BWW Recap: Just Like The Old Days on THE GOOD WIFE

THE GOOD WIFE might be the critical jewel in the CBS crown, but tonight's episode is all about ABC. Plot points that is. For the first time in a long while we get an episode where there is an A plot (case of the week) a B plot (Alicia's last few hurdles campaigning for State's Attorney) and a C plot connected to the A plot - that is a third story based on the emotional fallout from plot A - this time via Diane and her husband Kurt, who try to work together on a case, despite their ideological opposition.

Just like the old days.

We used to see the impact of our lawyers, well, lawyering, all the time. We used to see the effect specific cases had on each character. In essence, we used to see Diane, Will, Cary and Alicia bring their work home with them. Now so much of the work has changed, especially with Alicia's focus on the new direction of her career. Her moral quandaries are much more obvious now. In the political sphere, she's stepping into the grey for herself. In the courtroom, manipulation was exercised for other people - arguably often for the benefit of other good people. It was simply a more ... interesting ... struggle to watch.

Tonight is a reminder of that, but with Alicia so busy in the final days of her campaign, the interesting gets left to Diane and Kurt, a couple we maybe didn't know just how much we missed - until we see them together again (Making out! Yay for hot Diane and Kurt!).

Just like the old days.

Indeed, we get many old faces back tonight. In addition to Kurt - the Second Amendment's version of the Marlboro Man - we get Nancy Crozier, offering a slightly-toned down version of her slyly confused self. We get Judge Abernathy, attempting to offer a toned-down version of his liberal outrage self, and we get Louis Canning, making no attempt to hide his real, dodgy self. And Finn! Back being Finn! Making context sound like the sexiest thing you could ever ask for (okay, so I've missed Matthew Goode, and I don't watch DOWNTON ABBEY. I'm allowed this moment).

With a great cast, and an interesting, relevant plot, "Open Source" is a really good episode. I actually cared about the case. I cared about characters other than Alicia. I liked watching the subtle struggles that come with all the ways you can be in opposition. For the first time in a few episodes, I was annoyed when it was over (and not just because of how the episode ended!), and I wrote lots of notes for this recap. None of which are easy to read, because I was too into what I was watching to have great thoughts.

Just like the old days.

The A team

Tonight's case sees Finn joining Diane in representing a man suing the designer of a 3D gun. Another man used the design to make - sorry, print - his own gun ($25! Four hours!), which promptly misfired, hitting and crippling the plaintiff.

It's an interesting case. As much about the First Amendment as the Second. If the designer can be sued, does that impede on his right to post his designs online? THE GOOD WIFE loves its technology debates, and this one is a doozy. Everyone is kind of right in their way. It's only one's politics that separates the good ideology from the appalling. In the end, Fife, the designer, can be both right about his rights, and also woefully, morally wrong: despite some back and forth discoveries from ballistics expert Kurt, it is Kalinda, our otherwise absent super sleuth who figures out that Fife knew cold temperatures would affect the printing of the gun, and kept this discovery quiet. Turns out his "3 Dimensional Democracy" also allows the right for the buyer to beware. This philosophy of Fife's results in Diane and Finn winning a $5 million settlement for the plaintiff - but only if he stays quiet.

The settlement is bankrolled by some mystery benefactor of Fife, but it probably isn't hard to figure out just who might have a vested interest in literally printing guns, when you think about it.

B is for Bad Boys

At least Alicia knows her weakness. She tells an out-of-it Canning, recovering from his kidney transplant, that she misses him, sort of, and then she acknowledges this flaw in her design. It's a very Alicia moment, deprecation mixed with affection. She's often at her best with Canning. He's an opponent she is comfortable getting dirty with. Canning's actions are often so morally reprehensible that he gives her permission to be her worst self - or her version of her worst self, which is in effect often her most honest self.

Honesty is a big thing for Alicia in this episode. She's coming to the end of the State's Attorney race; there are only 48 hours to go before the election. Despite distraction from Canning, who may or may not be working with David Lee to trick her into supporting Hamas (or who may be trying to do something decent with his $18 million estate. With Canning it could so easily be either), she's got the State's Attorney finish line in site. And she wants to win. When Prady, her amiable opponent goes after Peter, she is comfortable going after her husband, too. This of course devastates Eli, who has based his whole 6 years on the success of the Florrick brand. To protect his vested interests, Eli shows his true colors by blackmailing campaign manager (and would-be Alicia suitor) Johnny into advising Alicia to drop any criticism of Peter from her agenda.

"For better, for worse - you guys are a brand."

So says Johnny, until Marissa, she of the best line of the season, figures out why he's backing down on the original plan to go after Peter:

"Handsome men are so weak."

(Sing it, Body Woman! You make everything better.)

Johnny eventually risks the wrath of Eli and gives Alicia the go-ahead to say whatever she wants about her husband. Which she does - possibly setting in motion some severe retribution from the current Governor come the next episode. But for tonight she sets this in motion instead: an elevator moment and a Johnny-Alicia kiss to end the hour.

I'm not feeling it (see aforementioned Finn. Finn!). But I'll admit it makes some narrative sense.

And that's all I'll say on Alicia and Johnny for now, thank you.

Couples, Contradictions, and Conflict

Here is the interesting part. The Diane and Kurt part. I love their relationship. I love that they are opposites, and yet so very interested in each other. Tonight, Kurt is at first a willing expert for the prosecution (i.e. his wife) in the 3D gun case, but in his typical Kurt way, he becomes less willing when culpability becomes less clear. Diane then does her best work by subpoenaing Kurt (i.e. her husband) to testify for the prosecution regarding the new evidence he's found. Classic Kurt, classic Diane. But what's even better is that, despite some icy moments along the way, they end up with scotch and each other at the end. They're just that into each other. It reminds me of those old classic Hollywood comedies, where the couples are equal, and better for their differences (if you've ever seen ADAM'S RIB, you'll know what I mean). It's a lot of fun to watch.

And even more fun to see it all end well. Just like the old days, indeed.

Which plot did you most enjoy tonight? Which couple do you hope to see more of next week - Johnny and Alicia, or Kurt and Diane? Or Alicia and Frank Prady - the most friendly opponents to ever do battle for State's Attorney?!

Photo Credit: CBS