28 October 2013

THE GOOD WIFE: When Alicia Florrick Broke Bad

This is what happened when shit hit the fan on The Good Wife:


ALICIA: "This was never meant personally." 
WILL: "I don’t give a damn." 

So, where do you stand?

Which team are you on?

I'm not even sure what team I'm on because I really, really, really (really!) adore Diane Lockhart. But I get Alicia's drive and ambition, which I know is something Diane would respect, if the situation were different or if they were fighting for the same team.

This was never going to be a pretty separation, given how Team (Alicia) Florrick and (Cary) Agos tried covering their moves and worked behind their former bosses' backs. But this was more of Cary Agos' doing and choices than Alicia's. From the beginning, Cary had the intention to deceive, while Alicia...I'd like to think, was just being careful and calculating.

Always the idealistic, she knew what their leaving would mean for Lockhart/Gardner. They would have to be smart about their decisions. So, I really believed her when she said --- it was never meant personally. She did learn from the best.

But then, this episode did turn Alicia into Judas. Under chaotic circumstances but with her head clear on the prize, she took charge. She used her power to her advantage when in the past, she would always take the good and ethical path (hence...the title, duh!). Even worse, she got her governor-husband involved in this dirty mess (what a little quickie sex can do, huh?).

This episode was Alicia breaking bad.

And never mind the ethical implications, The Good Wife just delivered one of their best episodes for the entire series!

When Breaking Bad ended on a high note, it didn't seem like any show could top that for a while. But I think, this show broke that streak.

Stuff I liked:
  • David Lee calling out, "You're fired!" like he was Santa giving away gifts.
  • Kalinda acting like a double-agent. This girl is also smart.
  • The exchange between Alicia and Will about Gracie. They were fighting one minute and cordial the next. Completely funny and sad at the same time.
  • Scenes at the Chumhum headquarters. It always amuses me how Uncle Sean (The Big C) is a big shot on The Good Wife.
The cast of The Good Wife
 “We’re coming after you. All your clients. Every single one we worked to make happy while you swept in at the last minute to take credit. We’re taking them. And then you know what you’ll have? A very nice suite of offices.”

Those are fighting words from Alicia Florrick.  This week was just the beginning. And like everyone watching, I don't know how much messier this can get. But I like all this conflict. Maybe even more when I don't even know who to root for, and there's no particular character that's inherently "good" now.

Are you siding with any firm or person on The Good Wife after today's episode?