The Good Wife: “I’m Kalinda.” ‘Nuff Said

The Good Wife returns this week after a two week hiatus, and while this episode wasn’t as mind-blowingly spectacular as the last, it was still a pretty decent addition to the series.

This week’s episode finds Will, Alicia, and Carey on the defense of Bianca Price, a college student on trial for the murder of her roommate. The prosecution wants to paint this as a crime of passion: the jealous Bianca shot her roommate after they had a threesome with Bianca’s boyfriend. This story is simple and clear, and this worries the defense because a clear and simple story is one the jury can easily get behind.

But then again, the jury has their own theories about the case also as they bandy back and forth about smaller aspects of the trial. For example, was Alicia placed at Bianca’s side in an attempt to win the jury’s sympathy? Just how freaky is her husband? Does the witness for the prosecution have a thing for Kalinda? These questions don’t really require answers. I just find it funny that these are the first discussions.

The real drama this week was perhaps to be found in the personal relationships of the partners of the firm. Along with Will and Alicia’s romantic overtures, Diane gets herself a little action. Marlboro man ballistics expert from a few episodes ago, comes back to catch up on that flirtation with Diane. While it is nice to see Diane become vulnerable and open up, this becomes problematic for the defense that relies on his testimony to clear their client of this offense. Turns out the bullet was accidentally self inflicted, it’s just too bad that Ballistics came to this conclusion after sleeping with Diane. The prosecution points this out to the court, and it is suspicious.

On the Will and Alicia front, the juiciest part was included in the beginning recap with last episode‘s kiss. Seriously, if they could start every episode with that I’d be perfectly happy. Now, I know at some point this could become tiresome, but we’re not there yet so let’s keep it on repeat. Alicia and Will have a heart-to-heart chat this week about their potential relationship. While Alicia thinks that their relationship is romanticized because it never was, Will gets all lovey dovey with my second favorite line of the episode professing his preoccupation with her: (I give you advance warning this has extra sap) “When I look at you in the day, I want to know what you are thinking.” Seriously, could this guy get any greater? His quiet devotion is just so comforting; I’ve already fallen for him. Alicia, get on the bandwagon, deal with the consequences later. That always works. Unfortunately for Alicia, her daughter overhears this conversation, so the consequences may be sooner rather than later.

Now, thinking about it, everyone got a little romantic attention this week. Kalinda had the cop with devastatingly gorgeous eyes, and Carey had the girl on trial, Bianca, the potential murderer. Hey, I don’t judge. Well, I do, but in silence. This week, Carey was more the emotional support as Bianca constantly looked toward him for guidance. It was nice to see Carey in this role, as I take him as more the sarcastic type.

My favorite line this week comes from Kalinda, who with a steely eye gets a college boy to do her bidding by simply saying to his response of who are you, “I’m Kalinda.” That was just so powerful, it’s not difficult to see why Kalinda so often seems above the law. She has this whole shady underworld side to her that Panjabi captures quite well.

Back to deliberations, the jury is still split about their verdict. The defense starts to worry that their efforts may be too late. They consider taking a plea deal that will get their 10 years, but save her from the possibility of 45 years behind bars. Bianca asks Carey what she should do. While she initially goes with his idea of sticking with the truth and waiting for the jury, at the eleventh hour she decides to take the plea. This, the jury is told right after they come to a verdict. While I would have preferred to not know what their verdict was, the whole dramatic element and all, we were shown anyway.

And if you’re interested they found her not guilty.

Season 1, Episode 18: Doubt (originally aired April 6, 2010)

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Tuesday at 10/9c on CBS

Photos courtesy of CBS and John Paul Filo.