'The Good Wife' recap: Processed cheese

The action on “The Good Wife” can be divided into three roughly equal parts: There’s Alicia’s personal life, there’s the endless maneuvering and power plays at the firm, and there are the cases-of-the-week.

So far, Season 3 has felt decidedly case-heavy, with far less time devoted to Alicia’s personal life or the inner workings of Lockhart-Gardner. This season also lacks an overarching narrative to tie the episodes together, the way that Peter’s comeback campaign did last year. This is fine, for now, but at some point “The Good Wife” will have to remember that it’s so much more than a legal procedural.

This week’s episode, “Get a Room,” actually centered on two cases. After some tainted cheese causes a nasty listeria outbreak at a Chicago elementary school, Eli is hired to manage the ensuing PR crisis. Mostly, the storyline is there to provide comic relief. The footage of children projectile vomiting half-digested, fluorescent orange cheese-food was hilarious, albeit revolting, and it’s always fun to see Eli when he’s fully “on.” The crisis also serves the narrative purpose of creating tension between Diane and Eli. The cheese manufacturer has to hire Lockhart-Gardner as temporary counsel, otherwise the information they disclose to Eli will not be subject to attorney-client privilege.

The problem is that effective spin is not the same thing as effective legal representation. Eli urges his client to be contrite and claim responsibility; Diane advises them to express sympathy, but to stop short of admitting guilt. My hunch is that this won't be the last time Eli and Diane will clash, especially given the intense media scrutiny he's brought to the firm.

In the second case, Will and Alicia are negotiating a settlement on behalf of a client whose malfunctioning spinal-cord implant led to chronic pain. It just so happens that the attorney representing the other side is Celeste (Lisa Edelstein, formerly of “House”), one of Will’s many, many exes. Because of their romantic past, Will and Celeste are experts at reading each other.

Alicia isn’t too bothered by Celeste, but she pretends that she is in order to elicit the sympathy of Ira, the court-appointed mediator (played by Isaiah Whitlock of “The Wire”). Somehow Ira figures out that it was all a ruse, and he scolds Alicia for acting in such a blatantly manipulative way. “Don’t worry about it. If I needed a lawyer, I’d probably hire you, too,” he says. (In case you were wondering, this was meant as an insult.)

Between the labored poker metaphors, the annoying reporter, the leak from the state’s attorney’s office, and Will and Celeste’s romantic history, this storyline was unusually muddled.  For the moment, Alicia isn’t too worried about Celeste, but I’m guessing that will change when/if Celeste joins Lockhart-Gardner. 

'The Good Wife' recap: Your love is like oxygen

If there’s one image from tonight’s episode of “The Good Wife” that I can’t quite shake, it’s that of Will and Alicia dressed up in powdered wigs for some American  Revolution role play. Mercifully, we never saw them in costume, but the mere suggestion of patriotic erotica was enough to vanquish last week’s steamy sex scene from my mind. Will and Alicia, I’m happy for you and everything, but keep your historical sex fetishes to yourself, will you?

With that off my chest, let’s get to the rest of week’s episode, “The Death Zone,” which, icky fantasies not withstanding, displayed the combination of humor, smarts and masterful plotting that makes "The Good Wife” such a delectable treat. This week, the Lockhart-Gardner gang defends the author of a book about a disaster on Mt. Everest in which he alleges that a wealthy mountaineer stole oxygen from a dying man. It’s an obvious nod to Jon Krakauer’s “Into Thin Air”: Many of the details, like the dying climber’s satellite phone call to his wife, are directly lifted from Krakauer’s 1996 nonfiction bestseller. It’s something of an odd choice for “The Good Wife,” a show that’s almost maniacally of-the-moment.

But the somewhat dated plot allowed the characters to name-check Rupert Murdoch’s phone-hacking scandal, so I suppose it all evens out in the wash. It also allowed "The Good Wife" to dabble in the madness of British libel law to much comedic effect. After Lockhart-Gardner handily wins their client’s case, they find themselves back in the (virtual) courtroom before a rather imperious English judge. “The Good Wife” has a well-established tradition of eccentric judges, and it was fun to see this continue. Eddie Izzard was also great as James Thrush, a villainous barrister, but my favorite guest star this week was Simon Delaney as Timothy Ash Brannon, a nebbishy yet capable solicitor obsessed with anagrams. (Alicia is “Familial Air Crock,” Will is “Ward End Grill.”) Like the Chavez subplot from last season, this story line veered somewhat into satire, especially in its depiction of British classism, but I enjoyed it. I prefer a colorful "case of the week" to a rote one.

'The Good Wife' recap: Baby did a bad, bad thing

If there’s one thing that’s axiomatic about "The Good Wife," it’s that nothing positive ever comes without complications. After the giddy high of the season 2 finale, Sunday night's season premiere ended on an ambiguous, ominous note: Just what has Alicia gotten herself into?

When we last saw Will and Alicia back in May, they were heading to the Presidential Suite together to consummate their long-suppressed passion for each other, and, in what’s become a tradition on “The Good Wife,” the premiere picked up more or less right where we left off -- on the morning after Will and Alicia’s alcohol-soaked tryst. Alicia (who apparently had time to make it to the salon for a quick bang trim before work) exits the elevator at Lockhart-Gardner, virtually aglow with post-coital satisfaction. (What, no hangover?)

Time was that Alicia, her hair blown stick-straight, would have felt guilty about sleeping with her boss while still (technically) married. Now, her hair looser and wavy, Alicia seems to revel in being bad -- or, you know, sort of naughty. (Driving this point home, none too subtly, is Chris Isaak’s “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" on the soundtrack.)

Clearly, she’s still riding high on the fumes of her long-awaited encounter with Will, but the buzz is short-lived and soon enough, reality begins to set in. The writers are obviously playing with our expectations in this episode, forestalling the interaction between Will and Alicia for as long as possible. After showing up to work late, Will finally stops by Alicia’s office. “We need to talk,” he says gravely. “About last night?” she says, her eyebrow cocked flirtatiously. The scene cuts away and, the next time we see Alicia, she’s at her desk, looking confused and dejected. Naturally, we assume that Will has just delivered some kind of Last Night Was a Mistake/I’m Not Ready for a Relationship ® speech, a suspicion that only grows deeper when Will scolds Alicia in front of Diane. 

But no! It’s all part of their plan, you see. Next thing we know, Alicia and Will have slipped away for a passionate nooner at Will’s place -- and suddenly we understand just why Alicia was looking so pleased all morning. Orgasmic moans notwithstanding, there are red flags all over the place for Alicia. The most troubling moment of the episode has to be  Will’s conversation with Kalinda, in which he laments his inability to feel authentic emotions. “I just like acting like someone who feels something,” he says, cryptically, before scooting off for a date with Alicia at 8:45 sharp.  (Was it just me, or did anyone else worry that something might happen between these two down the line -- if it hasn’t already?) Judging by the look on Alicia’s face as she waits for Will to arrive, Alicia has some serious doubts as well. Sexual chemistry is one thing; trust is another, and Will hasn’t earned it yet.

Emmy Roundtable: Watch out, Ty Burrell, Walton Goggins wants to meet you

We're just hours away from TV's biggest night. Soon stars will be making their way down the red carpet for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

Before checking out the red carpet coverage, check out the last set of videos from our Emmy Roundtable, which gathered first-time nominees Josh Charles ("The Good Wife"), Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory"), Michelle Forbes ("The Killing") and Walton Goggins ("Justified").

In the first video, Charles discusses playing a multi-layered character on television. In "The Good Wife," Charles stars as Will Gardner, a cunning attorney who is "everything. He's good and bad. He's a flawed, complex human being. ... I like open-ended things. I'm not interested in having it all figured out."

 

 

 

While the actors who participated in our discussion provided thoughtful insight into their performances and the nature of acting, they're fans too. Among those Goggins is excited to encounter tonight: Ty Burrell and Jon Stewart. 

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

Video credit: Jason Neubert / Los Angeles Times

 

Emmy roundtable: Michelle Forbes weighs in on 'The Killing' finale backlash

The hours until the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards are winding down.

To help you kill the time, we gathered some of the first-time nominees -- Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory"), Michelle Forbes ("The Killing"), Josh Charles ("The Good Wife") and Walton Goggins ("Justified") -- recently to discuss everything from the joys of the nomination to what intrigued them about the roles they play. 

In the videos below, Forbes discusses the controversial finale of AMC's drama and the grim-nature of the show and Walton Goggins, in the second video, reveals what he wanted for his character Boyd.

 

 

 

 

--Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

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Photo: Michelle Forbes. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times.

Emmy roundtable: Six degrees of an Emmy nomination?

It's a small world. For actors, the world is even tinier.

So it makes sense the group of first-time nominees we gathered to take part in an Emmys roundtable -- Michelle Forbes ("The Killing"), Josh Charles ("The Good Wife"), Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory") and Walton Goggins ("Justfied") -- have a bit of history among them.

Galecki is the godfather of Goggins' son and Charles and Forbes worked together in the HBO drama "In Treatment." And the connections don't end there. Charles' costar on CBS' "The Good Wife," Christina Baranski, has appeared on Galecki's "The Big Bang Theory" as Sheldon's mother.

"The next thing I do, my character will be named Galecki or I won't do it," Goggins joked. (For more, see the video below)

The roundtable was moderated by Los Angeles Times TV critic Mary McNamara last week in anticipation of Sunday's 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Goggins and Charles are nominated in the supporting actor in a drama category. Forbes is up for supporting actress in a drama category. Galecki received his first Emmy nomination for lead actor in a comedy.

Showtracker will post additional clips from the gathering so check back for more.

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-- Yvonne Villarreal

twitter.com/villarrealy

 

Photo: Emmy nominees, Walton Goggins, left, Johnny Galecki, Josh Charles and Michelle Forbes. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

Emmy roundtable: Walton Goggins will 'never forget' first nomination

Firsts only happen once.

"Justified's" Walton Goggins likened his first Emmy nomination to being a baby -- or rather, the child-like wonder of experiencing something new.

"I have an 8-month-old son, and I'm reminded that there are so many firsts in life," Goggins said during a roundtable discussion with fellow first-time Emmy nominees. "Every single day, something new is happening in his life ... and this experience for me has been one that I'll never forget, because it may very well never happen again, and that would be OK. But it's been an extraordinary type of experience."

Goggins was joined by Josh Charles, Michelle Forbes and Johnny Galecki in the roundtable, which was moderated by Los Angeles Times TV critic Mary McNamara last week in anticipation of this weekend's 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards 

Goggins ("Justified") and Charles ("The Good Wife") will battle it out in the supporting actor in a drama category. Michelle Forbes ("The Killing") is holding her own in the supporting actress in a drama category.  In the comedic corner, Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory") received his first Emmy nomination for lead actor in a comedy.

 

Show Tracker will post additional videos from the discussion leading up to Sunday's awards telecast.

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Photo: Josh Charles of "The Good Wife" makes a point at a roundtable of first-time Emmy nominees as Michelle Forbes of "The Killing" looks on. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha /Los Angeles Times

Roundtable gathers first-time Emmy nominees

First-time Emmy nominees Josh Charles, Michelle Forbes, Johnny Galecki and Walton Goggins joined Los Angeles Times TV critic Mary McNamara last week for a roundtable discussion of all things Emmy as Hollywood barrels toward this weekend's 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards.

Leading up to this Sunday's telecast, Show Tracker will post clips of the wide-ranging talk that touched on the thrill of being nominated to the rich era of storytelling underway in television today.

Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory") received his first Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in a comedy, and Michelle Forbes ("The Killing") her first for outstanding supporting actress in a drama. Josh Charles ("The Good Wife") and Walton Goggins ("Justified") each earned a nod in the same category: outstanding supporting actor in a drama.   

Stay tuned.  

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Photo: (from left to right) Walton Goggins, Michelle Forbes, Josh Charles and Johnny Galecki. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

Late Night: Julianna Margulies on 'steamy' premiere of 'The Good Wife'

Fans of "The Good Wife," listen up! Julianna Margulies paid a visit to "The Late Show With David Letterman" on Thursday night, where she dropped some enticing hints about the show's season premiere on Sept. 25.

In case you'd forgotten, last season ended with Margulies' character, Alicia, heading into a hotel room with her longtime crush, Will. From the sound of it, the premiere picks up right where the finale left off. 

"There's a very steamy scene and it's a bit steamy, I have to say," Margulies said.

Letterman perked up at the repeated mention of the word "steamy." "Now, when you say 'steamy,' and you said it twice, I'm inclined to believe you that it's steamy. I guess I don't know what 'steam' is. Nudity?" he wondered.

Sorry, Dave. As Margulies explained, the episode will only include partial nudity.

Crack journalist that he is, Letterman pushed for more information. "Well, could we see, like a butt? Could we or not? Could we?"

"I think you can see a butt, but I don't know if you can see a whole butt," said Margulies, seemingly amused by Letterman's prurient line of questioning. "You're going to see a lot of thigh, and a lot of intimations."

"A lot of what?" Letterman asked, his glasses coated in a layer of condensation (or so it seemed).

So just how "steamy" is the sex scene? Well, here's a good indication: This is the first time that Margulies has told her husband not to watch. "It might just be too steamy," she warned him.

"Now everybody will tune in," Letterman predicted.

Mission accomplished.

 

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Photo: Julianna Margulies. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times.

CBS turns up hype for 'The Good Wife'

With a new 9 p.m. Sunday time slot that will put it in direct competition with ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and NBC's "Football Night in America," CBS wants to make sure people find its critical darling "The Good Wife."

Not only is the network giving the show's star, Julianna Margulies, a seductive new ad campaign that is aimed at bringing in more male viewers, CBS is also going to run a crash course special on the show at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4. The half-hour special is designed to not only refresh fans of the show on the last two seasons but also to introduce the legal drama to a new audience.

A sharp hour about a woman trying break free of the large shadow of her philandering and politically powerful husband, its title is sometimes seen as a difficult selling point for viewers who think it is primarily aimed at females. The new ad campaign even says, "Don't let the name fool you." "The Good Wife" was nominated for nine Emmy Awards, including acting nominations for Margulies, Christine Baranski, Josh Charles, Archie Panjabi and Alan Cumming and guest star Michael J. Fox.

Moving the show to Sunday is a big bet by CBS. "The Good Wife" previously called 10 p.m. Tuesdays home, but the network thinks it can broaden its audience with a Sunday time slot.

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Photo: The new ad for CBS' "The Good Wife." Photo credit: CBS.

A steamy lesbian love scene on 'The Good Wife'? Add to the list of girl-on-girl prime-time TV action

There was a hot lesbian sex scene on Tuesday night's season finale of "The Good Wife," and yet all that the fans and critics seem to want to talk about in its aftermath is canoodling -- between an entirely different, straight couple!

Sure, it's been two seasons in the making that Julianna Margulies' Alicia would hop in bed with Josh Charles' Will.  But didn't anybody catch the girl-on-girl action? The potentially precedent-setting female love scene -- set in bed --between Archie Panjabi's Kalinda and Kelli Giddish's Sophia? On CBS prime time?

Susan Toepfer from the Wall Street Journal's Speakeasy blog did, calling the roll in the hay "possibly a network prime-time first, not that I keep track of such things..." But rather than make a big deal out of a lesbian romp in bed, most reviewers mentioned it in passing.  Fans, via message boards and blog comments, spent the vast majority of their energy ignoring the Kalinda/Sophia hook-up and instead endlessly debating whether Alicia will ruin her life by sleeping with her colleague.

That's because, while there may not be an exact forerunner for "The Good Wife" scene, there has been girl-on-girl activity on network TV for years, reaching as far back as "L.A. Law" in the early '90s. In fact, it's much more common than gay male coupling. (Could we surmise that traditionally male network honchos are more comfortable with that scenario?)

'The Good Wife' Recap: Perfect timing (for an hour, anyway)

There was something particularly well-timed about Tuesday night's crowd-pleasing "Good Wife" season finale, which arrived not long after Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed to the world that he'd fathered a child out of wedlock, and a few days after IMF chief and would-be French presidential candidate Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested after a sexual assault of a maid in a New York hotel room. "The Good Wife" is a show inspired by real-life political scandals, so given the news of the week, Alicia's tequila-fueled night of passion with Will was a particularly sweet way to conclude the season: Finally, it's the wife who gets to do some fooling around -- in the presidential suite, no less!

The majority of this episode functioned as a long foreplay session, for we all knew what lay ahead -- we just had to wait a long while for the show to get there. There's something to be said for this tantric approach to storytelling. The chemistry between Will and Alicia at the bar was electric, but I worried that Alicia's sensible side was going to win out, especially during the comically protracted journey to the presidential suite. I thought the shame of being winked at by a hotel piano player might have squelched Alicia's desire, but no. Nothing was going to stop her from getting her groove back.

The sequence was cheeky and perhaps a tad indulgent -- the writers knew exactly what we wanted, but they were sure going to torture us before delivering the goods -- but it was also sublime entertainment. These two clearly wanted to make their "exceptional moment" happen once and for all, $7,800 be damned. The cherry on the top of it all is that it's Alicia who figures out the key card. It was such a perfect metaphor for her evolution: now she's the one who's in control, who's cool and collected enough to get what she wants. It's the men in her life who fumble. Well played, Alicia. Well played.

Now, this finale may have given us the Will-Alicia hook-up we've been rooting for all along, but we all know that a luxurious tryst does not a relationship make. They both went into that elevator with the (possibly feigned) understanding that this was a one-time-only event, and while it seems unlikely that this will, in fact, remain an isolated incident, their romantic prospects are not exactly certain. Even if things progress, there are plenty of storm clouds brewing on the horizon.