TV Review: The Good Wife "Nine Hours"

Sometimes a show that is already great produces such an amazing episode, I am enthralled by every second and want to talk about it to everyone I know. The latest example of this accomplishment was last week's fall finale of CBS's The Good Wife, entitled "Nine Hours". The plot was practically ripped from the headlines, timely and interesting. Real stakes were on the table, and the characters had to stretch themselves, trying desperately in a last ditch effort, and making mistakes along the way. This scramble had a (spoiler alert!) happy ending, but I wasn't sure it was going to until the end. Sure, it was likely that things would work out for our heroes, but it wouldn't be the first time a show tossed a twist in that ruined everything. However, though it took the easy ending, it was not a disappointment.

The episode began when Alicia (Julianna Margulies) got an early Saturday morning phone call asking if she planned to add an addendum to an appeal to stop an execution she had filed the night before. The file clerk was breaking the rules to tip her off that she may have a chance to save her client, Carter Wright (guest star Chad Coleman, The Wire). Immediately, she called Will (Josh Charles), who was heading out of town for the weekend, and he called Diane (Christine Baranski), who was at the prison visiting their client. All sprang into action, calling in a whole team of lawyers to the firm on their day off to try to save Carter's life.

One of my (and many fans') favorite characters is Cary (Matt Czuchry), Alicia's competition in season one, who now works for the District Attorney. Cary had worked on a project with the clerk, and Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) sought his assistance, which he was reluctant to give. Cary is not a bad guy, but he is a bit bitter with the firm, you see. His emotions towards them are completely understandable, even if most viewers wanted Alicia to win, as she did. I think we all know how Cary feels, not getting recognition he believes he deserves. I wish he had more screen time this season, because every time he graces the stage, he gets some good meat. In this episode, a call from the director of the Innocence Project, Barry Scheck (guest starring as himself), convinced him to join the cause. This was great, even though regrettably Cary had almost no screen time after he agreed to help.

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Article Author: JeromeWetzelTV

Jerome Wetzel has hosted two entertainment based podcasts, "Geek Out With Jimmy" and "The Good, The Bad, & The Geeky". He is also the author of the An Actor's Nightmare book series. He currently writes television reviews for examiner.com and blogcritics.org. …

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Article comments

  • 1 - Pamela Gold

    Dec 21, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    I agree 100%. This show is brilliant from beginning to end. I have to ask though...Why was everyone so uptight about the daughter praying?

  • 2 - Jerome Wetzel

    Dec 21, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    I don't know. I was a little confused on that point as well.

  • 3 - DW

    Dec 21, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Agree totally with your review..it was great. Also agree that Cary needs more screen time. He's a terrific character and beautifully acted. More Cary please!

  • 4 - Tia

    Dec 26, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    Completely agree with your review!

    Was a little upset that they seemed so uncomfortable with Grace praying. I'm not particularly religious, but I don't see the harm.

    Only question: Thoughts on Kalinda this episode? I thought she was brilliant as well.

  • 5 - Jerome Wetzel

    Dec 28, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Kalinda is always brilliant. I do wish she would have opened up a little more to Alicia though. She had the perfect opportunity, but she is obsessed with her own privacy. Ironic, considering her job. And probably useful for her job.

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