Fleas (The Good Wife)

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Fleas is the sixteenth episode of The Good Wife’s first season. It aired on March 9, 2010, and was written by Amanda Segel and directed by Rosemary Rodriguez. Alan Cumming returns as Eli Gold, a sharp political operative, and Ana Gasteyer appears as Judge Patrice Lessner.

Plot in simple terms:
- The law firm Stern, Lockhart & Gardner defends Eric Dorfman, an attorney accused of murder. The charge says Dorfman gave a federal witness list to his drug kingpin client, who then caused the witness’s death.
- The firm is in money trouble, so Diane and Will consider hiring a new partner to keep the business afloat. They worry about ethics if Dorfman can’t pay.
- Alicia and Will clash with Will’s idea to drop Dorfman to protect the firm’s finances. Will decides to stay on the case after a fight with a federal prosecutor.
- Alicia and Peter’s marriage is strained. Peter is jealous of Alicia’s relationship with Will, and Alicia must defend her loyalty.
- A separate drama unfolds at home. An anonymous Twitter user called Upriser7 is posting harsh things about Alicia. Alicia wonders who is behind it.
- Eli Gold learns Upriser7 is coming from inside Alicia’s own family. He confronts Zach’s girlfriend Becca at school and pressures her to stop the posts.
- At the same time, Dorfman’s daughter Tammy gave the witness list to Bishop to win her father’s favor. Bishop then has his bodyguard confess to murder, and Dorfman’s case falls apart.
- Bishop tries to control the situation by dropping Stern, Lockhart & Gardner and prefers Dorfman. The firm then looks for a new partner with a strong client list.

Ending and themes:
- Becca is involved in the Twitter drama, and it ends with Becca and Zach deciding to be together, while the missing condoms from Alicia’s room add tension.
- The episode highlights how Twitter and gossip can influence public perception, and how the recession and cutbacks affect a big law firm.

Reception:
- Some critics found the episode solid for its courtroom drama and timely social media angle, with particular praise for the Eli Gold–Becca confrontation scene.

Notes:
- The title Fleas comes from a line where a prosecutor accuses Will of being complicit with criminals he defends: “You wake up with fleas, counselor.”