What a great episode of The Good Wife last night! In general I may have my problems with some of the characters and/or stories, but talk about a fantastic show with a fantastic ensemble cast. CBS has managed to elevate the procedural legal series into a real dramatic piece, and it shows each and every week. And the new characters that have joined this year? Bravo.
I do want to paint a little picture, however. Imagine, if you will, that last night’s entire episode only focused on the case at hand. Pluck out the backroom meeting Peter had with new State’s Attorney candidate Wendy Scott-Carr (Anika Noni Rose), and everything having to do with Eli. What do you have left? A tremendously good episode. So why bother?
Sure, then it wouldn’t have been possible for Peter to stand up to Joe Kent’s attorney, Wilk Hobson (hello Frederick Weller, AKA Marshal Marshall Mann from In Plain Sight!). But I for one hate the fact that Peter gets the opportunity to be the “good” husband every now and again. He doesn’t deserve the chance to treat Alicia well! What he deserves right now is to be in prison, but at the very least he should be groveling in some hovel far away from his family. And more importantly the show doesn’t need him.
I loved the drama in last night’s episode. That’s what power and politics is all about, although I didn’t quite get the undercurrent of Democrat/Republican that Diane seemed to be harping on. Speaking of, if Peter tried to get Wendy to join his ticket, does that mean he’s a Democrat too? I was definitely not expecting him to be.
Anyway, the drama. The entire questioning of Lara (Natalie Knepp) was just such a fascinating look into how legal cases are built. Considering everything they were getting done over at the firm, I kept on being surprised when the scene would return to the party across the street and find people still there. I kept on asking, “The event is still going on?” because the lawyers were packing a full day into an evening, while Peter and Will’s lady friend were leisurely sharing a table alone.
It’s obvious that the firm needs both Kalinda and Blake. Their strengths lie in different areas, and even on one case they both had what to do. Plus Kalinda’s established herself as great, while Blake (Scott Porter) is quickly getting there. I could do without their personal drama, but the two characters are both essential.
I am curious about Cary’s motive in sending Lara to Alicia, even as I still don’t understand why he’s been kept around on the show. Is it possible he really was looking out for what was best for Lara? Unfortunately, the way Cary’s been established as a character makes it really tough to imagine that.
I was impressed with Diane for standing up to Kent’s wife (I didn’t buy it, but taking it at face value I was impressed), but what was up with Lara in the end? I can’t imagine being a victim who’s put on trial, but what kind of moral fortitude does it show for her not to demand justice for herself, and to not protect the next person in line who might not be quite as lucky as she was? It was an inevitable ending to the story, but it was an unfortunate one.
Good TV makes you think. It makes you question. It makes you discuss … this is one great show.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Oct 27, 2010 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
Aryeh, you do realize this was based on an incident that occurred with Al Gore and was in the spotlight earlier this year?
The reason Diane kept harping on the political aspect is because when politics are involved, each side honestly imagines the other will go to such lengths to sabotage the other. Doesn’t say much for a two party system, does it?
And, I have been a victim. Thankfully the assault wasn’t sexual, but it was an assault nonetheless. Around the same time I was awaiting the trial and going through all of this, the same county was prosecuting a rape victim. This was a nobody who raped her. An absolute nobody. Not once, during the trial, was any evidence about his character brought to the surface. Not only that, no one knew where he lived, what he did for a living, etc. Because it wasn’t relevant to the case. What WAS relevant to the case was every sexual encounter the rape victim had ever had. The evidence department found five types of male DNA on her tights, and the defense tried to make it seem she was with five men that night.
That’s how the legal system works. The victim is on trial. The victim’s life if brought into the spotlight. For the accused, they are only allowed to use facts. I learned the hard way (although I got lucky and was spared a trial wherein I would have been on the stand) that our system is heavily weighted against the victim in various assault type cases.
Then again, The Defenders also shows how horrid the court system plays with the lives of the accused. Not during the trial, but when a new lawyer is assigned, and a judge doesn’t grant a continuance, they are doing the accused a great disservice. The court system is a colossal joke, and the people involved are rarely admirable and caring about their clients, on any side.
All of that said, I give kudos to The Good Wife for NOT choosing to take a side in this one. It’s the entertainment industry and they showed both sides of the equation with equal diligence. This is, without a doubt, one of the best shows on television.
Sorry for the uber-comment! ;-)
*POST AUTHOR*
I didn’t catch the Al Gore reference; I’m just saying that Diane was the only one talking about “big Democrat” the whole time. It seemed like she was making an issue of a non-issue.
Sorry to hear that you’ve had your own experience as a victim, and sorrier still that you observed a fellow victim being treated like a criminal. Fortunately (or not, depending on how you look at it) I still believe that the justice system serves the ultimate good. Beyond the emotional aspect (which is, of course, relevant) the very idea that the system works for truth beyond all else is a beautiful thing. The rights of the accused are as important as the rights of the victim, and a defense attorney who believes in what they do can go home at night feeling like they’ve spent the day protecting the law, even if they spent their day freeing a dozen criminals. The legal side of that is a uniquely special thing in a democracy.
Agreed, though, that The Good Wife is fantastic. :)
Although I think you’re right about Peter…he should not be given a second chance with Alicia…I also believe the show is portraying reality. Many people who do extremely stupid/inconsiderate/immoral/whatever things can still make good decisions. Whether it’s good enough to forgive them for other indiscretions is another issue, though.
*POST AUTHOR*
You happen to be correct … fortunately for me I get to be judgy here. ;)