A Few Words.

“We’ve all got a past that can hurt us. Don’t let yours hurt you.”–Will

If there's ever an Emmy category for best use of flashbacks, then The Good Wife should definitely win it. We learned so much about Alicia's path to where she is today and her complicated relationship with Will thanks to a series of memories that Alicia dredged up in order to write a keynote speech for an ABA conference in good old New York City. It must have a been a relief for the production crew not to have to pretend they're in Chicago for one episode. It also gave us the greatest interaction with an anti-Semitic costumed bear in Times Square that you'll ever see... yes, you read that correctly.

Alicia

A-

“I thought you were a cocky new associate.” –Alicia
“I was a cocky new associate. And I thought you were entitled.”–Cary
“I was a little entitled. Poor, but entitled. Can you be both?”–Alicia

As if we didn't already know that Julianna Margulies is amazing, she goes and gives us yet another incredible performance. This episode was like her Castaway in that practically every scene was just her face and her emotional reactions to her surroundings (volleyball not included). Alicia's speech was all about being an "opt out mom" who got back into the workforce and totally nailed it... all while overcoming the scandalous shame brought upon her by her naughty husband. Seeing Alicia in her powder blue suit, her mousy hair, and a terrified expression was so completely jarring compared to the strong, confident Alicia we know now. It was also interesting to note the juxtaposition of how Peter's influence affected her four years ago versus present day -- she went from not being able to get an interview to turning down job offers all thanks to people's impressions of her husband.

Will

A-

"You wanna say bitch, say bitch."–Will

Will was on top of his game throughout this entire episode -- starting with him buying and inserting earplugs all while that pesky Nelson Dubeck from the Office of Public Integrity was trying to grill him about Peter Florrick. However, there's a soft, emotionally damaged gooey center beneath that hardened exterior and it all centers around Alicia. It was fascinating to see what unfolded in the time just before Will got her hired at L/G. My heart stopped every time they cut to Will's perfect hand stopping the elevator door from closing in Alicia's flashbacks. He was so glad to see her and so eager to help her! And then compare that to their present day scene in the diner (which was also amazing, way to go, actors) and they just kept spitting venemous comebacks at each other over burgers and beers (no wine or liquor at this NYC diner, much to their mutual chagrin). Will has so much anger towards Alicia that he has no idea what to do with it. Nothing a passionate kiss can't fix, right writers?!?!

Cary

A

“Who would you hire if we had to hire someone today.”–Cary
“You.”–Alicia
“Yeah, me too.”–Cary
"You were supposed to say me!"–Alicia

It was so much fun to flashback to smarmy Cary waiting to interview against Alicia for their associate positions at L/G, especially now that they've developed such comradery as partners. He was such a douche! And she was so uptight! And now they're besties. I loved Cary giving Alicia a pep talk reminding her how completely badass she is and his refusal to let her procrastinate on her speech. But once he gets back to Chicago, he had better DTR with Kalinda because we need to know what is going on with those two.

Clarke

B+

“And that’s the most I’ve ever said keynote in my entire life.”–Clarke

Clarke Hayden has grown on me so very much. And as anyone who has spent time in the back of a New York City taxi can attest, those Taxi TVs are obnoxious and ridiculously difficult to switch off. Yes, he and Cary were a little too eager to pressure Alicia into doing a good job with her speech in order to woo a potential new client, but his intentions were pure. I think his best moment was when it was he, not drunk Alicia, who uttered the phrase 'crapital structure' in front of Rayna Hecht.

Elsbeth

A

“Did you hear that? That bear just called me a dirty Jew. That bear there, he just called me a dirty, stinking Jew. Watch out! That bear is anti-Semitic!” –Elsbeth

I'm no fan of an episode without Eli Gold, but Elsbeth Tascioni was a worthy replacement for our weekly dose of wacky brilliance. I love that she just kind of pops up when you need her and how much Will seems to value her skills. She did an excellent job sticking it to Nelson Dubeck and getting that recording of him admitting that he's out to get Peter Florrick. It's too bad none of that matters now that there's the video of Will 'conspiring' with fellow witness Jim Moody. I wouldn't be surprised if she can get him out of that mess too. And don't even get me started on what she's got planned for that anti-Semitic costumed furry bear in Times Square. I'm a little confused about where things stand with Rayna Hecht, the client everyone was trying to woo -- are she and Elsbeth starting their own firm? If so, then why was Rayna shopping for representation?

Diane

BNot enough Diane tonight, but at least we got to see what her token would be if she entered the Hunger Games what with that enormous Mockingjay-esque pin she was rocking.

Kalinda

BKalinda's flashback reaction upon hearing that Will wanted to hire Peter Florrick's wife was priceless. Sometimes I totally forget that she slept with Peter back in the day. I wonder if this will resurface as an issue again, even though she and Alicia seem to have gotten past it.

"A Few Words"

AI absolutely loved this episode. It was a fascinating look at the way our paths can completely change course. I'm curious if the writers had this backstory in mind all along or if they've developed it to fill in the gaps in Alicia and Will's complex history. Alicia's speech was very telling in that she all but admitted Will is the one who got her back in the game, but we are left to wonder why he helped her (duh, he loves her) and if she was aware that she was possibly manipulating his feelings for her. That diner scene was epic, right? I wanted them to just leap across the tables and start making out with each other.

Extra Credit

• Loved Jill Hennessy as Rayna Hecht, the elusive potential client and possible new business partner for Carrie Preston's Elsbeth Tascioni
• Alicia's face when she was remembering bumping into Will. That expression doesn't lie, girlfriend.
• “Hey, you got top billing.” –flashback Alicia
  “I’m an impressive person.” –flashback Will
  "Never doubted it for a minute.”–flashback Alicia, le sigh
• “It’s hard to get drunk on beer.”–Alicia
  “You just have to try harder.”–Will
• “I just had 300 people walk out on me.”–Alicia
  “It was more like 400.”–Will
• “Miss Tascioni, don’t take this the wrong way, but you have an awful voice.” –Clarke
  “I know, but this city, it inspires me.” –Elsbeth
  “Really? I find it makes me sweat.” –Clarke
• "Someone to Watch Over Me" was playing in the bar while Alicia had a glass of wine and some Will flashbacks while trying to write her speech... should we read into this?

Demerits

• We've been hearing a lot about New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio's cameo appearance... was that seriously it? A perpetually annoying presence on Taxi TV?
• Would Will really have gone to talk to Jim Moody in private off of a busy hotel lobby? He's smarter than that.
• There were a lot of inconsistencies with Alicia's wedding ring in the flashbacks. First they made a big deal out of showing that she was taking it off, but then it was a different ring in subsequent flashback scenes. Was that on purpose?