I was disappointed with the final show and hope that you will complete the story in one or two big screen presentations.
1
What the ending made clear to me was that after watching every single episode I couldn't care less about Alicia's future, or what happened to her husband, her kids, Eli, Diane, or anybody else on the show. Her dithering made me wish for an ending similar to that of Hamlet (a play about another ditherer)--with everybody dead, and no chance of a sequel.
5
The series title "The Good Wife" says it all. Alicia could never get past her role as Peter's wife. Never divorced him. He still had access to her apartment. Peter manipulated her at every opportunity for his greater good. She allowed him to treat her as his personal doormat.
On the flipside she professionally leveraged his last name, allowed her colleagues to leverage the Florrick moniker and milked it for what it was worth. When she re-entered the workforce it would have been easy to work under her maiden name but that wouldn't open the same doors.
Good Wife indeed. Until the bitter end.
On the flipside she professionally leveraged his last name, allowed her colleagues to leverage the Florrick moniker and milked it for what it was worth. When she re-entered the workforce it would have been easy to work under her maiden name but that wouldn't open the same doors.
Good Wife indeed. Until the bitter end.
6
Throughout all the years of the show Felicia would fall hard for big, handsome, mixed-up, not entirely available white men with huge needs and significant problems who do both terrible and good things to and for people. Each is drawn and smitten by her brilliance, beauty, vulnerability and proximity to power. Her “uniqueness,” sexism's trump card, is always what is appealed to. But of course it is never enough for her or for them.
But then again someone like me at 72, without much money, no power but maybe the power of their personality, someone not terribly dependable except maybe in a crisis, doesn't have that much to offer either. But it would be a story line some segment of the population would be riveted by.
But then again someone like me at 72, without much money, no power but maybe the power of their personality, someone not terribly dependable except maybe in a crisis, doesn't have that much to offer either. But it would be a story line some segment of the population would be riveted by.
3
I'd watch that show.
If I recall correctly, there was one man of integrity to whom she was drawn - Finn.
If I recall correctly, there was one man of integrity to whom she was drawn - Finn.
4
The end of "The Good Wife" is an excellent depiction of what is a disorganized attachment style. That is, the desire for attachment brings about such high anxiety that the person disconnects quickly form the desire. It can become so seamless that the person never feels the anxiety. The person on the receiving end is usually left feeling confused and wondering what happened when there is no rational explanation for the disconnect.
Alicia pursues unavailable men; when they become available, she backs off. She longs for Will after he's dead. She goes after Jason after he disappears. She stands by the man who can't offer her attachment security.
I am a therapist working with individuals and adults and I find that these attachment disorders are often at the root of couple conflict.
Alicia pursues unavailable men; when they become available, she backs off. She longs for Will after he's dead. She goes after Jason after he disappears. She stands by the man who can't offer her attachment security.
I am a therapist working with individuals and adults and I find that these attachment disorders are often at the root of couple conflict.
9
Throughout the all the years of the show Felicia would fall hard for big, handsome mixed-up, not entirely available white men with huge needs and significant problems who do both terrible and good things to and for people. Each is drawn and smitten by her brilliance, beauty, vulnerability and proximity to power. Her “uniqueness,” sexism's trump card, is what is always appealed to. But of course it is never enough for her or for them.
But then again someone like me at 72, without much money, no power but maybe the power of their personality, someone not terribly dependable except maybe in a crisis doesn't have that much to offer either. But it would be a storyline some segment of the population would be riveted by.
But then again someone like me at 72, without much money, no power but maybe the power of their personality, someone not terribly dependable except maybe in a crisis doesn't have that much to offer either. But it would be a storyline some segment of the population would be riveted by.
2
Arc was indeed both complex (Alicia's growth from naivete) and tragic ("I have become what I beheld")
Consider Cate Blanchett's "Elizabeth". One way to read it is "a good person becomes corrupted"; another is "a naive person grows up and finds her own strength."
Agree that Christine Baranski/Diane was one of the great consistent high points. Christine is a pro, phenomenal actress (that scene where Diane confronts Will for having an affair with Alicia and drawing Peter's ire?)
And I admired the Diane character through the whole series for being smart, savvy, and principled. The scene when she listens with horror when Luca sandbags her husband, then gets up with dignity to leave, excellent.
On Will's 'ghost' returning to Alicia's imagination, made me immediately think of The West Wing, when the ghost of Mrs Landingham talks Bartlett into running for re-election in the middle of a big storm. Like King Lear coming to his senses.
Consider Cate Blanchett's "Elizabeth". One way to read it is "a good person becomes corrupted"; another is "a naive person grows up and finds her own strength."
Agree that Christine Baranski/Diane was one of the great consistent high points. Christine is a pro, phenomenal actress (that scene where Diane confronts Will for having an affair with Alicia and drawing Peter's ire?)
And I admired the Diane character through the whole series for being smart, savvy, and principled. The scene when she listens with horror when Luca sandbags her husband, then gets up with dignity to leave, excellent.
On Will's 'ghost' returning to Alicia's imagination, made me immediately think of The West Wing, when the ghost of Mrs Landingham talks Bartlett into running for re-election in the middle of a big storm. Like King Lear coming to his senses.
6
Alicia and Jason never rang true for me -- he seemed a bit too flakey and self contained to ever be considered a future partner. Alicia seemed to know that as she continuously indicated that she required nothing but sex and had no other motives or expectations. No, Jason, with that bemused half-smile on his face, was too much of a light weight to stick around for a proper good-bye. Alicia showed her true feelings and made a decision about him so she couldn't pick up the phone and tell him she wanted him and not Peter, and that her TV appearance with him was only a public show of affection. She couldn't predict his reaction and give him a thumbs up? Dumb. I will not miss these characters and their immature fumbling through life.
3
.
.
Mike Hale, you may be the luckiest TV writer in the NYT lineup. You recap "The Americans" AND you had the delight of STOPPING your recaps of this show. (That is, unless I missed 21 recaps somehow.)
This series was 5 seasons plus 3-4 terrific episodes in Season 7. Sarah Steel and the campaign guys and David Hyde-Pierce were in another show that was occasionally dropped into the timeslot of this one. Seasons 6 and 7 had next to nothing to do with the series as a whole.
You had to suffer through some of the bad times. But then you got to STOP! And come back for one last episode (unless I missed something). (If you did a recap of the Party episode, please let me know.)
I hope someone does a spinoff of this series. I hope Cary (who could have been the lead on any "quality" series) is in every episode, as an Assistant Law Professor who also has a day job, like some real-life Chicagoans. I hope Marissa Gold is either a student in his class or an employee in his other business when he needs extra hands -- or both, and I hope he's like a big brother to her. And somehow, Veronica and Owen have to be recurring characters. Or Zach!
It can be drama, but much much lighter than The Good Wife. And Stockard Channing could steal scenes, or Sarah Steel could, and the guys will still shine.
But it won't be The Good Wife. Let us give thanks.
(Or Archie Panjabi could play Kalinda in Canada, barely having to break a sweat on her way to awards galore.)
Or maybe a film franchise ...
.
Mike Hale, you may be the luckiest TV writer in the NYT lineup. You recap "The Americans" AND you had the delight of STOPPING your recaps of this show. (That is, unless I missed 21 recaps somehow.)
This series was 5 seasons plus 3-4 terrific episodes in Season 7. Sarah Steel and the campaign guys and David Hyde-Pierce were in another show that was occasionally dropped into the timeslot of this one. Seasons 6 and 7 had next to nothing to do with the series as a whole.
You had to suffer through some of the bad times. But then you got to STOP! And come back for one last episode (unless I missed something). (If you did a recap of the Party episode, please let me know.)
I hope someone does a spinoff of this series. I hope Cary (who could have been the lead on any "quality" series) is in every episode, as an Assistant Law Professor who also has a day job, like some real-life Chicagoans. I hope Marissa Gold is either a student in his class or an employee in his other business when he needs extra hands -- or both, and I hope he's like a big brother to her. And somehow, Veronica and Owen have to be recurring characters. Or Zach!
It can be drama, but much much lighter than The Good Wife. And Stockard Channing could steal scenes, or Sarah Steel could, and the guys will still shine.
But it won't be The Good Wife. Let us give thanks.
(Or Archie Panjabi could play Kalinda in Canada, barely having to break a sweat on her way to awards galore.)
Or maybe a film franchise ...
I trust that the Kings believe that they knew what they were doing, but I think it was reductive to simply bookend the series with slap #1 at the beginning and slap #2 at the end. And it seems ridiculous to equate Alicia with Peter as victim turned victimizer by virtue of the finale's slap. Diane helped to cultivate Alicia's shrewd skills as an attorney, and, at the end, she might have better waged her rage against Kurt. He's the one who had the slap coming. I absolutely loved the show, especially the protagonist's struggle, resilience, and determination to grapple - however imperfectly - with difficult decisions.
5
Ending the way the series as it began, just seemed like it was an idea the writers may have had at the inception of the series. The show was great TV, but not once they missed the great opportunity of Alicia being States Attorney. Oh what might have been....
1
I was surprised by the glaring production mistake made (glaring because I'm generally oblivious) - in the close-up of Peter taking Alicia's hand while walking to the podium to announce his resignation, Alicia's wedding ring is on her right hand. After they walk off the stage, it's on her left hand.
5
I saw that too and was stunned.
1
Peter was genuine in his responses during his run-through with Alicia and while on the stand; he regretted his past actions...and obviously still loves her.
Alicia was ready to jump into whatever the future held with Jason, but Jason evidently wasn't able to commit.
Alicia was ready to jump into whatever the future held with Jason, but Jason evidently wasn't able to commit.
In the end, Alicia proved she was no Saint...
3
I was saddened by the demise of Diane and Alicia's friendship, but Alicia did deserve that slap. Diane was always a better business partner and friend to Alicia than Alicia was to her, and forcing Kurt to admit on stand to having an affair was the ultimate betrayal.
I can't say whether I love or hated the finale, just that it left me feeling sad for this character. The series started from her hitting rock bottom, humiliated and forced to return to the workforce, taking a junior level position with peers 15 years younger. She worked her way up to becoming a powerful attorney to partner. She found romance (I never thought of her relationship with Will as love), moved on, and some new romance. With this ending - ugh, just felt like she lost it all. And I can't completely blame Peter. Anyway, she is a fighter and will soldier on - to what I don't know. But it felt like she's going to have to start over again.
I can't say whether I love or hated the finale, just that it left me feeling sad for this character. The series started from her hitting rock bottom, humiliated and forced to return to the workforce, taking a junior level position with peers 15 years younger. She worked her way up to becoming a powerful attorney to partner. She found romance (I never thought of her relationship with Will as love), moved on, and some new romance. With this ending - ugh, just felt like she lost it all. And I can't completely blame Peter. Anyway, she is a fighter and will soldier on - to what I don't know. But it felt like she's going to have to start over again.
9
Worst finale ever. No principle to inspire, no real strength from Alicia, no humor from mom, no edgy Kalinda -- dead Will was at least a try, but it went nowhere. Did they drug Grace to make her that boring?
We almost got to an ethical/legal plot line, but no catharsis. It felt like a waste of time except for Diane's smack.
Peter was Bill Clinton. Just like Hillary, Alicia should have dumped "His Arrogance" long ago and we could have had a much more interesting finale.
We almost got to an ethical/legal plot line, but no catharsis. It felt like a waste of time except for Diane's smack.
Peter was Bill Clinton. Just like Hillary, Alicia should have dumped "His Arrogance" long ago and we could have had a much more interesting finale.
3
This review is on point about our 'good wife' who was always committed to duty over her own life. However, as a lawyer, the final weeks of: the wife representing her husband, the governor, the expert witness married to the defense attorney, the ability to find bullets never look for in years, and that governor not realizing he was 'damages goods prior to the going out to deliberate, all are great leaps of faith of absurdity! Yes, the story was about the 'good wife' but ....... how much could she take? Is Alicia truly a HRC? I guess that too is the question for the times!
The ending also showed the continued conundrum and isolation she painted herself into with her 'Duty (to work and husband) at all cost': her children's love and respect, her new life, her partner, and now what? Is that truly what any good wife is entitled to? Maybe in the 50's, but not now! She should have been allowed to pick, and then be happy for once and not conflicted with her life choices.
The ending also showed the continued conundrum and isolation she painted herself into with her 'Duty (to work and husband) at all cost': her children's love and respect, her new life, her partner, and now what? Is that truly what any good wife is entitled to? Maybe in the 50's, but not now! She should have been allowed to pick, and then be happy for once and not conflicted with her life choices.
3
This show was best when they stuck to law. The scene with the masseuse wanting to press a sexual harassment charge was riveting because they are really trying to figure out the truth, while dealing with somebody in a traumatized state. Plus there is the angle of Diane not wanting to publicly attack a very renowned philanthropist. So you have a real moral dilemma and some exciting character interaction. Then at the end the emotional moment between Alicia and the masseuse, who wants to know what it was like being in the spotlight over Alicia's husband's scandal.
It's a tense, ruthless little vignette. And a lot of the rest of the courtroom drama is equally complex and exciting, like their battles with the 'Dream Team.' But the love triangles get very wearing. I think it needed something to balance the constant ruthlessness and backstabbing going on.
It's a tense, ruthless little vignette. And a lot of the rest of the courtroom drama is equally complex and exciting, like their battles with the 'Dream Team.' But the love triangles get very wearing. I think it needed something to balance the constant ruthlessness and backstabbing going on.
I had to rewind my DVR to watch the ending - it looked to me that was definitely Jason in the hall. Had Alicia gone to him right then and there, they would have gone off into the sunset. Her mistake was giving in to Peter's "one last favor." So the ending finds Alicia back where she started - with no job, no friends and no husband.
5
Terrible ending. A lame copout from writers who did not know how to write a better ending. We already knew that Alicia could handle anything thrown at her. We learned that through years of her character's development.
This last year was uneven at best but the ending was a complete flop.
This last year was uneven at best but the ending was a complete flop.
11
You know something? That came across like lazy storytelling. As though the writers meandered without a point, without direction and without anything to say until the very least.
Will was not "Alicia's great love"--she certainly never behaved as though she loved him and let's not forget, he was no ethical saint either.
Waste of time....... sorry I ever bothered.
Will was not "Alicia's great love"--she certainly never behaved as though she loved him and let's not forget, he was no ethical saint either.
Waste of time....... sorry I ever bothered.
8
I thought the ending was going to link Will's death/murder with Peter Florrick. I had imagined that Peter needed to get rid of Will because he was going to testify against Peter and because Will was upsetting the marriage of Peter & Alicia. Bear with me: (1) the police officer had a loaded, unlocked gun in his holster, (2) the kid was beaten up in jail and set up to take the murder charge in which he was innocent, (3) there were several seconds between each shot making it possible for anyone to shoot Will. Better ending?
1
It has seemed to me for some time that the series diminished in direct ratio to Margulies ego inflating.
This was an incredible waste considering the brilliant ensemble cast. Wasting an actor on the level of Christine Baransky in the support of a lesser light like Margulies is criminal. No wonder Ms. Panjabi had to go, pushed aside no doubt by Margulies agents and lawyers.
This review reflected the finale in that it was grasping and confused. With no disrepect to Makensie Vega, she is hardly Alan Cummings, her character no Eli Gold.
Eli had the most interesting role in the finale, his character positioned to drive the bus forward.
The finale got stuck in the mud, Margulies was just dead weight driving it deeper. She does have cracker jack press agents though as evidenced by this review, in The Times no less!
This was an incredible waste considering the brilliant ensemble cast. Wasting an actor on the level of Christine Baransky in the support of a lesser light like Margulies is criminal. No wonder Ms. Panjabi had to go, pushed aside no doubt by Margulies agents and lawyers.
This review reflected the finale in that it was grasping and confused. With no disrepect to Makensie Vega, she is hardly Alan Cummings, her character no Eli Gold.
Eli had the most interesting role in the finale, his character positioned to drive the bus forward.
The finale got stuck in the mud, Margulies was just dead weight driving it deeper. She does have cracker jack press agents though as evidenced by this review, in The Times no less!
8
The New York Times gives THE GOOD WIFE far too much credit. Like most of mainstream broadcast prime time TV, the show was formulaic, preposterous and vapid.
4
The fact that the finale drew so much controversy tells me that the show's writers achieved their objectives. Would it have been better if the viewing audience saw another mundane, predictable ending?
5
I don't know that anyone will talk much about this ending after this week, as the series has been a complete mess since Will was killed off. Alicia, self-serving and clueless about herself as ever, does another selfish act, and then is shocked when her mentor and friend is angry. Just like she was shocked when Will was angry when she left the firm and took his clients. Just like she claimed to be her own woman as she rode on the coattails of Will Gardner in getting and keeping her job, and on the coattails of her corrupt husband, when he threatened Chum Hum and they picked Alicia's new law firm.
The character of Diane is the one to emulate. I'd watch a show with her, Kalinda, Cary, Alicia's mother, Eli, and Elsbeth for years, but for Alicia: may her self-serving, clueless character remain gone.
The character of Diane is the one to emulate. I'd watch a show with her, Kalinda, Cary, Alicia's mother, Eli, and Elsbeth for years, but for Alicia: may her self-serving, clueless character remain gone.
13
@Nancy
While reprehensible, her deception of Diane wasn't a selfish act so much as it showed her ultimate devotion to Peter.
While reprehensible, her deception of Diane wasn't a selfish act so much as it showed her ultimate devotion to Peter.
6
As I said to one of my friends, I guess Julianna couldn't get both George AND Jeffrey at the end of her two major series runs. :)
1
Overall The Good Wife delivered. Sometimes thrilling. Now on to "Suits!" The lead Harvey is a living doll, dang.
1
I understand when watching shows like these (and at one time this was one of my favorites) that the soap opera love cycles are a part of prime time drama. I prefer the case law, but the writing the last 2 years was hey!... we are bored... lets get this thing over with. Merge or leave? 27 28 or 29th floor? The plastered on cynical smile of Jason and Kalinda husband storyline were just awful. The end is like saying goodbye to a friendship that lasted a bit to long.
2
I, for one, was relieved that the creators chose not to let Alicia ride off into the sunset with Jason. His romance with Alicia felt forced and almost purely physical. Whereas Will was a longtime flame and clear intellectual equal of Alicia, Jason lacked depth as a character beyond his good looks and brooding personality. I understand how he was necessary to set up an ending in which Alicia's loyalty to her husband and career again wrecks her personal/love life, but I found his scenes hard to watch and take seriously.
17
I watched every episode of this smart series. It was fun watching the characters evolve and the actors grow. Julianna and Kristine Baranski wore their clothes so beautifully. I could have watched just for that. I do agree that the plot with Cary Argos went on painfully long. Kalinda was mostly great, although the episodes with her crazy husband were unbearable. Alan Cumming was outstanding and stole the show. His daughter was fab, too. Yes, not every episode lived up, but most of them did, no small feat for a seven-year run. The Good Wife will remain one of my favorite television dramas of all time.
18
I'd love to see a spin-off show with Diane, Eli and Eli's daughter!
4
@Ellen
And Michael J. Fox!
And Michael J. Fox!
4
Never believed Kalinda for a second. Guns, martial arts, tech maven? The kooky lawyer and her dog toting ex....like a mill stone around entire episodes. Too much about the Buisness end of the firm.
3
The way I see it the show struggled after the departures of Will and Khalinda. Carey and Dianne's characters became minimized to the point that you forgot Carey existed this season. Lucca was a nice addition until she became the go between for Jason and Alicia. The show went from the Good Wife to some teenage melodrama.
I've always said that Alicia lived within blurred lines and grey areas and when she was pegged as "Saint Alicia" for awhile you can clearly see that she wasn't. Alicia knew how to work within the grey areas to continually get what she wanted.
Alicia deserved the slap by Diane but they have always been freenimes. And that slap had more more meaning behind it not just because of Kurt but I viewed it as the culmination of things...hiring Alicia in the first place when she had doubts about her, the all-female partnership blowing up, promoting Lucca for her, Will, Carey etc. Sometimes a slap isn't just a slap.
I've always said that Alicia lived within blurred lines and grey areas and when she was pegged as "Saint Alicia" for awhile you can clearly see that she wasn't. Alicia knew how to work within the grey areas to continually get what she wanted.
Alicia deserved the slap by Diane but they have always been freenimes. And that slap had more more meaning behind it not just because of Kurt but I viewed it as the culmination of things...hiring Alicia in the first place when she had doubts about her, the all-female partnership blowing up, promoting Lucca for her, Will, Carey etc. Sometimes a slap isn't just a slap.
6
I consumed the show from the day it started and loved everything about it. Sadly the last 2 episodes seemed completely alien to me. Alicia's sudden mean side comes on too suddenly. While all around her seemed to play fast and loose she was generally clean until suddenly she compromises everything for Peter's case. It just rang untrue. Bring Josh Charles back was a waste of valuable time that could have been better spent convincing us why Alicia was suddenly so changed (ambition for politics? career? loveless? dysfunctional family?). But as body of work I have never enjoyed a series as much.
2
Glad Michael J. Fox got a recurring role and glad Alan Cumming got a wider audience for his talents. But other than that....
9
How can a "resounding slap" also be "a little pat"?
1
f you look at all of the characters in the series- none are particularly happy. There are moments of intense excitement- but at their roots their connivance, callousness or pettiness saps their energy and happiness.
Alicia increasingly over the course of the series falls into the traps of the rest and ultimately finds "peace" by becoming like them- divorcing her emotions from her way of being- never totally, but enough to seal her fate. A fallen angel.
Yet, she and most of the other characters, never totally lose their subordinated humanity- but rather become again and again victims of their self inflicted wounds.
It is up to the viewer to ask if this is an inevitable state of affairs for human beings or a dysfunctional strata on display- seeking fame and money over enduring love- love in the broadest sense of deep caring and fundamental integrity. Without it- what's left is disillusionment and emptiness.
So at the end there is an arc of tragedy, but life's constant beckoning to move on.
Alicia increasingly over the course of the series falls into the traps of the rest and ultimately finds "peace" by becoming like them- divorcing her emotions from her way of being- never totally, but enough to seal her fate. A fallen angel.
Yet, she and most of the other characters, never totally lose their subordinated humanity- but rather become again and again victims of their self inflicted wounds.
It is up to the viewer to ask if this is an inevitable state of affairs for human beings or a dysfunctional strata on display- seeking fame and money over enduring love- love in the broadest sense of deep caring and fundamental integrity. Without it- what's left is disillusionment and emptiness.
So at the end there is an arc of tragedy, but life's constant beckoning to move on.
6
recently got a hi-def TV and was majorly distracted in this last episode by the bad hair styling of peter and alicia!!! peter's temple of clumsy brown streaks and the wig on alicia were terrible! PRODUCTION!!!!
5
The ending was terrible. Diane was responsible for putting her husband on the stand to begin with and then blames Alicia for bringing him back after she started down the path, sure it's Alicia fault. Alicia gets involved with a man who sees her as complicated but certainly not cold and calculating and yet that's what she is in the last 20 minutes.... The Cary thing was another bad twist as he was such a great character and gave so much in developing Alicia. He certainly was not handled right. Well, the ending turned out to be like whipped cream, full of empty calories.
5
I wish there was a better ending instead of what is now a cliche ending of Seinfeld, The Soprano's etc. That being said the ending was what the show was about, how does Alicia handle the adversity of her life with dignity and emerging stronger. This is the story of many woman in marriages. This show however did touched on an important issue that isn't "spoken" about woman dealing with men who "step out" of the marriages. There aren't many narratives for woman to use for their well being.. Hilary is one "woman" who has dealt publicly with disloyalty. Have we heard of how the others are doing? Good job of showing a woman emerge stronger.
2
Although I was a faithful viewer of the show, the Good Wife lost its pizazz a few seasons ago. It just got too repetitive with Alicia starting her own law firm, then returning to join forces with Diane...how many times did that sequence play out over the years?
Some of the plot twists seemed too contrived...but the glaring problematic aspect of the show's plot was the total ignorance of the public and new media that the Governor and his wife were estranged for so many years. No one in the press knew anything about this for 7 years?? I just got tired of it and missed Archie Penjabi's character.
Some of the plot twists seemed too contrived...but the glaring problematic aspect of the show's plot was the total ignorance of the public and new media that the Governor and his wife were estranged for so many years. No one in the press knew anything about this for 7 years?? I just got tired of it and missed Archie Penjabi's character.
12
Yep. The repetitive recombinations of the law firms were really tiresome. And yes, no one noticed they did not live together?
6
I love Juliana Margulies/Alicia, and I'm especially impressed by her ability to show emotion even in her overly botoxed and pale face. I dislike the excessively smoothed out forehead; why not let her age? My favorite moment of the last episode was after she got slapped and composed herself, because they let her face look appropriately aged.
3
Interestingly, when she was much younger and on ER, she had a deeply furrowed brow.
4
I loved seeing Will again. And, this may be ridiculous but Christine Baranski's fashions were a highlight of each and every show for me. She is a stuning woman. I wanted Alicia to dump her cheating liar of a husband long ago. That was what I saw as her true character flaw and why the title of the drama was right on.
7
I'm glad it's over so I don't have to watch it anymore and I couldn't not watch it because of Julianna Margulies who is just terrific and always has been.
The show just gave me whiplash and I thought had terribly weak storylines but that's what you're going to get from network TV I guess. Shallow and unfocused jumping around like a dream.
I'm looking forward to seeing her in a better production. I just really admire her depth as an actor.
The show just gave me whiplash and I thought had terribly weak storylines but that's what you're going to get from network TV I guess. Shallow and unfocused jumping around like a dream.
I'm looking forward to seeing her in a better production. I just really admire her depth as an actor.
3
If you look at all of the characters in the series- none are particularly happy. There are moments of intense excitement- but at their roots their connivance, callousness or pettiness saps their energy and happiness.
Alicia increasingly over the course of the series falls into the traps of the rest and ultimately finds "peace" by becoming like them- divorcing her emotions from her way of being- never totally, but enough to seal her fate. A fallen angel.
Yet, she and most of the other characters, never totally lose their subordinated humanity- but rather become again and again victims of their self inflicted wounds.
It is up to the viewer to ask if this is an inevitable state of affairs for human beings or a dysfunctional strata on display- seeking fame and money over enduring love- love in the broadest sense of deep caring and fundamental integrity. Without it- what's left is disillusionment and emptiness.
So at the end there is an arc of tragedy, but life's constant beckoning to move on.
Alicia increasingly over the course of the series falls into the traps of the rest and ultimately finds "peace" by becoming like them- divorcing her emotions from her way of being- never totally, but enough to seal her fate. A fallen angel.
Yet, she and most of the other characters, never totally lose their subordinated humanity- but rather become again and again victims of their self inflicted wounds.
It is up to the viewer to ask if this is an inevitable state of affairs for human beings or a dysfunctional strata on display- seeking fame and money over enduring love- love in the broadest sense of deep caring and fundamental integrity. Without it- what's left is disillusionment and emptiness.
So at the end there is an arc of tragedy, but life's constant beckoning to move on.
1
That was one of the reasons I gave up on the show--it didn't seem like any of the characters could do anything for simple reasons--or without calculation. Their plotting (and the show's) just became too complicated to follow--and for not a lot of emotional reward, at that.
1
It's television.
It doesn't matter how it ends.
It doesn't matter how it started.
Even if the show is considered to be "good" television.
I'll always remember Margulies from "Shrubs."
It doesn't matter how it ends.
It doesn't matter how it started.
Even if the show is considered to be "good" television.
I'll always remember Margulies from "Shrubs."
The reason I started watching GW was Margulies. I had never seen her before, and realized the script was in her eyes. It was a mostly clever, funny, interesting show with a fantastic cast - but why did the off the wall lady lawyer never return (Cary Preston)?
My observation of the ending: the most honest of the options available. My wife agreed but added, "I still didn't like it."
We all would have been happy if it was Jason down the hall, but that was too easy and was no guarantee of ultimate happiness. Life isn't always the happy ending
Thanks to the writers and cast and crew. Classy, smart and that rarity today...truly "must see TV." We will miss you.
We all would have been happy if it was Jason down the hall, but that was too easy and was no guarantee of ultimate happiness. Life isn't always the happy ending
Thanks to the writers and cast and crew. Classy, smart and that rarity today...truly "must see TV." We will miss you.
7
The only smart show on TV is done.
:-(
:-(
4
Frankly, I was dumbfounded by the ending, to me a retro morality play warning females about the perils of daring to imagine they can play on the boys team without dire consequences.
Here’s a woman who became more resilient and stronger through years of personal and professional challenges. That was the story I thought I was watching.
Her reward? Alone, tearful and bruised, without friend or lover, steeling herself for the next obstacle in her way. An ending that exemplified the punishment due women who dare to emerge as powerful actors in their own right.
Here’s a woman who became more resilient and stronger through years of personal and professional challenges. That was the story I thought I was watching.
Her reward? Alone, tearful and bruised, without friend or lover, steeling herself for the next obstacle in her way. An ending that exemplified the punishment due women who dare to emerge as powerful actors in their own right.
8
@Nancy L
Interesting how perspectives can vary. I saw it as the result of her choices rather than punishment, and didn't consider gender to play a role.
Interesting how perspectives can vary. I saw it as the result of her choices rather than punishment, and didn't consider gender to play a role.
3
"..unassuming assumption." How does that work?
2
Snore. Flameout. Boring. More valuable room on the DVR now.
I managed to watch the first 2 seasons and found it to be just another show about scumbag lawyers and pols that cared only about billing hours, not about justice. Pretty true to life I guess.
I watch very little network TV and the little I do watch have the rug pulled out from under me with disappointing finales. I so wished Alicia would have walked into the sunset with Jason. Was that too much to ask?
I thought the ending was perfect -- not because it was the way I would have wanted it for the original Alicia-- but because it was just what this season's cold, hard, emotionally dead Alicia deserved. She treated everyone in her life, at one point or another, with a total lack of caring or respect. Grace -- who was her serf-- gets yelled at for not going to college. Jason gets maybe yes,maybe no, until he's sick of it. Diane who took her back how many times gets her life ruined so Alicia can protect not the man she loved, but her own steely self-image as the woman who will WIN at any cost. And on and on.
I was almost as sick of Alicia as we all are of OLIVIA POPE --only difference is, Kerry Washington's ridiculously over-injected lips (who can pay any attention to what she is saying when you have to watch her face be swallowed up by her collagen-expanded lips) AND the fact that despite Shonda Rimes repeated attempts to make the plot utterly ludicrous, Olivia is coming back next year.
At least Alicia is off to some vampire world where her dead eyes and waxen skin will help her fit in perfectly. Olivia just has to keep going Fitz? Jake? Fitz? Jake? Daddy . . .
I was almost as sick of Alicia as we all are of OLIVIA POPE --only difference is, Kerry Washington's ridiculously over-injected lips (who can pay any attention to what she is saying when you have to watch her face be swallowed up by her collagen-expanded lips) AND the fact that despite Shonda Rimes repeated attempts to make the plot utterly ludicrous, Olivia is coming back next year.
At least Alicia is off to some vampire world where her dead eyes and waxen skin will help her fit in perfectly. Olivia just has to keep going Fitz? Jake? Fitz? Jake? Daddy . . .
So glad to hear someone else mention how utterly ridiculous SCANDAL has become with more ludicrous plots in one episode than some shows have an entire season. It made even the weakest episodes of "The Good Wife" shine in comparison.
Never liked the show-couldn't stand the actress/wife.
1
Maybe Diane is The "Good" Wife.
1
So many comments about Alicia betraying Diane. For 7 seasons Diane would use Alicia when it was to her advantage, which happened many times. And, there were several times Diane left Alicia in the cold when it suited her. The series featured a work relationship between two strong women. The only difference was in the last episode it was Diane on the receiving side, and she didn't like it.
4
A highly overrated soap opera ... Yawn. Not surprised by its cancellation.
It wasn't cancelled.
4
Why CBS didn't offer Carrie Peterson a spin off or make her a permanent character is beyond me. Her character, Elsbeth Tascioni, was one of the best elements of the show. Unfortunately she is now on some sitcom that doesn't interest me.
There was no doubt Will's death and Kalinda's leaving left a void that was never filled. It was time to go.
There was no doubt Will's death and Kalinda's leaving left a void that was never filled. It was time to go.
28
I found the Tasconi characters (husband and wife) to be possibly the most annoying people in the seven years of The Good Wife. Had their roles been expanded, I would have stopped watching
4
To each his own. I loved her character. Not so much the husband.
5
Agreed. They seemed to be part of an effort to turn The Good Wife into Ali McBeal.
2
After the continuous emotional toll in the professional and personal life of "the good wife", it was clear Alicia needed to rest in peace. Tired, broken and heartbroken she was finally free of obligation and attachment able to do and be whatever she wanted.
17
The ending was ridiculous. The viewers were supposed to make the connection of the hallway scene and the "slap" all the way back to the pilot? I believe that was an unrealistic expectation. Also, there was no justification for the slap as the entire ballistics testimony being dismissed due to an affair was a complete stretch. I don't think it was confusing, or murky, it was just unrealistic. If the writers need to explain the ending, it should be rewritten.
29
The writers are quite full of themselves and very self congratulatory. Sad, sad, sad
3
Diane felt betrayed by Alicia and so blamed her for outing the affair, and thereby tainting him, on the stand. In an earlier episode, she has promised him that that would never happen again. She was very angry. It set up the proposed political career that Eli had revealed to Peter, because it was doubtful that Alicia and Diane could work together after the slap.
4
Loved the ending. Why do viewers need everything neatly summed up at the end. Life isn't like that. Will was the true love of her life & he's gone. Alicia will survive it all in her own way.
37
I don't think Will was the true love of Alicia's life. She wanted her husband as husband, as he could do things for her professionally that Will couldn't do. She liked the prestige. Otherwise, she would have left him for Will.
Alicia = the Anti-Feminist
Alicia = the Anti-Feminist
2
After "the slap" and her walking, I was hoping the credits wouldn't come up. Oh, well. Anyway, the reference to "The Sopranos" brought to mind, not so much its open-ended ending, but Ms. Marguiles guesting as the real estate person and her appealing lingerie turn before Tony. Made me a real fan. ;) (The Soprano family was wiped out, one and all. We may get a 2-hour "Good Wife" followup--hope so.)
7
Here's the thing about last night's episode of The Good Wife", it was a fitting "Season Finale" or going on temporary hiatus installment, rather than an appropriate "Series Finale" ending. Despite things coming full circle concerning the education of Alicia Florrick and the show ending similarly to how it began, Alicia emerging on her own, both personally and professionally, with so many loose ends and stones left unturned, it's hard to believe there was any such seven year plan in the making, at all.
20
Yes, loose ends viewers/fans want continued, if not resolved. As I said in my comment, I think there's a special or two planned. I hope so.
6
Great show and great cast. End of an era on network television.
44
Let’s take a moment to praise Christine Baranski’s performance throughout the entire series. She may be the best “reactor” on television. Her subtle facial expressions often said more than a full page of dialog. Her extended close up while listening to her husband’s testimony was breathtaking. And the slap. Holy cow. The slap.
157
I love Christine as well. Just saw an episode of 'Cybil', where I first took notice of her. I wish TGW had used her comedic talents more often. The recent episode that focused on her marriage was delightful.
And, oh, her clothes. This from a person who does not usually notice fashion. Spectacular.
And, oh, her clothes. This from a person who does not usually notice fashion. Spectacular.
3
The Kalinda Sharma character sizzled. The show didn't exactly fizzle but it lost a a great deal of everything without her.
62
I thought the metaphor of the 29th floor falling down was a good one. Pretty much it all came tumbling down at the end. I think the question that did not get resolved but was more compelling than Alicia deciding whether of not to stick by her man, was the question of Peter's guilt.
16
The best part of the finale was that it was about Alicia as a woman, not Alicia as a love interest. The slap was between two powerful women--friends, associates, partners, foes. This was about being a woman in a working world of men. They had just formed an all-women partnership, yet Alicia betrays her as a woman and a human being. And she loses the only person in her life who valued her as a professional. I thought it was lovely they made the end about females in the work world, instead of just about females in relationships with men.
77
I wish this was true, the slap was about 2 women defending bad men. The antithesis of what the show was striving for by the end of 7 seasons.
2
.
I have to agree but disagree.
Yes, the finale was about Alicia as a woman in the ways Cyndy lists, and yes Diane valued her as a professional.
But Diane many times valued Alicia as a famous name; other times she valued Alicia as a vote to break a tie or as the head of a law firm where Diane could find a home. Diane is an instrumentalist, except towards her husband -- and that's why she can love him. All else (Alicia, the law, the partnership agreements, the aged partners who still have votes, her power outfits, her status as an almost-judge and a Friend Of Hillary), she uses. For competition or for self-preservation or even, sometimes, for justice; but she uses them.
And other characters truly valued Alicia as a professional. Going randomly through the series, at some time or other that description applied to Cary, Marissa, Kalinda, Robyn (the much-mourned investigator played by Jess Weixler), Finn, the David Hyde-Pierce character, and even the NSA guys.
Not least, her children saw her in her work mode and admired her as a lawyer/businessowner/politician.
I also think that Alicia-as-her-own-woman was the forward movement of the entire series. For almost all of 7 seasons, she was becoming ... something. Even at the very end, she was walking toward something but we don't see her get there. Sure, there were times in the show when she was seen as a love interest; to me, those were the weakest parts. Will & Alicia? Excise it like an abcess! Alicia stands fine on her own.
I have to agree but disagree.
Yes, the finale was about Alicia as a woman in the ways Cyndy lists, and yes Diane valued her as a professional.
But Diane many times valued Alicia as a famous name; other times she valued Alicia as a vote to break a tie or as the head of a law firm where Diane could find a home. Diane is an instrumentalist, except towards her husband -- and that's why she can love him. All else (Alicia, the law, the partnership agreements, the aged partners who still have votes, her power outfits, her status as an almost-judge and a Friend Of Hillary), she uses. For competition or for self-preservation or even, sometimes, for justice; but she uses them.
And other characters truly valued Alicia as a professional. Going randomly through the series, at some time or other that description applied to Cary, Marissa, Kalinda, Robyn (the much-mourned investigator played by Jess Weixler), Finn, the David Hyde-Pierce character, and even the NSA guys.
Not least, her children saw her in her work mode and admired her as a lawyer/businessowner/politician.
I also think that Alicia-as-her-own-woman was the forward movement of the entire series. For almost all of 7 seasons, she was becoming ... something. Even at the very end, she was walking toward something but we don't see her get there. Sure, there were times in the show when she was seen as a love interest; to me, those were the weakest parts. Will & Alicia? Excise it like an abcess! Alicia stands fine on her own.
3
I'm glad Diane slapped Alicia. She deserved it for what she did putting Kurt on the stand. The Florricks always spread ugly and ruined many lives, first with their own marriage, their children and then spreading throughout the Chicago prosecution offices and Lockhart Gardner.
I will miss Good Wife but it was time. Last season (5) was terrible and this one barely held on. I do wish some of the supporting characters could have a spinoff - the guest judges alone would be an amazing TV show. Or just Alan Cumming.
I will miss Good Wife but it was time. Last season (5) was terrible and this one barely held on. I do wish some of the supporting characters could have a spinoff - the guest judges alone would be an amazing TV show. Or just Alan Cumming.
35
Alicia did not put Kurt on the stand. The prosecution did. Diane had taken Peter's case and she was professionally obligated to win. Because it was her husband, and she had a conflict of interest to say the least. In my opinion, Alicia did not deserve a slap. Diane needed to self-examine her conflicting loyalties and obligations.
6
Alicia stood by Peter and hoped everyone would wait for her. Did she really expect that people would be there for her when she decided to walk away from him? Yes, I secretly hoped for a "walk into the sunset" with Jason at the end. But that would have been unrealistic. I thought the ending was perfect for the character.
39
Neatly tying up the ending would have been a mistake in my opinion. But showing us how Alicia had grown strong enough to withstand Diane's staggering blow and yet power through whatever was to come was exactly right. I enjoyed the series. Thanks.
49
I thought the finale mirrored much of the show-- disjointed and unsatisfying. I agree with the middle part of your review: but I think the problems started earlier. The legal cases were often ridiculous, not just Cary's. The show had some great performances, including some from recurring role like Gary Cole's. But the sum of the show seemed to be less than its parts individually.
One other great flaw in my opinion was not making better use of Chris Noth. His character seemed to be added and dropped at will (as was Matt Czuchry's).
One other great flaw in my opinion was not making better use of Chris Noth. His character seemed to be added and dropped at will (as was Matt Czuchry's).
21
Another slapdash ending to a good, occasionally great, series - chaotic, bordering on incoherence. The final scenes were just insulting. Overall, it was better than Seinfeld, but still abysmal. You can count the number of fulfilling series finales on one hand, if not one finger, and I attribute it to arrogance. The desire to make a final statement that's transcendent, to reach the highest high, is apparently irresistible. They must think they've saved the best for the end and don't realize that their best is long since past. In the case of The Good Wife, there's now nothing to remember.
26
Sunday faithful for 7 years - never missed an episode. TGW had its ups and downs. Were we to expect perfection for all those many hours?
However, the final act with Will appearing as a helping ghost was pure hokum. Too bad we had to go into Alicia's head in that manner for her to solve her problems.
But the ending, with Alicia alone in the hallway was pure magic.
However, the final act with Will appearing as a helping ghost was pure hokum. Too bad we had to go into Alicia's head in that manner for her to solve her problems.
But the ending, with Alicia alone in the hallway was pure magic.
25
I believe "The Good Wife" waited 'til it's last episode to jump the shark. It was woozy and unfocused with flashbacks to Will, Alicia imagining things in her apartment, who will be there to greet her, etc. So it seemed to me that the whole production aimed at being artsy but instead it was a snooze.
17
I disagree with so much of this. IMO Kalinda was a very overrated character. Will and Josh Charles' performance were the heart of the show and the show never worked after his departure. So to state "especially Kalinda..." uh, no.
Christine Baranski was criminally underused since Will's death as well. It was really a double barrel hit, one their choice, one forced upon them. It was once a great television show and if I ever rewatch, I will stop at the end of season 5. They should have too.
Christine Baranski was criminally underused since Will's death as well. It was really a double barrel hit, one their choice, one forced upon them. It was once a great television show and if I ever rewatch, I will stop at the end of season 5. They should have too.
29
All long-term series have their rhythms and eventually the "downs" begin to overtake the "ups."A truly outstanding drama with memorable courtroom scenes, It was never quite the same without Josh and Kalinda and didn't reclaim the original brilliance. Having said that, I think Peter and Eli were magnificently played even when their appearances were brief -- and I will miss them both. All in all, three cheers to a truly memorable drama.
47
I liked the ending. Alicia, not trading Peter for Will for Jason. Disconnected from Carey and Diane. Alicia finally having to choose not to springboard off someone else in her life and in her work - but to make it on her own.
32
This is the most unsatisfying finale to a show that I have ever watched. After watching all of the ups and downs in Alicia's life for seven years, all we get at the end is a portrait of a woman scorned professionally, and left adrift romantically as well. The ending was ambiguous (at best) depressing, puzzling, and defeatist. It seemed to say that to be professionally successful, you must get as cut-throat as possible. I really wish that the Kings would have given us some glimmer of happiness for Alicia for all her long-suffering trials. It makes me almost feel that I wasted 7 years - if they had intimated sooner that this was a psychological study of a scorned woman, I would have stopped watching a long time ago. Shame on the Kings for letting us all down.
32
I agree. Deeply disappointing. Empty. Bleak. After seven years the audience deserves some hope. Not getting it – that’s betrayal.
3
Let your imagination take over for a minute: there was a shot of Alicia at the very beginning, "standing by her man", and she looked so very alone. At the end, she was alone again... or still. I thought the ending was perfect.
3
Thing is is that Alicia made one compromise/ethical shortcut too many, and her moral compass inevitably got distorted. No way she could stay "good" after all that--and no way they weren't going to come back to bite her.
4
The season frittered away with the Cary Agos trial nearly lost me but otherwise I was pretty much satisfied with the show (and it was, after all, only a "show"). For me, it was a tale of a woman learning how to satisfy herself in slow watered-down dollops, and without much conviction. And, certainly, the presence of Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming were, as Jastro has already noted, in themselves powerful incentives to keep watching. However, I thought the incomparable Margo Martindale was largely wasted, as she was and is not in Justified and The Americans where her appearances electrify all her scenes.
14
totally agree regarding margo martindale. i saw her on the street in nyc last november. we made eye contact and she gave me such a sly, knowing smile. also - what a great performance by michael j. fox!
4
I would have liked for Alicia to be happily alone at the end. In fact, when she was imagining the three scenarios (i.e., when she was imagining coming home to the three different men in her life/imagination), I so wanted there to be a scenario in which she comes home, alone, pours herself a glass of wine, and is satisfied with herself and her independence from all of them. Then, I wanted her to actually live that ending. In addition, I didn't care for the slap; too reminiscent of stereotypes of women not being able to be friends because they're always competing for some man's attention.
68
Me too. When Alicia came home the third time in a row I thought, finally, the writers get it. Coming home to your own home can be great. Was surprised to see Will and sad that the "just Alicia" version wasn't included. Fit with ending, though.
2
At the end, Alicia wears her wedding rings on her right as Peter walks with her to the press conference to resign. Moments later, after Diane slaps her, the wedding rings are on the left.
Cosmic message or just production glich ...
Cosmic message or just production glich ...
22
"Resolutely procedural"? No way. Obviously you never went to law school and neither did anyone who worked on the show. "Consistently inaccurate" is more like it.
7
Exactly. As I said from the beginning, LA Law was far more realistic (written by lawyers).
1
I thought the ending was as good as it could have been given the departures of Will and Khalinda. I understand the goal of the Peter saga and how it related to Alicia's growth but I think it had the unintended consequence of making the last few shows more about Peter than Alicia. Moreover, the writer of this column is spot on as it relates to the season long Carey Agos trial which diminished the show and took away one of its best aspects; believable story lines.
28
Show was only good, never great. The formulaic and stereotyped presentation of legal/social issues was predictable and not intellectually interesting. Neither Will Gardner nor Alicia Florek were very likable so getting them together was not something that would drive the show. The best characters were Kalinda and Peter. Diane was a joke and the more she was a part of the show the more the show suffered. The show was OK as a soap-opera but does not deserve all this attention. Can't compare to The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, or even Law and Order in its prime.
5
Horace:
"Show was only good, never great"? When you compare it to the shows offered the last few years, it was excellent. No violence, no raping, no robots shooting at each other, no one jumping off the roofs and flying, no one living dead and being burned.
My God; it was a better show than anything today and the law segments were very interesting as were the dynamics of a large law firm. It was far than predictable and an entertaining show with a good plot. It was as good as Law and Order in its day and nothing compares to the Sopranos so forget that. I am curious of what other shows you might enjoy?
"Show was only good, never great"? When you compare it to the shows offered the last few years, it was excellent. No violence, no raping, no robots shooting at each other, no one jumping off the roofs and flying, no one living dead and being burned.
My God; it was a better show than anything today and the law segments were very interesting as were the dynamics of a large law firm. It was far than predictable and an entertaining show with a good plot. It was as good as Law and Order in its day and nothing compares to the Sopranos so forget that. I am curious of what other shows you might enjoy?
47
He listed a few. I'd add Mad Men, The Americans, Justified in the drama category. Unfortunately, two of those are now off the air.
1
And yet Horace you continued to watch a show you seemed to hate.
In fact, you could have switched to PBS or The Walking Dead.
In fact, you could have switched to PBS or The Walking Dead.
1
What a pathetic way to end this show by giving Diane the last big moment with her slapping Alicia in the face. A lot of the series was spent with us not really liking Diane, (even though Christine Baranski was delicious with her dead pan deliveries and glares), and after all this show was supposed to be about The Good Wife, Alicia. It was too bizarre of an ending and I'm sure I'm not the only mega-fan to disagree with your assessment of that last scene. :Loved them bringing Will back---yes the show was the never the same without him, but to leave us hanging at the end seemed like they were keeping the door open for a spinoff with Alicia running for higher office. They should put it on Netflix or HBO and just do the 13 episode format.
5
I was satisfied with the ending. A.F. started out and ended up standing by Peter.
Once he resigned, she was done! Thinking she saw Jake, for me was her breaking away from all that went before. And, life as she knew it was over. She could start a clean slate. In a one hour show and being the last one, Diane had to do something, and that slap spoke volumes. Will coming back as a voice for her was an ok twist. Had they kissed at the end, would have been totally disappointed with the show as a whole. That would have been a cheap shot. After the slap, A.F. readjusted herself and walked into the light. Life ended unemcumbered. Who knows, Jake might have been in the parking lot waiting for her! Teasers showed him doing just that!
Once he resigned, she was done! Thinking she saw Jake, for me was her breaking away from all that went before. And, life as she knew it was over. She could start a clean slate. In a one hour show and being the last one, Diane had to do something, and that slap spoke volumes. Will coming back as a voice for her was an ok twist. Had they kissed at the end, would have been totally disappointed with the show as a whole. That would have been a cheap shot. After the slap, A.F. readjusted herself and walked into the light. Life ended unemcumbered. Who knows, Jake might have been in the parking lot waiting for her! Teasers showed him doing just that!
14
I must have been watcing a different show, because I always loved Diane!! It's Alicia I deeply disliked. Diane stood on her own two feet, was generally honest, and didn't use and discard people when it was convenient or inconvenient to her. I'd watch a show with Diane all day. Alicia - I'm glad she's gone. I find nothing about her to admire or like. She wasn't really even a good mother.
7
Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming were the best part of this series. They were both superb and played it just right for an evening soap opera. Now a continuation of the series based on these two wonderful characters would be interesting.
The series itself was sort of an updated “Dallas” – not realistic in terms of relationships, and certainly not in advocacy of women. It didn’t take a second trial for Silda Spitzer, wife of the disgraced ex-Gov of NY, to exit that relationship.
It was a “star” vehicle, without much grit, and in the end, it was all about the men.
The series itself was sort of an updated “Dallas” – not realistic in terms of relationships, and certainly not in advocacy of women. It didn’t take a second trial for Silda Spitzer, wife of the disgraced ex-Gov of NY, to exit that relationship.
It was a “star” vehicle, without much grit, and in the end, it was all about the men.
24
"The Good Wife" final episode was perfect.
32
The story came full circle but differently because of Alicia's evolution. It ended as it had begun with the press conference and held hands. This time Alicia let Peter's hand go to pursue the shadow she thought to be Jason. She had dithered too long, just as she had with Will and he was gone. Alicia had once again let her sense of responsibility interfere with pursuing happiness. Her daughter had taken this lesson on board and had planned to delay university to be near Peter if he were jailed. Only one of many examples of mirroring in the finale. Infidelity again, this time Kurt's, humiliating Diane. Alicia betrayed her friend, Diane, just as she thought Kalinda had betrayed her. Alicia learned about power and how to wield it over the years, so different from the idealism where she began. Her moral compass was not as true as she made expedient decisions, the kind she had abhorred before. She wanted love and happiness, but always dithered too long and lost it with Jason as she had with Will, feeling the pull of being responsible to Peter first. The slap - Diane slapped Alicia for her treachery, just as Alicia had slapped Peter years ago. In the end, Alicia brushed away a tear or two, straightened her back and her suit, and went forward with the steely determination we have come to know. Was it was to politics or law or to pursue Jason? We don't know. We just know she is alone again and moving forward.
88
What treachery?
I don't see how she waited too long. Jason knew she wouldn't leave her husband until the case was resolved, which it soon was.
I don't see how she waited too long. Jason knew she wouldn't leave her husband until the case was resolved, which it soon was.
6
Undermining Kurt's testimony and revealing his adultery to further that. Alicia had Lucca do it. Diane had said not to undermine him and did not know about his cheating. Alicia used it to further Peter's case. That was the treachery.
As to Jason, he was not there when it was over, so she did wait too long.
As to Jason, he was not there when it was over, so she did wait too long.
19
I didn't think that Kurt really betrayed Diane with an affair; I thought the suggestion of such was to detract from his credibility and honesty as an expert witness, for the purposes of getting the potentially damaging ballistics evidence withheld from the jury.
But given Kurt's penchant for honesty, and the integrity that seemed to define his character, such a public accusation -- even if unfounded, and only proposed for a particular purpose in the trial -- was deeply wounding to him. And to the Kurt/Diane bond, given that Diane involved him in the whole thing as a favor to her.
It proved to be a sound legal strategy, of course, as the evidence was successfully withheld from the jury and Peter's plea deal terms improved markedly, but it nonetheless constituted a betrayal on multiple levels. I didn't think there was any basis to it, but curious what others think.
But given Kurt's penchant for honesty, and the integrity that seemed to define his character, such a public accusation -- even if unfounded, and only proposed for a particular purpose in the trial -- was deeply wounding to him. And to the Kurt/Diane bond, given that Diane involved him in the whole thing as a favor to her.
It proved to be a sound legal strategy, of course, as the evidence was successfully withheld from the jury and Peter's plea deal terms improved markedly, but it nonetheless constituted a betrayal on multiple levels. I didn't think there was any basis to it, but curious what others think.
3
The ending confirmed we were watching a tragedy. Alicia is the tragic hero. Alicia is brilliant, beautiul and bold, but doomed due to her tragic flaw - her immoveable devotion to her husband. In the end, every decision ultimately fulfills her role as the good wife.
57
Though one could make a strong argument that her endless calculations/compromise are her biggest flaw. She's a good wife; a good lawyer; a good mother--but she's not a good person.
3
Yes!
Her devotion was self-serving as well. She still benefited from being married to the Governor yet they didn't live together.
The answer is: It's a TV show!!!
15