On the podium. That is where this season began and that is where it ends. With Peter on a podium and Alicia with a decision to make. At the start of the series Alicia chose to be the good wife. She stood up next to her husband at that podium as he admitted his philandering ways and denied the political corruption of which he was accused. But will she do it again? How much has changed in a year?

I’m going to skip over most of the details about the legal case because, although it was mildly interesting, it wasn’t the point of this episode. I could say that about the series as a whole. At its core, I believe The Good Wife is a character study. (Fyi, my husband would probably disagree. He loves the legal drama.)

This episode was all about character pairings and not just Alicia and Will or Alicia and Peter. How about Alicia and Cary, Will and Giada, Diane and McVeigh, Kalinda and Det. Burton, Kalinda and Agent Lana, Eli and Peter’s mom? The character interaction on this show is what gets me tuning in every week so let’s take a look at some of these.

Cary taking a job with the prosecutor’s office makes for great storytelling. We knew they’d keep Cary on the show but I didn’t think they’d find such an interesting way to do it. We get to see a bit of Cary’s dark side we always knew was there. He feels betrayed by Alicia, accusing her of not playing fair in the previous episode. I had to laugh at that. I like Cary but he would have pulled the rug out from under her in a heartbeat if he’d had the chance. He has the attitude of a sore loser but I think that in the real world, its pretty realistic. Its fun to see him come gunning for Alicia and good to know we’ll get to see these two square off more in season two.

What can you say about Will dating Giada. Giada is young, intelligent, beautiful, and now rich on top of all that (at least her daddy is.) If he and Alicia completely fall through, he’ll need a distraction. How can you fault him for this one?

I love Diaea and McVeigh, probably because Christine Baranski and Gary Cole make the most of every scene they’re in. It was completely in character when Diane took what McVeigh had taught her and used it against him in the deposition. That’s her job and I’m guessing that men may come and go but the job is always there. That said, I hope to see the dance between the liberal attorney and the conservative ballistics expert continue next season.

Kalinda, Kalinda, Kalinda. What can I say? I’ve never been a big fan of her with Det. Burton but its mostly due to him. He comes across as just this side of slimy. Now Kalinda and FBI Agent Lana, that gets more interesting. I was surprised they didn’t show the kiss. Was it that The Good Wife’s demographics skew older and more conservative? Were they just trying to be creative? Is it the fact that they keep much of Kalinda’s private life private and they felt the same about showing this kiss? But if that’s the case why didn’t they have any problems showing her and Burton steaming up the windows. I’m hoping they were going for creativity. Kalinda’s bisexuality is an interesting plot twist for an already interesting character. I don’t need to see a play by play but I’d hate to think they were scared of showing a same sex on-screen kiss. I’d like to think we’ve gotten past that.

Jackie (Peter’s mom) and Eli. How great are these two. Two powerbrokers pushing the chess pieces around to achieve the outcome they desire. They don’t have to like one another. They’ll work together as long as doing so helps them achieve their ultimate goal. And I’ll enjoy ever entertaining scene.

Back to Alicia. After a whole season devoted to gaining her independence it does seem as though Peter is looking to steal some of it back. Yes, he’ll support her working for Lockhart Gardner but mostly because it will help his political aspirations. Is this really a marriage worth saving? Alicia certainly doesn’t seem as though her heart is in it. Although with two kids and 15 plus years worth of history, I can see where it gets complicated. And Peter sure knows how to play her. “I want to be a great [state's attorney] and I can’t be without you.” He delivers that line with such honest ambition and sincerity that you either buy it or you want to smack him. You choose. But my favorite dialogue was Alicia on the phone with Will. To Will’s credit he is trying to step up. He’s putting all his cards on the table. If he fails at least he knows he tried. But Alicia is no kid looking to get swept away in a new romance (as much fun as that may be.) She’s been through the emotional wringer and she’s not a fool. There is a lot on the line. “Show me the plan. I get the romance. I need a plan…I have two kids who mean the world to me…I have the press…and I have a husband…Show me a plan. Poetry is easy; it’s the parent teacher conferences that are hard.” That little speech made this episode for me because it’s true. Romance seems easy next to real life. It is the lucky few who can combine the two with success.

So who do you think Alicia will choose? Peter? Will? Perhaps neither? Honestly, I’m pretty sure I would have walked the day I found out my husband was cheating on me (with prostitutes no less) but then we wouldn’t have a show. Where do you think Alicia and the rest of this stellar cast ends up in season two?

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Comments:


Joni (6/01/2010 - 5:14pm)

-I think she should dump Peter and start something new with Will but it will be complicated.  Peter seems like the type to get nasty during a divorce.

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Tags: The Good Wife