The Good Wife: Bad Boys Coming Home

Much is the comings and goings at Lockhart, Gardiner & Stern… well, it’s mostly the goings as the firm continues to downsize in an effort to stay afloat. But this week heralds the dramatic return of the ousted Stern in a case that could very well topple the floundering firm. Also, Peter makes a political play and pushes Alicia too far. How far will he go to get his wife back?

In the case this week, a satirical cartoon featured in the newspaper The Vindicator leads to a bombing at the paper’s office. An employee, Jeffery Sanbourne, was killed in the bombing. His widow sues The Vindicator, believing they contributed to his death. At first negotiations seem to be going well. Mrs. Sanbourne’s attorney is quite happy with the $350,000 settlement offer. Mrs. Sanbourne is pleased with neither the offer nor her attorney, as she promptly fires him and brings in Stern. With a new foothold, Stern seeks to make good on his promise to bring down the firm to the tune of 25 million. Ouch.

Outside of Will’s office Alicia meets Gerald Costco. He introduces himself and asks Alicia to take a message back to Peter: that he’s sorry.

In a funny coincidence, Carey went to college with a girl who is working with Stern on this case. In between making out, she tells him that Stern wants Carey to join with him. The offer seems to tempt Carey; no contest for associate, no wondering about lay-offs or money. She tells him that Stern has already signed 11 other lawyers, including Julius Kane, the lawyer working on their prominent case.

In Peter world, it seems Childs is changing tactics; he’s trying to find a different claim to nail Peter to the wall. While Peter and his team wonder what this new aim is, they get sudden illumination when Peter passes Costco’s message. Costco gets immunity if he testifies against Peter. Eli later tries to blackmail Costco into keeping quiet, but it seems the “new” Peter is not much of a threat.

Carey tells Will about Stern trying to poach him and his successful poaching of Kane. Will and Diane meet with Kane who agrees to stay on when Diane agrees to meet his salary and start a diversity hiring initiative. In return, Kane will give them the names of the 10 other attorneys who will then be fired.

Kallinda and Carey realize that the bombing at The Vindicator was an inside job and the expert witness for the defense was keeping secrets. Turns out he is a fired ex-employee who had an admiration for explosives. With his case fallen apart, Stern looks to settle for the initial 350k, the high offer now is 250k.

In a genius political move Peter brings his family to church and cuts out to meet with Eli and Costco. Costco tells Peter that Childs has more dangerous evidence including a tape of them meeting in a hotel room. Peter reminds Costco that he has information on him and his married son, and in a show of Old Testament Peter rips Costco’s shirt to expose the hidden wire.

During this time, Alicia has been wondering about Peter’s absence. She catches them just in time to see a Costco leaving with Peter looking on. At home, Alicia sets up a date with Will. She seems unconcerned that Peter is listening on. Peter questions if she is trying to make him jealous, Alicia says she doesn’t care anymore and that their marriage is over. She’s tired of thinking that he’s changed. Peter stays behind as Alicia storms out of the apartment. Peter hesitates, staring at the home monitoring device. And in one decisive moment he steps into the hall setting the alarm off. Hearing the alarm Peter determinedly presses for the elevator.

Is that enough? Peter is willing to tempt jail to keep his wife. Does this convince you, or is it too little too late?

Next week: Consequences.

Season 1, Episode 19: Success (originally aired April 27, 2010)

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Tuesday at 10/9c on CBS

Photos courtesy of CBS and John Paul Filo and David M. Russell.