-
-
Wow, indeed! This premiere was fun, funny, disturbing, and sad, in that order and simultaneously all at once. What other series could have pulled this off? Brilliant concept and script from Robert and Michelle King and an absolutely aces performance by Christine Baranski. I’m sure she’ll have strong material throughout this season, but this would make a perfect Emmy submission (in our dreams, right).
Spoilers–
There were so many directions they could’ve taken this alternate reality, but Diane representing Harvey Weinstein was particularly sharp and uncomfortable. And to tie this in with last season’s cliffhanger was equally smart. Their really led with the implication that Kurt died, which would’ve been devastating and, I think, the wrong direction for the show to go, so I’m glad they resolved it the way they did, though I still don’t understand how they both got out of that situation unscathed, especially since Kurt was armed. The small touches through the episode were clever, too. I loved John Cameron Mitchell singing on Trump TV and I especially liked the reverse-explosions in the intro for this upside-down episode.
– End Spoilers
I am so glad this show is back. With every passing season it feels more vital than ever.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
Episode: The Gang Tries to Serve a Subpoena
Synopsis: After being acquired by a international law firm, Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart adjusts to having new corporate owners; Diane faces off against Louis Canning in an eminent domain case; Lucca gets a high-profile divorce but must partner with David Lee. Michael J. Fox guest-stars.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
I found today’s The Good Fight scattered, imbalanced, & something *different* in tone. It’s so strange on so many levels. I recognize the skill in what they were trying to do with the writing and directing, but everything fell flat for me. There was both too much and not enough of the things they introduced, and none of it was well-rounded or executed in a captivating way. It felt like I was watching an inferior reboot of the show/world I used to know. Despite that brilliant premiere, I fear if this is a reflection of the rest of the season, we’re in for the worst or most out-of-place Good season of all eleven years.
Grade: B-
ReplyCopy URLTwitter: @rcs818
I found today’s The Good Fight scattered, imbalanced, & something *different* in tone. It’s so strange on so many levels. I recognize the skill in what they were trying to do with the writing and directing, but everything fell flat for me. There was both too much and not enough of the things they introduced, and none of it was well-rounded or executed in a captivating way. It felt like I was watching an inferior reboot of the show/world I used to know. Despite that brilliant premiere, I fear if this is a reflection of the rest of the season, we’re in for the worst or most out-of-place Good season of all eleven years.
Grade: B-
I have to agree with you. Something felt “off” with this episode. I understand that they wanted to establish what this season was going to be about “Memo 618” but we didn’t really need to do that through the character of Julian. He is a secondary character in this The Good Fight world and way too much time was spent on him (in my opinion). Also, they wasted Michael J. Fox. Thankfully his story will continue in the next episode.
I wish they would have addressed what happened to Diane instead of just forwarding on to her first day back at work. I’m assuming they want to reveal that information later on, but why?
No new episode next week. We have to wait until April 30th for Episode 3 due to post-production delays thanks to COVID-19.
Additionally, Deadline reported that this season will be shortened to a total of 7 episodes.
ReplyCopy URLI guess I liked this episode more than most. It certainly pales in comparison to last week’s ambitious premiere and it could’ve been tighter, but I’ll give them a little leeway to do the table setting for the season.
I quite like how they’ve managed to make Julius’ judicial appointment integral to the plot. Last season it felt like they might have to bump Michael Boatman from regular to guest if he would just preside over the odd case here or there. He’s always been an important character to the Fight universe from the first season; last year he had the whole running arc of him becoming a judge with Marissa’s help and against Frank Landau’s wishes, so I think it’s unfair to say he shouldn’t have an episode with a prominent role. More Adrian and Liz would be nice, but we know that’s coming down the line. It was nice to see David Lee and Louis Canning, too, and I’m glad we’ll be seeing more of them.
And ouch suggesting after one episodes that this could be the worst in eleven seasons of the franchise, when most reviews of the season say it’s the best of the four Fight ones yet (and lest we forget Kalinda’s husband…). Tackling the fragility and breakdown of the law seems like something this series would be uniquely suited to address and they’ve only just begun. Plus the next one sounds like they’re back to politics, with the DNC coming to strategize about how to court the black vote in 2020.
I also really loved the tag at the end. Nice to see a lot of the crew and learn about how they’re handling post-production in the virtual age, plus Audra and Christine singing.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
Episode: The Gang Gets a Call from HR
Synopsis: The DNC asks Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart to strategize how to engage black voters in the upcoming election and the discussion amongst the team becomes personal; Diane tries to pursue her eminent domain case, but finds all of the court documents have gone missing; Marissa becomes friends with an STR Laurie associate.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
Lindo was excellent in this one. It’s a shame he hasn’t been very much recognized for this role outside from Critics Choice, especially with this being his final season on the series. I really like that they’re balancing episodic stories like the DNC with the ongoing arc of Memo 618. I like the additions of Larroquette and Dancy, too.
I really wish Baranski could do a Mandy Moore and get nominated this year because frankly she deserves to be in the top 3.
Couldn’t agree more. I think she came thisclose last year, but the field is far too crowded this season. “Alternate Reality” would be a fantastic submission.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
Episode: The Gang is Satirized and Doesn’t Like It
Synopsis: Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart represent a former divorce client who believes an explosive new play mounted in Chicago is based on his former relationship and his dirty laundry; Diane’s pursuit of Memo 618 leads her directly to the firm’s new bosses, STR Laurie.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
“Satirized” is The Good Fight at its best. Bonkers and hilarious and zeitgeist-y but anchored in character and politics and law. I love how they took the controversy surrounding Slave Play and realistically brought it not only into their universe but also made it resonate with their characters. The introspection with Diane, Julius, and Liz learning from their counterparts was particularly effective. Excellent stuff. Memo 618 is really starting to take off, too, and it was great to see Raúl Esparza and the return of Fisher Stevens. Aside from the premiere, which honestly feels like it should stand alone, this episode felt like Season 2 Fight.
ReplyCopy URLFormerly known as PianoMann.
For the past few weeks, I’ve rewatched The Good Wife, which is my favorite show. I watched the new episode of The Good Fight, “The Gang Gets Satirized and Doesn’t Like It,” in the middle of that rewatch. I thought perhaps having consumed so much Wife may have influenced how I viewed Satirized. After watching Satirized again this morning, the answer is no.
I can usually tell by the running time of an episode in the Good universe as to whether or not it’ll be good. This was nearly an HOUR. Yet, the brilliant premiere was barely 40 minutes. Conciseness is a friend of the Good.
I was severely unimpressed and unamused by this episode. I could have swallowed the satire to an extent, but when you add in the breaking of the fourth wall, it really soured me from this storyline. Diane’s plot, in particular, felt as though it was pandering to the infamous online Queen Baranski Stans. I didn’t mind the subplot about the McHart sex life, but it was so clumsily forced into the script. On top of the Slave Play exploration, I am really growing irritated with Memo 618. The season is literally half over and we’re no more progressed as to what it is, nor have we outgrown the silly, repetitive gimmicks, like Diane’s computer searches. I’m not really fond of the new firm, setting, or the mystery surrounding these people either. And not to sound like a total complainer, but the Lucca /rich client storyline isn’t working for me. I mean, if they can tie it to Lucca’s character development somehow, and her lack of friendships, other than Alicia in Wife, maybe it could go somewhere. But I get the sense this one will just skim the surface.
Grade: C+
I’m not optimistic, to be honest. The President Hillary premiere was excellent, but this is so far, and by far, my least favorite season in the Good library.
ReplyCopy URLTwitter: @rcs818
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
