'The Good Wife' Season 2, Episode 14 Recap
['The Good Wife' - 'Net Worth']It's time 'The Good Wife' starts giving lessons to other TV dramas on how to craft compelling stories because at just one and a half seasons, it's safe to say 'The Good Wife' is a master that other shows should strive to rival in quality.
So much to say, so few words that would actually do this episode justice.
'The Good Wife' took a stab at 'The Social Network,' right down to having the client working on computer programming in the middle of a deposition. Yes, we get it. Cue hammer to head. It was a fun and timely case with the characters even mentioning 'The Social Network' on more than one occasion. The real thrill was watching Will and Diane work their effortless chemistry. Eat your heart out, Derrick Bond, you don't want to mess with Lockhart and Gardner.
It's February sweeps so Rita Wilson and F. Murray Abraham popped up, but in not so meaty roles. After Wilson's Viola Walsh had some pretty explosive words with Diane -- "Ice Queen" anybody? -- her return to the series should be juicy. However, when people talk about 'Net Worth,' they won't be talking about the special guest stars or the ripped from the headlines story. They'll talk about Kalinda.
Those still wondering why actress Archie Panjabi won the Emmy last season should look no further than this episode. From her jaw-dropping dinner scene opposite our favorite FBI agent to the hyper-sexual and violent clash with Blake, this episode will go down in the history books. It makes perfect sense for the writers to make Kalinda a pansexual of sorts. She fathoms herself an enigma, the lack of sexual definition fits the character.
Then we have that bat. Kalinda is known for many inanimate objects on this show, from her orange notebook to her boots. Well, it's time to add the bat to the list. Not afraid to get dirty or use her, ahem, assets, I thought the most shocking moment had come and gone after her swift beating of Blake. I was wrong, of course. Blake phoned her husband. Her. HUSBAND. Where will it go from here? Knowing how the writers on this show work, they'll cool this story to a simmer and then turn the heat up high when we least expect it.
It wouldn't be an episode of 'The Good Wife' without some Alicia drama, but thankfully Owen was there to spice things up. It's hard to imagine Alicia was a likable character without Owen, but she was. However, now that her character has lightened up a bit, showing both incredibly vulnerable and lovable sides, Julianna Margulies must win the Emmy this year.
The brother/sister road trip was adorable. Alicia threatens to tell her mom Owen was smoking pot? Classic. Now that Owen is back in Chicago it means good things for Alicia's character growth. The fact that Alicia decided to talk to Will because Owen called her too nice is exactly what a sister would do.
Of course Will wasn't going to tell Alicia the truth. Where's the drama in that? Despite how much they both want each other, 'The Good Wife' is no teen drama where the crushes can just get it on and then move on.
Thankfully there was no Peter and campaign drama to slow this episode down, unless you head over to CBS.com for extra scenes.
Total gasp count: 3. Plus a good three minutes of my jaw just hanging out on the floor.
Some other things:
• "Let's not fight, dear." - Diane to Will. Seriously, they are the perfect non-couple couple.
• I'm glad CBS didn't hype how Kalinda-heavy this episode was. It was all the more sweeter.
• I can see the Bishop and Bond story lasting right up until what could be a very epic season finale.
• "Mr. Atticus Finch."
• Drunk Alicia is precious. Drunk Owen is hysterical. "It's Alicia time!"
What do you think of the Kalinda revelations? Do you want Alicia and Will to ever work it out?
'The Good Wife' airs Tuesdays at 10PM ET on CBS.
Follow Chris Harnick on Twitter.

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