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The Good Wife – The wrong named partner just walked out the door

Did anyone else read a lot into the brief shot of Alicia passing a piece of paper from Viola to Diane? Is it just me, or is she sometimes starting to feel like little more than an insignificant middleman on the show?

- Season 2, Episode 16 - "Great Firewall"

Last night’s episode of The Good Wife was a great one. I felt like the office politics — as well as the real politics — had a little more levity to them, while the case-of-the-week, while not a trial, was intriguing enough to keep me fully plugged in. Casting Ken Leung as the imprisoned dissident certainly didn’t hurt.

In many ways Chumhum was a very poorly disguised version of Google, but I enjoyed their litigation team, particularly the CEO who did a great job against Will in his deposition. By the way, he does look like an idiot in a hoodie.

The hook back to recent client Patric Edelstein (Jack Carpenter) was awesome, even though ethically Lockhart, Gardner should have been forced to disclose that and recuse themselves. And I enjoyed how what Will and Diane were doing led to the first time where I believed Alicia would actually consider leaving the firm. I didn’t like her ego so much, but Viola (Rita Wilson) seems like fun, and I think Alicia might actually excel working for her.

There’s something wrong if the environment in the Florrick house is such that Zach would instinctively think to get involved in the great nanny investigation. I did enjoy the campaign stuff, but the kids getting involved — especially, but not limited to, when it drags Becca (Dreama Walker) into the conversation — is annoying.

Anyway, the debate tracking made me feel like I was watching The West Wing again, and of course I’m glad that Childs withdrew from the race. But I really don’t want to see Peter succeed; I hope Wendy has some more tricks up her sleeve.

It was weird timing for the partnership vote, not to mention the fact that I’m at a loss for why the show bothered casting Michael Ealy. But I enjoyed Diane, Will, Julius (Michael Boatman), and David Lee (Zach Grenier) holding clandestine meetings outside. And I loved Diane and Will’s plan to bring back Stern’s gang of three … might there be further sightings of Mr. Lyman (Jerry Adler) around the office?

That was a sneaky move by Julius to pull one over on Bond, but Bond’s ouster was over a lot faster than I imagined it would be. Is that it? Is he really done? We’ll see. But I’m not sure how well this will serve the firm, because the merger with Bond’s firm is what kept their heads above water. Will his partners and employees — not to mention their clients — hang around without him? I wonder.

Some random moments to leave you with:

  • How short is the lead-time on The Good Wife’s shooting schedule? Someone (Will?) said “Look what happened in Egypt” in reference to the China case. That was mere weeks ago!
  • I think Kalinda’s grand jury is an annoying buzzing in the ear of the show. I liked her last season, but this year the extra layer of darkness she’s been shrouded in is overkill.
  • Speaking of Kalinda, her kiss with Cary was the second in the three shows that I review on Tuesday night that made me nauseous. Gross.
  • This line from Eli: “I am the smartest person I know.”

Photo Credit: CBS

7 Responses to “The Good Wife – The wrong named partner just walked out the door”

March 2, 2011 at 2:33 PM

*snicker*

I thought about adding that to my post last week but didn’t since I thougt it might be too personal and that childish of me but here you exclaim it yourself. People kissing grosses you out.

Priceless.

You should start your reviews with “Dear diary” from now on ^^;

March 2, 2011 at 3:48 PM

I noticed the Egypt reference too. It really was a great line but most likely it was dubbed in after the fact since you don’t actually see the actor’s lips mouthing the words.

March 2, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Interesting. I’m going to look at that one again. Thanks!

March 2, 2011 at 9:38 PM

It was the Chumhum CEO who made the egypt reference, as a voice over, after the camera cut to Will, listening. The audio sounded slightly different for that sentence, making me think this was an example of ADR – audio added in the studio ex-post facto.

March 3, 2011 at 11:07 AM

Really enjoyed the episode. I loved the way they cut between the drama in the election and the office so seamlessly. It was, of course, a big chapter in the show, with the resolution of two major storylines. It was nice to see Peter win re-election, because now that moves the show in a fresh direction (I remember thinking during the first season he’d never get out of prison). I like the pattern this show takes: Get in, explore a plot thread thoroughly, and move on to the next one cleanly. Similarly, it’s good to see the endlessly arrogant and paranoid Bond lose his place of power. Still wouldn’t mind seeing him get some revenge, but not to the degree of taking over or destroying the firm. I agree that the Kalinda plot is kind of tiresome. Why does this seem to be another one of those characters that _everyone_ in the world wants to have sex with? She’s not that interesting.

March 3, 2011 at 3:31 PM

Did Peter (unofficially) win re-election, or the nomination?

I suppose you’re right about Bond, but then I don’t understand why the show went there with his character in the first place. Couldn’t he have just been a new partner who came in and rattled some cages … while being a productive member of the team? I think he could have brought a lot with him in that capacity.

March 6, 2011 at 10:38 AM

Yes, I noticed the note passing moment which I believe was Viola attempting to belittle Alicia, or what she perceives is Alicias role in the firm..Alicia with her look of annoyance.
For me, Kalinda is one of the most interesting characters in the show and I don’t mind Carey.
I also loved the humorous moments and almost wished the one ‘partner’ hadn’t died..it would be fun to see the two of them rambling around the offices.
Eli steals every scene he is in.
Love this show! Thanks for your great blogs!

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