The Good Wife 2.20
Apr. 13th, 2011 03:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakIn which revelations are at hand.
I must admit, cheap joke or not, I giggled through the Chavez bits. Including the Courtney Love fanboying. Though I have to add, having seen Larry Flynt, she really was outstanding in that film. Anyway. "Where is her academy award?" (Meanwhile, the show doesn't downplay the truly sinister side of a dictator - that short scene where one worker after the other withdrew their testimony because they had family in Venezuela was very effective in that regard.
It was nice to see Natalie again, but I have to agree with everyone that the idea of Lockhart & Gardner not having a professional Spanish translator at hand already is mind boggling, and it was a very unlikely plot device to get her involved in the case.
If the actor/lawyer character was supposed to be an allusion to someone real, I didn't get it. Transatlantic failure on my part, I suppose.
The episode's suspense was drawn from Hitchcock's favourite plot device. I.e. the audience knows there is a metaphorical bomb about to go off, but the character most concerned does not, which makes it all the more nail biting. Andrew Wylie running after Alicia as the proverbial carrier of bad news throughout the episode did taste of plot device as well (because why does he need to ask/tell her so badly?), but I'm handwaving that. (Maybe we'll later find out something about Andrew that clears this up.) The question, of course, was only when he'd get the chance. I think it's important that actually fate gives Kalinda one last chance to come clean before Wylie delivers the goods - when she asks Alicia "can we talk" and Alicia says sure, she's just been given the afternoon. You can see in Kalinda's face that she realises this is her moment to confess, but she's not ready yet emotionally, and so she lets it pass.
The Alicia and Eli scenes continue to be golden, and the interviewer asking Alicia whether she has thought of a political career of her own making Eli's eyes light up was terrific to see. Which adds Alicia-for-whatever-office to Diane-for-judge as a second possibility on how the show will justify Eli's continued presence after this season. Though I don't think they'll do another campaign story as soon as next season. Hm.
This was a great acting showcase for our leading lady, from Alicia's self confidence in handling the reporter to the stillness, then utter devastation and tears in the final scene when she realises the full implication of "Leela".
Side issues: we get a reminder of Cary's snarkier and pragmatic side, but he and Kalinda continue to be great together (now with matching umbrellas). Since she's going to need a friend to talk to and get a hug from in about five seconds, that's good to see.
Prediction at this point: if Peter had lost the election (or been forced to withdraw via a public revelation of the one night stand with Kalinda), I'd have said he and Alicia won't get divorced because the show doesn't want to lose Chris Noth. Since he has won, I now think the divorce is inevitable because being state attorney justifies Peter's recurring presence. Also, winning the office but losing Alicia fits with the show's themes.
I must admit, cheap joke or not, I giggled through the Chavez bits. Including the Courtney Love fanboying. Though I have to add, having seen Larry Flynt, she really was outstanding in that film. Anyway. "Where is her academy award?" (Meanwhile, the show doesn't downplay the truly sinister side of a dictator - that short scene where one worker after the other withdrew their testimony because they had family in Venezuela was very effective in that regard.
It was nice to see Natalie again, but I have to agree with everyone that the idea of Lockhart & Gardner not having a professional Spanish translator at hand already is mind boggling, and it was a very unlikely plot device to get her involved in the case.
If the actor/lawyer character was supposed to be an allusion to someone real, I didn't get it. Transatlantic failure on my part, I suppose.
The episode's suspense was drawn from Hitchcock's favourite plot device. I.e. the audience knows there is a metaphorical bomb about to go off, but the character most concerned does not, which makes it all the more nail biting. Andrew Wylie running after Alicia as the proverbial carrier of bad news throughout the episode did taste of plot device as well (because why does he need to ask/tell her so badly?), but I'm handwaving that. (Maybe we'll later find out something about Andrew that clears this up.) The question, of course, was only when he'd get the chance. I think it's important that actually fate gives Kalinda one last chance to come clean before Wylie delivers the goods - when she asks Alicia "can we talk" and Alicia says sure, she's just been given the afternoon. You can see in Kalinda's face that she realises this is her moment to confess, but she's not ready yet emotionally, and so she lets it pass.
The Alicia and Eli scenes continue to be golden, and the interviewer asking Alicia whether she has thought of a political career of her own making Eli's eyes light up was terrific to see. Which adds Alicia-for-whatever-office to Diane-for-judge as a second possibility on how the show will justify Eli's continued presence after this season. Though I don't think they'll do another campaign story as soon as next season. Hm.
This was a great acting showcase for our leading lady, from Alicia's self confidence in handling the reporter to the stillness, then utter devastation and tears in the final scene when she realises the full implication of "Leela".
Side issues: we get a reminder of Cary's snarkier and pragmatic side, but he and Kalinda continue to be great together (now with matching umbrellas). Since she's going to need a friend to talk to and get a hug from in about five seconds, that's good to see.
Prediction at this point: if Peter had lost the election (or been forced to withdraw via a public revelation of the one night stand with Kalinda), I'd have said he and Alicia won't get divorced because the show doesn't want to lose Chris Noth. Since he has won, I now think the divorce is inevitable because being state attorney justifies Peter's recurring presence. Also, winning the office but losing Alicia fits with the show's themes.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 02:54 pm (UTC)The actor played a DA on Law & Order, and then left acting to run for public office. Prior to being an actor, he was a lawyer and lobbyist. so he was basically playing himself.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 03:23 pm (UTC)I like the Andrew W character because he comes across initially as so nice and sweet, with the baby and the liberal happy politics, and then it's starting to show that his insistance on the truth at all costs can be selfish and cruel. I can't figure out *why* he told Alicia - and why then. To crash her celebration, with family so close - cruel. I want to know where Peter is during this - Eli's whole "he's resting like the bride before the big day" is creepy.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 03:26 pm (UTC)I want to know where Peter is during this - Eli's whole "he's resting like the bride before the big day" is creepy.
Chris Noth is on Broadway, so his appearances on the show are limited. I'm not sure what the in-story reasons are, though.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-13 03:59 pm (UTC)The Natalie plot device was a bit silly, but I'm still pleased how much this show enjoys incorporating recurring or even one-shot female characters that are right off the bat well-rounded and interesting.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-14 09:06 pm (UTC)I thought Alicia was just the highlight of this episode. Every scene she has with Eli in particular in golden, and I'm enjoying the understated way JM plays everything-it makes moments when she loses her composure (like at the Kalinda revelation) that much more effective.
no subject
Date: 2011-04-15 04:39 am (UTC)Yes to all you said. Alicia is a rare character because tv usually presents us with people more extrovert in leading roles, especially female characters, and she's quite often very self contained. Episodes like the one where Owen gets her to confide in him with sibling nagging and some weed, or now the Kalinda moment would not work as fantastically well if not for the contrast, and JM plays it beautifully.