The Good Wife has a few episodes a season where they are faced with a strict deadline and this week is one of those cases. This deadline involves getting a stay of execution for a convicted murderer who might have vital information that will stop another client from being found guilty. This is a complicated case and Alicia (Julianna Margulies) must put her conscience aside to be successful in this attempt. Warning light spoilers ahead.
Alicia is not the same lawyer/person that she was back in season one, and she has developed a barrier between what she sometimes has to do for a client and her conscience. This isn't to say that she will happily do anything to win, but it doesn't seem to be as hard for her to do certain things as it might have been in the past.
This case looks like it could turn dangerous for Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) and Cary (Matt Czuchry); when they are on what seems like a routine visit they end up facing a barrage of gunfire. Will this experience bring them back together as friends? This will get all the more complicated as Dana (Monica Raymund) is remaining at the State Attorney's office and is not playing by Kalinda's usual rules. When Kalinda asks Dana for some information that might help their case, Dana tries to use this as a bargaining chip to get information on Will (Josh Charles).
As you can see from the sneak peek below the information she wants is to do with Will's relationship to Judge Baxter (Tony Goldwyn) who we last saw in the season 1 episode "Lifeguard." Baxter had a gambling problem that led to his taking money for sending kids to juvenile detention but prior to this Will had lent him $100,000 to help with his debt; is this going to look like a bribe rather than a friend helping out another friend? Hopefully Kalinda is going to have Will's back as she has previously said that she would and can help him in this difficult scenario. Also is there a spark between Kalinda and Dana that will make this even more complicated or are they both just playing on their sexuality?
Eli (Alan Cumming), who was absent last week, will be facing a crisis as he tries to get ahead of a political scandal that involves ones of his clients. Is this client Peter (Chris Noth) who has provided much scandal in the past or someone else? A few weeks ago we met Eli's wife Vanessa (Parker Posey) for the first time and this week sees the return of his wonderfully snarky daughter Marissa (Sarah Steele).
One big consequence from last week is that Diane (Christine Baranski) is now more than aware of Alicia and Will's affair thanks to the always annoying "Mom, pick up the phone" ringtone (as is Kalinda who was also present at the time). Really Alicia if you're going off for some secret sex during work hours make sure you put your phone on vibrate. There was no confrontation about the matter but Diane is now being frosty toward Alicia; is she disappointed in her or is she just concerned about the firm's future?
Alicia knows that something is up with Will and they had this conversation at the inappropriate time of the sexually harassment video (which was so brilliantly cheesy in the tone and style). He of course didn't reveal the news about the SA investigation- maybe because the room was full of other people but also because this investigation could seem like retaliation from Peter about his personal situation (even if Peter is maintaining that this isn't the case and has recused himself). This will raise all kinds of questions for the pair and executive producer Michelle King told TV Guide that this week "they're faced with a moment of truth: 'We could theoretically make this our future.'" Is this going to be the moment that will make or break Alicia and Will?
Last season's episode "Nine Hours" saw a race against time to get a stay of execution and it was one of my favourites of the year and this episode looks like a creepier version, will it pack the same punch? Also look for Chris Matthews (Hardball) who will be appearing as himself on tonight's episode.
Check out the promo and sneak peek below for "Death Row Tip".
