The Good Wife, Review
CBS’s New Hit Show
Given the recent spate of cheating politicians, The Good Wife brings a timely portrayal not of the slimy politician but the disgraced wife. After her husband, Peter Florrick (Chris Noth) Illinois state’s attorney, is jailed after an affair and misuse of state funds, the “good wife” Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) suits-up and goes back to work as a junior associate at a Chicago firm. But the work place isn’t the welcoming place for this “comeback mom” who played politician’s wife for the last 13 years. Between the courtroom and her own life, the show creates a balance between your typical legal show and a character-driven drama.
Women Helping Women in The Good Wife
Following in the footsteps of shows like Bones and even Law and Order, The Good Wife, brings a new case in each episode, while the struggles of Alicia and her family continue to develop throughout the season. In the first two episodes, Alicia’s cases have been defending women. In each episode, Alicia recognizes the bias against these women and finds a way to help them win their cases. Alicia’s own struggles as a woman in the work place allow her to identify with and help her clients. For this reason, many are hailing the show as a refreshing look at the ways in which modern women still struggle for complete equality.
Julianna Margulies Leads an Excellent Cast
Julianna Margulies, who won an Emmy for her role as Nurse Carol Hathaway on “ER,” leads a so good it is, in the words of creator Robert King, “an embarrassment of riches.” Chris Noth of “Sex and the City” fame plays plays the bad husband to Margulies good wife, the handsome face of political infidelity. The show’s creators describe Peter Florrick as a Bill Clinton-type figure, “you’re never sure what they’re doing for the betterment of mankind, and what they’re doing for themselves.” Archie Panjabi brings punch and sass to the show as a young lawyer who uses her sex appeal to ply witnesses and gather evidence. Finally, acclaimed Christine Baranksi brings her strong presence and delightful skills as a senior female lawyer who feels challenged by Alicia’s presence.
Political Scandals and Working Moms; The Good Wife Asks the Hard Questions
“When I get out, it will all go back to normal,” Peter assures Alicia when she visits her husband in prison. “Nothing will ever go back to normal,” responds Alicia. The Good Wife examines the most real and devastating aspects of public scandals: how does a family recover after the cameras stop flashing? Spectators watch the tearful confessions of politicians like New York governor Elliot Spitzer or South Carolina governor Mark Sanford; for the families, these public apologies are only the beginning. This is where The Good Wife begins.
The Creators, Robert and Michelle King
The show’s creators, Robert and Michelle King, sat down with CBS to discuss their show (the interview is on cbs.com). Referencing Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, Robert and Michelle discuss their desire to explore women’s relationship to family and the workplace. Christine Baranski’s character chose to work her way to the top, and this meant forgoing family life. Julianna Margulies plays a woman whose career came in second to being a wife and mother. What will Margulies’ teen daughter feel about her own future?
Full of big themes and juicy drama, The Good Wife is drawing good reviews ("hands-down the best new drama of the season"- LA Times) and faithful fans.If you’re schedule is free Tuesday nights at 10/9 central, then tune in to CBS for this highly recommended new show.
The Good Wife - screen snapshot
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