are they all?”
Owen: “Probably on Facebook”

“I have to go yell at someone now. Talk to you later.” – Alicia to Owen, just before meeting Internet Jesus

“Oh good, more from the trash.” – Diane to Justin, when he delivers evidence to her desk that he has found in the garbage

Wendy Scott-Carr: “The next we talk, it will be in front of a grand jury.”
Will: "Okay. So be it."

What’s next?

Will is off to hire a lawyer with all of this whole 'judicial bribery' investigation going down.  Word on the street is that Elsbeth Tascioni is going to be just the woman for the job.  I can only image the level of frustration Wendy Scott-Carr will have with Elsbeth.  It’s going to be worth the price of admission.

Grace and Zach are off to private school.  I hope this doesn’t mean Jennifer, Grace’s tutor, will be unceremoniously ousted.  Quite frankly, she’s the best part of Grace right now.

The Good Wife is officially on hiatus until the New Year… but that doesn't mean I am.  Next week I’m planning a special feature on ‘top scenes we would have liked to witness.'  If there's one scene you've been imagining (Just think - what was the conversation Will and Alicia had when that elevator kept closing during the finale?) please post a reply and let me know.  Anything goes!

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"Parenting Made Easy"

Episode Title: "Parenting Made Easy"

Season 3, Episode 10 | Original Air Date: Sunday, December 4, 2011

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As fall turns to winter in Chicago, the seasons are similarly changing over at Lockhart Gardner: Eli is no longer the “flavor of the month” (thanks to the cheese people), Will is being watched like a hawk, Alicia is being wooed by Louis Canning and Kalinda is busy dipping her toes in everyone’s water.  Somehow The Good Wife writers keep delivering quality scripts that the actors are turning into television gold.  While I will pre-confess to being heart-broken by the time the credits rolled this week, I will first celebrate another great episode and state for the record: “Forget the cheese and diary people… I think Lockhart Gardner is single-handedly supporting Chicago’s fine purveyors of Scotch.”

In my Opinion – Episode Commentary

For the first time in recent memory, Alicia found herself with a case stuck in arbitration – it’s not life and death, but rather a friendly game of newly pitted rivalries: Caitlin vs. Martha, Florrick vs. Canning.  Making a triumphant return to The Good Wife, Michael J Fox’s character, Louis Canning, picked up right where he left off in season two: trying to convince Alicia his new firm is the place she should be.  In some ways what he proposes makes a lot of sense: She could spend more time with her children, get home before dinner and Will would no longer be her boss.  Okay, maybe it was just me thinking about that last selling feature, but I’m sure it crossed her mind.  While the arbitrator stops and starts the case like he’s driving a stick shift for the first time, we’re taken on a “wrongful termination” journey featuring Pamela Raker (played by Dexter’s Jennifer Carpenter) with Caitlin and Martha jumping head-first into their first “real job” debates.

The case this week, in my opinion, is the least important part of the episode.  It was what happened behind the scenes that maked it all so interesting.  Yes, there was all of Canning’s wooing in an attempt to snatch Alicia from Lockhart Gardner, but there was so much more…

Where’s Grace?

Throughout “Parenting Made Easy,” Alicia was on edge about the well-being of Grace and Zach and this time, she had reason to be concerned.  While at lunch with Canning, Alicia noticed 12 missed calls (no more annoying “Mom pick up the phone” ring tones), all from Grace.  With no answer when she called back, Alicia jumped to action and with the help of Canning and his driver, found herself in the throngs of a personal investigation.  The details?  Grace is missing and was last seen getting into a man’s car.  Overhearing a conversation between Alicia and Zach (who was once again at the office working on the Lockhart Gardner computers – I hope he’s getting paid), Kalinda gets down to business: Project “finding Grace.”  I had two early predictions on where this was going and I’m glad one was correct: Grace met up with her YouTube Pastor.  I hadn’t guessed she was going to be found at a church getting baptized, but when it comes to Grace, I try not to think about storyline too much.  In any case, Kalinda found Grace (of course, it is Kalinda), dropped her off at home and snuck out under the cover of darkness like a stealthy superhero not looking for any glory, just a job well done.  More than anything, maybe she’s just looking to up her karma rating?

M is for Meeting

The highlight of “Parenting Made Easy” was the number of one-on-one meetings happening everywhere this episode – every storyline escalated to a new level.  We started with a great exchange between Diane and Will featuring the notorious sound bite, “I think you need to stop mothering. I can take care of my life.”  Not long after, Diane stumbled upon Eli sitting in the boardroom staring at ceiling tiles with his imaginary clients.  Clearly Diane’s instruction “well don’t get morose” from the previous episode was as futile as his new food diagram.  My opinion? Get this man a copy of “Who Moved My Cheese?” already!  Diane, always one to offer encouragement and advice, came prepared to give Eli his daily dose: “Make friends, be nice to people, don’t try to do it all yourself.”  This time, Eli listened and set out to mend fences and find allies.

Under the guise of wanting to see what people were up to, Eli stepped into Will’s office and was quickly wrapped up in a lecture on how to be a team player.  While there, Will explained that Eli’s notable lack of attendance at staff meetings (and, if I’m not mistaken, also the mandatory Sexual Harassment Seminar?) isn’t helping him within the firm.  Oh yes, and he’s bad at sharing.  Admittedly, Eli knows his short comings and owns up to his faults while simultaneously accepting the offer to chat more over Scotch. 

Will: “Why is Peter investigating me?”

Eli: Looking genuinely surprised, slowly swallows his drink “I didn’t know he was”

Will: “He is. You’re still his political strategist, right? Is this for politics or something else?

Eli: “I have no idea.  Have you asked Alicia?  I mean, because she works here she might know.”

Will “I haven’t told her. I didn’t want to make it her business”

Eli: “But it is her business… isn’t it?”

Thank you, Eli, for pointing out something I’ve been thinking for weeks.  This investigation is going to become public sooner rather than later, and once again, Alicia is going to feel like she has been hit by a proverbial bus.  It will be 100 times worse than seeing Jackie’s face unexpectedly on a computer screen… and that takes something.

Flash forward a few scenes and we’re given yet another glimpse into the world of Dana Lodge, the sly and sassy ASA working with Cary.  As Dana and Kalinda sit and sip drinks at a local bar, I find myself missing Alicia and K’s random chats about love and life over tequila shooters.  For now, Dana will have to do, but not because of friendship, because of convenience.  I feel like Dana’s motives are all over the map – she wants to make an impression at the State’s Attorney’s Office and elevate her career, she wants to pursue a relationship with Cary and she wants to take Kalinda along for both rides.  Kalinda, the last person in the world I would try to double-cross, is wise to her ways but still finds herself playing along. Like Kalinda says, “When I flirt, I follow through.”  That’s what I love about her.  Keep on keepin’ on, Kalinda.

Then of course, there was my favourite conversationalist duo in Will and Kalinda.  Sometimes they don’t need to say anything, sometimes they hover of the verge of impropriety and sometimes they tell it like it is.  No matter what, there’s never any confusion though.  This week we got two stellar conversations: one about the investigation and one about commitment.   “I’ve spent my whole life getting ahead,” says Will, “Sometimes I can’t figure out why.”  Thinking about what the next steps with Alicia could look like, Will decides he needs to ask some important questions: What’s next?

Heart Break

The moment I’ve feared finally came to fruition: the gut-wrenching breakdown of Team Gardner.  Alicia has had points of reflection over the last few episodes – times when we’ve seen her think about the bigger picture and with the drama of Grace missing, she made a difficult decision.  No more Will, at least for now. 

Alicia: “Will…”

Will: “Yes.”

Alicia: “I can’t.  It’s too much.  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry.  I’m going to miss you.”

If you haven't seen the scene, please do.  The dialogue doesn't do it nearly enough justice. In any case, after one of the longest, most heart-felt hugs I’ve ever seen, Alicia walks out of Will’s office, tears pooling in her eyes and running down her face.  My heart broke for both of them.

What’s next?

Next week in “What When Wrong?” Cary has Kalinda arrested.  All I can think is “big mistake.”  Kalinda is sure to befriend some other recent law breakers and only increase her network.  Okay, that’s probably not the first thing that will happen, but still.  Bad move, Cary – I think this is plot is going to backfire into a hot mess.  Just wait.

Meanwhile, I think we all know the Alicia/Will relationship is far from over.  Although Diane thinks Will broke things off, that’s her misguided impression and one Will is surely not going to change.  He has done the right thing in her eyes and now he can focus on 1) the investigation (that darn Andrew Wiley finally surfaced!) and 2) consider his next move where Alicia is concerned.  I’d like to see him start crafting plan “win her back” but that might take until season four.  The fact is, he hasn't truly lost her, she's just overwhelmed with life. Why did I say I love the drama?  Pass the Scotch. 

Related to this Post

*Food Inspired by The Good Wife's "Parenting Made Easy:" Vanilla ice cream with black pepper and the Lockhart Gardner staple, Scotch!
*Josh Charles and Tim Guinee have fun on set, tricycle style

*Preview for next week's episode, "What Went Wrong?"

*Catch up on all the Latest Briefs with The Good Wife News

The Good Wife: On Location in NYC

On Location in NYC

On-site filming November 22, 2011| Post date: November 28, 2011 | Update: January 9, 2012

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Knowing there would be no new episode of The Good Wife this week, there was nothing left to do but take to the streets - and the hallways - of Lockhart Gardner to fuel my scheduled Monday post.  In fact, last weekend I got my lucky break in getting word The Good Wife would be filming at an on-site location in NYC.  I'm not one to miss such an opportunity, so after grabbing my purse, laptop bag and umbrella, I was out the door for an adventure that would last seven hours and feature a cast of colorful characters, including Christine Baranski.

In my Opinion - a Photographic Journey

When a show rolls into an on-site location, there is nothing small about the production and filming of The Good Wife is no exception.  Signage goes up, trailers appear and everything from lights to set pieces suddenly fill the streets.

Kalinda would have been proud: this sign proves I was able to sleuth the filming location!

Originally I had assumed The Good Wife was filming outside based on the influx of twinkle lights and old-fashioned lamp posts.  I may or may not be correct... (UPDATE: I was, in fact, incorrect - this was just a festive street)

Lights, cameras, nuts and bolts!

This way!

Perhaps this was just a festive block?  Fortunately, my observations are much more concrete later in the day 

Set up in the rain, these lights were aiming directly at the office tower in which they were filming

Setting up the lobby for shooting

One of my favourite pictures from the day:  I'll let the chaos and the colors speak for themselves

On-set supplies, from crates to carpets

The Scene

When I arrived at the filming site, they were finalizing blocking and rehearsing a three-person scene with Christine Baranaksi (Diane Lockhart).  The premise?  Diane is witness to a man being served with papers in the lobby of a building.  Needless to say, the process isn't smooth and said man ends up getting body slammed into one of the lobby's marble columns.  He quickly exits stage right and Diane is left to chat with the person doing the serving.  When the show airs, the highlight of the scene, it could be said, will be the man being pushed into the pillar.  I would contest this though.  It's really Diane's shoes.  Stay tuned.


Update: This scene is from episode 12, "Alienation of Affection." The premise?  Diane is heading into work when she happens upon Jack Copeland, the man who earlier in the episode, served not only her, but Alicia, Will and David.  Here, she finds him serving someone else - it seems the offices of Lockhart & Gardner are in his service area.  Could we be seeing more of Copeland?  I predict yes... perhaps with a tasty helping of love interest on the side.  Note: I'm still working on sourcing these amazing shoes!

Blocking and rehearsing...

Blocking and rehearsing take IV

Rest assured, I will be getting more information on these shoes.  Any guesses the designer?
Stuart Weitzman perhaps?

Oh yes, and we're rolling here - this is what you will see on screen!

A Special Thanks

Standing outside an on-location filming, you meet some interesting people - those who have no idea what's going on, those who are interested in behind-the-scenes experiences, those who like to catch a glimpse of celebrities and those who are fans of the whole process.  I met all of these people and was thrilled to be part of the process... even if it was in the rain! Thanks to Ron, the television and film composer I met, who listened intently to my explanation of all things "The Good Wife" and later called me an 'expert' to other passers by, and thanks to the security guard who is responsible for protecting doors and elevators during filming - you're doing a great job!


Related to this Post

• The Good Wife: News - Check out what's happening on-location and off, with 'The Latest Briefs'
• "Alienation of Affection" - Episode recap and Top 10 Favourite Moments