Note: Do not read on if you have not yet seen Season 4, Episode 12 of CBS' "The Good Wife," titled "Je Ne Sais What?"
You know you're in for a treat when "The Good Wife" kicks off with Alicia fantasizing about sex while making her kids breakfast.
"Je Ne Sais What?" was a refreshing change of pace for "The Good Wife," largely thanks to Carrie Preston's return to the series. If you only get to know one recurring "Good Wife" character, make it Elsbeth Tascioni. Would anybody fault me if this recap was just Elsbeth quotes? So many good ones.
"Diane? Diane's on it too? She's so elegant." The flighty, oddball, brilliant attorney -- and now friend to Lockhart/Gardner -- found herself behind bars and putting her case in jeopardy. Enter Alicia, Diane and Will. As Alicia worked to free Elsbeth -- who was arrested for harassing the CEO of a sports company, a defendant in her case -- Diane and Will took over the case of a sports star who wasn't paid for her endorsement deal over doping allegations. However (there's always a however), the runner wasn't doping: She was pregnant, thus the hormone fluctuation and the pills she was having delivered were from her boyfriend, and they were used to terminate the pregnancy. Elsbeth returned just in time to save her case in front of the CSA by trotting out a cyclist who was forced out by one of the panelists deciding her case.
She's back! Not only were viewers treated to Preston's delightful performance, but Maura Tierney finally returned as Maddie Hayward. This episode featured all my girlfriends. And I say girlfriends as a gay man, not a delusional TV viewer. Maddie kind of just stood there with her arms folded, unnerving Peter about his race issues. Not a great use of an awesome actress, but I'll take it. And yes, Peter has race issues. His hiring and firing showed racial bias, whether he knew it or not.
A campaign minute. I love how everybody can tell when Alicia is having sex. Even if it's standing sex on the campaign bus while Eli Gold bangs on the door. I still don't see this as a happy ending for Peter and Alicia -- there's a shoe waiting to drop. At least I hope there is. This campaign is turning into a dreadful story at times. However, Eli picking Elsbeth to represent him during his investigations and thus keeping her around is a very wonderful thing.
Letting Preston's Elsbeth take center stage in this episode was a breath of fresh air compared to the last few episodes and I'm very glad she'll be sticking around for a bit.
Some other things:
"What an elegant dress." - Elsbeth
"I just realized, you're Rambo." - Will to Elsbeth
Diane speaking french. So elegant.
"I don't know. I've given up on parenting." - Alicia. Hey, at least she admits it now.
"Say hello to Alicia." - Maddie. I mourn the friendship that they could've had.
"Oh. Haha. Thank you, I have a massage in two hours." - Elegant Diane
"Do do?" - Elsbeth
"When the law is an ass, someone has to kick it!" - cranky judge
"The Good Wife" airs Sundays, 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
