Ep 9. Discovery

After seven seasons of exploring the intricacies of law, politics and personal relationships, The Good Wife did not fail to deliver in its ninth episode of season 7. The episode named "Discovery" takes a closer look at allegations of voter fraud in the presidential campaign while also focusing on the characters' personal struggles.

The episode begins with Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) arriving at the office of Ruth Eastman (Margo Martindale), a campaign strategist for the Democratic Party. Ruth informs Alicia that a registered voter named Becky Walker has promised to change her vote from the Republican nominee to their candidate, Peter Florrick (Chris Noth). However, the Florrick campaign received documentation claiming that Becky had been paid to vote for Peter. The situation escalates as it is revealed that Becky is a plant from the Republican Party intended to destabilise the Florrick campaign and ruin Ruth's reputation. As a result, the team hurries to find evidence that Becky was not paid by the Florrick campaign to avoid a legal battle that could damage Peter's position in the race.

Meanwhile, Alicia's personal life is not going so well. Her relationship with Jason Crouse (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has been on the rocks since she discovered he punched someone. Jason insists it was in self-defence, but Alicia has doubts and has trouble trusting him. In addition, she also has to face the fallout from her son's drug arrest.

As the investigation into Becky's supposed bribery continues, tensions run high. It seems that the only way to prove Becky’s innocence is to face her accuser. But the whole situation is complicated by the fact that Becky is not an innocent victim of the Republican's dirty tricks campaign. She proves to be a capable strategist with a range of counter-measures up her sleeve, which keeps the Florrick team on their toes.

In addition to the voter-fraud plotline, the episode also explores further the relationship between Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) and Kurt McVeigh (Gary Cole). Diane is trying to sort out her feelings for Kurt, who has helped her with her finances and provided moral support through the fallout of the Diane Lockhart retirement plan disaster. As they try to navigate the complexities of their relationship, Kurt invites Diane to go hunting with him, forcing Diane to confront her beliefs about gun control laws.

The episode concludes on a cliffhanger as the Florrick team races to uncover the truth about Becky’s voter fraud allegations before it's too late. The tension is palpable as the stakes couldn't be higher. At this stage in the presidential race, the smallest detail can sway the election outcome, and the discovery of Becky’s payment could mean the end of Peter’s campaign.

Overall, The Good Wife season 7 episode 9 does not disappoint in delivering a thrilling and thought-provoking episode that tackles issues both political and personal. The shifting dynamics between the characters, particularly regarding the fallout from the Diane Lockhart retirement plan, add a layer of complexity to the episode's plotlines. Meanwhile, the voter fraud storyline offers a glimpse into the murky world of political campaigns and the behind-the-scenes manipulation that can decide election outcomes. The tension builds throughout the episode, making for an exciting and nerve-wracking viewing experience.