The Good Wife

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2009
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 252 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 239 out of 252
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 252
  3. Negative: 7 out of 252
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User Reviews

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  1. kevinb.
    Oct 20, 2009
    10
    Intoxicating series.
  2. monaLUVSjosh
    Feb 7, 2011
    10
    Love, love, LOVE this show! There aren't many scripted dramas on network television that were worth watching, until The Good Wife showed up last year. I record the show every week and recommend it to anyone who will listen!
  3. ClaireD.
    Sep 26, 2009
    9
    Off to a good start. This show has the potential to go beyond its ripped from the headlines premise to become a really satisfying show. Julianna Margulies is perfect in the role.
  4. AJR.
    Sep 28, 2009
    9
    Best of the new season, so far.
  5. WillN
    Dec 1, 2009
    10
    Considering the wealth of retried formulas and overwrought reality TV, this show is a breath of fresh air. Actors are given a good script and a chance to act. Bravo to Julianna on an outstanding week to week performance, kudos to the rest of the cast as well.
  6. Tony
    Feb 2, 2011
    10
    What could have been another standard network procedural is actually a fascinating and intelligent show about much more than a lawyer. Margulies, Charles, Baranski, and Panjabi are absolutely flawless in their roles, and the serialized drama is to die for. This is the best drama on network television.
  7. aletheia
    Dec 20, 2010
    10
    Excellent series, combining courtroom drama, crime stories, politics & social commentaries that are very relevant to today's era, plus romance subplots that are done in mature way. Great cast, and classy storytelling, never trashy. I didn't expect it to be so good in the first place, but ended up being entirely hooked.
  8. wanderlust8
    Mar 12, 2011
    10
    Great show. I really love the way it deals with current issues and events head on. The characters are interesting and show a great deal of depth to be explored over the course of multiple seasons.
  9. TraciA
    Oct 10, 2009
    10
    I am definitely hooked. Julianna plays her character very well. Any drama show, that has you chuckling, is a good show.
  10. FriedaW.
    Oct 5, 2009
    10
    This show is excellent. I wouldn't miss it.
  11. philipw.
    Oct 8, 2009
    8
    This is a better than average prime time (not cable) series. It's good to get Margullies back, with her minimal affect and her classy look. At worst it's an average court room drama series, and the court room stuff is rather weak and unrealistic, and at best it's a well written soap opera about a wronged wife who is trying to make it on her own in spite of not knowing quite This is a better than average prime time (not cable) series. It's good to get Margullies back, with her minimal affect and her classy look. At worst it's an average court room drama series, and the court room stuff is rather weak and unrealistic, and at best it's a well written soap opera about a wronged wife who is trying to make it on her own in spite of not knowing quite what to do with erring husband Noth, who I hope will be out of prison soon so he can be the real pain in the ass he has the potential to be.… Expand
  12. StanS
    Nov 20, 2009
    10
    I hope that it maintains the high standard set so far. It is great to see Peter Riegert rose from Delta House to court judge.
  13. VirgieP
    Nov 4, 2009
    10
    Juliana Margolies is brilliant. She really knows the subtleties of acting. No chewing up the scenery for her, rather understated, nuanced acting. Bravo!!
  14. Lisa
    Oct 16, 2009
    6
    The legal plots are all "Been there, seen that" and therefore are rather boring. It's a shame that interesting characters are not given much interesting material. Scenes here and there are outstanding, but if this series is just going to be "case of the week" on a regular basis, what a terrible shame.
  15. Jennifer
    Oct 28, 2009
    8
    I watch this show every week. It is pretty good and interesting enough. It is however, every other legal show that has ever been on TV. The only difference is the main characters personal life and how she is coping with it and balancing the return to her career as a lawyer.
  16. MeiB.
    Sep 22, 2009
    9
    I'm hooked, enjoyed the pilot immensely. A clever way to introduce her character, thought it was very well-written. Julianna did a great job making Alicia so believable in such a typically awkward, stressful situation that many of us can relate to on a human level.
  17. Annoula
    Dec 31, 2011
    10
    This is my gift to all of those who have done their best and contributed in such a great way in order to produce 'the good wife'.TGW deserves to be awarded all the time.It combins everything someone looks for in a legal drama which is mystery,romance,real corruption and last but not least seriousness.the finale was the best of all and it really made me wonder what will happen next!
  18. DanniBoi
    Oct 5, 2015
    10
    It is what is to be expected and even more, with new characters in it and awesome plot twist soon to be reveal and expected. Like to experience once more the start of Alice in this way and now the battle between what it is going to be a fun ride.

    #TeamEli
  19. truerock
    Apr 29, 2020
    9
    The character development is gradually coming together. My wife has to keep explaining to me why certain characters do or say various things. Perhaps this is not a guy show or it is just me - regardless... i'm hooked and love the series.
  20. TVCritical
    Jan 30, 2012
    8
    There is an enigmatic nature to this show that makes it subtlely different and very different. This show is very watchable and that watchability probably comes forth due to the unique execution of dialouge and the full character based nature of the dialouge that's filled with a lot of depth and the use of body language, body movement, and facial expressions in the show.
  21. jwaggon
    Sep 26, 2010
    8
    Julianna Margulies is amazing! I love the ongoing storyline but I don't enjoy having to watch boring court cases mixed in. I love the characters and the drama between them.
  22. Kaizoku2793
    Feb 13, 2011
    7
    The drama between Julianna Margulies' and Chris Noth's character adds an interesting premise to an overdone plot. The politics is the shows strong point.
  23. WeddingPhotog
    Nov 18, 2010
    10
    Such a well written show! I'm not a fan of Julianna but her acting here is superb. Chris Noth plays his character so well. I look forward to watching every episode. I'm glad they're showing this show on a weekly basis. Not like the first season where some weeks gone by without am episode shown.
  24. drlowdon
    Mar 23, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. After the first few episodes I was concerned that The Good Wife was going to be little more than another procedural drama in which the "case of the week" was neatly wrapped up before the end credits rolled. Anchored by a superb lead performance from Julianna Margulies, and supported by a cast of well written characters, it soon revealed itself to be far more interesting than that however.

    Admittedly a few episodes do rely on coincidences or leaps of logic to wrap up the cases in time but the exploration of the moral issues of defending potentially guilty clients, and the fact the protagonists don't always win, help raise the procedural elements of the show above many other legal dramas. On top of the cases of the week you also have the issue regarding Alicia Florrick's (Margulies) district attorney husband and his ongoing corruption/sex scandal that adds another element to the show.

    Now for season two!    … Expand
  25. Lolcano
    Feb 5, 2012
    9
    SOME HIGH SCORES HERE! Well look, I won't merely add to the chorus: this series is very good. In fact the second series is the best thing on television in 2011 - hands down. It demands some time from the viewer to work out what's what and who's who, but between a deft appreciation of court life, corporate strategies and an overarching plot concerning political elections and sexual intrigueSOME HIGH SCORES HERE! Well look, I won't merely add to the chorus: this series is very good. In fact the second series is the best thing on television in 2011 - hands down. It demands some time from the viewer to work out what's what and who's who, but between a deft appreciation of court life, corporate strategies and an overarching plot concerning political elections and sexual intrigue there is so much to offer! Excellent acting, directing, writing and editing. HOWEVER: series 1 is somewhat pedestrian and dull and series 3 is nowhere near as good as series 2 (in fact the opening episode was laughably bad). I don't think that the series will have more to say... but what it has had to say so far is certainly worth listening to!… Expand
  26. AJ21
    Apr 28, 2012
    10
    Love it! Week after week the story line, characters and acting continue to rivet me to this show. May The Good Wife have a long life! It's not often that network tv produces edgy drama so let's relish it while we can.
  27. rachiebabie
    Sep 27, 2013
    9
    Excellent writing and acting. Great character development. I typically tend to hate procedural show,s but the characters are so compelling, and depicted so realistically that it is addicting. And to think, I would have never watched this series had I not been sick...I guess in this case my stomach flu was a blessing? I guess we'll find out in the future seasons.....
  28. TheTrevmeister
    Aug 10, 2012
    10
    The best law show ever and one of the best shows on TV. Dynamic and likeable characters. Realistic events. Great acting. Good directing. Slight hidden humour. Need I go on?
  29. tomizawa
    Mar 7, 2015
    10
    I heard about this show because my parents used to watch it all the time. I thought it'd be boring. Boy, was I wrong. After watching the first episode, I had to catch up to the show. The directors and writers of this show are real craftsmen, and so are the actors. Cinematographic quality and detail as well as the speed on a TV show are what make this show so addictive. It's more than a TVI heard about this show because my parents used to watch it all the time. I thought it'd be boring. Boy, was I wrong. After watching the first episode, I had to catch up to the show. The directors and writers of this show are real craftsmen, and so are the actors. Cinematographic quality and detail as well as the speed on a TV show are what make this show so addictive. It's more than a TV show; it's an experience.… Expand
  30. bobster
    Apr 26, 2013
    10
    Best show on TV. THE BEST!!!!! Great writing. Great acting!!!! I watch this every week. So much different than other crime/legal series. I hope it stays
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Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best TV Season of 2009
26
#26 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
7
#7 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    70
    Slightly harder-edged than "Amy," but just as estrogen-fueled, the best-timed show of the new season is a combination of the crime-centered procedurals CBS favors and a drama about the kind of family most of us have speculated about at one time or another.
    Read full review
  2. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    80
    Of course she cracks the fascinating weekly case, but it will be her continued efforts to make it again in the world of work, now that she's so old and doddering, and deal with her family, that will make The Good Wife worth watching week after week.
    Read full review
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    80
    CBS's The Good Wife is both a well-written legal drama and a terrific showcase for actress Julianna Margulies, who elevates the already-good material with her perceptive, open performance.
    Read full review
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