The Good Wife (2009–2016): Season 7, Episode 13 - Judged - full transcript
After an unsuccessful lawsuit against Judge Schakowsky, Jason's return to Chicago, and a looming malpractice suit, Alicia reaches her breaking point. Meanwhile Diane takes on a private college defunding and shutting down its newspaper.
♪ ♪
(man trills tongue, hums)
♪ I found me a woman ♪
♪ But she stands too tall ♪
♪ I give her every inch
of my dream ♪
♪ 'Cause it's too small ♪
♪ No early morning... ♪
LUCCA:
Alicia.
This shouldn't take more
than 15 minutes, right, Alicia?
You accept the guilty plea,
you don't see more than
a day of jail time,
and it's expunged from
your record in 24 months.
Yes.
Two years and a day
of community service,
and... you know.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Next...
What's wrong
with you?
This guy means
a lot of money.
He wants to hear it
from you, not me.
I know, I'm just taking a minute
to catch up, that's all.
Hey, Bernie.
What are you
doing upstairs?
Seeing how the
other half lives.
Hi, Alicia.
Bernie.
We really miss you
downstairs.
SCHAKOWSKY:
...thousand each. Enjoy.
(gavel slams)
There's my guys.
What's this?
Uh, the overflow from
downstairs, Your Honor.
Male 128, 29, 30.
Okay, got it.
You understand
you are pleading guilty, sir?
MAN:
Yes, Your Honor, I understand.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Six months probation.
(gavel slams)
Next.
What do you have?
MAN 2: Your Honor,
we have Frank Lister.
(mouthing)
He is charged
with disorderly conduct.
This is his second offense.
SCHAKOWSKY: $1,500.
(gavel slams)
Next defendant.
Do we know that guy?
Which guy?
The convict in the middle.
He just whispered,
"Help me."
SCHAKOWSKY: Fine. Okay,
let's handle the overflow.
Male 128,
let's go.
Disorderly conduct.
Do we have a plea here?
BUKOVITZ: Uh, we've already
pled not guilty, Your Honor.
We're ready to go to trial.
SCHAKOWSKY: Good. Mr. ASA?
ASA:
Almost, Your Honor.
We're still trying
to locate a witness.
We ask for a continuance.
How long do you need?
ASA:
Two months should do it.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Good. Continuance granted.
We'll go to trial April 15.
(gavel slams)
SCHAKOWSKY:
Sheriff, please escort
the defendant back to lockup.
(buzzing)
You were in bond court
eight months ago.
Yes.
You were
my second client.
You... you've been
in prison all this time?
Yes.
But it was just
a disorderly charge.
I know.
With $150,000 bail.
I couldn't afford it.
But that was
to punish me, not you.
Didn't your case get called?
Three times.
The prosecutor keeps
needing to find a witness.
Didn't Bernie ask
for a speedy trial any
of those three times?
No, he's new, he
wasn't my lawyer.
You've had three
different lawyers?
(door opens)
Four with you.
What the hell
is going on here?
What's your name?
Clayton Riggs.
I'm Alicia Florrick.
Yeah, and I'm Bernie.
Let's go, Alicia.
Visiting hours are over.
You want my help?
BUKOVITZ: Alicia,
stop talking to my client.
Sir, if you want my help,
you can switch lawyers.
BUKOVITZ: Alicia, I need you
to get the hell out.
ALICIA: He's been in jail
for eight months.
He lost his job, his wife.
His son is with child services.
And you want to do what for him?
ALICIA: Get him out.
Schakowsky is never gonna change
the trial date, you know that.
He will if we sue him.
Judges have immunity.
Not if they knowingly violate
a defendant's civil rights.
Is this about getting back
at Schakowsky?
No.
No.
Then is this to assuage
your guilty conscience?
This is about getting
a man who has been
unlawfully imprisoned
for eight months
out of jail so he
can be with his kid.
(knocking on door)
And you're doing
this pro bono.
It's civil.
We'll take 20%
of the $1.3 million.
No.
Because there'll
never be $1.3 million.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
You're back.
I thought you were gone
for another few months.
Yeah, I didn't like it.
(chuckles)
Can I come in?
Yeah, sorry.
See my hat?
"Take a byte out
of Silicon Valley."
I do.
And... I got you
oven mitts.
(chuckles)
Thank you.
Uh, well, you...
you have any work?
Can you work?
I can.
How much?
$20 raise.
Um, can I talk to
my partner about it?
Sure, yeah.
Give me a call.
Okay, I will.
Jason.
I'm glad you're back.
(chuckling):
Okay.
Hey, it's Jason Crouse.
I'm back in Chicago.
You need anything?
Yes, as a matter
of fact, right now.
What's going on there,
a gang war?
(chuckles) Worse,
Illinois Park College
is trying to close down
its student newspaper.
Ah, so a big case.
The daughter of a client,
$33 million a year in billings.
On my way.
Thank you, Ms. Lockhart.
Imogen.
(chuckles)
I keep thinking of you
as a perpetual 14-year-old.
Yeah, my mom does, too.
DIANE:
How are you holding up in here?
This is not what I expected.
IMOGEN: Yeah, it's weird to be
the most hated person on campus.
DIANE:
Just like your mother.
MAN:
It's hate speech,
and this campus is supposed
to be a safe space.
It's an editorial, it's not
arguing anything hateful.
You called the administrators
"mindless lemmings...
about to fall off
the cliff of fascism."
IMOGEN:
Yes, because you're thinking
of divesting from Israel
and requiring stamps
on all products made
by Israelis in the West Bank.
I wrote an editorial
about it, that's all.
I understand why
you don't like it,
but closing down the paper...
The fact that
the school is willing
to stand up
for oppressed populations--
it's why a lot of us
chose to come here.
Um, Dean Randolph,
if I may.
Oh, yes, you're the lawyer,
here to speak
for Ms. Stowe, yes.
That's right.
We understand that
Illinois Park College
is a private institution and not
governed by the First Amendment,
but, uh, you are governed
by your student handbook,
a binding legal contract.
And the handbook lists
"freedom from persecution"
as the school's
primary commitment.
And I think it's hard
to argue that a threat
to defund the school newspaper
is anything but persecution.
RANDOLPH: Oh, no, the move
to defund the paper
is not a sword, but a shield--
to protect the safe space
Gary's talking about.
Oh, well, the handbook also says
the school promotes
"tolerance
of diverse viewpoints."
Ms. Stowe clearly has a diverse
viewpoint and chose to...
I helped write that handbook,
ma'am, and I can tell you
we did not have
your interpretation in mind.
We meant to protect the
viewpoints of diverse people.
The people, themselves.
Not the viewpoints.
I, um...
(chuckles)
Before I, um...
take issue with that idea,
it is a well-established
legal principle
that a party to a contract
does not also get
to interpret that contr...
I'm sure, but this is not
a court of law, it's a school.
But you should realize
that any university--
public or private-- must stand
for basic notions of fairness.
And that is what
we are here to do:
enforce progressive
notions of fairness.
So why don't we at least
take a preliminary vote,
see where we're at.
All those in favor
of defunding the Courier
for the current school year.
(excited chattering)
(whooping)
So is that it?
No, actually.
This handbook
guarantees your right
to take your grievances
to arbitration.
Do you want to?
♪ ♪
Alicia.
Good.
Hi.
Hello.
Thanks for dropping by.
I need to say it again.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I'm sorry for
erasing the message.
Like I said, a day hasn't
passed when I haven't...
What did it say?
What?
The voice mail--
what did it say?
What I told you before.
I want to know...
everything he said,
word for word.
Alicia, it's been six years,
I'm not sure...
And a day hasn't passed
that you haven't
thought about it,
so... what did it say?
"You want to know
what my plan is?
My plan is that I love you."
And then he said something
about Georgetown.
What about Georgetown?
How he'd always loved you,
ever since Georgetown.
What else?
Don't stop.
Alicia, I don't think
this is a good idea.
I want to know it all.
I want to know every
single word he said.
You're torturing yourself.
Which is my right.
He said he would
meet you anywhere,
and you can make a plan then.
Did he mention a place?
No.
A time?
No.
Is that important?
What else?
Just that if this didn't
make sense to you,
to ignore him,
ignore the message...
and things will
go on as usual.
So when I didn't respond,
he thought I got the message...
and thinks...
we just...
we went back to usual?
Yes, I guess.
♪ ♪
Are you out of your tiny
little mind, Mrs. Florrick?
You don't need to say "little"
when you say "tiny."
One or the other will do.
You're suing me?
You're suing a
sitting judge?
Do you understand the meaning
of professional suicide?
I know the meaning of a judge
who let an innocent man
sit in prison
for eight months
with a bail amount...
Did you miss the day
in law school where they taught
the concept
of judicial immunity?
That protects you
from being sued
for what you did professionally,
not personally.
This crusade is gonna cost you.
It's gonna cost
you so much.
Shall we get that
down on tape, Your Honor?
Your ex parte threats?
I didn't think so.
See you in court!
♪ ♪
TRACY:
You can't second-guess
agents of the judiciary,
Your Honor.
As you yourself know,
judges need
wide-ranging discretion
in order to do their jobs
and not worry about
taking an unpopular stance
or making
an honest mistake.
Discretion, yes,
but it can't be unlimited.
Judicial immunity
has to be unlimited.
ALICIA: Yes, but we are filing
a civil rights claim
under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
TRACY: Going after
the judge personally
is merely
an end-around...
No.
We are holding
Don Schakowsky
accountable
as an individual
for violating
Mr. Riggs' Sixth Amendment
right to a speedy trial
and Eighth
Amendment freedom
from cruel
and unusual punishment.
He exceeded
his authority,
so he has to answer
to this personally.
Your Honor,
this is a direct attack
on the foundation
of an independent judiciary.
Imagine that
your decision here,
in this case, could
be subject to a suit.
It would be chaos.
Exactly.
Mrs. Florrick may
like or dislike
the way His Honor
Schakowsky does his job.
But she does not have
the right to veto it.
We're not asking
for a veto,
Your Honor.
This man has been held
in prison for
eight months,
his bail set
at $150,000.
$150,000?
What did he do?
LUCCA:
The charge is
disorderly conduct.
$150,000 for disorderly conduct?
LUCCA:
Yes, Your Honor.
Three men
knocked him down
coming out of a concert
and stole his wallet.
When the police arrived,
they arrested him, too.
He was the victim,
not the perpetrator.
TRACY:
That isn't proven yet.
Yes, because Schakowsky...
His Honor Schakowsky.
His Honor Schakowsky
has delayed trial three times.
Three times, Your Honor.
And eight months later,
our client is
still in prison.
He lost his job,
his wife divorced him,
and his eight-year-old child
has been taken from his home.
That is unjust.
TRACY:
We ask that you rule
on my client's
immunity, Your Honor.
There is no suit here
if my client is found immune.
I would agree.
Thank you, Your Honor.
No, I would agree that,
from all appearances,
Mr. Riggs has had
his civil rights violated,
but the question is whether
His Honor Schakowsky
did so knowingly.
If he did,
his immunity is stripped.
The issue here concerns
the contractual language
in the handbook?
Actually, the issue
is free speech...
Yeah, and
the idea of original intent.
Thank you.
Uh, we'll all get a lot further
if we take this one at a time.
Ms. Reed?
Yes, Mr. Arbitrator, thank you.
Geoffrey, please.
Now, you claim
the handbook
permits the school
to defund its newspaper?
Yes. Above all,
Illinois Park is committed to
protecting individual liberty.
And Ms. Stowe's editorial
failed to take seriously
the life experiences not just
of the Palestinian people,
but of individuals
on Park's very campus.
I wouldn't expect
a school like Park--
or truthfully, any university--
to use the fact
that it's privately funded
to cut off debate about
how it treats its students.
Although, technically, it can.
Isn't the school
the publisher here?
Yes, Geoffrey, it is.
JASON:
You can't win this case.
I know.
Not with
that argument.
I know.
It was a nice try, though.
What do you mean,
not with that argument?
Is there another argument?
I came in here, and this campus
is like a city.
They've got
their own campus police,
they've got medical facilities,
food.
They have their own power
plant, did you know that?
I didn't.
But I'm not sure...
Have you heard of
Evans v. Newton?
"State actor"?
Yeah.
Who are you?
(chuckles)
Just your friendly
neighborhood investigator.
No, that's a deep backwater
of the law.
Where did you get that?
I dabble a bit
now and then.
What do I have to do to get you
to come and work for us?
I am working for you.
No, in an office.
Full time.
With a desk.
And lunches brought in.
I don't like offices.
Then without an office.
I don't know.
Make me an offer.
After you pled "not guilty,"
Clayton, what happened then?
The judge slapped me
with a six-figure bail.
ALICIA:
And after arraignment,
did you appear
before Judge
Schakowsky again?
Yeah. Every couple months,
they'd stick me in the van,
bring me over.
I'd be all ready for the trial,
and then the prosecutor'd
ask for more time.
ALICIA:
And the judge gave it?
CLAYTON: He never even blinked.
ALICIA:
Even though the
prosecutor was delaying
to find
the same witness?
CLAYTON:
Yes.
TRACY:
Isn't it true,
Mr. Riggs,
that this wasn't
your first criminal offense?
Objection.
Mr. Riggs' past is irrelevant
to Schakowsky's immunity.
TRACY:
Goes to the issue
of why Judge Schakowsky
set bail so high.
MATA:
Overruled.
TRACY:
In fact, didn't the judge
in that weapons case have
to issue a bench warrant
because you missed
a court appearance?
That was a few years ago.
I was young and dumb.
I turned myself in
and I didn't screw up again.
Didn't you agree to each of the
three continuances in your case?
No.
I never agreed.
TRACY:
Really?
Because I have transcripts
of all three hearings,
and every one of
them clearly notes:
"continuance
by agreement."
DIANE:
In your brochure
for the school,
you write...
"Park intends to be
a city within a city.
"A student can shop, dine,
and even go to a movie
without setting foot
off the campus."
Is that true?
Indeed, Park is a good school--
an excellent one, in fact.
Thanks for pointing that out.
But by taking over
these public functions,
Park has effectively become
a "state actor"
and should be treated like
a public school. Hasn't it?
That is a reach.
Not according to
the Supreme Court.
Evans v. Newton,
Marsh v. Alabama.
MARTHA:
If I'm not mistaken,
those cases are
about company towns...
Yes, and that's exactly
what Park has become.
A state actor.
You're saying: the more
the college takes on
governmental responsibilities,
the more it can be treated
like an arm of the government.
Yes. But I'm not saying that,
the Supreme Court is.
In which case
the First Amendment would apply.
Yes, and Park cannot
censor its paper.
Geoffrey, please...
Hang on.
LUCCA:
Mr. Bukovitz,
how many times
have you appeared
before Judge Schakowsky?
Lots.
Did Judge Schakowsky
ever use his position
to influence your representation
of a client?
I don't even know
what that means.
LUCCA:
Did he ever yell
to intimidate you?
Did he ever badger you
to accept a plea deal?
No.
You know you're under oath,
Mr. Bukovitz?
I-I do, Ms. Quinn,
but I also know
Schakowsky is tough.
He wants to move fast.
But bond court
requires it.
Hmm.
What does "tax" mean?
What?
LUCCA:
Tax.
Not tax as in
income tax.
But what does it mean
when Schakowsky taxes you?
On June 18
of last year,
did you tell me
that Schakowsky taxed you?
I-I don't remember.
LUCCA:
There were three
other witnesses.
I have the affidavits.
Look.
Sometimes--
and I mean sometimes--
Schakowsky flies off the handle
and says things
that I'm sure he doesn't mean,
like he'll tax your client.
Meaning...?
Meaning he'll raise
the bond amount.
But it's very rare.
LUCCA:
And what did he
raise the bond to
the time
he taxed you?
$250,000.
LUCCA:
Thank you,
Mr. Bukovitz.
Let me take the cross.
It's a bad idea,
Your Honor.
Not with this witness.
Trust me.
Your Honor.
Is Judge Schakowsky
intending to question?
I am, actually.
If Your Honor doesn't mind.
I don't, but I imagine you know
all the reasons not to.
SCHAKOWSKY:
I do.
So I defer to your
better judgment.
Hi.
Hi.
(clears throat)
Have you ever practiced
in front of Judge Falcone?
Or Judge Marc?
I... yes, a few times.
If you checked the clerk
of the court's annual report,
you'd see they
set bail, on average,
about ten percent
higher than I do.
Objection,
he's testifying.
Could you rephrase, Your Honor?
With pleasure.
Did you know they set bail,
on average,
about ten percent
higher than I did?
Your Honor,
these are very
different cases.
They were felonies and...
MATA:
Mrs. Florrick.
Please don't interrupt.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Thank you.
Did Mrs. Florrick
ever argue
that I hurried her
too much in court?
Objection, relevance.
SCHAKOWSKY:
It puts the motive
of the plaintiff
in context,
Your Honor.
MATA:
I'll allow it.
BUKOVITZ:
Yes, she did argue that.
Did you ever think
I hurried you too much in court?
No.
Did you ever think
I set bail too high?
BUKOVITZ:
No.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Did you ever
think I badgered
the lawyers or
their clients?
No.
Did you ever observe me
infringing on the civil
rights of anyone?
No.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Thank you, Mr. Bukovitz.
Your Honor,
I also have affidavits.
They're from dozens
of lawyers in my court
supporting
Mr. Bukovitz's observations.
MATA:
Okay, thank you.
I don't need to hear
any more here.
There's evidence that
Judge Schakowsky is busy.
Perhaps even brusque.
But not that he
exceeded his authority.
In which case, his immunity
should remain intact.
The motion to dismiss
is granted.
(gavel thuds)
(indistinct chatter,
music playing)
Hey.
Hey.
How was Silicon Valley?
(sighs)
It was warm.
Hmm.
I was surprised
you were back.
Why didn't you call?
I came by.
Alicia didn't tell you?
No.
Huh.
We need you on a case.
Are you sure?
I think Alicia was worried
about the money.
What's the money?
$20 raise.
She was gonna check
with you about it.
What did you do to her?
No. Uh-uh.
I was in California.
Come on, you screwed
with her head.
No, I didn't.
You did your smile thing.
Your bedroom eyes B.S.
"Oh, I'm just a guy's guy.
I don't know
what I do to women."
Lucca, look at me.
I didn't do a thing.
Seriously.
(knocking at door)
Bernie?
What's up?
Clayton Riggs still wants to sue
for his imprisonment.
I know.
We're revising our strategy
with Schakowsky.
We already did.
"We already did"?
What does that mean?
Clayton and me.
I met with him
after you left court.
I signed him as a client.
You snaked him?
Yes.
We're also suing you
for malpractice.
Ms. Lockhart has argued that
Illinois Park is a state actor.
We don't agree
with this characterization
but think it's irrelevant.
Even in public colleges,
students don't have
unfettered rights of expression.
Nothing my client has done
rises to a level of...
"Schools are allowed
to prohibit any expression
"that creates material and
substantial disruptions
"in school activities
or invades
the rights of others."
And do you have any evidence
of such invasion or disruption?
MARTHA:
Mr. Binazir, you requested
the school boycott Israeli goods
from the settlements?
Yes.
Endorsing them is endorsing
a decades-long occupation
that has led
to thousands of deaths.
And how did you feel
when the school
decided to boycott
the products?
I felt heard and respected.
And how did you feel when Ms.
Stowe published her editorial?
Under attack,
disrespected,
unsafe.
Here's what I don't
understand, Mr. Binazir.
You're on a politically
engaged campus.
How is this controversy
different from all the others?
Black Lives Matter?
The Iraq War?
It's never got physical before.
Uh, my roommate was pushed
to the ground and stepped on
just trying to get to class.
Okay, got it.
Ms. Lockhart?
DIANE:
Ms. Stowe,
was it your intent
to disrupt student activities?
Not at all.
Was it your intent to infringe
on the rights of other students?
No, I was just
speaking my mind,
trying to engage them.
It's important for someone
to present a contrary viewpoint.
At any cost?
No.
But to be fair,
the disruption
Saum is describing
was temporary.
People are already
settling down.
And in a few days, they'll
be on to the next crusade.
But you won't,
because the only
permanent disruption here
is leaving the school
without a freely
functioning newspaper.
ALICIA:
I did not commit malpractice.
It's not about you,
it's about a payday.
A $1.2 million payday.
What's our malpractice cap?
$300,000.
Oh, God.
It was all we
could afford.
So we fight.
What do they have?
I don't know.
We should put
an investigator on it.
Should I call Jason?
I don't know.
He's probably too expensive.
We can probably
talk him down.
I met him last night.
Why?
He's a friend.
How close a friend?
Seriously?
Are you gonna hate
the whole world right now?
What did he say last night?
He said you were gonna talk
to me about his raise.
I think we were both surprised
that you hadn't talked to me.
Well, there was a lot going on.
A lot that
would've been alleviated
by having an investigator.
What's going on, partner?
Would you like to talk?
I don't know anymore.
Do you want me to talk?
I was in love.
He died.
I found out he left me
a message that he loved me,
but I didn't get it.
Now I'm sick to death of...
...everything.
This apartment.
This laundry.
The fact that things get dirty.
The law.
Just... standing here.
Sometimes I swear I just
want to go into my bedroom,
pull the covers over my head,
and never do anything
ever again.
I'm drinking
like I never have before.
And all I want to do
is have another one.
And then everything
just gets swallowed up by
more disgust.
I'm not built
to be an unhappy person.
I like laughing.
I laugh like a banshee
at videos on YouTube.
And then I just sit here
alone in this stupid
little apartment...
wondering what the hell
happened to my life.
Was it all about
having two kids--
who I don't even know
if I like anymore--
and just shoving them off
to be someone important?
Seriously, was that the point?!
I just...
(crying):
I-I hurt.
And I-I-I...
I want it over!
I just want it to end!
I just...
I was loved.
And it's...
over, over!
So why am I doing this?!
(Alicia crying)
Alicia...
you are here
because I need you here.
I don't like people.
But I like you.
I don't even think
I like my brother.
(laughs)
He bothers me.
I have no friends.
I'm 30 years old
and I don't...
have a single friend.
But I want
to be your friend.
I mean, do you have
a ring or something?
I'll commit.
Because that's
the one thing you can choose.
Me...
here wanting to be your friend.
Everything else
is just handed to you.
All you have to do is say
I'm willing.
No, I'm-I'm serious.
You have to say it.
(laughs)
(clears throat)
I'm-I'm willing.
Good.
Now, I have to ask you this.
Do you have any guns
in this apartment?
(laughing)
No.
Good.
'Cause you scared me there
for a minute.
You're gonna
have to testify.
I know.
But you're gonna need
another lawyer.
Who?
Cary Agos, Your Honor,
representing Alicia Florrick
in this matter.
Cary Agos, Your Honor,
representing
Alicia Florrick in this matter.
So the plaintiff is
now the defendant.
A witness is now
Mr. Riggs' attorney.
There seems to be
a round of musical chairs
while I wasn't looking.
Yes, Your Honor,
I spoke to Clayton,
and he wants to sue
his lawyer, Mrs. Florrick.
And I guess you, Mrs. Florrick,
you would move for dismissal?
CARY:
Yes, we would,
Your Honor.
Okay, this is exciting.
Let's go.
Before the music stops and
we're all in different chairs.
Who knows? I may be
the plaintiff next.
BUKOVITZ:
So, Clayton,
did Mrs. Florrick
ever take the time to consult
with you about your plea?
Maybe 15 seconds.
Your bail?
The judge set it.
She tried to say something,
then she got nervous.
She didn't try to slow
the proceedings down
or explain to you
what was happening
and what your options were?
No.
No more questions,
Your Honor.
Your current lawyer,
Bernie Bukovitz,
he isn't actually
your new lawyer, is he?
What do you mean?
He represented you in front
of Judge Schakowsky before.
Oh, yeah, right.
He was my fourth lawyer.
CARY:
And he didn't help
you out any more
than Alicia Florrick
did, did he?
No.
CARY: I'm sure everyone has
sympathy for you, Mr. Riggs.
But isn't this really
a case of bad luck?
And you just wanting to--
as you said
to Mrs. Florrick-- sue somebody?
I just want to get out.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Yes, Mrs. Florrick
started as a bond lawyer
in my court.
And did you have an opinion
about her professionalism
of lack thereof?
Objection--
calls for a conclusion.
(quietly):
Expert witness.
Your Honor, the judge
is an expert witness.
He's allowed
to express his opinion.
Sustained. You may answer.
SCHAKOWSKY: Yes, Mrs. Florrick
did not demonstrate
the duty of care I would expect.
BUKOVITZ: And if she had?
If she had informed me
promptly and efficiently,
I might've had a better context
to set Mr. Riggs' bail.
BUKOVITZ: Should you have
done more to try to pull
that information out of her?
SCHAKOWSKY:
My role is to adjudicate.
Not advocate.
All right, well, I went
through the transcripts
from Schakowsky's courtroom,
looking for abuses,
looking for any mention
of taxing lawyers.
And?
Nothing.
Not a single mention of taxing.
He always covers the
microphone when he says it.
Yep, that's kind of
what I figured.
So, what, we're screwed?
No.
I talked to his
courtroom reporter.
She hears everything.
Darla.
A very nice lady.
She goes to the track
every weekend.
It turns out
Schakowsky talks really fast,
so she started recording him
so she could
get every word.
And you have the tapes?
I do.
I wasn't myself earlier.
Things were swirling
around in my head.
And now they're not?
Well, now they're
in perspective.
Good.
Perspective is good.
I just, I didn't want
you to think that...
Here's the thing, Alicia.
Whenever you worry about
what I might be thinking,
or you worry that I'm upset
about what you're thinking,
just know that... I'm fine.
Even when I'm not fine,
I'm really fine.
I got to go.
♪ ♪
Are you still fine?
Yeah.
CARY: Do you remember
when Mr. Bukovitz mentioned
that you taxed attorneys,
Your Honor?
I do.
Is that a term
you regularly use?
Only when discussing
my income.
(chuckles)
CARY: But not in the context
of punishing an attorney
for not doing
what you want.
No.
Not that I recall.
Good.
Then maybe this will
refresh your recollection.
SCHAKOWSKY: I simply want
a plea, guilty or not guilty.
MAN: Uh, I-I need a moment
to actually confer with my...
Objection!
You're a witness,
you can't object.
SCHAKOWSKY:
I already warned you.
Objection, this is hearsay.
There's no foundation.
CARY:
We have an affidavit
from the person
who recorded this audio.
MAN: Yeah, I understand,
if I could just...
SCHAKOWSKY:
I'm taxing you and your...
None of that matters.
I did not consent
to being recorded.
Two-party consent
isn't required.
Standard two-party consent
isn't required but mine is.
That was recorded
in my courtroom
where I forbid the use
of recording devices.
It is the equivalent
of you being recorded
right now
in your court.
I agree, this tape
is inadmissible.
Your Honor, that is
completely self-serving.
No, Mrs. Florrick,
this is a matter of respect.
The tapes are excluded.
MARTHA:
Dean Randolph,
does the student handbook say,
"Park is dedicated
to empowering students
"by encouraging autonomy
and the development
of personal responsibility"?
It does.
And did the student body
demonstrate this responsibility
in their reaction to
Ms. Stowe's editorial?
Oh, yes, they're the ones who
petitioned the student council
to have Ms. Stowe removed
and the paper defunded.
This was entirely
a student body move?
Yes.
Thank you, Dean.
Do you agree with the way the
students handled Imogen's op-ed?
I do.
And if you didn't?
Well, if the council voted
one way or the other,
I'd respect it.
Part of learning
how to make decisions
is learning how to live
with poor decisions.
DIANE: Last Halloween,
you disciplined a student
for wearing a "Caitlyn" costume,
which you said made
fun of trans students.
You did, not the
student council.
Well, no one brought a petition
to the student council,
but that didn't mean
that the...
Yes, but before the council
acts, after it acts,
whether it acts
at all, you do.
The final responsibility rests
with the adult faculty,
not the students.
MARTHA:
If we could just look at chapter
three of the student handbook...
I think we've all heard enough
about the handbook, Ms. Reed.
Ms. Lockhart is right.
The administration is
really still in charge,
and since we're considering
them state actors,
they can't censor the newspaper.
The defunding of the student
paper is hereby reversed.
Have a nice day, everyone.
We're adjourned.
Every attorney who comes to bond
court has a learning curve,
but Mrs. Florrick's curve wasn't
about being a good advocate.
What do you mean?
Well, she knew her way
around a courtroom.
Judge Schakowsky liked
to call her Marie Antoinette,
but she wasn't afraid
to get her hands dirty
or ask for help
when she needed it.
CARY: So what kind
of learning curve was she on?
Figuring out how to deal
with Schakowsky.
CARY:
Thank you.
BUKOVITZ: So you're saying
Mrs. Florrick was as diligent
as any other lawyer
in bond court?
Yes, Bernie, I am saying that.
Even though she had all sorts
of other obligations?
I mean, wife of a governor
who was running for president.
I think she handled it
with aplomb.
Even though she missed
a whole morning at bond court?
18 cases we had to cover,
so she could tape an episode
of Mama's Homespun Cooking.
LUCCA: I'm not saying she didn't
have to make trade-offs.
BUKOVITZ: Trade-offs are one
thing, but what about the time
you had to rush out of
Judge Schakowsky's court
to cover a probate case of hers?
That was because of you, Bernie.
Because you didn't show up.
N-N-No, it wasn't my day.
LUCCA: It was your day...
BUKOVITZ: You had given me...
MATA:
Okay, thank you.
Thank you!
MATA:
Any more questions, Counselor?
Just one more.
Didn't you tell Don Weingarten,
another bond attorney,
that you feel sorry
for anyone who gets
Alicia Florrick as an attorney?
I did.
But I don't believe
that anymore.
I wouldn't be
her law partner if I did.
(knocking on door)
You did end up with Will.
You act like I prevented
the love affair of the ages,
but you two did end up together,
and I did not keep you
from doing that.
Yes, I know I erased it,
and I've already apologized.
And maybe you
would have had
another three months together,
but that would have
had no impact
on what happened to Will, none.
You can't control fate.
Just like I can't tell if
I walked under that tree
and not this one, uh, the branch
wouldn't break off and kill me.
And one more thing.
It was hard for me to apologize.
I never do that.
And I never confess to anything.
But I did to you.
Because I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I've never been more sorry
about anything in my life.
Okay, Eli.
You're forgiven.
(sighs)
Really?
Yes.
I'll talk to you later, okay?
♪ ♪
So what do you think?
There's not enough here
for malpractice.
He'll sustain
our motion to dismiss.
And if he doesn't?
We sit down
and offer to settle.
BAILIFF:
All rise.
I find there is enough here
to go to trial.
The motion to dismiss is denied.
(gavel slams)
BUKOVITZ:
$1.5 million.
Oh, come on.
Bernie, you know
how this works.
You're never getting
$1.5 million in a verdict,
and you're never getting
$1.5 million from us.
So what can you accept?
$1.5 million.
And I disagree that I
won't get it at trial.
I might even get more.
You're not well-liked, Alicia.
LUCCA: Well, we'll
see you in court.
BUKOVITZ: People
think you're rich.
You're the wife of the governor
and the loser in the
presidential primary.
He's not well-liked either.
$1.5 million.
Nice talking to you.
(laughs)
You've lost it,
haven't you?
Oh, yes, I have.
Good news?
ALICIA:
No. No, no, no.
Very bad news,
actually.
Yep, we got shafted
by the brotherhood of the robe.
Our insurance doesn't even
come close to covering this.
And we won't be able
to afford our lawyer.
Last I looked,
you two were lawyers.
(chuckles)
Yes.
Two tired lawyers.
I'm heading home.
Okay.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Yep.
I should go, too.
No, you should stay.
You should think things
through with Alicia.
Are you still fine?
Yeah.
(door closes)
So a funny thing
happened yesterday.
In the elevator?
Yeah. No, um,
before that.
I got offered a job
at Lockhart/Agos.
I said no, but they
offered a lot of money.
And then you said yes.
No, because I didn't
want to make it seem
like it was about
us yesterday.
Ah, I see.
Well, you should do
what's best for you.
Yeah, well, sometimes I
can't tell what that is.
Well, it usually involves
seeing which number is higher.
(chuckles)
(phone ringing)
Yes.
So that didn't
end well, did it?
No.
I heard from Lucca,
they don't want to settle.
They don't.
And you're looking
for a new place of business?
Yes.
Homeowners' association.
Oh.
And we're looking
for new associates.
Lost half in a bit
of a rebellion.
Oh, God.
What?
Would it be so bad to come back?
As an associate?
No.
You want me back
as a partner?
Diane would not want
me back as a partner.
A junior partner.
(chuckles)
You guys fired me.
No, we didn't.
That was Dipple.
And, anyway, his people
like you a lot more
now that Peter lost
the nomination, so...
(both chuckle)
(sighs)
Look.
We can help you cover
any loss you experience.
Make it a part
of your settlement.
Come on, Alicia.
♪ ♪
Come on home.
(man trills tongue, hums)
(chuckles)
♪ I found me a woman ♪
♪ But she stands too tall ♪
♪ I give her every inch
of my dream ♪
♪ 'Cause it's too small. ♪
(man trills tongue, hums)
♪ I found me a woman ♪
♪ But she stands too tall ♪
♪ I give her every inch
of my dream ♪
♪ 'Cause it's too small ♪
♪ No early morning... ♪
LUCCA:
Alicia.
This shouldn't take more
than 15 minutes, right, Alicia?
You accept the guilty plea,
you don't see more than
a day of jail time,
and it's expunged from
your record in 24 months.
Yes.
Two years and a day
of community service,
and... you know.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Next...
What's wrong
with you?
This guy means
a lot of money.
He wants to hear it
from you, not me.
I know, I'm just taking a minute
to catch up, that's all.
Hey, Bernie.
What are you
doing upstairs?
Seeing how the
other half lives.
Hi, Alicia.
Bernie.
We really miss you
downstairs.
SCHAKOWSKY:
...thousand each. Enjoy.
(gavel slams)
There's my guys.
What's this?
Uh, the overflow from
downstairs, Your Honor.
Male 128, 29, 30.
Okay, got it.
You understand
you are pleading guilty, sir?
MAN:
Yes, Your Honor, I understand.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Six months probation.
(gavel slams)
Next.
What do you have?
MAN 2: Your Honor,
we have Frank Lister.
(mouthing)
He is charged
with disorderly conduct.
This is his second offense.
SCHAKOWSKY: $1,500.
(gavel slams)
Next defendant.
Do we know that guy?
Which guy?
The convict in the middle.
He just whispered,
"Help me."
SCHAKOWSKY: Fine. Okay,
let's handle the overflow.
Male 128,
let's go.
Disorderly conduct.
Do we have a plea here?
BUKOVITZ: Uh, we've already
pled not guilty, Your Honor.
We're ready to go to trial.
SCHAKOWSKY: Good. Mr. ASA?
ASA:
Almost, Your Honor.
We're still trying
to locate a witness.
We ask for a continuance.
How long do you need?
ASA:
Two months should do it.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Good. Continuance granted.
We'll go to trial April 15.
(gavel slams)
SCHAKOWSKY:
Sheriff, please escort
the defendant back to lockup.
(buzzing)
You were in bond court
eight months ago.
Yes.
You were
my second client.
You... you've been
in prison all this time?
Yes.
But it was just
a disorderly charge.
I know.
With $150,000 bail.
I couldn't afford it.
But that was
to punish me, not you.
Didn't your case get called?
Three times.
The prosecutor keeps
needing to find a witness.
Didn't Bernie ask
for a speedy trial any
of those three times?
No, he's new, he
wasn't my lawyer.
You've had three
different lawyers?
(door opens)
Four with you.
What the hell
is going on here?
What's your name?
Clayton Riggs.
I'm Alicia Florrick.
Yeah, and I'm Bernie.
Let's go, Alicia.
Visiting hours are over.
You want my help?
BUKOVITZ: Alicia,
stop talking to my client.
Sir, if you want my help,
you can switch lawyers.
BUKOVITZ: Alicia, I need you
to get the hell out.
ALICIA: He's been in jail
for eight months.
He lost his job, his wife.
His son is with child services.
And you want to do what for him?
ALICIA: Get him out.
Schakowsky is never gonna change
the trial date, you know that.
He will if we sue him.
Judges have immunity.
Not if they knowingly violate
a defendant's civil rights.
Is this about getting back
at Schakowsky?
No.
No.
Then is this to assuage
your guilty conscience?
This is about getting
a man who has been
unlawfully imprisoned
for eight months
out of jail so he
can be with his kid.
(knocking on door)
And you're doing
this pro bono.
It's civil.
We'll take 20%
of the $1.3 million.
No.
Because there'll
never be $1.3 million.
Oh, hi.
Hi.
You're back.
I thought you were gone
for another few months.
Yeah, I didn't like it.
(chuckles)
Can I come in?
Yeah, sorry.
See my hat?
"Take a byte out
of Silicon Valley."
I do.
And... I got you
oven mitts.
(chuckles)
Thank you.
Uh, well, you...
you have any work?
Can you work?
I can.
How much?
$20 raise.
Um, can I talk to
my partner about it?
Sure, yeah.
Give me a call.
Okay, I will.
Jason.
I'm glad you're back.
(chuckling):
Okay.
Hey, it's Jason Crouse.
I'm back in Chicago.
You need anything?
Yes, as a matter
of fact, right now.
What's going on there,
a gang war?
(chuckles) Worse,
Illinois Park College
is trying to close down
its student newspaper.
Ah, so a big case.
The daughter of a client,
$33 million a year in billings.
On my way.
Thank you, Ms. Lockhart.
Imogen.
(chuckles)
I keep thinking of you
as a perpetual 14-year-old.
Yeah, my mom does, too.
DIANE:
How are you holding up in here?
This is not what I expected.
IMOGEN: Yeah, it's weird to be
the most hated person on campus.
DIANE:
Just like your mother.
MAN:
It's hate speech,
and this campus is supposed
to be a safe space.
It's an editorial, it's not
arguing anything hateful.
You called the administrators
"mindless lemmings...
about to fall off
the cliff of fascism."
IMOGEN:
Yes, because you're thinking
of divesting from Israel
and requiring stamps
on all products made
by Israelis in the West Bank.
I wrote an editorial
about it, that's all.
I understand why
you don't like it,
but closing down the paper...
The fact that
the school is willing
to stand up
for oppressed populations--
it's why a lot of us
chose to come here.
Um, Dean Randolph,
if I may.
Oh, yes, you're the lawyer,
here to speak
for Ms. Stowe, yes.
That's right.
We understand that
Illinois Park College
is a private institution and not
governed by the First Amendment,
but, uh, you are governed
by your student handbook,
a binding legal contract.
And the handbook lists
"freedom from persecution"
as the school's
primary commitment.
And I think it's hard
to argue that a threat
to defund the school newspaper
is anything but persecution.
RANDOLPH: Oh, no, the move
to defund the paper
is not a sword, but a shield--
to protect the safe space
Gary's talking about.
Oh, well, the handbook also says
the school promotes
"tolerance
of diverse viewpoints."
Ms. Stowe clearly has a diverse
viewpoint and chose to...
I helped write that handbook,
ma'am, and I can tell you
we did not have
your interpretation in mind.
We meant to protect the
viewpoints of diverse people.
The people, themselves.
Not the viewpoints.
I, um...
(chuckles)
Before I, um...
take issue with that idea,
it is a well-established
legal principle
that a party to a contract
does not also get
to interpret that contr...
I'm sure, but this is not
a court of law, it's a school.
But you should realize
that any university--
public or private-- must stand
for basic notions of fairness.
And that is what
we are here to do:
enforce progressive
notions of fairness.
So why don't we at least
take a preliminary vote,
see where we're at.
All those in favor
of defunding the Courier
for the current school year.
(excited chattering)
(whooping)
So is that it?
No, actually.
This handbook
guarantees your right
to take your grievances
to arbitration.
Do you want to?
♪ ♪
Alicia.
Good.
Hi.
Hello.
Thanks for dropping by.
I need to say it again.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I'm sorry for
erasing the message.
Like I said, a day hasn't
passed when I haven't...
What did it say?
What?
The voice mail--
what did it say?
What I told you before.
I want to know...
everything he said,
word for word.
Alicia, it's been six years,
I'm not sure...
And a day hasn't passed
that you haven't
thought about it,
so... what did it say?
"You want to know
what my plan is?
My plan is that I love you."
And then he said something
about Georgetown.
What about Georgetown?
How he'd always loved you,
ever since Georgetown.
What else?
Don't stop.
Alicia, I don't think
this is a good idea.
I want to know it all.
I want to know every
single word he said.
You're torturing yourself.
Which is my right.
He said he would
meet you anywhere,
and you can make a plan then.
Did he mention a place?
No.
A time?
No.
Is that important?
What else?
Just that if this didn't
make sense to you,
to ignore him,
ignore the message...
and things will
go on as usual.
So when I didn't respond,
he thought I got the message...
and thinks...
we just...
we went back to usual?
Yes, I guess.
♪ ♪
Are you out of your tiny
little mind, Mrs. Florrick?
You don't need to say "little"
when you say "tiny."
One or the other will do.
You're suing me?
You're suing a
sitting judge?
Do you understand the meaning
of professional suicide?
I know the meaning of a judge
who let an innocent man
sit in prison
for eight months
with a bail amount...
Did you miss the day
in law school where they taught
the concept
of judicial immunity?
That protects you
from being sued
for what you did professionally,
not personally.
This crusade is gonna cost you.
It's gonna cost
you so much.
Shall we get that
down on tape, Your Honor?
Your ex parte threats?
I didn't think so.
See you in court!
♪ ♪
TRACY:
You can't second-guess
agents of the judiciary,
Your Honor.
As you yourself know,
judges need
wide-ranging discretion
in order to do their jobs
and not worry about
taking an unpopular stance
or making
an honest mistake.
Discretion, yes,
but it can't be unlimited.
Judicial immunity
has to be unlimited.
ALICIA: Yes, but we are filing
a civil rights claim
under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
TRACY: Going after
the judge personally
is merely
an end-around...
No.
We are holding
Don Schakowsky
accountable
as an individual
for violating
Mr. Riggs' Sixth Amendment
right to a speedy trial
and Eighth
Amendment freedom
from cruel
and unusual punishment.
He exceeded
his authority,
so he has to answer
to this personally.
Your Honor,
this is a direct attack
on the foundation
of an independent judiciary.
Imagine that
your decision here,
in this case, could
be subject to a suit.
It would be chaos.
Exactly.
Mrs. Florrick may
like or dislike
the way His Honor
Schakowsky does his job.
But she does not have
the right to veto it.
We're not asking
for a veto,
Your Honor.
This man has been held
in prison for
eight months,
his bail set
at $150,000.
$150,000?
What did he do?
LUCCA:
The charge is
disorderly conduct.
$150,000 for disorderly conduct?
LUCCA:
Yes, Your Honor.
Three men
knocked him down
coming out of a concert
and stole his wallet.
When the police arrived,
they arrested him, too.
He was the victim,
not the perpetrator.
TRACY:
That isn't proven yet.
Yes, because Schakowsky...
His Honor Schakowsky.
His Honor Schakowsky
has delayed trial three times.
Three times, Your Honor.
And eight months later,
our client is
still in prison.
He lost his job,
his wife divorced him,
and his eight-year-old child
has been taken from his home.
That is unjust.
TRACY:
We ask that you rule
on my client's
immunity, Your Honor.
There is no suit here
if my client is found immune.
I would agree.
Thank you, Your Honor.
No, I would agree that,
from all appearances,
Mr. Riggs has had
his civil rights violated,
but the question is whether
His Honor Schakowsky
did so knowingly.
If he did,
his immunity is stripped.
The issue here concerns
the contractual language
in the handbook?
Actually, the issue
is free speech...
Yeah, and
the idea of original intent.
Thank you.
Uh, we'll all get a lot further
if we take this one at a time.
Ms. Reed?
Yes, Mr. Arbitrator, thank you.
Geoffrey, please.
Now, you claim
the handbook
permits the school
to defund its newspaper?
Yes. Above all,
Illinois Park is committed to
protecting individual liberty.
And Ms. Stowe's editorial
failed to take seriously
the life experiences not just
of the Palestinian people,
but of individuals
on Park's very campus.
I wouldn't expect
a school like Park--
or truthfully, any university--
to use the fact
that it's privately funded
to cut off debate about
how it treats its students.
Although, technically, it can.
Isn't the school
the publisher here?
Yes, Geoffrey, it is.
JASON:
You can't win this case.
I know.
Not with
that argument.
I know.
It was a nice try, though.
What do you mean,
not with that argument?
Is there another argument?
I came in here, and this campus
is like a city.
They've got
their own campus police,
they've got medical facilities,
food.
They have their own power
plant, did you know that?
I didn't.
But I'm not sure...
Have you heard of
Evans v. Newton?
"State actor"?
Yeah.
Who are you?
(chuckles)
Just your friendly
neighborhood investigator.
No, that's a deep backwater
of the law.
Where did you get that?
I dabble a bit
now and then.
What do I have to do to get you
to come and work for us?
I am working for you.
No, in an office.
Full time.
With a desk.
And lunches brought in.
I don't like offices.
Then without an office.
I don't know.
Make me an offer.
After you pled "not guilty,"
Clayton, what happened then?
The judge slapped me
with a six-figure bail.
ALICIA:
And after arraignment,
did you appear
before Judge
Schakowsky again?
Yeah. Every couple months,
they'd stick me in the van,
bring me over.
I'd be all ready for the trial,
and then the prosecutor'd
ask for more time.
ALICIA:
And the judge gave it?
CLAYTON: He never even blinked.
ALICIA:
Even though the
prosecutor was delaying
to find
the same witness?
CLAYTON:
Yes.
TRACY:
Isn't it true,
Mr. Riggs,
that this wasn't
your first criminal offense?
Objection.
Mr. Riggs' past is irrelevant
to Schakowsky's immunity.
TRACY:
Goes to the issue
of why Judge Schakowsky
set bail so high.
MATA:
Overruled.
TRACY:
In fact, didn't the judge
in that weapons case have
to issue a bench warrant
because you missed
a court appearance?
That was a few years ago.
I was young and dumb.
I turned myself in
and I didn't screw up again.
Didn't you agree to each of the
three continuances in your case?
No.
I never agreed.
TRACY:
Really?
Because I have transcripts
of all three hearings,
and every one of
them clearly notes:
"continuance
by agreement."
DIANE:
In your brochure
for the school,
you write...
"Park intends to be
a city within a city.
"A student can shop, dine,
and even go to a movie
without setting foot
off the campus."
Is that true?
Indeed, Park is a good school--
an excellent one, in fact.
Thanks for pointing that out.
But by taking over
these public functions,
Park has effectively become
a "state actor"
and should be treated like
a public school. Hasn't it?
That is a reach.
Not according to
the Supreme Court.
Evans v. Newton,
Marsh v. Alabama.
MARTHA:
If I'm not mistaken,
those cases are
about company towns...
Yes, and that's exactly
what Park has become.
A state actor.
You're saying: the more
the college takes on
governmental responsibilities,
the more it can be treated
like an arm of the government.
Yes. But I'm not saying that,
the Supreme Court is.
In which case
the First Amendment would apply.
Yes, and Park cannot
censor its paper.
Geoffrey, please...
Hang on.
LUCCA:
Mr. Bukovitz,
how many times
have you appeared
before Judge Schakowsky?
Lots.
Did Judge Schakowsky
ever use his position
to influence your representation
of a client?
I don't even know
what that means.
LUCCA:
Did he ever yell
to intimidate you?
Did he ever badger you
to accept a plea deal?
No.
You know you're under oath,
Mr. Bukovitz?
I-I do, Ms. Quinn,
but I also know
Schakowsky is tough.
He wants to move fast.
But bond court
requires it.
Hmm.
What does "tax" mean?
What?
LUCCA:
Tax.
Not tax as in
income tax.
But what does it mean
when Schakowsky taxes you?
On June 18
of last year,
did you tell me
that Schakowsky taxed you?
I-I don't remember.
LUCCA:
There were three
other witnesses.
I have the affidavits.
Look.
Sometimes--
and I mean sometimes--
Schakowsky flies off the handle
and says things
that I'm sure he doesn't mean,
like he'll tax your client.
Meaning...?
Meaning he'll raise
the bond amount.
But it's very rare.
LUCCA:
And what did he
raise the bond to
the time
he taxed you?
$250,000.
LUCCA:
Thank you,
Mr. Bukovitz.
Let me take the cross.
It's a bad idea,
Your Honor.
Not with this witness.
Trust me.
Your Honor.
Is Judge Schakowsky
intending to question?
I am, actually.
If Your Honor doesn't mind.
I don't, but I imagine you know
all the reasons not to.
SCHAKOWSKY:
I do.
So I defer to your
better judgment.
Hi.
Hi.
(clears throat)
Have you ever practiced
in front of Judge Falcone?
Or Judge Marc?
I... yes, a few times.
If you checked the clerk
of the court's annual report,
you'd see they
set bail, on average,
about ten percent
higher than I do.
Objection,
he's testifying.
Could you rephrase, Your Honor?
With pleasure.
Did you know they set bail,
on average,
about ten percent
higher than I did?
Your Honor,
these are very
different cases.
They were felonies and...
MATA:
Mrs. Florrick.
Please don't interrupt.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Thank you.
Did Mrs. Florrick
ever argue
that I hurried her
too much in court?
Objection, relevance.
SCHAKOWSKY:
It puts the motive
of the plaintiff
in context,
Your Honor.
MATA:
I'll allow it.
BUKOVITZ:
Yes, she did argue that.
Did you ever think
I hurried you too much in court?
No.
Did you ever think
I set bail too high?
BUKOVITZ:
No.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Did you ever
think I badgered
the lawyers or
their clients?
No.
Did you ever observe me
infringing on the civil
rights of anyone?
No.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Thank you, Mr. Bukovitz.
Your Honor,
I also have affidavits.
They're from dozens
of lawyers in my court
supporting
Mr. Bukovitz's observations.
MATA:
Okay, thank you.
I don't need to hear
any more here.
There's evidence that
Judge Schakowsky is busy.
Perhaps even brusque.
But not that he
exceeded his authority.
In which case, his immunity
should remain intact.
The motion to dismiss
is granted.
(gavel thuds)
(indistinct chatter,
music playing)
Hey.
Hey.
How was Silicon Valley?
(sighs)
It was warm.
Hmm.
I was surprised
you were back.
Why didn't you call?
I came by.
Alicia didn't tell you?
No.
Huh.
We need you on a case.
Are you sure?
I think Alicia was worried
about the money.
What's the money?
$20 raise.
She was gonna check
with you about it.
What did you do to her?
No. Uh-uh.
I was in California.
Come on, you screwed
with her head.
No, I didn't.
You did your smile thing.
Your bedroom eyes B.S.
"Oh, I'm just a guy's guy.
I don't know
what I do to women."
Lucca, look at me.
I didn't do a thing.
Seriously.
(knocking at door)
Bernie?
What's up?
Clayton Riggs still wants to sue
for his imprisonment.
I know.
We're revising our strategy
with Schakowsky.
We already did.
"We already did"?
What does that mean?
Clayton and me.
I met with him
after you left court.
I signed him as a client.
You snaked him?
Yes.
We're also suing you
for malpractice.
Ms. Lockhart has argued that
Illinois Park is a state actor.
We don't agree
with this characterization
but think it's irrelevant.
Even in public colleges,
students don't have
unfettered rights of expression.
Nothing my client has done
rises to a level of...
"Schools are allowed
to prohibit any expression
"that creates material and
substantial disruptions
"in school activities
or invades
the rights of others."
And do you have any evidence
of such invasion or disruption?
MARTHA:
Mr. Binazir, you requested
the school boycott Israeli goods
from the settlements?
Yes.
Endorsing them is endorsing
a decades-long occupation
that has led
to thousands of deaths.
And how did you feel
when the school
decided to boycott
the products?
I felt heard and respected.
And how did you feel when Ms.
Stowe published her editorial?
Under attack,
disrespected,
unsafe.
Here's what I don't
understand, Mr. Binazir.
You're on a politically
engaged campus.
How is this controversy
different from all the others?
Black Lives Matter?
The Iraq War?
It's never got physical before.
Uh, my roommate was pushed
to the ground and stepped on
just trying to get to class.
Okay, got it.
Ms. Lockhart?
DIANE:
Ms. Stowe,
was it your intent
to disrupt student activities?
Not at all.
Was it your intent to infringe
on the rights of other students?
No, I was just
speaking my mind,
trying to engage them.
It's important for someone
to present a contrary viewpoint.
At any cost?
No.
But to be fair,
the disruption
Saum is describing
was temporary.
People are already
settling down.
And in a few days, they'll
be on to the next crusade.
But you won't,
because the only
permanent disruption here
is leaving the school
without a freely
functioning newspaper.
ALICIA:
I did not commit malpractice.
It's not about you,
it's about a payday.
A $1.2 million payday.
What's our malpractice cap?
$300,000.
Oh, God.
It was all we
could afford.
So we fight.
What do they have?
I don't know.
We should put
an investigator on it.
Should I call Jason?
I don't know.
He's probably too expensive.
We can probably
talk him down.
I met him last night.
Why?
He's a friend.
How close a friend?
Seriously?
Are you gonna hate
the whole world right now?
What did he say last night?
He said you were gonna talk
to me about his raise.
I think we were both surprised
that you hadn't talked to me.
Well, there was a lot going on.
A lot that
would've been alleviated
by having an investigator.
What's going on, partner?
Would you like to talk?
I don't know anymore.
Do you want me to talk?
I was in love.
He died.
I found out he left me
a message that he loved me,
but I didn't get it.
Now I'm sick to death of...
...everything.
This apartment.
This laundry.
The fact that things get dirty.
The law.
Just... standing here.
Sometimes I swear I just
want to go into my bedroom,
pull the covers over my head,
and never do anything
ever again.
I'm drinking
like I never have before.
And all I want to do
is have another one.
And then everything
just gets swallowed up by
more disgust.
I'm not built
to be an unhappy person.
I like laughing.
I laugh like a banshee
at videos on YouTube.
And then I just sit here
alone in this stupid
little apartment...
wondering what the hell
happened to my life.
Was it all about
having two kids--
who I don't even know
if I like anymore--
and just shoving them off
to be someone important?
Seriously, was that the point?!
I just...
(crying):
I-I hurt.
And I-I-I...
I want it over!
I just want it to end!
I just...
I was loved.
And it's...
over, over!
So why am I doing this?!
(Alicia crying)
Alicia...
you are here
because I need you here.
I don't like people.
But I like you.
I don't even think
I like my brother.
(laughs)
He bothers me.
I have no friends.
I'm 30 years old
and I don't...
have a single friend.
But I want
to be your friend.
I mean, do you have
a ring or something?
I'll commit.
Because that's
the one thing you can choose.
Me...
here wanting to be your friend.
Everything else
is just handed to you.
All you have to do is say
I'm willing.
No, I'm-I'm serious.
You have to say it.
(laughs)
(clears throat)
I'm-I'm willing.
Good.
Now, I have to ask you this.
Do you have any guns
in this apartment?
(laughing)
No.
Good.
'Cause you scared me there
for a minute.
You're gonna
have to testify.
I know.
But you're gonna need
another lawyer.
Who?
Cary Agos, Your Honor,
representing Alicia Florrick
in this matter.
Cary Agos, Your Honor,
representing
Alicia Florrick in this matter.
So the plaintiff is
now the defendant.
A witness is now
Mr. Riggs' attorney.
There seems to be
a round of musical chairs
while I wasn't looking.
Yes, Your Honor,
I spoke to Clayton,
and he wants to sue
his lawyer, Mrs. Florrick.
And I guess you, Mrs. Florrick,
you would move for dismissal?
CARY:
Yes, we would,
Your Honor.
Okay, this is exciting.
Let's go.
Before the music stops and
we're all in different chairs.
Who knows? I may be
the plaintiff next.
BUKOVITZ:
So, Clayton,
did Mrs. Florrick
ever take the time to consult
with you about your plea?
Maybe 15 seconds.
Your bail?
The judge set it.
She tried to say something,
then she got nervous.
She didn't try to slow
the proceedings down
or explain to you
what was happening
and what your options were?
No.
No more questions,
Your Honor.
Your current lawyer,
Bernie Bukovitz,
he isn't actually
your new lawyer, is he?
What do you mean?
He represented you in front
of Judge Schakowsky before.
Oh, yeah, right.
He was my fourth lawyer.
CARY:
And he didn't help
you out any more
than Alicia Florrick
did, did he?
No.
CARY: I'm sure everyone has
sympathy for you, Mr. Riggs.
But isn't this really
a case of bad luck?
And you just wanting to--
as you said
to Mrs. Florrick-- sue somebody?
I just want to get out.
SCHAKOWSKY:
Yes, Mrs. Florrick
started as a bond lawyer
in my court.
And did you have an opinion
about her professionalism
of lack thereof?
Objection--
calls for a conclusion.
(quietly):
Expert witness.
Your Honor, the judge
is an expert witness.
He's allowed
to express his opinion.
Sustained. You may answer.
SCHAKOWSKY: Yes, Mrs. Florrick
did not demonstrate
the duty of care I would expect.
BUKOVITZ: And if she had?
If she had informed me
promptly and efficiently,
I might've had a better context
to set Mr. Riggs' bail.
BUKOVITZ: Should you have
done more to try to pull
that information out of her?
SCHAKOWSKY:
My role is to adjudicate.
Not advocate.
All right, well, I went
through the transcripts
from Schakowsky's courtroom,
looking for abuses,
looking for any mention
of taxing lawyers.
And?
Nothing.
Not a single mention of taxing.
He always covers the
microphone when he says it.
Yep, that's kind of
what I figured.
So, what, we're screwed?
No.
I talked to his
courtroom reporter.
She hears everything.
Darla.
A very nice lady.
She goes to the track
every weekend.
It turns out
Schakowsky talks really fast,
so she started recording him
so she could
get every word.
And you have the tapes?
I do.
I wasn't myself earlier.
Things were swirling
around in my head.
And now they're not?
Well, now they're
in perspective.
Good.
Perspective is good.
I just, I didn't want
you to think that...
Here's the thing, Alicia.
Whenever you worry about
what I might be thinking,
or you worry that I'm upset
about what you're thinking,
just know that... I'm fine.
Even when I'm not fine,
I'm really fine.
I got to go.
♪ ♪
Are you still fine?
Yeah.
CARY: Do you remember
when Mr. Bukovitz mentioned
that you taxed attorneys,
Your Honor?
I do.
Is that a term
you regularly use?
Only when discussing
my income.
(chuckles)
CARY: But not in the context
of punishing an attorney
for not doing
what you want.
No.
Not that I recall.
Good.
Then maybe this will
refresh your recollection.
SCHAKOWSKY: I simply want
a plea, guilty or not guilty.
MAN: Uh, I-I need a moment
to actually confer with my...
Objection!
You're a witness,
you can't object.
SCHAKOWSKY:
I already warned you.
Objection, this is hearsay.
There's no foundation.
CARY:
We have an affidavit
from the person
who recorded this audio.
MAN: Yeah, I understand,
if I could just...
SCHAKOWSKY:
I'm taxing you and your...
None of that matters.
I did not consent
to being recorded.
Two-party consent
isn't required.
Standard two-party consent
isn't required but mine is.
That was recorded
in my courtroom
where I forbid the use
of recording devices.
It is the equivalent
of you being recorded
right now
in your court.
I agree, this tape
is inadmissible.
Your Honor, that is
completely self-serving.
No, Mrs. Florrick,
this is a matter of respect.
The tapes are excluded.
MARTHA:
Dean Randolph,
does the student handbook say,
"Park is dedicated
to empowering students
"by encouraging autonomy
and the development
of personal responsibility"?
It does.
And did the student body
demonstrate this responsibility
in their reaction to
Ms. Stowe's editorial?
Oh, yes, they're the ones who
petitioned the student council
to have Ms. Stowe removed
and the paper defunded.
This was entirely
a student body move?
Yes.
Thank you, Dean.
Do you agree with the way the
students handled Imogen's op-ed?
I do.
And if you didn't?
Well, if the council voted
one way or the other,
I'd respect it.
Part of learning
how to make decisions
is learning how to live
with poor decisions.
DIANE: Last Halloween,
you disciplined a student
for wearing a "Caitlyn" costume,
which you said made
fun of trans students.
You did, not the
student council.
Well, no one brought a petition
to the student council,
but that didn't mean
that the...
Yes, but before the council
acts, after it acts,
whether it acts
at all, you do.
The final responsibility rests
with the adult faculty,
not the students.
MARTHA:
If we could just look at chapter
three of the student handbook...
I think we've all heard enough
about the handbook, Ms. Reed.
Ms. Lockhart is right.
The administration is
really still in charge,
and since we're considering
them state actors,
they can't censor the newspaper.
The defunding of the student
paper is hereby reversed.
Have a nice day, everyone.
We're adjourned.
Every attorney who comes to bond
court has a learning curve,
but Mrs. Florrick's curve wasn't
about being a good advocate.
What do you mean?
Well, she knew her way
around a courtroom.
Judge Schakowsky liked
to call her Marie Antoinette,
but she wasn't afraid
to get her hands dirty
or ask for help
when she needed it.
CARY: So what kind
of learning curve was she on?
Figuring out how to deal
with Schakowsky.
CARY:
Thank you.
BUKOVITZ: So you're saying
Mrs. Florrick was as diligent
as any other lawyer
in bond court?
Yes, Bernie, I am saying that.
Even though she had all sorts
of other obligations?
I mean, wife of a governor
who was running for president.
I think she handled it
with aplomb.
Even though she missed
a whole morning at bond court?
18 cases we had to cover,
so she could tape an episode
of Mama's Homespun Cooking.
LUCCA: I'm not saying she didn't
have to make trade-offs.
BUKOVITZ: Trade-offs are one
thing, but what about the time
you had to rush out of
Judge Schakowsky's court
to cover a probate case of hers?
That was because of you, Bernie.
Because you didn't show up.
N-N-No, it wasn't my day.
LUCCA: It was your day...
BUKOVITZ: You had given me...
MATA:
Okay, thank you.
Thank you!
MATA:
Any more questions, Counselor?
Just one more.
Didn't you tell Don Weingarten,
another bond attorney,
that you feel sorry
for anyone who gets
Alicia Florrick as an attorney?
I did.
But I don't believe
that anymore.
I wouldn't be
her law partner if I did.
(knocking on door)
You did end up with Will.
You act like I prevented
the love affair of the ages,
but you two did end up together,
and I did not keep you
from doing that.
Yes, I know I erased it,
and I've already apologized.
And maybe you
would have had
another three months together,
but that would have
had no impact
on what happened to Will, none.
You can't control fate.
Just like I can't tell if
I walked under that tree
and not this one, uh, the branch
wouldn't break off and kill me.
And one more thing.
It was hard for me to apologize.
I never do that.
And I never confess to anything.
But I did to you.
Because I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
I've never been more sorry
about anything in my life.
Okay, Eli.
You're forgiven.
(sighs)
Really?
Yes.
I'll talk to you later, okay?
♪ ♪
So what do you think?
There's not enough here
for malpractice.
He'll sustain
our motion to dismiss.
And if he doesn't?
We sit down
and offer to settle.
BAILIFF:
All rise.
I find there is enough here
to go to trial.
The motion to dismiss is denied.
(gavel slams)
BUKOVITZ:
$1.5 million.
Oh, come on.
Bernie, you know
how this works.
You're never getting
$1.5 million in a verdict,
and you're never getting
$1.5 million from us.
So what can you accept?
$1.5 million.
And I disagree that I
won't get it at trial.
I might even get more.
You're not well-liked, Alicia.
LUCCA: Well, we'll
see you in court.
BUKOVITZ: People
think you're rich.
You're the wife of the governor
and the loser in the
presidential primary.
He's not well-liked either.
$1.5 million.
Nice talking to you.
(laughs)
You've lost it,
haven't you?
Oh, yes, I have.
Good news?
ALICIA:
No. No, no, no.
Very bad news,
actually.
Yep, we got shafted
by the brotherhood of the robe.
Our insurance doesn't even
come close to covering this.
And we won't be able
to afford our lawyer.
Last I looked,
you two were lawyers.
(chuckles)
Yes.
Two tired lawyers.
I'm heading home.
Okay.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Yep.
I should go, too.
No, you should stay.
You should think things
through with Alicia.
Are you still fine?
Yeah.
(door closes)
So a funny thing
happened yesterday.
In the elevator?
Yeah. No, um,
before that.
I got offered a job
at Lockhart/Agos.
I said no, but they
offered a lot of money.
And then you said yes.
No, because I didn't
want to make it seem
like it was about
us yesterday.
Ah, I see.
Well, you should do
what's best for you.
Yeah, well, sometimes I
can't tell what that is.
Well, it usually involves
seeing which number is higher.
(chuckles)
(phone ringing)
Yes.
So that didn't
end well, did it?
No.
I heard from Lucca,
they don't want to settle.
They don't.
And you're looking
for a new place of business?
Yes.
Homeowners' association.
Oh.
And we're looking
for new associates.
Lost half in a bit
of a rebellion.
Oh, God.
What?
Would it be so bad to come back?
As an associate?
No.
You want me back
as a partner?
Diane would not want
me back as a partner.
A junior partner.
(chuckles)
You guys fired me.
No, we didn't.
That was Dipple.
And, anyway, his people
like you a lot more
now that Peter lost
the nomination, so...
(both chuckle)
(sighs)
Look.
We can help you cover
any loss you experience.
Make it a part
of your settlement.
Come on, Alicia.
♪ ♪
Come on home.
(man trills tongue, hums)
(chuckles)
♪ I found me a woman ♪
♪ But she stands too tall ♪
♪ I give her every inch
of my dream ♪
♪ 'Cause it's too small. ♪