As disheartening this is to admit about "The Good Wife," a show that rarely underperforms, "Open Source" is not just the weakest episode of the sixth season so far, it's categorically flawed. "Open Source" has a foundation tenuous, but it has a few good things built on top of the foundation.Some strong moments and ideas try to accomplish artistry amongst a script that runs circles inside of inconsistent character development and nonsensical filler plot. Thanks to Rosemary Rodriguez's clear sense of directing, "Open Source" is easy to watch and involves the viewer more than a worse show would in one its lazier episodes.
A compliant most of the mainstream audience members have had with season six is the change in direction from standalone court cases to a more serialized narrative. Season six put individual "cases of the week" on the back burner for more personalized story lines, such as Alicia running for State's Attorney, Cary's trial, and Kalinda's involvement with Bishop. But the best thing about "Open Source" is it provides the most engaging court case of the season: a gun control lawsuit involving the 3-D printing of firearms. Not only is the case more vibrant than any other court case this season (aside from Cary's trial, of course), but it makes Gary Cole's return to the show feel relevant and justified.
The shortcoming of this gun control case was actually a character who always strengthens an episode: Judge Abernathy. If you ask just about anyone who their favorite Good Wife judge is, they'd probably answer, "Judge Abernathy." Having him back after almost two years is a treat, but the writers use him as an ignorant spokesman for the message they want to get across in "Open Source" . Though I agree with the Kings choosing to highlight the cultural (and liberal) incredulity of this topic, using Judge Abernathy weakened the line between reality and sensationalism too much. But through all of the questionable writing, Denis O'Hare sold it like a pro.
One of the highlights of "Open Source" is the car scene involving newly weds Diane and Kurt pleasuring one another. What other television series--network or cable--would show an 60- year-old woman as being just as sexual as someone in their 20s? None other than "The Good Wife."
The chunk of "Open Source" that not only turned me off but utterly mystified me was Alicia's plot with Louis Canning and David Lee. I, like Alicia, am naive and believed Mr. Canning and David Lee based on the pathos of their malarkey. Then, after the story arced, I was left confused as to what exactly happened: Was Canning really pranking her on his death bed? Even though we got a clear-cut answer, there was no sense to it. It's hard to buy what the writers were selling here: Canning is that much of a scumbag that he's capable of doing something so petty on his deathbed. This aspect of "Open Source" was so unnecessary and idly written that it makes me, as a fan, lose faith in the continuity of both characters Canning and David Lee-- David Lee's nebulous characterization has been shamefully butchered with inconsistency since the beginning of season six.
The most exciting element of "Open Source" for many fans was the growth of Johnny and Alicia's relationship. Though Steven Pasquale's acting was rather average and Johnny's subplot preceding the final revelation was poorly done, the move made against Peter was an interesting direction the writers took--one that will likely have lasting effects and will set the stage for Peter and Alicia's marriage after the election. What will likely be one of the last scenes between Alicia and Prady, "The Good Wife" reminded us of the great relationship they built over the past eight episodes between the opponents. I'm going to miss David Hyde Pierce after he leaves-- this scene is proof of the dramatic resonance he brought to the series during his time as Frank Prady.
"Open Source" is so unstable that it instilled a sense of skepticism amongst fans of the show. Personally, I find these opinions about the show "losing its way" to be unfair. Season five's perfection set the bar so high for the show, so now, when "The Good Wife" has a substandard week, the criticism seems to be harsher and more judgmental than other acclaimed television shows. People seem to have forgotten that it just premiered one of their greatest episodes ever ("Mind's Eye"), the first half of the season was unblemished, and we are mid-season, where things tend to lag for just about any show.
Grade: C+
1 out of 9 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
