Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife
The Good Wife on CBS wasn’t on my original lineup of shows to watch, but my sis told me to check it out. The show stars Julianna Margulies (from ER) as Alicia Florrick, the wife of politician Peter Florrick (played by Sex and the City’s Chris Noth) who was recently arrested for spending government money on prostitutes. Alicia hasn’t been a courtroom for at least thirteen years, but while Peter is in jail, Alicia gets a job as the junior associate at a her former classmate’s law firm.
At it’s heart, this show is a courtroom-based drama, and as such episode one centers around a seemingly hopeless pro-bono case that Alicia is assigned to on her first day at the job (surprise! she wins the case!). However, this show shines by showing us how Alicia must struggle to rebuild her long-delayed career in the face of her public humiliation. It seems everyone hates Peter Florrick and Alicia must figure out a way to separate herself from her husband’s reputation. Julianna Margulies is brilliant in this role, showing us a smart, strong woman who stands by her man publicly, but hasn’t forgiven him. She is driven to succeed in her career, but wants to be a great mother to her children as well.
Final Verdict: Not another boring law drama. Definitely check this one out.