photo: cbs
Ham Sandwich
Original Air Date: Mar 22, 2011
Patricia Morris Buckley – Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com
Who would have predicted that this episode would turn out to be such a game changer? Man, I felt like a tornado had knocked me sideways about two miles during the last five minutes of the show. The whole experience has left me bruised, shocked and so, so eager to see the next episode.
Normally the cases don’t have as much to do with the character’s relations as they did in “Ham Sandwich” (the title comes from the idea that Chicago’s state’s attorney will indict anything, including a ham sandwich).
My favorite dialogue is reprinted here for your amusement:
Kalinda: Ever get the feeling that something bad is coming?
Alicia: All the time.
At first it seems that something bad is Kalinda getting indicted by the grand jury. Blake is testifying against her. Hasn’t anyone noticed that he’s not the most impartial of witnesses? Kalinda asks Alicia to defend her and Alicia advises her to clam up. Which Kalinda does until she realizes that the jury isn’t targeting her — its’ targeting the firm. Childs then offers to take jail time off the table if she testifies against the firm. Her reaction? Basically a verbal middle finger.
Meanwhile, the firm is also representing drug lord LeMond Bishop in his divorce, as the firm tries to retain his business after Derrick’s ouster. At first it appears LeMond loves his wife and is serious about trying to get back together. It turns out to be more about keeping his assets, although it’s believable that he really does love his son. But it’s a little too convenient that his wife ends up dead of a drug overdose after being sober for 10 years. Seriously, if I was Alicia, I would consider him the client from hell, as in being the devil himself.
After Kalinda frames Blake for having an affair with LeMond’s wife, he skips town. But Will tracks him down and Blake threatens to tell a little secret from Will’s past. Seems that Will stole something a long time ago, but feels he’s repaid the debt. Doesn’t look as if we’ll find out what he stole for a while. Grrrr…
At home, Grace figures out that Eli’s campaign strategy is targeting upper-class whites, which is why he turns his back on Pastor Isaiah and Zach’s black girlfriend. Alicia is not happy and calls Eli on it, but I’m not sure it really changed anything. Eli will practically do anything to win. And while that makes for interesting entertainment, it’s rarely the moral thing to do.
Kalinda also meets with Blake and Blake announces he’s figured out her past — that she changed her name with Peter’s help. As repayment, Kalinda slept with Alicia’s man. Oops, that’s not going to be great for their friendship! And you can bet it won’t be long before she finds out. Ouch! In a bit of foreshadowing, Alicia mentions to Kalinda that all her friends before Peter’s fall from grace have deserted her. Which leaves her with Kalinda. Once again, it looks as if Alicia is going to get betrayed by someone near and dear to her.
Did your opinion of Kalinda change after hearing about her sex romp with Peter? Wonder what Will stole? How long to do you think it will be before Alicia finds out about Kalinda and Peter? Give us your TwoCents…
TheTwoCents 
Not only is Bishop a drug dealer, but a murderer? Will that even be brought up in upcoming episodes?
I didn’t see Blake too distraught over any deaths.
Kalinda and Peter.. woah. I don’t know why I didn’t see that coming. Peter doesn’t seem her “type”. Alicia and Will have zero chemistry, so I hope they don’t go there.
I love Eli. Alan Cumming makes me smile all the time he is on the screen.
Great review for a spectacular show.
I think Bishop will get some sort of judgment. Won’t it be sweet? I also adore Alan Cumming. Eli is so bad, but seems to have some good at his core, which makes him so interesting. And in the hands of an ace actor like Alan, it all works.
Disagree with you on Will and Alicia– I think they have chemistry. But I love Mr. Big – I mean Chris Noth, so I’m leaning in that direction…
I’m curious as to who Bishop’s wife was having an affair with-was it her lawyer?
Go Alicia for calling out Eli! I love Alan Cumming-what will happen to his character after the election?
Not sure how fond I am of Grace and the Mustard Seeds. They seem to be an angry group, which can do more harm than good.
Kalinda and Peter-holy crap!! I like Kalinda and Alicia’s relationship…I’m not liking this latest development At. All.
I really love this show-I’m so glad I decided to give it a chance when it first premiered!!
I think it was clear that she was sleeping with her lawyer. He was a teary mess after her death. But the issue was clouded by Kalinda setting Blake up as the one she was stepping out on.
I agree with you about Grace. That’s going to come to no good end. I love how the show sets up things that won’t pay off until far, far down the road.
Yeah, can’t see Peter and Kalinda together, but I do think it was just sex.
Reckon Kalinda will end up killing Blake(real or metaph)She’s very smart, street and otherwise. Probably with a baseball bat.