Note: Do not read on if you have not yet seen Season 5, Episode 4 of CBS' "The Good Wife," titled "Outside The Bubble."
If you had any doubt as to why Carrie Preston took home the Guest Actress in a Drama Series Emmy for playing Elsbeth Tascioni on "The Good Wife," this episode will put your mind to rest.
"Where do you get your hair done?" "Outside The Bubble" kept the drama at Lockhart/Gardner while fanning the flames for the explosion that is next week. Side note: I've seen the next episode. It's amazing. Chrissy Quinn (Tracee Chimo) spent two years as a paralegal at Lockhart/Gardner and decided she had enough. She hired Viola Walsh (the delightfully snub attorney who hates Diane Lockhart, played wonderfully by Rita Wilson) and sued Lockhart/Gardner for creating a hostile work environment. Among her claims: Cary showed her how he masturbates, Diane encouraged prostitution, Alicia asked her about how she lost her virginity, Howard Lyman tried to rape her and Will had sex with underlings in his office. Enter Elsbeth. The kooky redhead knocked claim after claim out the window -- all the while wondering about Kalinda's hair -- ultimately getting the lawsuit dismissed because Kalinda was apparently sleeping with Chrissy!? Nice twist.
Mrs. Florrick. Jackie finally returned from wherever she was to butt heads with Eli. She somehow knew Ronnie (Dan Lauria, yes Kevin Arnold's dad from "The Wonder Years") in perhaps a sexual way (or did I read that the wrong way?) and that helped Eli out with labor unions. Eli needed her, after shunning her, and the two made up. We got to see Eli at a senior citizen exercise class, so it was all worth it.
A surprise wedding! I totally forgot Diane and Kurt (Gary Cole) were engaged, so color me super surprised when they got hitched at the end of the episode. Diane's arc really makes it clear that Christine Baranski needs an Emmy for this show. 2014 ceremony, I'm looking at you. While figuring out her place in the world with Kurt and at the firm, Diane uncovered Alicia's secret plan. My heart was beating so fast as Diane stepped out of that elevator in her Jackie O sunglasses and dragonfly wedding broach. The look she gave Alicia -- yes, just a look, no words -- was haunting.
The episode ended with these words that will change "The Good Wife" forever:
"Alicia is leaving the firm with Cary and she's taking our top clients."
Boom.
Gasp count: 1 and lots of laughs thanks to Carrie Preston and Zach Grenier.
Some other things:
Will and Alicia reminisced about their sexual exploits and being all flirty. Discuss.
Lockhart/Gardner sometimes does have a sex obsession.
Which recurring guest star do you want to see Carrie Preston's Elsbeth square off with next? Seeing her with the super cool Viola was awesome.
Random, but Laurie Metcalf should guest star on this show.
"The Good Wife" airs Sundays, 9 p.m. ET on CBS.
