I began watching this show simply because I like the actress who plays the lead character: Julianna Margulies. Some of you will remember her from ER. I remember her from a short-lived show called Canterbury’s Law. She has not disappointed me in this new show. I’m a fan.
In this series Ms. Margulies plays Alicia Florrick, a wife and a mom who is compelled to go back to work as an attorney after her husband, played by Chris Noth, is brought down by a very public sex and corruption scandal. Here’s the rest of the synopsis (from CBS):
Pushing aside the betrayal and public humiliation, Alicia Florrick starts over by pursuing her original career as a defense attorney. As a junior associate at a prestigious Chicago law firm, she joins her longtime friend, former law school classmate and firm partner Will Gardner (Josh Charles), who is interested to see how Alicia will perform after 13 years out of the courtroom.
Alicia is grateful the firm’s top litigator, Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski), offers to mentor her but discovers the offer has conditions and realizes she’s going to need to succeed on her own merit. Alicia also finds an ally in Kalinda (Archie Panjabi), the firm’s tough in-house investigator.
Gaining confidence every day, Alicia transforms herself from embarrassed politician’s scorned wife to resilient career woman, especially for the sake of providing a stable home for her children, 14-year-old Zach and 13-year-old Grace. For the first time in years, Alicia trades in her identity as the “good wife” and takes charge of her own destiny.
Each episode finds Alicia dealing with some situation with her husband, who (so far) is still in jail. She is especially good with her teenage children. But she really shines as a new defense attorney. She digs deep to solve usually hopeless cases. I also like her when she teams up with Kalinda, the tough in-house detective. The women in this story are intelligent, strong, yet vulnerable in a nice way.
The Good Wife is my favorite new show of the season. I almost hate to say that out loud because the shows that I really like have a habit of getting canceled. If you haven’t discovered it yet, it’s on Tuesday night at 10/9 on CBS. Here’s the preview for the show with cast member discussions.
What do you think? Are you a fan of the show?
I haven’t watched this one but I have heard of it. I love it when I can find a good series featuring an actor I really like. Let’s hope it’s around for a long time for you. Nothing like investing in a show only to have it cancelled.
I haven’t watched this show or heard of it, but then again, I watch very little TV. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.
I’ve been wanting to watch this because of the lead actress but it’s on too late and our VCR had died. Now we have a new DVR from DirecTV and I’m recording it tonight for the first time. Glad to know you like it. I’m sure we will too.
Hi Margot, Happy New Year!
I’m back from the land of frozen bloggers, and ready to get back to a regular schedule.
Interesting to hear about this new TV show. We’re only watching a few TV shows, and they are almost all on DVD. And starting tomorrow, I’m doing with the UCLA Extension program for TV writing, starting with a course on 1-hour dramas.
And I’ll be posting the January screenplays this week as well. I’m in arrears on a couple of screenplay/movie posts – I’ll need to get those up soon, too.
Hope all is well!
Michael
I did watch a few early on, and really liked Kalinda (I think she was in Bend it Like Beckham – one of my fave movies). I liked the character of Alicia, but… I just couldn’t stand it that she didn’t forget that husband, leave him in the dust(!), stop having anything to do with him. He is such a slimeball. I wanted her to move forward without him in her life.
Whew – ask me how I really feel :<)
I have not watched this. For me I just couldnt get into another series that I knew I was going to miss the majority of because of Tax season and not being able to watch any TV for four months. Maybe when they get a few seasons on DVD I will pick them up and check them out.
I haven’t watched it either. But it looks like it comes on past my bedtime! :–)
I haven’t seen this one, mainly because I get so annoyed with real politicians that I don’t want to hear any more about them. But I do love Julianne. And I know what you mean about cancelled shows. Lots of my favorites only make it 1 or 2 seasons too.
Hi Margot. I don’t think I’ve told you that I love what you’ve done to the place — the redesign. You worked hard during that blogiesta; I am impressed. Lately, I’ve been on after 10 p.m. when my head is full of cotton, so for the most part have just been reading and not commenting or blogging much.)
I haven’t seen this one (I don’t watch much TV these days, but I do enjoy The Office and 30 Rock). Yes, I remember Julianna Margulies from ER! We watched that until about the last 2 years of the show, when all our favorites had gone off to other jobs (or met unfortunate ends).
I hope this one stays on the air!
I haven’t heard of this one but I like her too…will have to try to catch up with it!
I love this show too. I started watching it because I liked the actress and the producers. It’s a great series. Loved your thoughts.
I thought I wouldn’t like it, with many of its built in assumptions about women, marriage, and re-entering the “working-world” after kids, but JM is really great! They play with a lot of good interpersonal dynamics that I actually enjoy. It is a bit late, now that I have to get up early AND be fresh… but sometimes I will make that sacrifice. Thanks for sharing this post.
p.s. does kaye have the BEST “monster” picture, or what?
I’ve watched this show but didn’t really like it. I guess I’m old and old fashion but I like less “he did her while she was married to him while him was doing other him”
Give me shows like Bones were you see rotten body parts and a hunky guy. I live in Alabama, I write children books and I have wonderful grandbabies too.
We mainly watch tv series on DVD (we decided long ago not to get cable or satellite) – this sounds like an interesting one to try out when it comes out on DVD.
Thank you for the really informative site