'The Good Wife' Review - 4.13 The Seven Day Rule

        On the newest episode of CBS' The Good Wife, Alicia is conflicted when she's presented with a career-changing offer which carries a large financial risk; Will and Diane face off against their creditors; and Jordan and Eli disagree over a possible attack on Maddie Hayward's campaign.

        The past two episodes of The Good Wife have primarily focused on the return of several standout recurring guest stars. Their presences in those episodes continued to be quite entertaining albeit a little too similar to what they have done in the past. So, in this episode, it was refreshing to see the series try to do something that would change the dramatic foundation. It very easily could have returned to that same storytelling especially with the reappearances from Louis Canning and David Lee. The elements in this episode our stories that the show has tackled before - the firm's financial issues, religion, the prenup case - and yet enough of it feels different to make the current proceedings engaging to watch - and not a simple rehash of what has happened before.
        I loved the prospects of Alicia's promotion perhaps more than her individual story throughout most of this episode. Her reaction to the news put a giant smile on my face and I was interested in how she started adjusting to the promotion. But as she kept learning more things - from all the storylines - she quickly became a bit too dour. It also kept her too melancholy for much of the proceedings happening around her later on. Diane's speech at the end was the perfect thing to say to get her out of that funk. The ending showed her putting on a smile for all the important people and I'm intrigued to see where things will evolve from here.
        I did find parts of Michael J. Fox's character here to be a bit too reminiscent of past appearances. For instance, did we really need another speech from him in court about his disease. I know it's his trademark tactic but it has grown stale now. Then, there were moments that were very intricate like that discussion between him and Hayden Clarke as well as the ramifications of that conversation later. The court scenes also brought forth this great extension into the evolving arc of Hayden's relationship with the firm. It was nice to see that he holds no real resentment to what Cary or Diana and Will did to him in his previous appearance. He is a character that respects others who tell the truth. That is a strong character bit for him and it was nice to see that played up throughout the hour. 

So what did everyone think of the episode? Was the religion stuff too much build-up and not enough payoff - or is that coming later? Was Alicia too gloomy for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.