The Decision Tree

The Decision Tree
Season	5
Episode	10
Original Airdate	December 1, 2013
U.S. Viewers	10.42 million
Writer	Robert & Michelle King
Director	Rosemary Rodriguez
Previous	"Whack-a-Mole"
Next	"Goliath and David"

"The Decision Tree" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of The Good Wife and the hundredth episode overall. It has aired by CBS on December 1, 2013. It was written by Robert and Michelle King and was directed by Rosemary Rodriguez.

Summary

Alicia, on the verge of finalizing her exit from LG, discovers that she has been bequeathed millions of dollars by an eccentric and now-deceased client, Matthew Ashbaugh portrayed by John Noble. His surviving wife however, contesting the bequest, hires LG to contest the will. Meanwhile Florrick/Agos, having received few RSVPs to their Christmas party, ask Alicia to invite her husband. Eli, who realizes certain undesirable clients might be in attendance, tries to stop Peter from attending. Kalinda, busy investigating LG's newest lawyer, ends up getting arrested. Meanwhile, in the case regarding Alicia's bequest, Clarke Hayden makes his debut at court. The case also dredges up passionate emotions for Will, who now questions how genuine Alicia's affections were for him when they had an affair.

Cast

Starring Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick Matt Czuchry as Cary Agos Archie Panjabi as Kalinda Sharma Alan Cumming as Eli Gold Josh Charles as Will Gardner Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart Graham Phillips as Zach Florrick Makenzie Vega as Grace Florrick Guest Starring Chris Noth as Peter Florrick Stockard Channing as Veronica Loy Jason O'Mara as Damian Boyle Melissa George as Marilyn Garbanza John Noble as Matthew Ashbaugh Kurt Fuller as Judge Peter Dunaway Jess Weixler as Robyn Burdine Mike Colter as Lemond Bishop Jordana Spiro as Detective Jenna Villette Mary Beth Peil as Jackie Florrick Nathan Lane as Clarke Hayden

Co-Starring Kate Hodge as Lila Ashbaugh Hannah Sorenson as Isabel Leigh Ann Larkin as Paula Gidfar Donna Brazile as Herself Kia Joy Goodwin as Sondra

Background Information

Broadcast

• This episode has aired on December 1, 2013.
• On its hundredth airing this episode attracted 10.42 million viewers.

Trivia

• Zach Grenier do not appear in this episode.
• As suggested by the speedometer in the opening shot, this is the 100th episode.

Goofs, Bloopers & Continuity Errors

• When Alicia first remembers Will's hand on her leg in the meeting with Matthew Ashbaugh in his apartment, her dress is blue, however later when Will remembers his hand on her leg, her dress is red.
• The film makers are making an obvious point to show that two people remember the same incident in different ways. There are two additional scenes in which 1) Alicia remembers the dress as blue and 2) Will remembers the dress as red.