BWW Recap: Because ... Everything on THE GOOD WIFE

For every ending that is sudden, there is a different, slower kind of winding down. A quiet march toward the inevitable, toward that certain ending just ahead. It's this second kind of ending that always tinges the present - no matter how good it is - with bittersweet. Time changes to a kind of counting when you know the end is getting closer. This is the last time we'll-. This is our final-. Even in the best moments, we can't shake the clock.

Something is about to end.

Sure it's just a TV show. But it's seven years of TV show. Seven years of the best TV show I've ever watched.

I need a wine for this ...

Canada

The NSA guys are back tonight. Again. The Alicia-stanning eavesdroppers make their final appearance in a case that gives us polite, clean Canadian disdain for the ever-present big-brother nature of life in post-9/11 USA. This week's case centers around "C-list Edward Snowden", aka our accidental spy, Jeff Dellinger, who is detained in Toronto on his way back into the States to attend his mother's funeral.

Dellinger calls on his unlikely ally Alicia in an effort not to be extradited back to the US, where he will face espionage charges for the thing he accidentally did (taking home a USB loaded with spy stuff), or maybe the thing he actually did (broadcasting the fact that the US recently gave orders to kill one of its own citizens). Cue airport emergency trial by justice of the peace (oh, those Canadians!), as Alicia and Lucca battle to keep their client safe from the long reach (ears?) of the United States Government.

Like so many of the best cases of the week, tonight we get an unusual proxy for court, and an insight into the utter weirdness of the justice system, where it really can seem like process trumps sanity. In the end, after much dancing on the line, Dellinger gets to claim asylum in Canada, where hopefully he will get to do yoga and discuss feminism with Justin Trudeau his knowledge of how to listen in on every phone conversation ever has apparently endeared him to the Canadian version of the NSA.

Lucca might not be so sure of their charms, but I've loved these NSA guys. Like I've said before, they've been us. Geeking out over the details of Alicia's life, rooting for her through all the mistakes and moments they dropped in on.

We've all loved watching the evolution of Alicia Florrick, right?

Charm

Speaking of charm - and not so sureness - we also get some Kurt aka Mr. Diane Lockhart tonight. Everyone's favorite Republican (err, actually my only favorite Republican) is back and just as equal and opposite to his wife as ever. The scenes between Christine Baranski and Gary Cole are sublime. From Diane's panic when Kurt wants to talk (the man doesn't talk!) to their teeth-knocking tumbles, these two are just so ... real. I'd place a swear word for emphasis in front of real here, but THE GOOD WIFE knows how to imply expletives (right, Diane?), so I'll simply imply my passionate qualifier here too.

But, man! No one writes adults like this. Please don't end.

The charm as offence comes after Kurt tells Diane he wants to sell his ballistics business so he can spend more time with his wife. It all seems rosy until Diane meets the young woman Kurt is under-selling his business to - a certain Megan Hilty as Holly, a gorgeous and capable protégée Kurt once took under his wing. See Megan Hilty is pretty damn adorable whether she's a Broadway star or a ballistics expert, and Diane is immediately ready to send all that charm packing. Far, far away from her husband and his guns.

Diane's scene with David Lee, where they confront Holly about the sale, makes you realise there were always redeemable parts to that guy (contained Will cry, anybody?). Ultimately, no legal scheming is required, because Kurt decides not to sell to his preternaturally charming charge. But not before the ideological differences between husband and wife are once again laid bare. We wouldn't expect anything less from our odd couple though, would we? And do we really need one more guy quoting Tolstoy??

Please don't end.

Calm

Speaking of couples. Alicia and Peter. Alicia and Jason. Alicia and Will. Oh wait, that last one is just because THERE IS A RUMOR THAT JOSH CHARLES MIGHT BE COMING BACK FOR THE FINALE I can't let things go.

Alicia and Peter. Let's deal with them first. They're getting a divorce. But Alicia has evidently agreed to stand by Peter one last time as he faces arrest for corruption. There's something beautiful in this couple's chemistry tonight, a kind of glittery-eyed honesty about where they've been, and what they've lost. Together. I'm getting soft in my old age, perhaps. Because when Peter does get arrested, and Alicia takes a moment to cover his handcuffs and knot his tie, I felt the pull of this couple for the very first time. They're a team. A package deal. Made better by each other.

Oh, hell. What's happening to me?

Because then there's Jason. Quiet, assuring, preternaturally calm Jason, who helps Peter with his case, and waits for Alicia at her apartment, and asks her what she wants. Even if what he wants is far simpler than all that baggage THE GOOD WIFE comes with.

It's never simple, is it? Alicia Florrick is not simple. Could it be that Peter Florrick is the only one who's ever known this?

And now I'm so confused. Because ... everything. This show is everything. And we've only got three more episodes before everything ends. For good.

It's party time next week. Jackie and Howard are getting married. Chaos is sure to reign, as most of the major players get squeezed into one room. See you there - wine in hand!

Image Credit: CBS

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