The Good Wife (2009–2016): Season 7, Episode 14 - Monday - full transcript

Welcome to Lockhart, Agos & Lee.

As you probably know, we
are an all-service law firm

with a rich tradition.

The firm was formed 12 years ago

by Jonas Stern and myself,

Diane Lockhart.

Last year, the firm
reconstituted itself

with Cary Agos and David
Lee as name partners.

We occupy two floors in
the Dryden Building...

the executive suite
on the 28th floor

and the 27th floor,
where support staff



and most associates work.

As a new associate, you
will be given a card key

for your assigned floor,

and you will be provided
an employee handbook.

Due to severe overcrowding,

not all of you will
receive an office.

Some of you may have to work
from cubicles for the moment.

Lastly,

Lockhart, Agos & Lee is a true meritocracy.

One of our name partners
came from where you sit now

in a mere six years.

It can be done, and we
expect no less of you.

So give yourself a hand.

Well, look at you, big-time lawyer.



Well, look at you, coming back home.

Yep. Not much has changed.

Did we make a mistake?

I don't know. We'll see.

Hey, Alicia.

God. This is really weird.

I know, but not bad weird, is it?

- Not yet.
- Well,

first things first,
there's no room on the 28th.

- I know.
- There might be soon.

But you will have the
biggest office on the 27th.

Hey, it's where I started out.

It's where we started out.

And I'm on the 27th,
too. So we can pass notes.

Aw, that's nice.

Eh, something from the partners.

I have to get back upstairs,

but drop by and we'll catch a bite.

- It's great to have you back.
- Thanks.

Oh, Lucca, I have to introduce
you at some point to Monica.

Oh, we've already met.

Oh-oh, right, yeah. On the other, um,

Chumhum case. Well, you'll love her.

Shall we drink that now?

Oh.

Yeah,

I'd hire you.

Alicia, I think I need to hire you.

Do you remember me? I'm Howell.

Uh, yes, hello.

Um, this is Lucca Quinn.

Howell is the firm's technology director.

I-I don't think I know your last name.

Just Howell.

Anyway, I have something

seriously incredible to show you.

So, last night my girlfriend Amy and I go

to the closing night of Deviceroy.

- Device what?
- Deviceroy.

It's the consumer electronics show.

Like the big CES one in Vegas

but without the hookers
or Cirque du Soleil. So,

monster after-party, 15,000 people.

End of the night, Amy
finds something on the floor

under a table. So she gives it to me.

I wake up this morning. Ooh.

- I realize what it is.
- What what is?

The Foil. The new Chumhum tablet. Their big

contribution to the gadget
market. Comes out in two months.

I don't understand.
Someone just left it there?

Yeah. So I tweeted a picture of it.

Next thing I know, two different
tech blogs are calling me

so they can be the first to review it.

Gadgy's offering me 100 grand.

$100,000?

Scoops like this are like the
Pentagon Papers to these sites.

They want an answer in
an hour. So I need to know

if I can sell it and if
you'll negotiate it for me.

- I, uh...
- Yeah. Sure.

- $100,000?
- Lucca, uh,

let's just take a minute on this, okay?

Just give us a minute.

This could be sticky.

One Selfie. Mango,
carrot, ginger, kale, mint,

- apple, bee pollen.
- Thank you.

That's going to be
disgusting, just so you know.

- What is a Selfie?
- It's a make-your-own.

You're supposed to take a picture with it

and post it online.

I know, right?

Um, and what is an "Arlen-ergy"?

It's pronounced "Arlenergy."

Like "energy" but with an
"Arlene" in front of it.

It's named after our owner.

Juices are the new vanity plates.

Well, what do you recommend?

The juice bar down the street.

- It's half the price.
- Mmm.

Or a NutMegan.

I'll take the "Arlene-ergy."

'Cause I'm a sucker for advertising.

Is that why you bought
that shirt, advertising?

- You don't like my shirt?
- Actually, I do.

But very few girls would say that.

Hey.

Um...

do you get a lunch break?

It's not Europe, so I only get an hour.

So good to have you back.

Thank you.

Home is where they take you in, right?

Happily take you in.

- Um, and you know Lucca.
- Yes.

Early this morning. I have
to introduce you to Monica.

I think you'll like each other.

We were across the table from each other,

on the Chummy Maps case.

Oh. Right.

So, uh, you haven't even sat
down yet and you have something?

Yes. Howell.

Our I.T. guy.

Right. Uh, Cary briefed me.

How is this tablet not
considered stolen property?

It was abandoned. It's
more accurately defined

as lost property.

Uh, by law, Howell has

to give the owner a chance to recover.

He has to at least attempt

- constructive notice.
- Not by law.

Lucca, can you give us a minute?

- We can't be a part of this.
- She's right

on the law. And how it's enforced.

We can't risk a lawsuit from
Chumhum over a casual favor

to an employee.

Just to confirm, this
call is being recorded

- for quality and training purposes?
- Yes, it is, ma'am.

- How may I help you?
- What is this?

- Chumhum Customer Service.
- How may I help you?

Hi. Uh, I have in my possession

a prototype of the new Foil tablet.

- I'm sorry... Excuse me?
- The Foil tablet.

- I have it.
- That's not possible, ma'am.

- It is, because I have it.
- The Foil will be released

in time for back-to-school sales.

Would you like me to
give you the Web address?

No. Uh, could I speak to a supervisor?

I am a supervisor.

Ah. So you have authority
to answer my questions?

- That's correct.
- Then could you advise me

on the best way to return
the tablet to the company?

It's not the Foil, ma'am.

The Foil will be released in
time for back-to-school sales.

- So I can keep it?
- Whatever you have, you can keep.

Shall I direct you to the Web site?

Constructive notice given

- and rejected.
- Howell is now firmly in

the "finders keepers" territory,
and we can help him sell it.

Why don't you give us a minute.

So this is bureaucracy.

The Israeli Army? Really?

Yeah. But it's not like I shot anyone.

One time I did this great
thing along the Egyptian border.

They have these five-women
sharpshooter teams

camouflaged in the desert.

You stay all night in a pod

about the size of these two tables.

Five women, all night,

and all you can do is whisper.

It's really terrifying but really cool.

Did you see any terrorists?

No. Bedouin nomads, mostly.

Now I'm here in this stupid
juice bar 3,000 miles away.

It's 11:00 p.m. in Israel

and my friends are slipping
into their desert pods right now

and I'm... here talking to you.

Weird.

Yeah.

Were your parents afraid
of you being over there?

Of getting stabbed, no.

Of turning Orthodox, yes.

Actually, just my mom
was. She's the worrywart.

My dad was too busy to notice I was gone.

Mmm. Why?

What does he do?

You know Governor Peter Florrick?

- Sure.
- He's his chief of staff.

Or... was.

Then wasn't.

Now is again, I think.

- Hmm.
- I know.

He also ran Peter's campaign for president.

So he must have every

rich person in Illinois
knocking down his door.

Eh. He's a dork.

Although I was Alicia Florrick's

body woman for her campaign
for state's attorney,

- which he also ran.
- And Alicia Florrick?

What was it like working for her?

You are a curious one, aren't you?

No. I just... I don't meet
too many, you know, like,

Malcolm Gladwell connector types.

So, tell me about you. What do you do?

I'm a student. Nothing exciting.

Nothing like dealing with
a lot of campaign money.

Yeah, I know. What do you study?

Computers. Programming.

Really? Tell me more.

- Dad.
- I'm busy, Marissa.

- A young man asked me to lunch today.
- Congratulations.

Let me know when I have
to spring for a wedding.

His name was Scott Devereaux,

and he had a lot of questions about you.

- I don't know him.
- Questions like

who you have dinner with, who
gives money to the campaign,

how often you talk with Alicia.

What is this again?

A young man took me to lunch
but had much more interest

in you than in me.

- He said he was a student.
- What's he look like?

Oddly enough, I convinced
him to take a selfie.

I trained you well.

Oh, my God. He's an FBI agent.

- What's his name?
- Scott Devereaux.

No, no, no.

Hlavin.

Roland Hlavin. What did he ask?

Did he mention a judge? Schakowsky?

No. Why?

What did he ask?

...Malcolm Gladwell connector types.

So, tell me about you. What do you do?

- You recorded it.
- I'm a student.

- I did.
- Nothing exciting.

Nothing like dealing with
a lot of campaign money.

- Yeah, I know...
- What?

It's just... Now I get
why people have children.

They can admire themselves in someone else.

Hi.

Ma'am.

How do you like my office?

It's got a view.

What do you think?

Look at my chair.

I like it. It fits you.

Off-center?

Tilted.

How do you keep your beard that length?

I mean, at a certain point,
you're either clean-shaven

- or you're Abraham Lincoln, right?
- No.

It stays like this. Since birth.

We kissed.

I know.

So what do we do now?

I don't know. I'm not big on planning.

Do you think it will be weird for us...

working in a corporate setting?

Well,

I'm freelance.

You are.

You're freelance.

Okay. You know, they probably

want me to work.

So good seeing you, workmate.

You too.

_

Oh, come on.

Seriously, you're dropping it?

- It makes us nervous.
- Howell's an employee.

He needs your help.

Yes, but we are in a
weird place with Chumhum.

We don't really want to poke the bear.

Wow, things have really
changed around here.

What's that?

You're back home.

It's always exciting here.

Hello, my name's Perry Dunst.

- I'm with the TAPS unit.
- What unit?

We have a warrant for the
arrest of Drummond Howell.

- On what charges?
- Trafficking in stolen property.

That's him right there, gray sweater.

- Go ahead and cuff him.
- What is TAPS?

Mr. Howell, please get on your knees,

put your hands behind your head.

- What the hell's going on?
- Howell,

don't say anything. We're Mr.
Howell's lawyers. May I see

that warrant?

Ma'am, please stay back.

Howell, stay calm.

We will take care of this.

Who are those guys?

Three years?

I didn't sell anyone this prototype.

Did you speak to anyone
besides us about the possibility

- of selling?
- Just Amy, my girlfriend.

You got to keep her out of this.

We will. Just remember,
whatever these agents ask,

we do the talking.

I thought you weren't representing me.

We weren't. Now it's the firm.

Hello.

Mr. Gross.

Ah, it's the law firm that's

the perpetual stone in my shoe.

So, uh, you seem to have something of mine.

Sir, I think we should
handle this through lawyers.

I've spoken to Agent Dunst,

he's agreed to drop the
charges... lucky you... if you

return my prototype, and if you give me

the name of the person who gave it to you.

Why do you need the name?

Mrs. Florrick.

I'm sorry about your husband's loss.

Thank you. Why do you need the name?

Chumhum's suffered an unprecedented

security breach. I need to know

exactly what went wrong so I can make sure

it never happens again.

Howell won't give up his girlfriend.

Even if it means going
to jail for three years?

Yes.

Why are they allowing Neil Gross

- into an interrogation room?
- I don't know.

And why is he the one making the offer?

Have you ever heard of TAPS before?

Never.

So what's going on here?

Hello, Don.

What the hell are you doing here, Eli?

I just need a minute.

You wearing a wire?

No. Are you?

Why would I be?

Is that a yes or a no?

It's a no, Eli. I wasn't
expecting to see you

in my chambers.

I come bearing bad news.

Of course you do.

I think the FBI is investigating

our... business last year.

They're certainly investigating something.

- They were here?
- Roland Hlavin.

- That little smartass.
- What was he asking?

He was asking about Alicia Florrick.

Alicia?

TAPS...

Technology Allied Protection Service.

- What is that?
- It is a multi-agency task force

that works with Silicon
Valley's biggest companies

to clamp down on technology theft.

The iPolice?

- Yeah.
- There is such a thing?

Oh, yeah. And you want to
know something interesting?

More interesting than the iPolice?

Lead agent over there, Dunst. He's based

in San Francisco. The prototype was

reported missing at 2:30
a.m. and yet here he is,

in Chicago, bright and early.

How'd he get here so fast?

Neil Gross' private plane.

That is interesting.

Diane needs you back at the office.

Why?

I don't know. Go, I've got this.

All rise

for the Honorable Judge Hal Ferris.

Angry faces.

Looks like fun.

Fire away.

Your Honor,

my client was arrested on
the flimsiest of pretenses.

Wait a minute.

There's a trail

of ants here, Harris.

Have you been eating
sandwiches on my bench again?

No, Your Honor.

Can we do something about this?

I'll get right on it. Good.

Okay, uh, I'll stand for this one.

I'm a little grossed out.

And I can't wait to hear more, counselor.

Yes, Your Honor.

We request that the U.S. Attorney show...

Your Honor?

Yes, I can listen to you

and watch ants

at the same time.

We request that the AUSA

show probable cause or release him.

Well, let's get to it, then.

Mr. Gross contacted us at 2:35 a.m.

We then interviewed Blake Reedy,

the engineer who was
carrying the prototype.

Mr. Reedy stated that
the device had been stolen

from his backpack at the
Deviceroy after-party.

We took it from there.

There were over 15,000 people at the party.

How did you locate Mr. Howell?

We worked the guest list,

cross-referenced it with known offenders.

We identified

Mr. Howell, then tracked down his tweet

with his pictures of the Foil.

- Thanks, this is perfect.
- The Foil is the stolen tablet,

Your Honor.

Uh-huh.

The known offenders list...
why was Mr. Howell on it?

Well, he's something
of a low-level hacker.

Low-level? I'm not low-level.

Fanboy stuff, mostly. Unveiling new

game specs before they're released.

But he's also been suspected of hacking

- law enforcement databases.
- Objection,

- no foundation.
- Withdrawn.

No more questions.

- Okay, next.
- Um, Agent Dunst,

you're technically with the FBI

but also serve on TAPS...

the Technology Allied
Protection Service task force,

- is that correct?
- It is, although

I would not call myself
technically with the FBI.

Does the FBI have a
steering committee, sir?

- A...
- Steering committee.

- No.
- Does the

Secret Service or the Chicago PD?

- Not that I know of.
- How about TAPS?

Does they have a steering committee?

Yes, they do.

And, um, who serves on this committee?

Law enforcement. Experts in their fields.

And...

I'm not sure what you want me to say.

CEOs of Silicon Valley's
14 biggest companies...

don't they serve on the
steering committee too?

That's right.

Including Neil Gross?

Objection. Relevance.

I am just trying to identify

who Agent Dunst reports to.

Your Honor, the TAPS steering committee

coordinates the protection
of the country's technology,

which is a national security issue.

And you know how much I love
my national security secure.

Uh, I'm guessing that the
answer to Mrs. Florrick's

question is, "Yes,

I do report to Neil Gross."

- That is correct.
- Well, then I've heard the answer.

Overruled.

Did TAPS receive a grant from Chumhum?

Objection.

Did your unit receive

a grant from Chumhum, agent?

Yes, Your Honor.

So now I've heard that answer too.

- Overruled.
- Agent Dunst,

isn't it true that last year alone,

four agents from TAPS

left for senior jobs at
Chumhum's security department?

Objection. These questions are irrelevant.

Were there grounds to arrest the defendant?

That's the only question that matters here.

This is a massive

conflict of interest, Your Honor.

TAPS is effectively acting

as Mr. Gross' personal security force.

TAPS is a legitimate law
enforcement organization.

Issues of conflict of interest

are more appropriate for trial, counselor.

So for the moment the is only question is,

is there enough evidence
to hold your client?

Oh, good, uh, Lucca, we need
you on the Dipple filing.

Oh, I'm in the midst of the Howell defense.

- I thought that was Alicia.
- It is.

But it's-it's me too.

Actually, we would rather
have you on the Dipple filing,

if that's all right.
You can work with Monica.

You'll love working with
her. She's fantastic.

Monica...

do you remember Lucca?

Yes. From the Safe Filter suit.

Well, now you're on the same side.

Yes, now we are.

Can you show Lucca what we're doing?

Sure can.

So... I'm supposed to really like you.

Yes, let's share about
our common experiences.

Blake Reedy,

design engineer on the
Foil development team.

I designed the home button...

with Mr. Gross' input, of course.

And you brought the prototype

with you to the Deviceroy conference?

Yeah. I'd work on it during breaks.

And how can you be sure

you didn't lose it during
one of those breaks?

My backpack has a power
plug. When I'm not working

on the device, it's always
plugged in there, charging.

And did you take the tablet
out during the after-party?

No, it was in my bag the whole time.

But I remember that guy

bumping into me by the martini bar.

- Mr. Howell, the defendant?
- Yeah.

And when I got back to my
hotel room 20 minutes later,

- I saw the Foil was gone.
- Thank you.

Uh, so you never took the
device out of your backpack?

I was like a Secret Service
guy carrying the football.

Um, this is from the comments section

of the tech blog Gadgy.

Uh, a woman named CandyCane posted

about a "geek-hot engineer" who showed her

the Foil prototype at the Deviceroy party.

Was there another geek-hot
engineer with the prototype?

Objection.

Sustained. Harris, where
are we with the bug spray?

Working on it, Your Honor.

Did you not show this woman the Foil

to impress her?

I-I didn't let her touch it or anything.

But isn't it possible that

you got distracted

- and just left it?
- Objection.

Asked and answered.

Sure. Sustained.

Could you read this text

which is from your... coworker?

How did you... how did you get this?

- From your coworker.
- Objection, your Honor.

What is this document?

Uh, well, from what the
counselor just told us

it seems to be a text message.

And from all appearances, your witness

recognizes it. So what is the objection?

- Foundation.
- Sure. That's an objection.

Overruled.

Could you read the text message?

Um, "My bad.

"Gotta tell NG.

NG will kill me."

NG being Neil Gross?

- Yeah.
- Didn't you fabricate

the whole theft story
because you were afraid

NG might kill you?

No.

Then what does that text refer to?

- It being stolen.
- So why is it "your bad" if it was stolen?

I don't know. Because I was
being inexact in my language?

Okay.

When TAPS questioned you, did Mr. Gross

instruct them what to ask you?

Objection. We've been over this.

Yup. Yeah, you lost this one earlier,

Mrs. Florrick. Sustained.

Nothing further.

I'm losing, aren't I?

We have to shift gears.

The Hard Core has protein, almonds,

turbinado and one hell
of an ice cream headache.

Marissa!

- Dad.
- I need you now!

Um... I'll be right back.

- What the hell?
- Did the Fed ask you

any questions about Alicia?

No. I mentioned her, and
he asked what she was like,

but I didn't say anything.

- He called again and asked me out.
- Who, Hlavin?

Yeah. Just a few hours ago.

I was thinking "no," but
maybe I should say "yes."

Is he after Alicia?

- I don't know.
- Do you want me to find out?

You'll be careful?

Always.

- Eli.
- So the 27th floor again.

Everything comes full circle, doesn't it?

Yes.

First the tragedy, and then the farce.

You need something?

We're good, yes?

- We're good.
- I think Feds are investigating you.

And your chair is tilted.

They're investigating me for what?

I don't know. I'm trying to find out.

It could be the Judge Schakowsky bribe.

I had nothing to do with that.

Or the electoral board vote.

I need you to call me if
Roland Hlavin comes by.

- Him?
- Mm-hmm.

He approached Marissa.

Oh, God. It never ends.

Neil Gross is a fascist.

And fascists must not
be allowed to terrorize.

- Mr. Dudewitz, hello.
- Hello, lawyer, other lawyer.

- I'm not a lawyer.
- Do I care?

I am here, as requested,
to stand up to the bully.

- I'll be in touch.
- Yup.

Here's the Howell file, Alicia.

Where are you going?

Me? Upstairs, on another case.

What other case? There's
no other case. I'm here.

This is the case.

Diane has me on Dipple.

Stay. I'll talk to Diane.

Great. Now what do you want?

We want what you know about the Foil.

It's a marketing stunt.

What part of it, Mr. Dudewitz?

All of it. The lost device,
the arrest of that guy there.

The... The... Aren't you supposed to be

sitting up there?

Yes, but it's opposite day.

See? No gavel, either.

Uh, please continue, Mr. Dudewitz.

What's your name again?

- Lucca.
- I love that name.

- How'd you get that name?
- Objection, Your Honor.

- Relevance.
- I know, but yet, I'm... I'm curious, too.

- Uh, you may answer.
- My parents traveled a lot.

I was this close to
being called "Budapest."

Budapest. That's funny.
What was the question again?

You were saying, um,
this is a marketing stunt.

Yes. The lost Foil, this proceeding.

It's a piece of theatre. No,
it's a piece of tragic-comedy

conjured up by Neil Gross,

the great carnival barker of our time.

- Objection. Relevance.
- Your Honor, if this is

indeed a marketing stunt,
then there is no crime,

which would mean no probable cause.

- I'll hear it out. Overruled.
- What specifically

makes you think this is a marketing stunt?

We talked about the same thing
with our first product launch.

Mr. Gross... and I use
"mister" guardedly...

he's about to launch his first foray

into personal computing devices

where products die bloody, violent deaths.

He's invested $800 million.

Why would he let a
prototype off his premises?

So Chumhum's security lapse was intended?

Objection. Speculation.

Let me hear a bit more, then I'll rule.

Chumhum's security

is legendary.

That compound is more fortified
than a missile silo in Kansas.

- So why leak the prototype?
- The Foil's a great product. Kudos, Neil.

At least you have the smarts
to hire people smarter than you,

which actually isn't that difficult.

Anthony...

It's the umpteenth tablet in the market.

It has a closed operating system.

Nobody's building apps for it.

Bottom line, nobody cares.

So the arrest of Mr. Howell boosts

its profile by generating publicity?

It does. Neil Gross is a jackass,

but he's no dummy.

Thank you, Mr. Dudewitz.

Anytime. For you.

Now I have to deal with
mediocrity, yes? This lady.

Just a few questions, Mr. Dudewitz.

- Sure. I can't wait.
- How do you beat the retina scan

- at Chumhum's labs?
- I have no idea.

That's because there is
no retina scan at Chumhum.

Ah, you got me. I'm red-faced.

You have no idea of the security
measures at Chumhum, do you?

I don't. I'm as innocent
as a suckling babe.

You and Mr. Gross

started out together at
Freemont Labs, correct?

Yes, that's where Neil tried to
write code... with his own feces.

And you still subscribe to

the Research Labs' philosophy

that technology should be shared

and not sold for profit, correct?

You told her to go down that road, Neil?

- Mr. Dudewitz...
- Did you also tell her about

how you created the code for Chumhum

after our visit to the
Freemont Research Labs?

- Perhaps we can get that in the record.
- Mr. Dudewitz,

you are to answer the attorney's questions.

Do not address anyone else in the court.

Withdrawn, Your Honor.

- No further questions.
- Excuse me?

We're done here. No further questions.

What just happened?

I think we just landed a sucker punch.

Hello?

Who have you been talking to, Eli Gold?

Ruth.

I thought you'd been sucked up

into all those snow belt governors' races.

- I've kept busy.
- So, to what do I owe this honor?

Oh, not so much an honor as a bad feeling.

Where'd you get that painting?

Courtney Paige.

It makes me nervous.
All those people staring,

like they want something.

I think it's about revolution.

Are you sure? They seem to be singing.

- And those trees.
- Well, you know. Art.

Are you out to get me, Eli?

Am I... out to get you?

No. Why? Should I be?

You seem to have waited
until I was good and gone

to get a little revenge.

What are you babbling about?

Grand jury subpoena... from the FBI.

Well, I'm sure it's just a standard

post-campaign wind-down.

You know, checking we dotted
our Is and crossed our Ts.

I've done that drill more than once,

and it does not include
an FBI interrogation.

Well, my advice is,
don't make too much of it.

Eli, if you're setting me up here,

I will take your skinny little head...

I am not setting you up.

And I give you my word,
if I get even an inkling

that you are in jeopardy,
I will let you know.

We may be mercenaries, but...

even mercenaries have a code.

When this thing's over...

It's over.

I promise.

You do realize your
timing chronically sucks.

I need you to do something for me.

Now? The store is packed.

Well, tell them to buy

juice at 7-11 like normal people!

I need you to call your friend Roland

or Scott, or whatever his name is.

What? Why?

I need you to set up another date.

Hey, where's Lucca?

I don't know.

Wasn't she here helping you?

I think they needed her on another case.

Here she is.

Oh, Lu... What?

- No, right there...
- Excuse me.

What's going on?

We have a warrant authorizing
the search of these premises

for the missing Foil prototype.

Ah, wait. Hold on. We're
Mr. Howell's attorneys.

Anything you find here is work product,

and, therefore, privileged.

This also happens to be
Howell's place of work,

so, yes, we're authorized.

Mr. Howell's cubicle is
downstairs. Your search will be

confined to his work space

- and will be supervised by one of us.
- No ma'am.

As IT specialist,

he has access to every

cubicle and office on the premises,

so we'll search where we like. Excuse me.

- They won't find anything.
- How can you be sure?

Because I have it.

You were told multiple times
the firm would have nothing

- to do with this device.
- I didn't take it to help broker a sale.

It all happened in the moment.

When they arrested him,

Howell panicked and
stashed it in my cubicle.

They're losing the probable cause hearing.

- This is their pushback.
- We should give them their device.

We can't do that. It's bound
up in attorney-client privilege.

We should talk.

Alicia, do you have a minute?

So, we have to find a
working rhythm here again.

I know. The Howell case
got a bit out of hand.

No, it's bigger than that.

Okay.

When Cary suggested

that you come back, I wasn't against it,

but I was afraid that
there might be a few bumps.

Which bumps might those be?

A certain independence

and a resistance to oversight.

Okay.

Tell me how you would like me to improve.

Lucca isn't your associate.

She is the firm's associate.

I understand.

She caught the Howell
case with me, so I thought

the associate that caught
the case stays with the case.

Sometimes.

If the partners agree.

I see.

I'm sorry. I should have checked
with you first. Anything else?

Lucca needs to know that she
is answerable to the firm,

and not just to you.

And that's why you have
her on the Dipple case?

No. I have her on the Dipple case

because we needed an
associate on the Dipple case.

Diane,

I'm thrilled to be back.

I want to be of service.

But I also return with

some cases, clients and knowledge.

You mean, in bond court?

Yes,

I do mean in bond court.

Lucca is good.

She's smart and forward-leaning

and a prodigy.

And with respect,

she shouldn't be given grunt work.

Your advice is welcome.

The partners will consider it.

Thank you.

Anything else?

No, you can go.

Hypothetical, Mr. Gross.

Suppose I knew where
the Foil prototype was.

Melodramatic opening,

but I'm listening.

If I could convince my client to return it,

would you convince TAPS
to drop the charges?

I would on the condition

that he also tell me exactly how he got it.

- No.
- Then we have nothing

to hypothetically negotiate.

Dudewitz is right about you.

You think you're so indispensable

to the fabric of modern society

that you've even bought
your own a police force

to do your dirty work under color of law.

Goliath stomping David, right?

You know what these TAPS
agents are, Mrs. Florrick?

They are heroes.

Really?

And why is that, Mr. Gross?

Because the Goliaths are the new Davids.

The model of scruffy
kids toiling in a garage

is a quaint anachronism.

This isn't 1953, 1973 or even 2003.

The great innovations today

are coming out of
corporate labs, not garages.

Everyone thinks Goliath is the villain,

but the truth is that today,

more often than not, he is a victim.

And he needs protection.

Objection. Relevance, not
to mention self-aggrandizing.

Let's get back to
probable cause, Ms. Gades.

Uh, Harris...

they're back.

I have another call in, Your Honor.

Well, they seem to be getting bigger.

Your Honor, may I continue?

- Go for it.
- Was the leak of the Foil

a marketing stunt, as
Anthony Dudewitz alleges?

Hmm. Anthony's currency
is, um, conspiracy theories.

They make for fun segments
on Discovery Channel,

but they don't comport with reality.

No. No, this was not a marketing stunt.

But this incident has garnered

publicity for the Foil, has it not?

I can generate publicity

in a million different ways.

I'm a carnival barker, remember?

No, I would never leak the Foil

for one simple reason.

I don't launch defective products.

- What is he talking about?
- I don't know.

Are you saying the product is defective?

Yes, in its current state.

The... the swipe function
has a rebound effect.

It's barely visible, but it's
enough to keep me up at night.

And even Anthony Dudewitz can tell you,

I would never use a stunt to leak a product

that is not perfect.

Thank you, sir.

- Mr. Gross...
- That's okay, Mrs. Florrick.

I've heard enough.

What? I'd like to cross.

Mr. Gross has convinced me

that this wasn't a marketing stunt.

Uh, there.

- I saved you your cross.
- Your Honor...

This is a preliminary
hearing, Mrs. Florrick,

not a trial. You can revisit it then

if you can't come up with something better.

I'm entering a finding of probable cause.

We'll set trial for six months from now.

You're wasting your time with Ruth Eastman.

Am I now?

I've worked with dozens
of political operatives,

and Ruth is as upstanding as they come.

I'm surprised.

- That Ruth's legit?
- No.

That you'd defend her after she

pushed you out of Governor
Florrick's campaign.

Well, you know.

Bygones.

Hmm. From what I heard,
that wound up putting you

on the outs with the
entire Florrick family.

What do you want to know,

Agent Hlavin

or Devereaux? Hmm?

Instead of poking around with Ruth Eastman

and God knows who else,
why don't you just ask me?

- What do you want?
- You'll find out soon enough.

There's a limit to how
long you can play this game

before investigation

turns into intimidation.

Are you threatening me?

No, never.

- Just observing.
- Be careful, Eli.

I have the full resources of the FBI

and the Justice Department
behind me on this,

and we always get what we're after.

Hey.

I heard about the hearing. I'm sorry.

Yeah, looks like we're
headed towards a summer trial.

Well, on the upside, Howell
can at least make bail.

He doesn't have $250,000.

He will now.

That tech blog site, Gadgy,

just upped their bid to $250,000.

Alicia?

Please tell me you haven't
been negotiating with Gadgy.

I'm sorry, I haven't what?

Gadgy just offered Howell $250,000,

which means someone has
been talking to them,

and it sure as hell couldn't have been him.

And you think it was me?

Well, you've been hell-bent on
proving Cary and Diane wrong.

You can't dig in on
principle at a firm like this.

I know that coming here
wasn't your first choice...

believe me, it wasn't mine...

but our hand was forced.

I think I found your guilty party.

Or more accurately,

419,000 guilty parties.

Wait a minute.

With all those followers,

I think there's another way to go.

- It's Peter.
- You sure?

They don't bring the
full resources of the FBI

and the Justice
Department against just anyone.

They're trying to bring
down another governor.

Which issue specifically?

I don't know.

You know what it's like.

The longer you're in office,
the more things there are

that are papered over, put away,

- massaged.
- Yes,

but in my experience,

if you think back through all of the issues

and figure which one
you never kept a file on,

never took a note about,
never admitted to anyone...

that's the one.

You know...

you were right.

- 'Bout what?
- Returning home after losing

a presidential bid, Peter
had a target on his back...

and someone's going to take a shot at him.

Every time.

Good luck, Eli.

All rise!

So Christo seems to have been at work here.

No.

Pete from Maintenance.

Ah.

So he didn't want to tent me, too?

No. He thinks this will do it.

Great.

Well.

It's a real improvement here.

So, we seem to have a new defense here

we're trying, counselor?

Well, not new.

But true.

Mr. Howell is a journalist.

Really?!

- When did this happen?
- A citizen journalist.

Mr. Howell is therefore
entitled to protect the identity

of the person from whom
he obtained the Foil

and to do as he pleases with the device.

Mr. Howell is not a journalist.

He's a look-at-me with a smartphone.

His tweet about the Foil

falls within the definition of journalism.

He shared information in a public forum,

information he analyzed...

With five exclamation points?

That does not qualify as analysis.

And his post sparked public debate

about whether the Foil
would succeed or fail.

This so-called debate includes
an emoji of a flaming poop.

Well, it's not as though
he tweeted a picture

of his johnson, Ms. Gades.

There's public interest in the Foil,

and his tweets added
to the public discourse,

uh, flaming poops notwithstanding.

This court therefore
considers the defendant...

a journalist.

Go free and go crazy, Mr. Howell.

The journalism angle you
came up with was a home run.

- Nice job.
- Thank you.

Now I need you on something else.

What?

So here we are.

Yep.

Do you know any spirituals?

Ruth?

What a nice surprise.

I was in town, figured I'd bring you

a little office-warming present.

El Audaz.

It means "the bold."

That strong, huh?

You'll see.

Well, there is no time like the present.

Rough day?

It was a bumpy reentry.

Yes, I was surprised.

I thought you reveled in your independence.

Big decisions are easy when
you have no other options.

Oh, you weren't kidding.

Never about tequila.

So, what are you up to now?

Couple governor races.

But coming off a presidential,
these statewides seem so simple.

I bet.

Mrs. Florrick, I don't want
you to get too comfortable.

You... What do you mean?

Your husband has a target on his back.

Well, anyone in public life does.

No, but not like this.

No question Peter loves you,

but he can hurt you.

Drag you down.

Not only destroy everything you've done,

but everything you want to do.

Cash out while you still can.