The show is well written, and the ensemble is solid, but it is truly Margulies performance as Alicia Florrick that has made this show a success.
In Unprepared, she is shocked to learn that her husband, Peter (Chris Noth), may be released on bail and that she is to testify on his behalf. While most episodes to date have had a solid balance between Alicia's personal life and her new career, the court case Alicia worked in this episode received far less attention than Peter's did. But that is how it should be.
Yes, Alicia continued to work, and we had some delightful moments for both Cary (Matt Czuchry) and Will (Josh Charles), with Cary demonstrating an improvement in his questioning tactics and Will saying "No pain, no gain." To which Diana (Christine Baranski) responded "Did you really just say that?" "Yes, I did." The case was won, and the awkward accused was allowed to continue her life and her research. The show did not neglect this side of the plot, but the focus was on Peter in force.
Zach (Graham Phillips) and Grace (Makenzie Vega) got a little more screen time as well, though it is obvious that Phillips is still a young actor. His scene with Grace lacked commitment, and his timing and reactions were off. Later, however, in a scene between Zach and his mom, he held is own. Young actors always benefit when playing opposite talented and experienced ones.
The absolute best moment of the episode was when Alicia was on the stand. Until then, she had been uncertain about the potential of Peter's release and how that would affect the new life she was building, but the moment she took the stand, she was confident. She absolutely destroyed the prosecutor with the grace and accuracy that she always demonstrates in the court room.
Our certainty about how well she would manage had earlier been put into question when Peter's lawyer told her that lawyers often made the worse witnesses, knowing what they were supposed to say and how, but failing to put it into practice.
In the end, Peter was not granted bail. Whether because a friend betrayed him and he was innocent or because a friend betrayed him and he was guilty, we don't know. We don't know that Peter is innocent or guilty, and in many ways we don't care. I am far more interested in his relationship with Alicia. They were so happy - why did he have affairs? Why did he risk his family like that? What do you think?
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