‘The Good Wife’ recap: New technology and a new Alicia
What a wacky episode of “The Good Wife.” Strange antics, frustrating politics, a car that drives itself, and an annoying know-it-all software developer all create chaos in Alicia’s life. Not to mention some almost-intimacy with Jason Crouse. But a new, relaxed Alicia takes it all in stride.
We start at the offices of Lockhart, Agos & Lee, where Diane and Cary simultaneously defend the manufacturer of a self-driving car, and the employee “driving” the vehicle when he had an accident that put a woman in a wheelchair. The employee couldn’t get the car out of “driverless” mode, and it slowly hit the woman’s car, pushing her into a busy intersection. Louis Canning defends the woman.
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With LAL dividing their attention between their two clients, the employee feels unsupported. Canning, who seems to have a whole stack of Alicia’s business cards, senses the employee’s dissatisfaction and tells him to call Alicia. So the three warring law firms are back together again. I’m still not sure what Canning gets out of sending Alicia clients, but I certainly enjoy seeing these brilliant lawyers play off each other.
Thanks to testimony from a rather obnoxious software developer—and an especially unnerving ride in the self-driving car—we learn that some of the employee’s coding “friends” hacked into the car’s software to mess with the employee. They may not have meant anything cruel or damaging, but it ended up forever altering this poor woman’s life.
As much fun as it is watching Alicia kick butt at the law, and I feel that she’s gotten a little softer this season so I’m glad to see that hard edge come back, I still want them to find a little more to do with Cary and Diane. They all seem to be side characters to Alicia’s story. But since she is “The Good Wife,” perhaps that’s how it should be.
While working with Jason on the case, Alicia invites him to have a drink with her. She’s trying to soften the blow of asking him to sign a liability release. He knows it’s likely because of his history, but she of course refuses to say so. But she can see how it implies a lack of trust on her part. Jason, and I, feel sure that’s not what it is, and I’m excited to see what might happen between the pair, especially when Alicia asks him to stay for a frozen pizza taco dinner.
But No! Peter enters, uninvited, with a huge entourage of supporters and protectors. Dang. So much for any intimacy with Jason. I’d still like to know what happened during their drinks two weeks ago, especially with Jason’s comment today: “This must be serious; we’re in your kitchen.” As opposed to what? (I know some readers find Jason, or Jeffrey Dean Morgan, a little creepy, but I find him incredibly sexy. Not sure what that says about me.)
Eli tried to call Alicia to ask if Peter could stay with her for a few days, because Vice is writing an article claiming they’re not really married. Alicia seems fine with it—and even takes it one step further by asking Peter if he wants “to get laid.” Really? Of course he’s interested. When Peter asks if Alicia’s OK, she explains matter-of-factly, “It’s always sexier not to care.” Ouch. I’m a little surprised Peter isn’t disappointed by that remark. Eli doesn’t know what to think of the situation when he discovers them afterward, but unflappable Alicia enjoys making Eli squirm.
Eli is also invested in the appearance of a Florrick marriage because bigwig campaign contributor Courtney Paige (special guest Vanessa Williams) may want to back Peter’s campaign. They stage a family dinner to celebrate Grace’s birthday, even though it’s months away, and put on a good show. Of course things don’t go exactly as planned when Peter’s mother Jackie shows up with her new beau Howard Lyman, to announce they’re engaged! To be married! All the while dropping little racial comments along the way. Peter’s frustrated, but all Alicia can do is laugh.
Courtney isn’t troubled by the interruptions—in fact, it may have helped Eli’s cause. She found the Florricks boring, like an old married couple, and having Jackie interrupt probably showed her they can be normal. She decides to back them.
Eli now seems to be genuinely helping Peter’s campaign. I wonder if he’s getting over his grudge, or if it’s just a coincidence. Either way, I love his banter with Nora. She’s great.
Alicia also battles DNC chair Frank Landau and the politician who wants to vote him out, both of whom are playing Alicia to get their way. We’ll have to see what happens next week to resolve that storyline, but suffice it to say, I hate politics, especially when they’re this shady.
So how do you like this episode, “Good Wife”-ers? Do you enjoy Nora too? Would Alicia rebuild a relationship with Peter, or will she pursue Jason (especially now that Morgan is joining “The Walking Dead”)? Has Eli given up his grudge? How does Alicia vote in that DNC meeting?
Twitter: @camusr6
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