After some very disappointing episodes and storylines in The Good Wife season 4, "Red Team, Blue Team" brought real stakes, conflict and fire back to the show.

Rather than settling a case, the firm's client, Thief, decided they wanted a mock trial first. Often when a series does such a thing, the internal antics get in the way and it ends up either ridiculous or boring. But here this "fake" trial had higher intensity than a real trial has ever had on the drama.

Will and Diane faced off against Alicia and Cary. It was about time for Cary to get some quality screen time this season. Alicia and Cary work incredibly well together, even better than the named partners. And they had an added incentive to beat their bosses.

The bankruptcy story came to an abrupt ending, but the ramifications of the shift from near financial ruin to overflowing coffers made up for it. With Chum Hum now signed as a client, Lockhart/Gardner secured its financial viability ... for now. 

The downside being that the equity partners no longer wanted to share the profits with the fourth years that were offered partnerships when the firm desperately needed their money. Ouch! They had every reason to feel betrayed. The sound of Florrick, Agos and Associates had a nice ring to it. 

Alicia and Cary would always have tried their hardest to win their case, but their feelings of betrayal made it personal. They didn't hold back and argued FDA manipulation, they marketed to anorexics, settled a previous case and even asked the CEO if he would let his own daughter drink Thief. It was game on!

There was a reason that a settlement was on the table in the first place and the fourth years proved it. It's a good thing the real opposing counsel didn't see the mock trial or they would have demanded a trial. 

Alicia and Cary outmaneuvered their opponents in the mock trial, but not at the firm. The fourth years plan to scare the partners into action worked, but didn't have the intended outcome. Instead of all of them getting their partnerships, it was offered to only one: Alicia.

The dream of Florrick, Agos and Associates was now just a dream. Alicia was honorable in her reaction by mentioning it to Cary before taking it. Not that she had to follow his advice, but it was the right thing to do. Alicia is not the bad guy in all this and given his reaction outside the partner's meeting it doesn't look like he will hold it against her. Now that she has a seat at the partner's table, she will have influence that can help him.

The mock trial and partnership battle were both brutal and pitted Alicia and Will on opposite sides. The anger built up and exploded with a kiss. They kissed! I've never been a fan of Alicia reuniting with Peter, but I also haven't wanted her to get back together with Will ... until now.

That was some passionate heat in that moment. More than Alicia has recently shown with Peter. She's just been using him when she wants a release from either her mother, her career or her obligations. Both Will and Alicia definitely are not over each other. What will come next? 

While the firm was dealing with their clients and issues, Eli was trying to protect his career with the help of the odd, yet brilliant, Elsbeth. When she first was introduced, I found her to be annoying to watch, until she proved that her methods work. Her distracting demeanor works in her favor. Plus, you can't beat the back and forth between Eli and Elsbeth. They crack me up.

When Eli decided to wear a wire to bring down Jordan, I was shocked. Even though Eli doesn't care for the guy, his arrest would still hurt Peter; plus Eli's not the type to do that, right? Instead, Elsbeth and Eli pulled a fast one on Josh. They used the wire to get proof that Josh altered the wire tap request. Well done!

Now, will that be the end of the Justice Department's case against Eli? I doubt Josh will be fast to give up on it, especially after being outwitted by Elsbeth. As much as I hated this storyline initially, if it keeps her around, I'm all for it.

Do you want to see Alicia and Will rekindle their romance? Do you think Cary will turn against Alicia now? Are you enjoying Elsbeth? Rate the episode and leave a comment!

Carla Day is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.