Ep 13. The Seven Day Rule

In the season 4, episode 13 of The Good Wife named "The Seven Day Rule," the show explores the consequences of Alicia's (Julianna Margulies) romantic choices. The episode begins with Alicia hooking up with her boss, Will (Josh Charles), once again. It's not the first time the two have slept together, but this time around, Alicia's feelings for Will seem to be growing stronger. Meanwhile, her husband Peter (Chris Noth) asks for her support as he runs for governor, and she finds herself torn between her loyalty to him and her mounting feelings for Will.

The main plot of the episode revolves around a case the firm takes on involving a married couple, Tim and Holly Stanich. Tim is a veteran who was injured in combat and is now struggling to cope with PTSD. During a particularly rough episode, he attacked his wife, Holly, who was left with a fractured skull. The firm decides to take on Tim's case, but they soon realize that the more they dig into the Stanich's relationship, the more complicated things become.

The show explores the legal concept of the "Seven Day Rule," which states that if a victim of domestic violence fails to report the abuse within seven days, their testimony may not be admissible in court. As they investigate the Stanich's relationship, they discover that Holly may have waited too long to report the abuse and that her testimony may not be allowed in court. The Good Wife does an excellent job of showing the nuances of domestic abuse cases and how they can be difficult to prosecute. The episode is careful not to victim-blame and instead focuses on the complex legal challenges that surround these cases.

Throughout the episode, Alicia struggles to balance her personal life with her responsibilities at the firm. She's torn between her feelings for Will and her loyalty to Peter. The tension between Alicia and Will continues to build, and it's clear that their relationship is reaching a breaking point. Meanwhile, Peter's campaign is becoming increasingly demanding, and Alicia finds herself pulled in multiple directions.

The episode features some fantastic acting from the entire cast. Julianna Margulies shines as Alicia, perfectly capturing the character's vulnerability and conflicted emotions. Josh Charles does an excellent job of portraying Will's frustration with the situation, while Chris Noth takes Peter in a new direction as he tries to prove that he's a changed man. In addition to the main cast, the episode also features some excellent guest stars, including Laura Benanti as Holly Stanich and Kurt Fuller as a judge.

Overall, the episode is a standout in The Good Wife's fourth season. It tackles complex legal issues while also exploring the emotional turmoil of Alicia's personal life. The legal case is engaging and well-written, and the personal conflicts are handled with care, making for a captivating viewing experience. By the end of the episode, the stakes are raised, and the tension reaches a new level, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment.