We finally met the third partner at the law firm where Alicia (Julianna Margulies) works. Stern (Kevin Conway) is a man who was at his best during the 70s, fighting against social inequalities and the like, but he was still quite a success until about a year ago. Will (Josh Charles) and Diane (Christine Baranski) are concerned with the effect that his current behaviour will have on the firm, but in the end, Stern chooses to leave the firm without a fight to start another.
It's not a good idea. Though Alicia had him cleared of an accusation of a DUI, the reason Stern crashed his car is because he has dementia. The firm is better off without him, and Alicia, though she stated her admiration for the man throughout the episode, declined the opportunity to go with him. He suspects this is out of loyalty to Will, though I know it's because she is too ethical to practice law with a man who is no longer fit to do so. Still, Stern tells her that Will will stab her in the back if it benefits him.
And so let us now address the question of Will. This is not the first time Alicia has been warned against him, though Peter was the first, and, as her husband, his comments had to be taken with a grain of salt. Stern's too, really. Still, what kind of man is Will? What motivates him, and what will he do to accomplish something? One also has to question the danger Alicia is in from him - he seems to have a particular affection for her, which might be romantic. Then you have to ask yourself if that means he might undermine Peter (Chris Noth) any way he can if his goal is Alicia.
As for Alicia and her family, the call girl Peter was sleeping with decided to get a book published and was giving interviews about her affair. Peter was genuinely concerned about Alicia's reaction to the mess, and when she, distressed, told him that the call girl was harassing her at work, he made her stop. He threatened her with telling a previous lover, with criminal connections, that her book included information on him. She went crying to Alicia, telling her that her husband was a monster, but how stupid do you have to be to tell your lover the secrets of another lover. As a woman, if you want to play that game, you have to have all the secrets and divulge non of your own. I can't really have any sympathy for her.
And so the episode ended with Alicia showing up, kissing Peter, and leaving again. Is this a return of trust? A good bye? Or simply a thank you?
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