Yes. Same here. I really liked 315. It was a very promising episode, imo. I’m very excited about Alicia and Kalinda teaming up once again, and Eli jumping on that delicious mess, a.k.a. Vanessa’s campaign.
Judge Abernathy’s return was a crowning touch to me but I’ve always had an immense love for the guy. This time the writers ventured pretty close to turning him into a caricature, but then he made a 180 degree turn and showed Viola Walsh (and everybody else) why he had the gavel in that room, which effectively shut her up. It nicely counterbalanced his goofy moments. All in all, I really, really enjoyed his scenes.
I felt for Will and loved how he owned up to his mistake. I’m really curious how the writers will handle his storyline now that he’s been pushed out of his well-established role. They kinda did the same with Eli after Peter won the election. That hasn’t worked out quite as well as I hoped it would, but after this episode and him becoming a consultant on Vanessa’s campaign, I’m getting kinda optimistic. I think it’s a good direction both story- and character-wise. I think his character has become a little “weightless” and lost this season, and on top of that we got this trainwreck with Stacie, which isn’t exactly a consolation. I still think she’s the single most annoying character on the show, surpassing even Tammy. But Eli’s “okay, thanks, now go away” attitude gives me some hope.
I think Eli’s very lonely, and if we look at the scenes he’s had so far, that loneliness and his struggle to overcome it seem to be his “theme” this season. He’s drifting, searching, the way he was wandering the office hallways in one episode, trying to be “friendly.” He was kinda-sorta trying to connect with Stacie but he’s only managed to satisfy a physical impulse, which is clearly not enough and he even seems to regret it now. But there’s nothing more to be gained from that “relationship” so now he’s (a little desperately) trying to re-connect with Vanessa to unearth some fragments of that strong emotional tie they once shared. It’s easier to fall back on an old, familiar dynamic than to establish a new one, especially if you’re Eli Gold. I don’t think it will be his ultimate solution but to quote Vanessa, “Win or lose, this will be nice.” :)
