The Good Wife 6.06

[selenak]

I've now started to find Elsbeth scenes actively grating, which is a shame. Once upon a time, I used to lilke the character. But like I said last week - she stopped being real for me and became an annoying "what new quirk will the writers give Elsbeth this time?" plot device.

The return of Diane and Alicia at the old office and Alicia taking Will's office scene by itself was sublimely played by the actresses, but the emotion it intended to convey fell flat for me because I'm entirely with Cary on this one. They're back to where they started now, not just symbolically. Remember when Diane and Will, in order to split Alicia from the fourth years, made her a partner? And now they've got Howard - absolute embodiment of everything old and useless and a one note joke (remember that time Howard groped an intern, ha ha ha) with them. I did NOT NOT NOT want a return to the old office and all it symbolized. I knew I didn't last week, but I didn't know how much I didn't want it until I saw it playing out this week.

You know what else I didn't want? A flimsy ridiculous plot device preventing Cary and Kalinda having scenes together for at least a part of the remaining time Archie Panjabi has on the show. Boo. Hisss. BOO.

The only part of this episode I liked was the political subplot, which was the show at its best. Alicia found a way to word all her replies without lying about suddenly believing in God, being the brilliant lawyer she is, and conveying to the intended voter audience the (totally inaccurate) impression she's on her road to Damaskus. But the necessity to fake something like this because atheists don't get elected into office in the US rubbed in yet another bit of integrety lost in the political process. And Grace, to whom religion is something important she's found to by herself, suddenly is confronted with this, too, when being congratulated about converting her mother. I thought the young actress did a great job in Grace's silent reaction. She knows Alicia hasn't changed her mind, she knows why the whole charade was necessary, but now she realises she's taking part in a deception - and she's also confronted with her prayer group's unpleasant smugness about atheists seeing the light.

Comments

[jae]

Thank you for pinpointing what has been irking me about these Elsbeth episodes. I've never particularly enjoyed this show when its penchant for quirkiness has gotten over-the-top, but I think the "what new quirk will the writers give her this time" aspect was an additional annoyance.

-J

[selenak]

It's a fine show, and this season started out strongly, but when they overdo the quirky for the sake of it, it's as bad as when they tried to do "edgy" sexuality with Kalinda/Ex-Husband.

[zulu]

I agree with you. The atheist subplot was the strongest. I wasn't necessarily ready for Alicia to run for office, but I do love the path the show is taking of just breaking down her honesty/authenticity in as many ways as it can. And I do wonder what the fallout will be for Grace after being praised for something she didn't really do, a very uncomfortable position for her.

The rest of the episode...ugh, the narrative just went so hard at rewarding the creepy guy; it was painful to watch.

[selenak]

I'm really interested in where this will go with Grace. She may end up ruining her mother's chances at election by telling the truth - and it could ge a good thing.

[zulu]

In that case, I'd love to see whether Alicia appreciates the save or feels like she got betrayed (again!).

[monanotlisa]

Oh, good point about Zach!

I was not fond of this episode either, except in the political maneuvering; I do hope they refocus.