As the first episode post-election, the fans of the show who moaned and grumbled about the State's Attorney storyline lasting for half of the season jumped back on The Good Wife's bandwagon with "Undisclosed Recipients." Judging from the public's reaction to this episode and my temperament while watching it reminded me of the feeling after "Hitting the Fan" premiered. Though this episode is not the tour-de-force that "Hitting the Fan" was, the energy of the interoffice drama was certainly reminiscent of it. After"Undisclosed Recipients" ended, I was revved up in a way I haven't been since the civil war between Lockhart Gardner and Florrick Agos last season. It seems that this particular kind of storytelling (office dramatics) is what appeals most to the general audience. It's fun, it's fast, and it's easy to take.
It will surprise no one to learn "Undisclosed Recipients" is "The Good Wife" reflecting on the Sony Hack from last November. These clever events of Florrick, Agos, and Lockhart are obviously the heart of the episode and the aspect everyone will remember (as it should be), but "Undisclosed Recipients" plays its next card in Alicia's rise to power quite well. Thanks to Julianna Margulies's on-point interpretation of the crisp, sharp writing, we see Alicia struggle to have her cake (be a firm, clean politician) and eat it too (keep allies she would be smart to keep on her side professionally or financially). And even though seeing the backstabbing between our favorite characters within the law firm is hysterical, the greatness in the "Sony Hack" storyline lies with Alicia's "flirtatious" emails to and from Will, a development which will debunk her image as "Saint Alicia" to everyone who voted for her.
"Undisclosed Recipients" is refreshing in its own way and I loved every minute of watching it. It's terrific, but rough around the edges (in terms of plot holes, narrative clarification, and avoidable awkward character moments, such as David Lee and Julius receiving equal billing to Diane and Cary in their reconciliation.) The spirited email-reading montage and the State's Attorney "favors" were thrilling and enjoyable, but, for me, the most striking thing about "Undisclosed Recipients" is the strain on Alicia and Diane's relationship. The two formidable female heroes of the show began the season as allies, and now see the distressing status of their evolved relationship. But the brilliance of the show is that this strain is never openly discussed or acted upon, it's coldly inferred through the plot.
Grade: A-
It will surprise no one to learn "Undisclosed Recipients" is "The Good Wife" reflecting on the Sony Hack from last November. These clever events of Florrick, Agos, and Lockhart are obviously the heart of the episode and the aspect everyone will remember (as it should be), but "Undisclosed Recipients" plays its next card in Alicia's rise to power quite well. Thanks to Julianna Margulies's on-point interpretation of the crisp, sharp writing, we see Alicia struggle to have her cake (be a firm, clean politician) and eat it too (keep allies she would be smart to keep on her side professionally or financially). And even though seeing the backstabbing between our favorite characters within the law firm is hysterical, the greatness in the "Sony Hack" storyline lies with Alicia's "flirtatious" emails to and from Will, a development which will debunk her image as "Saint Alicia" to everyone who voted for her.
"Undisclosed Recipients" is refreshing in its own way and I loved every minute of watching it. It's terrific, but rough around the edges (in terms of plot holes, narrative clarification, and avoidable awkward character moments, such as David Lee and Julius receiving equal billing to Diane and Cary in their reconciliation.) The spirited email-reading montage and the State's Attorney "favors" were thrilling and enjoyable, but, for me, the most striking thing about "Undisclosed Recipients" is the strain on Alicia and Diane's relationship. The two formidable female heroes of the show began the season as allies, and now see the distressing status of their evolved relationship. But the brilliance of the show is that this strain is never openly discussed or acted upon, it's coldly inferred through the plot.
Grade: A-