The Good Wife Review

The Good Wife is CBS’ new legal drama featuring Julianna Margulies as the wife of State Attorney, Peter Florrick (played by Chris Noth). Continuing the tradition of politicians being rather dodgy characters, he has his own political and sexual scandal, humiliating his wife and family and landing in prison. Thirteen years after leaving the courtroom and supporting her husband’s career, Alicia Florrick re-enters the workforce, starting as a junior associate at her longtime friend’s prominent Chicago law firm. She must fight to show she has what it takes to swim with the sharks and that she is more than just a politician’s jilted wife.

I’m not a big fan of the legal drama. The courtroom fodder and excessive use of legalese always reminded me of a classroom. I could hear the words coming out of the professor’s mouth-but it never interested me enough to absorb anything. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed every minute of this show. Julianna Marguiles portrayal of Alicia Floorick, was a big part of that love. Marguiles has a hard job to do, she has to play a humiliated woman, but not come across as a victim. She has to be likable to the audience, someone we want to root for and she does this in spades.

Okay enough of the Julianna love, there were other characters that rounded off this great new series. Christine Baranski portrays Diane Lockhart, a partner in the firm, who likes to think of herself as a fighter in the woman’s movement (“men can be lazy, woman can’t”). As Alicia starts breaking through her case, discovering new evidence (with a helpful hint from her prison-bound husband), Diane’s attitude quickly changes. I expect the claws will definitely come out as these two continue working together. Matt Czuchry, plays Cary Agos, another junior associate, who views the workplace as competition, especially since he and Alicia are vying for the same spot. I think a well placed kick in the pants is due for this ego-driven lawyer. Finally, it seems the designated sidekick role has gone to Archie Panjabi, who plays Kalinda, the firm’s in-house investigator. She’s a feisty one, and I’m hoping that isn’t all she is, because they can get quite boring after awhile. And on a personal note, I’d just like to express my glee at the fact that Grams from Dawson’s Creek, is playing Alicia’s over-bearing, critical mother-in-law. Maybe she’ll learn a little bit of humility like Grams did on the Creek.

All in all, I think audiences will love this drama. It’s not only a legal drama, but also part investigative procedural. Fans of Law and Order and The Practice will surely find a home here. The only problem I can see is it’s time slot, ten o’clock is rough for any show, especially a newbie. But, it did draw in 13.7 million viewers last night and it’s looking to be the best new show in that slot so far, so maybe there’s hope.