With The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 22, the writers potentially shook things up enough to have a very eventful Good Wife Season 6.

All we know for sure is that people are mulling their options. All of the really traumatic business was out of the way early, so the focus was on the internal struggles of Florrick/Agos and Lockhart/Gardner later on.

The Good Wife Season 5 Finale Photos

Start Gallery

There are many perils to the electronic age as politicians and celebrities have found out times over. When Lockhart/Gardner left their video feed open after a conference with Florrick/Agos, not only did it give the latter firm information about the case they were fighting, it whipped up a frenzy between all of those involved when it came to light that Diane was still interested in a merger.

Canning wanted to destroy Florrick/Agos, so it seemed like a valid reason not to shut down the feed. What was interesting was how quickly the infighting between the partners of both firms mirrored each other with each new piece of information. Canning and Diane were battling for Howard Lyman's vote to become managing partner and Alicia and Cary were suddenly in need of votes for and against a merger.

From Cary's perspective, he didn't want to go back to where they came from and he felt responsible for the jobs of 60 people in their firm. Alicia was just tired. Even she couldn't pinpoint exactly what she was tired of, but the fight had gone out of her.

Cary was also being driven by anger at what he saw in the video feed. Confirmation that he was being used by Kalinda. Kalinda has no heart. I really liked the scene between the two of them when Cary said he's not one of her girls and he won't just go slowly because she wanted him to. Ironically, she's never soft when with a woman. If Cary only knew.

Canning went to Diane with the nuclear option. He vowed to terminate the partnership of a firm he had barely entered if he was not awarded the role of managing partner. Like a child stomping his feet if he didn't get his way, he used the ultimate threat. His ammunition was the poor way Will managed things before his death. Diane was stuck.

Peter's decision not to support Finn for States Attorney further complicated matters. Alicia still wanted Finn to run, but Finn ultimately decided against it. I'm not sure what to think about Finn. He has very little passion. With every conversation he appears to be on sedatives. Perhaps he is and that's something we'll learn about him next season.

For those rooting for a relationship between Alicia and Finn, I just hope not. He's missing an essential spark that brings life to Alicia. She can barely stay interested long enough to represent him.

Diane was a bit put off by Peter's request that she be their next candidate, and I can't say I blame her. What a rousing endorsement. You're our third pick and you're already vetted, so come on! For a minute there, I thought she was going to do it.

Kalinda: There's always option number 3. You could run for States Attorney.
Diane: I don't think I have the fight left in me Kalinda. If Will were still here, I...
Kalinda: I'm here. Have you decided?
Diane: Yes.

• Permalink: You could run for States Attorney

I think Diane's call to Peter indicates that Florrick/Agos accepted her into their firm. That was something I expected to happen even before Will died, when she started to see in Will a corporate hunger that she no longer had. She missed the indie startup feel of the Florrick/Agos offices and that feeling obviously never left her.

Joining the firm would be absolutely wonderful. Especially if Alicia takes Eli up on his final proposal -- to run for States Attorney. The look on his face as he looked at her, putting together the puzzle pieces was brilliant. 

Of course, it may not happen, but from a series perspective it's a perfect move. Alicia would be working closely with Peter, Diane would be working closely with Cary instead of Alicia and him butting heads and Alicia would be Finn's new boss. Everyone would be accounted for and in interesting new roles. Now we just have to wait four or five months to find out what happens!

Zach's graduation and the in-laws participation in it wasn't nearly as interesting or entertaining as I expected it to be, but Jackie did learn about Peter's marriage hitting the skids. Alicia has half an empty nest, but for as often as she's home with the kids it shouldn't affect her too much. It might also be the thing that propels her to accept Eli's offer.

Other items of note:

• Canning won't dissolve Lockhart/Gardner, but will the name stay the same with both partners gone? Maybe it will be Canning/Lee.
• Howard Lyman has never cross examined a witness. Amazing. It makes sense, but still.
• Did we ever learn what happened to Marilyn? Don't yell at me because I don't know, just inform.
• Does anyone else hope Canning is dead before the start of Season 6? Sorry. His character has no redeeming qualities.
• Now that Cary knows what's up with Kalinda, would he accept her on board with Florrick/Agos with Diane or would she be stuck at Lockhart/Gardner?
• Am I the only one who wishes we had at least touched base with Diane's husband Kurt since Will's death? It seems like knowing where they stand as a couple during this trying time would have some meaning.

That's about it for this year. It's been a pleasure interacting with you each week. Thanks for your conversation and support.

Which is a more exciting prospect?

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.