There was something off about Molly (Betty Gilpin) on last night’s episode of The Good Wife. First of all, I know she said that she’d been a full-time nanny in the past, but someone going for a double graduate degree picking up odd babysitting hours? It seemed too much like she was either sent in there, or had inserted herself there, for a reason. And if it was an innocent, meaningless turn, then the writers played it rather poorly.
Personally, I think she was there for her own purposes, maybe as research for her dissertation, or even to study subject matter for it. It certainly would fit in nicely with the theme of the episode: lies and deception. Cue Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), Peter, and new State’s Attorney Glenn Childs (Titus Welliver)!
What was funny was how Zach and Grace got Molly fired, a little reminiscent of any number of sitcoms, and a reminder that The Good Wife isn’t all sour faces and court cases (and rhyming?). There’s definitely humor there, as there’s certainly still joy in Alicia’s life no matter how daunting things may appear. But anyway, Molly’s purpose will become clear if she returns in the near future. Otherwise, she was just a distraction (or another wake-up call for Alicia about what her kids are up to), and a bad job by the writers.
Last week I mentioned that I wasn’t sure how I felt about Alicia’s legal career butting up against Peter’s woes. Well, I’m confident that I don’t like Peter’s legal problems overshadowing Alicia’s life, which is pretty much how I felt last night. I mean, what are we supposed to think when Kalinda gets involved with Peter, and Alicia’s passing secret notes to her husband in the prison visitation room?
What intrigued me about the show from the start was the relationship that Alicia and Peter were going to have. The fact that it would be Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth meant that the acting would be top-shelf, the conflict and emotion riveting. What sucked me in was how interesting it was to watch Margulies play a woman burned and embarrassed now take control of her own destiny. But slowly the show has started to nurture a parallel story line, one focused on Peter and his problems. As they relate to Alicia … okay, I like seeing Peter’s shadow hanging over her in court, in the conference room, and in life in general. I like that her kids seem to be invested in proving that Peter was framed. I even appreciate the role his case must play on the show.
But for new characters to be introduced, and old ones borrowed, in order to help propel it forward? Is the concern that without solid screen time for the male character guys won’t tune in? Because Alicia’s situation — and her strength — is universal, something that needs no gender identification to understand. I could be jumping the gun on this, but the writers should realize that things are all good already. No need to redirect the show’s plot.
It’s bad enough that we spend so much time on Jackie (feel better!). Let’s keep the show where it belongs … focused in tight on Alicia.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jan 13, 2010 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
Actually, I did not get to watch this episode yet (although I am starting to enjoy the Good Wife more than I thought I would, especially JM and CN), but I have to make a quick statement about “someone going for a double graduate degree picking up odd babysitting hours.”
As someone to whom that statement applies, graduate school is an expensive business. Even if you attend a top-tier or state school that provides full funding, if you are in the Humanities, the living stipend provided by the school can vary between 15-19k, (unless you have a fellowship). Even engineering hovers around 20-25. In a poor economic environment, receiving payment for advanced education is a decent deal. However, if you are in a professional school i.e. MBA/Law you do not receive a stipend or even tuition rescinding. Considering the number of side jobs graduate students have deferred to in order to make ends meet (mover, barista, nanny, copy editor), I’m not surprised about the character’s cover story.
On the one hand, a dual degree might assumedly lack time; however, positions that are flexible, night-oriented, and not demanding are typically the most desirable. *cough* :)
*POST AUTHOR*
My wife is in a PhD program, so I’m definitely familiar with those particulars.
I should clarify that I got the impression that the job was somehow related to the studies, like an externship or field work. That’s why I thought it was odd that she’d be doing a few hours of babysitting for that purpose. I said “someone going for a double graduate degree” because I couldn’t remember what the other one was besides education, but I definitely should have clarified my intent. Sorry! No offense intended! :)
I don’t normally watch this show, but left it running between NCIS:LA and Letterman, and had a few observations.
Kalinda mentioned in the pilot that she had worked for, and been fired by, Peter, so I think that rather than her being borrowed, this role was intended for her by the writers all along.
Like so many of these shows, there are episodic plots and running character developments, which seem to encompass Alicia’s world, and there is the grand mystery/conceit, which is what Peter is for. People like me can pick up an episode anywhere along the way, but the Peter storyline is supposed to reward the loyal weekly viewer. Unless of course, they find it a disincentive, as you seem to.
There’s always been something about Matt Czuchry’s face and acting style that made me want to see him get punched in the face, even when he’s playing a supposedly sympathetic character. Watching him ooze across the screen this week did nothing to change that. Has Cary done anything laudable in the ten weeks I missed?
*POST AUTHOR*
My impression following Kalinda’s intro was that she would therefore be indispensible to Alicia as far as her own snooping into the situation would eventually go. Not this.
Cary seems to be gracious and magnanimous at times, but he consistently intersperses that with the competitiveness that only he seems to feel as a junior associate. It’s like the writers realize that they need to remind us of the situation. I think his role is important, but should be filled by someone more appropriate.