The Good Wife Round Table: "Wrongful Termination"

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Another week, another edition of The Good Wife Round Table.

Opinions are split on whether or not "Wrongful Termination" was a solid episode, and our critics Jeff Kirkpatrick, Christine Orlando and Carissa Pavlica weigh in on a few points. As always, we welcome your input in the comments.

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The obligatory question: What was your favorite scene from the episode?

Christine: Childs on the talking lion speaker phone was so comical and unexpected.  Having it at Mr. Mom's house made it plausible.  Add the look on Cary's face…I loved it.

Carissa: Yep, I agree. The talking lion.

Jeffrey: This was tough, because for me there were two. When Cary spoke to Kalinda about the big secret, the emotion in his eyes and face were so apparent. It's always been clear he cares for Kalinda, but in that moment I really sensed a level of empathy from him I hadn't seen before. He's shown a tender heart when dealing with downtrodden clients in the past, but this is someone he cares deeply for, and it shows.

Secondly, Eli losing it over the DCC screw up. For a minute, I wondered if he might go into cardiac arrest, but the ferocity in his delivery was a little shocking, though very impressive.

Does Will really want to settle down with Tammy or is he just afraid of being alone?

Christine: He's afraid of being alone. Stern's death shook him. The thought of dying in his office and having no one even realize it struck a little too close to home for Will. He wants a real relationship but the woman he loves is unattainable.  I think he honestly cares about Tammy but the fact that she is looking for more from him makes her the convenient choice.

Carissa: Seconded. He is afraid of being alone, and with all people in the world he has chosen one of my least favorite ever to grace a television show. Goody for me! I hated seeing him grovel to keep her in town. Painful.

Jeffrey: I think it's obvious by now if he had his choice it would be Alicia. Tammy is a band-aid, something to cover up his wounds and to keep him from being lonely. Stern's death took its toll on Will more than anyone, and I have to say it's nice to see Will feel his mortality. He always walks around with seemingly bulletproof; it was refreshing to which him shaken by something as intangible as death.
Is Stern a recurring character you will miss?

Christine: Not particularly but I appreciated his growing respect for Alicia and that he noticed how much she's changed since coming on board L&G.

Carissa: He wasn't on enough to really miss, but I did like the relationship he and Alicia had when he would pop his head in. I liked that he trusted her and she had the inside track on his world.

Jeffrey: You know, every time he showed up he threw L&G for an unpredictable loop. I kind of liked that about him, as well as his interactions with Alicia.

Why is Cary putting his position at the State's Attorney's office in jeopardy in order to protect Kalinda?

Christine: He's always been attracted to Kalinda but I think he also really cares about her, even if it's just as a friend.  He also sees that this is a personal issue, not a criminal one.  Cary's smart enough to realize how many lives will be ruined if this comes out.  I'm not sure how far he'll continue to go to protect Kalinda but he's already stuck his neck out there by keeping her informed.  And as much as he wants to crush Alicia in the courtroom, I don't think he has any desire to trash her personal life either. 

Carissa: Because he has feelings for Kalinda. And because he knows that the other guy made a pact with Peter to keep his job, and since Cary's own job will be in jeopardy no matter who wins the race, he might as well stick up for his friend and use his heart instead of looking out for himself.

Jeffrey: I'm calling this the "no-brainer" question, partly because I came up with it, and partly because Cary's concern for Kalinda is so obvious. I've always felt that Cary's protective instincts and "never let them see you sweat" attitude would kick in any time he was faced with a situation that would jeopardize his career, but with Kalinda I think we've found Cary's kryptonite. I do agree, though, Cary's not a bad person, and he doesn't want Alicia's world to be rocked (again) and more than he does Kalinda's.

Have I said lately that Cary's my favorite character?

Jeffrey Kirkpatrick is a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. Follow him on Twitter.

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The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 19 Quotes

I don't have many enemies in life. I get along with Republicans, Protestants, Catholics, even a few reporters. But the one thing I hate is amateurs.

Eli

They say you always kill the woman terrorist first. The male ones, they hesitate. They fear death. Not the woman.

Stern