Alicia scrambles to hold onto Florrick/Agos' biggest client as the firm continues to struggle with an internal legal crisis. Meanwhile, Diane continues to plot her move from Lockhart/Gardner and looks for partners to bring with her to the new firm.
As much as I loved the twist from last week's season premiere, I was curious how many episodes it could be sustained. It was such a specific story. It needed a handful of episodes in order to be properly and organically told while still having major consequences for the firm as well as the show. And yet, I didn't know how long I could put up with Cary Agos in prison - largely because it's a story trend that has been told a lot lately (Orange Is the New Black, Justified, Shameless). It was a different interpretation. But this story could be just as interesting to watch unfold once Cary is released on bail. It doesn't suddenly make all of these problems go away. The trial is still forthcoming. The series continues to raise my anxiety levels this season. And yet, it feels so good when Alicia and Cary hug. They earned that moment. Here are two friends who respect each other. They don't agree on what is happening with Diane. But they embrace to celebrate this small win after two episodes of fighting for his cause. That felt great.You know what was also great? Diane walking out of Lockhart/Gardner for the last time with her team of fellow attorneys who are leaving. She spent years building this firm up as one of the biggest in the city. And now, she's effectively starting over. She sees potential in Florrick/Agos and that excites her. It helps wonderfully that the firm Diane is leaving isn't solely seen as evil like it has been in the last handful of episodes. Louis Canning is out sick and David Lee only has one small scene. It makes it an institution that Diane can be proud of. She saw lots of wins there. But that's not where her heart is right now. She doesn't like what it has become. And now, she's willing to create that somewhere else. That is incredibly powerful.
But I do have to wonder: How will Diane continue to represent Cary in his trial now that she's a partner at Florrick, Agos and Lockhart? Finn got Alicia thrown off the case because of that conflict and the very same could now happen to Diane. Who could possibly step in to lead the case? My guess would be Elsbeth (but that's solely speculative). More pressing though is what did Kalinda answer to Bishop when he asked for a name of who Cary needed as a witness. That seemed like an impossible situation that happened and then was never readdressed. That will have major consequences as soon as the trial begins. It's exciting because Kalinda has heard the tape and it sure seems like he is guilty. I enjoy how the show is keeping that crucial piece of the puzzle away from the audience. We are just as in the dark as Cary is and that works wonders. It will make the surprising reveal at the trial even stronger.
Lastly, Eli continues to try and get Alicia to run for State's Attorney. He is a crafty man and it seems like all of his hard work has planted a seed of interest in Alicia's mind. She has been against the idea ever since he first poised the question to her. She continues to say no whenever faced with the option. And yet, she may be considering it a little bit after learning everything that the public thinks of her. However, Eli is orchestrating everything to get her to think this way - from getting Valerie Jarrett to give her a call to leaking some polling. She's already angry at him for all of his pushing of the subject. Imagine if she knew the full picture. It would likely keep her at the ever-growing Florrick, Agos and Lockhart - which would be a great thing.
Some more thoughts:
- "Trust Issues" was written by Ted Humphrey and directed by Jim McKay.
- The only thing I could tell you about the case of the week is that it involves a class action, Patric Edelstein, emoticons and an attorney who didn't hire Alicia all those years ago. The only good moment was, in admitting defeat, the other attorney noted how wrong she was in not hiring Alicia.
- I don't really want Alicia to run for State's Attorney but I don't want Castro to stay in the job either. But according to the series, I can't have it both ways.
- Taye Diggs joins the series as a partner at Lockhart/Gardner (who happened to be working at the New York office) who's leaving with Diane. He's a fine addition - especially in the scene where he first sees the Florrick/Agos offices.
- I love that Diane is slyly pushing a female/minority angle when talking about the benefits of the new firm. It doesn't leave much open for Cary's position in the firm though.
- It was great hearing Alicia say that Robyn is her biggest confidant at the firm right now.
- Didn't really like that Alicia and Peter scene. They had animosity at each other for no real reason.
