It was definitely awesome to be treated to some extra Sharif Atkins last night on The Good Wife, where he played AUSA Harrison Rivers. Atkins is great on White Collar, and I think everyone who watches the show would agree that his only shortcoming is how little screen time he gets. So it was great to see that his acting ability is being recognized around the industry.
Unfortunately, Atkins made an appearance on what was quite possibly the first actually bad episode of The Good Wife. I’m not sure if it’s taboo to say that, considering the love affair that we’ve all been having with the show, but talk about crappy.
Actually, Atkins’ portion of the episode was really its only saving grace. While I didn’t care about the case, I did very much enjoy Will in Federal court … in my opinion. Seeing him in action there actually gave me a taste of what he could potentially do as a defense attorney working for people charged with Federal crimes. It could also be a lucrative business, so maybe it’s something for the firm to look into. In my opinion.
But that’s where the fun ended. I thought it was absurd that Will was arguing for taking Bishop (Mike Colter) the drug dealer on as a client. Does he really want to be Maury Levy (fans of The Wire know who I’m talking about, as played by Michael Kostroff)? I mean, Maury did get to work with Avon and Marlo, but he also had to make his way down to the local precinct every time one of their corner boys got booked. Or at least the ones they cared enough to spring from jail. Bishop wouldn’t be looking for an estate planner.
Then there was the whole ridiculous thing with Peter and Alicia and the condoms. I’m still not clear on why they were in her drawer, but who the hell is Peter to question Alicia even if she were to send him pictures of herself cavorting with other men? I know it’s easy to say Peter should put things into perspective, but put things in perspective! His affairs were strewn all over the media, and he has no idea what kind of effect that’s had on Alicia’s life. To dare question what she’s doing in her personal life now? This is exactly why she should never have let him come back to the house … Peter is right now on the outside of their marriage looking in. And with him outside, there is no inside to look in on, which means she should be free to do whatever she wants to until, and if, she chooses to reconcile with him. Period.
Then there’s Eli Gold (Alan Cumming), who I’m totally not into. At times he gives me a bit of a Gene Wilder vibe, which is to say light and enjoyable, but for the most part I don’t like him, or what he represents — Peter having the audacity to pick up where he left off professionally before taking care of the mess he made of his family. That doesn’t sit right with me.
I just did not like last night’s episode at all. I know it’s a temporary slip, because this is a really good show, but then again there are a number of things (see above) that could continue to be frustrating. In my opinion. We’ll just have to wait and see where they’re all heading.
By the way, anyone remember what the cop told Peter last week as he was setting up his ankle monitor? No Internet, no cell phone. Peter answering Alicia’s phone when Will called (a moment that itself was really dumb) should see him back in prison. Did the writers miss that one?
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Mar 10, 2010 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
Thanks for the mention.
Michael Kostroff
what i got from the final reveal was that the condoms belonged to Alicia’s son, who hid them in Alicia’s drawer, i guess to avoid being found by the nosy adults, particularly the grandma. the show has been setting up the son as not very forthcoming with adults. although it is an interesting place to hide things though, perhaps he thinks it’s normal for his mom to have condoms. maybe the writers wanna signify how even in Alicia’s house, people keep secrets?
i agree that having peter moving into the house this early in the series is progressing a bit too fast, so i’m curious to see how they’re gonna handle that because from all the interviews the producers done, it’s clear that it was their plan all along to have peter back in the house by now.
*POST AUTHOR*
I thought that too about the condoms, but how would that be a hiding place? They were in plain sight, and Alicia would know they weren’t hers. They were clearly making that point, but it made no sense on any level.
I respectfully dissent.
About the condoms, I think Alicia and her son agreed to keep them in her drawer so that the grandmother doesn’t find them and ask questions.
About the reaction to most of the other things: I see your reaction as a reflection of how good the episode was, not how bad. You are not supposed to be comfortable with Eli Gold, he is a cut-throat political strategist prick-kind of like Karl Rove; or with Alicia’s husband’s planning of a comeback, or him meddling in her personal life. But that is what would happen, that is what happens. It makes you and me cringe. But it happens. Just like lawyers making a decision between taking a notorious client and going under or laying off an entire department.
I thought the episode was really good for precisely the reasons you mention. They did not tell us everything, and they did not care for what we WANTED to see; they are showing us what is happening, and sometimes, we won’t like it!
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks! Really interesting thoughts.
In thinking about it, you might be right about the condoms. Although I don’t know if their being in Alicia’s drawer would stop Grandma from snooping, or if she’d have a less worse reaction thinking they were hers. However, the very idea solidifies just how terribly confined by secrets this family is.
In truth, you are probably correct about the rest. However, and this is really my main issue with plots I don’t like on this show, none of that is okay in my book if it takes away from Alicia’s story, or if it makes her seem like less of the woman than we know she is. Focus on Peter and his plotting takes time from Alicia and how she’s getting on with her life. Her not taking more of a stand on things like Peter commandeering her kitchen as a headquarters is not exactly the Alicia we’ve come to know. But yes, we should see what’s happening even if we don’t like it. Absolutely. The show should just make sure to keep Alicia and her story front and center. :)