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S07.E08: Restraint


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Diane is personally conflicted when she is forced to argue a heated case between pro-choice and pro-life advocates in order to retain an important client, represented by attorney Ethan Carver. Alicia and Lucca are desperate for new business and attempt to poach clients from Louis Canning.
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So not only are Florrick/Quinn, Lockhart/Aggos, and Canning the only law firms in Illionis, there are also no other potential clients except clients of Lockhart/Aggos or Canning?  {face palm}

 

What have they done to Eli?  Just when I think it can't get worse, it does.  An employer wanting to pay their employees $75,000 a year is not socialism.  Their money, their company.  Socialism is the government giving billions of dollars to corporations as subsidies, and forcing the American taxpayer to foot the bill.

 

At this point, I want Alicia to have an affair with Jason which she intends to make public just to ruin Peter's career, and to have joined that stupid board she is on just to cause problems for that guy who is head of the party.

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This is probably going to be unpopular, but I really enjoyed Grace's subplot about getting clients. Alicia seemed to be patronizing her, but she ended up delivering. Although it sounds like there may be a fight to keep them if Cary and Diane are trying to get them back.

 

I can't believe a judge would call one lawyer into his office and have that conversation like he did with Diane. And I actually get what Diane was thinking with wanting to defend free speech even though she hated the speech. It's easy to only defend it when you like what the person is saying.

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And I actually get what Diane was thinking with wanting to defend free speech even though she hated the speech. It's easy to only defend it when you like what the person is saying.

 

But Diane was having to perform massive legal contortions to make it even a semblance of a case about "free speech."  Defending the KKK's right to march with a permit just like any other organization is one thing; defending distribution of a video that was obtained under false pretenses feels like something else.

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I just can't get onboard with the Grace storyline.  It doesn't feel genuine to me.  I think it's because all these years they've built her up as being an idiot.   If they did the storyline with Zach, it would have felt earned and therefore rewarding.  And I love that actor.   This episode was okay for me.  I love Vanessa Williams and her sick-ass office.

Edited by Ms Blue Jay
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Well. Grace is now the most competent character on the show. And it's not the most outlandish thing they've done...

 

However, I hope Alicia gives Grace the $$$ she's earned (after all, one of the reasons she supposedly went to bond court was because she had kids to send to school...Grace has just tidily earned a year or so's tuition at a lot of schools).

 

(Also, is white Harvard guy associate REALLY going to call Diane "Mrs. Lockhart?" Presumably he's met women lawyers before.)

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I have no idea what this show wants to be anymore.  I really don't. 

 

But as I was watching tonight, I noticed Vanessa Williams, and thought about how much more interesting her real life story about being kicked down when she thought she was in a great place and suffering through the humiliation she did, only to triumph, is much more interesting than anything this show has offered recently.

Edited by pennben
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I just can't get onboard with the Grace storyline. It doesn't feel genuine to me. I think it's because all these years they've built her up as being an idiot. If they did the storyline with Zach, it would have felt earned and therefore rewarding.

I thought it was earned. Grace is a high school senior. They made her too naive to be believable before. There's no reason a Christian can't also be smart, after all. Besides, what she did was essentially work as a receptionist. People Grace's age cold-call for jobs all the time, although not usually to heads of nationally-known advocacy groups. It's more realistic than Zach knowing everything about computers and outsmarting a sitting State's Attorney.

I honestly think Luca is the weak link in the show. Eight episodes in and I still know nothing about her except she's sort of prickly and defensive. I don't see why they needed to give Alicia a new sidekick at all. She adds nothing to the show. The tension about whether she and Alicia get along isn't interesting, because I don't particularly care if she leaves. She won't affect anything if she does. Alicia's relationships with Will, Diane, Kalinda and Carey were interesting because they mattered. If they had a falling-out, it would affect the characters' personal and professional lives.

Edited by Tetraneutron
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I think the show is trying to say all of these legal maneuverings are a farce?  It's so silly, not only can Zach can outsmart everyone with his computer wizardry, but Grace (Yes, even our ridiculous Grace) can figure out how to get clients!  And not just any clients, Mrs. Gilmore, no less!!!  Diane can be such a good lawyer to advocate even for beliefs she doesn't follow, but "poof", she really wasn't.  I don't even really know what the holy hell they are trying to say, other than they think they are moving into comedy.  I believe their next show is about alien spawns actually being in control in Congress (I am not kidding about that). What the fricketyfrack?  Finally, as far as I can tell, the Illinois taping/consent laws and regulations appear to be the most interesting law to explore these folks have ever seen.  

Edited by pennben
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Grace merely got lucky in that she happened to call firms that wanted to leave for their own reasons. He office sounds were cute but she didn't do much in the way of selling.

No, no judge would ever do what he did in terms of talking to Diane.

And no, restraint doesn't count when it's a stealth taping like hat where people do not believe they are on the record. I'm not a lawyer but I am a journalist and a lot of this is stuff we are warned about frequently.

Similarly you can take pictures of anyone in a public place (see paparazzi) but people can and do get upset about it if they are kids wtc....that whole case was very trying.

Eli and the billionaire were cute. But only on TV when someone is bumbling around all shy it turns out the other person is into them too.

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I think the show is trying to say all of these legal maneuverings are a farce?  It's so silly, not only can Zach can outsmart everyone with his computer wizardry, but Grace (Yes, even our ridiculous Grace) can figure out how to get clients!  And not just any clients, Mrs. Gilmore, no less!!!  Diane can be such a good lawyer to advocate even for beliefs she doesn't follow, but "poof", she really wasn't.  I don't even really know what the holy hell they are trying to say, other than they think they are moving into comedy.  I believe their next show is about alien spawns actually being in control in Congress (I am not kidding about that). What the fricketyfrack?  Finally, as far as I can tell, the Illinois taping/consent laws and regulations appear to be the most interesting law to explore these folks have ever seen.

When the Planned Parenthood 'selling baby parts' tapes first surfaced, PP was able to obtain an injunction on just these grounds. California is a two-party state and the PP doctor being recorded was unaware she was being recorded and did not consent.

The injunction, however, was only temporary and the tapes were eventually released. BTW, PP only makes fetal tissue available in California and Washington state. I guess that's why the dodge of having this unknown abortion services provider.

You know, in the interests of accuracy.

Edited by Rosebud1970
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The thing for me is, this is at least the sixth or seventh 'what is the law governing recording/consent' episode in the series.  Find a new law to play with....we get it on this one, we aren't studying for the bar.  Get a new toy!

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So not only are Florrick/Quinn, Lockhart/Aggos, and Canning the only law firms in Illionis, there are also no other potential clients except clients of Lockhart/Aggos or Canning?  {face palm}

 

 

5Rjk0Jg.jpg   By the way.... when did Grace get soooooo smart ????  More computers in that place than they have in Best Buy !!!! MAYBE.... if they had a bigger staff the just "Wonder-daughter" !!

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And then one of those computers accidentally started making "horsey" sounds......hahahahahahaha.  And the client bought Grace's explanation!!  And I slapped my knee I was laughing so hard!!  Oh, you guys, stop!  I can't stand all of this humor.......seriously, stop.

Edited by pennben
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I think...MAYBE...we're supposed to still be in the summer? This show makes it so hard to tell what time of day, what time of year. The way they play with time, sometimes it's hard to tell whether something is happening on the same day, or over a period of several days. Or maybe Grace got her GED and dropped out.

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5Rjk0Jg.jpg   By the way.... when did Grace get soooooo smart ????  More computers in that place than they have in Best Buy !!!! MAYBE.... if they had a bigger staff the just "Wonder-daughter" !!

Did she really need sound effects from three laptops?

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kwnyc, I thought maybe this season so far took place in the summer, too, but then there was that bit where Peter and Alicia had to wear heavy coats and scarves for the announcement. Then again they did make a remark that it was boiling hot.

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I think...MAYBE...we're supposed to still be in the summer? This show makes it so hard to tell what time of day, what time of year. The way they play with time, sometimes it's hard to tell whether something is happening on the same day, or over a period of several days. Or maybe Grace got her GED and dropped out.

It can't be summer--Peter and Alicia just wore winter coats in the hilariously funny (/sarcasm) pretending to be outdoors in Springfield but really indoors scene, to make his candidacy announcement. Maybe Alicia is homeschooling Grace now.

Predicting this show will end with Alicia running for president. Sure, why not.

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Apparently I am not professional enough because I prefer to hear silence in the background of any professional/business call rather than Busy Office Sounds?

Absolutely -- if I heard all that background noise, I would assume the cold call was coming from some sort of boiler room operation abroad. 

 

I kept thinking Louis Canning was setting up Alicia & Co. with false clients, to see what they would do.  You never know what he is really up to...

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The judge thing was so ridiculous, I can't help but wonder if that was his strategy all along. To make it impossible for her to continue representing her clients as she has been so compromised by what the judge had done. Or whether it was not his intent but Diana just used the situation to her benefit to ditch the clients.

The show is so bizarre now. What they did to Eli is atrocious. He doesn't or the writer don't, know what socialism is?? Come on. That was just embarrassing as is much else on the show. Why would offering unlimited vacation days make any sense at all. You really want a workforce that is on vacation much of the time instead of just paying them a living wage. They were acting like $75,000 is a lot of money these days. Especially not so in a large city.

Who are these writers?

Someone must have told whatshisname - the actor playing the investigator - that his smile is charming. I actually find it kind of creepy.

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Did she really need sound effects from three laptops?

 

No one told Grace about browser tabs, apparently.

 

What a snoozefest of an episode. Somebody put this show out of its misery. They're still milking Eli's-door-slams-on-his-desk for "humor." It's just sad at this point.

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Someone must have told whatshisname - the actor playing the investigator - that his smile is charming. I actually find it kind of creepy.

 

 

 

It is! It's too much....like, all the bloody time!! Can't he be serious for five minutes?

 

His reptilian leer reminds me of some dude hanging around a schoolyard. He's got a pervy vibe thing going and it is really, really annoying. How can you have a serious conversation with someone who is smiling ALL THE TIME?!!! It's unnerving!

 

So are Eli and Vanessa Williams' going to start something? I really don't know about that one!!

 

Is it just me or does the writing feel all over the place this season?

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I was under the impression that Grace was starting college this season.  Wasn't something said about that earlier in the season, in passing?  Or am I making that up?  So my assumption originally was she was working for her mom part time when not in class.  But there's been no evidence of her being in school at all--no mention of having to go to class, no evidence of her studying, etc.  So, I agree it's weird.  But then, it's Grace.  They've never really cared much about her backstory.

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I noticed when Lucy and Ethel were holding the conference room meetings, that the name of their firm is Florrick/Quinn.  Pat Quinn was our Governor in IL before this current one we have.  I tend to think that the writers aren't that sharp to make it done "on purpose"  fluke is more like it.  

Edited by TV Diva Queen
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An employer wanting to pay their employees $75,000 a year is not socialism.

 

This plotline is drawn from a real-life situation, where the employer, an IT business, did just that.  Some people were referring to it as a sort of "corporate socialism" where everyone makes the same regardless of effort or seniority.  The CEO, who was making $1 million plus, decided that his salary was way out of line and reduced it to add on to the salaries of the lowest tier of employees.

 

Wouldn't Grace get her salary/commission after the billable hours had been totaled for the year?  Oh, and, Gracie, don't forget those taxes at the end of the year.  Or maybe the quarter, considering the estimated tax withholdings.  And the bookkeeper's fee.

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No one told Grace about browser tabs, apparently.

What a snoozefest of an episode. Somebody put this show out of its misery. They're still milking Eli's-door-slams-on-his-desk for "humor." It's just sad at this point.

I think the three computers was to make it sound like noise was coming from all around her, not just one spot. It was a little over the top.

Alicia did refer to having kids (plural) in college, but they haven't really explained that.

No one told Grace about browser tabs, apparently.

What a snoozefest of an episode. Somebody put this show out of its misery. They're still milking Eli's-door-slams-on-his-desk for "humor." It's just sad at this point.

I think the three computers was to make it sound like noise was coming from all around her, not just one spot. It was a little over the top.

Alicia did refer to having kids (plural) in college, but they haven't really explained that.

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This plotline is drawn from a real-life situation, where the employer, an IT business, did just that.  Some people were referring to it as a sort of "corporate socialism" where everyone makes the same regardless of effort or seniority.  The CEO, who was making $1 million plus, decided that his salary was way out of line and reduced it to add on to the salaries of the lowest tier of employees.

 

 

I know I've seen the articles, but that does not make it socialism.  The employer chose to do that.  Eli should know exactly what socialism, communism and capitalism are.  The USA ceased to be a capitalist society years ago when the government decided the taxpayers should foot the bill for all the special interest groups and corporations.

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Well. Grace is now the most competent character on the show. And it's not the most outlandish thing they've done...

 

However, I hope Alicia gives Grace the $$$ she's earned (after all, one of the reasons she supposedly went to bond court was because she had kids to send to school...Grace has just tidily earned a year or so's tuition at a lot of schools).

I really must be confused. because I'm struggling to understand how Grace came up with the figure she did (for an unspecified number of billable hours that hadn't been done yet) and how even with her weird mindset, she thinks it's payable up front rather than AFTER the work is actually done for clients, billed and then paid out. 

 

It's like the whole moment was built to get a cheap laugh out of the viewers, but without any logic needed.

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I tend to think that the writers aren't that sharp to make it done "on purpose"  fluke is more like it.

 

I don't think it was a fluke at all. I think they like the plucked from the headlines aspect.

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Well played Diane! And that was the only thing I liked about the episode.  This season started, sort of interesting, but now it's just become a victim of one of two things; 1. the rumors about the JM's bad behavior and no one wanting to work with her, so the Kings were forced to create two shows, or 2. the Kings are messing with everyone who bought into the rumors about the JM and have ruined a perfectly good show. 

I do not like this tequila drinking, bitch that Alicia has become.  Knowing that JM is a producer and has the ability to sign off on these changes only makes it more painful. 

If it wasn't for Diane, Cary et all I would not watch, the Grace stuff is stupid and the continued character assassination of Gold is painful to watch.

CBS put this show out of its misery.  

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CBS put this show out of its misery.  

I'd say the ratings (especially the 18-49 demo) being in the toilet might be enough to guarantee that, except that ratings are down all across TV (especially CBS dramas) this season.

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0SlSqhU.jpg  Like the Titanic, the USS Good Wife is going down the tank !!!!!

 

If it wasn't for Diane, Cary et all I would not watch, the Grace stuff is stupid and the continued character assassination of Gold is painful to watch.

CBS put this show out of its misery.  

Hopefully, only a handful of characters will make it and possibly go on to other "ventures".... Baranski, Cuming, Czuchry.

S.O.S.  CBS.....  mayday  !!!!!

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Why isn't Grace in school? She's always at the apartment. Hasn't anyone at her fancy school noticed that the Governor's daughter has apparently dropped out?

my oldest is a Sr and takes 0-4 periods, gets out at 12 pm. It's plausable. Edited to add - FFS, really Grace is going to get those clients just like that? I know Alicia has a reputation but just like that? Mrs Gilmore is just going to give it up over a 30 second call? TGW use to be my must see live show but between offing Will and the JM-AP fued I'm not caring anymore. Edited by Readalot
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This was just a horrific episode. No continuity, no brains, no plot. The Kings are not near as clever as they believe. And this is like watching someone on life support.

Josh Charles, you got out in time.

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I love when they let Diane be clever and competent. It almost makes me forgive them for that nonsense with Grace.

I could buy her cold calling, and even picking up some small clients. But we're supposed to believe that Mrs. Gilmore, etc., just started blabbing about their dissatisfaction with their current representation to some random girl on the phone? That flies in the face of every story we've seen in the past six seasons about client poaching. And there have been MANY.

#freeMattCzuchry

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It's actually great to see Grace being portrayed as feisty, smart and committed. Although she was not presented as cognitively impaired, some episodes seemed to imply that possibility, especially as if her religiosity signified limited intellect. (Ok it wasn't quite that quid pro quo but that's sort of where the trail led.)

 

Also really enjoyed seeing Eli get some luv tonight--can't wait to see where this goes. Since his daughter seems to be otherwise engaged at the moment, maybe they could actually have a thing.

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So, having a donor who might be overpaying her employees is a nail to the campaign coffin, but going to prison, cheating on your wife by sleeping with prostitutes, having your wife need to resign from office for vote tampering, etc, etc, are all okay?

 

So not only are Florrick/Quinn, Lockhart/Aggos, and Canning the only law firms in Illionis, there are also no other potential clients except clients of Lockhart/Aggos or Canning?  {face palm}

 

We joke about them being the only law firms in TGW Chicago, but obviously there are others, like the one who represented the doctor in this week's case.  The difference is that these other lawyers are not the bumbling stooges that make up Lockhart/Aggos, and, therefore, their clients don't want to leave them.  Canning's clients don't want to leave him either, he just keeps giving them away.  

 

L/A is only Chicago law firm that has clients ready to leave to a firm that sounds like it is run be a high schooler (because it is) based on a phone call that sounded like it was made from a call center.  

 

Apparently I am not professional enough because I prefer to hear silence in the background of any professional/business call rather than Busy Office Sounds?

 

If I got a call from a law firm, I would expect to hear a muffled conversation (very faint like it was in a separate room), a phone ringing occasionally (also faint, like in another room), and perhaps a printer or typing on a keyboard. 

 

What a snoozefest of an episode. Somebody put this show out of its misery. They're still milking Eli's-door-slams-on-his-desk for "humor." It's just sad at this point.

 

All he needs to do is move the bookcases/shelves that are behind his desk. Then he can move his desk back far enough so he can open the door.  He can put the shelving on the small walls or next to the door.  I vote for next to the door so he can climb the shelves to listen in at the vent.  

 

You know a show is bad when you start rearranging their furniture in your head instead of paying attention to the story.  I don't even know what he overheard.  

 

It's like the whole moment was built to get a cheap laugh out of the viewers, but without any logic needed.

 

That is exactly what is wrong with this show - too many moments built to get cheap laughs.  

 

Oh well, I guess I shouldn't complain - I watch/watched America's Next Top Model and Under the Dome solely because it is/was so much fun to make fun of them, and read the hilarious comments in their forums.  Now that both are cancelled I can make TGW the show I watch to make fun of.  It is kind of a shame though, this show used to be good, the other two were always bad (dsclaimer, supposedly the early seasons of ANTM were okay, but I didn't watch them).  

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I can sort of buy the Grace thing, if only because of Alicia's name. They heard Alicia was looking for clients and they were all pissed off at Diane, so they quickly jumped to the person they already knew, Alicia. Remember, Grace got Mrs. Gilmore's number from Alicia's old planner, so Mrs. Gilmore specifically dealt with Alicia when she was at either Lockhart Gardner, Florrick Agos or Lockhart, Florrick Agos. And then either the other clients all ALSO knew Alicia from her time dealing with them or Mrs. Gilmore knew Alicia well enough that she could vouch for her. 

 

The Grace story was still quite silly, including her asking for a percent of money that actually hadn't appeared yet (not to mention why in the WORLD would you not clue your mother in on what you were doing when you might very well be adding TOO much business for her mother and Luca to handle, as there seems to be a pretty good reason why Luca was stuck doing just bond law, as she seems out of her league dealing with big clients). But other than that, I could see Mrs. Gilmore and the rest being willing to go to Alicia. 

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