Following Monday night’s Friends rip-off on How I Met Your Mother, CBS decided to stick to their own property and have The Good Wife steal directly from Cold Case. Sure, it was a “ripped from the headlines” case, but a judge who’s getting kickbacks from a private juvenile detention facility? How Lilly Rush is that?!?
Not only that, but immediately following her Golden Globes nomination for best actress in recognition of her work as Alicia Florrick on the show, I felt Julianna Margulies was largely absent from last night’s episode. I know this was taped way before the nominations, but they were further proof that The Good Wife’s success is all due to her. So where’d she go?
Instead, the focus last night was on the two remaining senior partners at her firm: Will (Josh Charles) and Diane (Christine Baranski). Will’s best friend was the dirty jurist (was that Tony Goldwyn from Ghost?), so he got caught in the “help me out” net, while Diane got called on by the Chief Justice herself to run for a judgeship. How I hoped that she’d accept and we’d be rid of her; I can’t stand the character (or the actress, to be honest). At least they didn’t make it seem as if she turned it down because she realized how vital a role she plays at the firm — last night was the first time anyone really came to her for help.
But even though she was leading the charge against the dirty judge, I really felt as if Alicia was completely absent. Maybe because she was the impetus, but not one of the players really mixing it up. Or maybe because there was also action back at home that she played no part in. Did you know that Jackie (Mary Beth Peil) was a prison snob? Did you know there was such a thing? I’m not a fan of her character either (you can ship her off with the mom on Castle), but I loved how she got up in that lady’s face … and sprayed her down with a garden hose! Awesome.
Also missing last night was one of the central themes of the show, namely Peter. After weeks of hearings, interviews, and hookers, he was nowhere to be found save for having his name dropped in court. Also missing was son Zach, who for the last few episodes has been attempting to investigate the massive conspiracy that landed his fully innocent father in prison. The plot can’t have forward momentum continuously, but it was surprising to see it set aside completely, even if for just one week.
The final thing that I felt was omitted — and that we actually have yet to really enjoy — is the traditional ruthlessness of a law firm, especially one that must be fighting to meet its payroll as it watches clients head out the door after recently departed named-partner Stern. I want to punch first-year Cary (Matt Czuchry) in the side of the head, but he’s the only one who seems to be living the reality at that place: it’s kill or be killed. Alicia’s clearly the better attorney, as she’s meant to be, and if they had to square off Cary would get eaten for breakfast. But at least he seems to know that there is a battle currently underway. I’d love to see Alicia fighting for survival a bit more.
She’s awesome when she’s mad.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Dec 16, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
Actually, they did indirectly address Peter. The story about the daughter and her new friend, who became friends because they both share a father in jail. The effect of such a thing on a kid is definitely relative to the whole story. I thought that was heartbreaking.
It wasn’t the best episode, but I still enjoy it far more than most shows on television.
*POST AUTHOR*
While I did see that as being a bit ancillary to Peter’s legal troubles, that’s a valid point. You know what it was? When I was trying to find a picture for the post pre-watching the episode last night, I read a summary that said that Alicia learns more about the set-up that Stern mentioned whenever that was. So I kind of expected something to happen there.
We see this played constantly from the politicians all the time in reality. Its boring when there’s a news flash about a sleazy politico screwing around. Bill Clinton helped desensitize America by humpimg sorority girls, political interns,and other bimbos. We no longer have the awe and shock. Now, maybe Barney Frank’s tryist with under age boys or the petiphilia mantra from the left may raise some eyebrows.
The only thing that could have saved this boring storyline would have been big name special guests or some skin. Besides, everyone knows the good wives are ATM girls. LOL
Not my favorite episode. I like the subplot with Diane, but definitely missed Peter or at the very least the Peter storyline. That (along with Margulies’s performance) is really the driving force behind the show. If this turns into a standard legal drama, I don’t think I’m going to have a lot of interest in it.