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Season 1 – The Good Wife

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Good Wife 2009 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 40 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
When a very public sex and political-corruption scandal lands her husband, Peter, in prison, Alicia Florrick (Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies) must get past the humiliation and betrayal and assume responsibility for her family. She resumes her career as a defense attorney, shedding her persona as the embarrassed wife of a politician, and takes charge of her destiny. Years later, after Peter wins the gubernatorial election, Alicia must balance her evolving career and family responsibilities with her new position as first lady of Illinois.
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The Good Wife — Season 1

The Good Wife — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Along with Julianna Margulies and a fine cast, the gripping drama The Good Wife, boasts hook-heavy plotlines torn from the headlines.

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Critics Reviews

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Michelle Dean Bitch Media This show, then, is only interesting in political wives the way I'd say it seems many of their husbands are: a gimmick and a premise for someone/something else, but as a person? Not so much. Dec 23, 2020 Full Review Rachel Ray Daily Telegraph (UK) Alicia's complexity as a mother, humiliated wife, sole family supporter, and determined lawyer has been effectively established and, like Judge Questa, we're interested. Nov 5, 2019 Full Review John Doyle Globe and Mail The Good Wife is very juicy TV. Nov 4, 2019 Full Review Cynthia Fuchs PopMatters Even as this plot pattern bodes ill, [Julianna] Margulies and [Archie] Panjabi make a formidable team. Their performances -- crisp and nuanced -- go a long way toward smoothing over the rough edges of their characters' obvious "types." Rated: 5/10 Nov 5, 2019 Full Review Scott D. Pierce Deseret News (Salt Lake City) This is a very entertaining show that deftly mixes legal drama, family drama and political intrigue. It has taken an intriguing premise and expanded it into a very good series. Oct 30, 2019 Full Review Ed Bark Uncle Barky This is CBS' sturdiest, savviest new drama series in years, with all of its parts in excellent working order. Rated: A Oct 30, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blake B This is the best show every made. The acting is incredible. The story line and character development are top notch. With 20+ episodes a season that are almost a full hour, this is from the golden age of TV. Juliana Margulies and Christine Baranski are dynamite. I LOVE THIS. I watch it once a year and have since I was twelve, which was definitely too young to start watching this but whatever. LOVEEEEEE Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/24/25 Full Review R D I just love this show. Alicia Florrick and her conflicted feelings about her charismatic husband (Chris Noth) while trying to be her own person with her own career while still trying to hold on to her husband and family is really great content. Such a wonderful character and the entire show in the writing is excellent Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review Jacquelyn J Just an awsome series it's brilliant and well worth a watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/24 Full Review Ginger F The reason why I came back to appointment viewing television. I let the title push me away for sometime. I said to self, “let me guess, in the spirit of reality housewives gone mad, we’re gonna get more of the same ol crazy?” (Referring to the Real Housewives franchise) Much to my chagrin, I jumped to curmudgeon conclusions before realizing: this show is FANTASTIC. Part comeuppance story, part ensemble legal shenanigans, nothing pleased me more than watching 7 seasons of this enthralling drama. What must have started out as a stellar showcase for producer Julianna Margulies, turned into an Emmy first for British actress Archie Panjabi as the law firm internal investigator and a nonstop exhibition of theatrical chutzpah by Christine Baranski and Alan Cumming. They aren’t the only show stoppers nor talent with former Broadway and West End resumes. Shows like THE GOOD WIFE brought me back into the fold of American television while friends were telling me to jump on board BREAKING BAD and THE WIRE. Those shows, while I heard are amazing, never enticed me. Stumbling upon TGW when I was sick and needed something to take my mind off my health proved to be an accident waiting to happen. Then I continued with the streaming spin off THE GOOD FIGHT which was another, fabulous continuation to keep my senses glued to the Tube. Testament to the creative writing, directing and producing duo, Robert and Michelle King! If you love smart women, edgy commentary, and legal dramas that dance in the grey zones, or if you love British intellectual dialogue and wonder if there’s an American counterpart - TGW hit the spot. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/19/23 Full Review Audience Member It is about Alicia Corn Flakes. She is a laywer and when she doesn't agree with the other laywer questioning a witness she shouts "Erection". She also farts a lot in the courtroom and she tries to blame it on the judge: "It was him!". Besides stinky bombs she is really dishonest and she has sex with any man available. Great season. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the best TV shows ever made. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Good Wife — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 22, 2009 Pilot Humiliated by her politician husband's scandal, Alicia Florrick musters her resilience and returns to work as a defense attorney, getting the case of a woman accused of murdering her ex-husband. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 29, 2009 Stripped Alicia represents a stripper who says she was raped at the bachelor party of a prominent businessman. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 6, 2009 Home Alicia finds herself immersed in her old life when she is asked to represent the teenage son of a former friend. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 13, 2009 Fixed As her husband's legal team continues to work on his appeal, Alicia discovers evidence of possible jury tampering in her firm's class-action suit against a pharmaceutical company. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 20, 2009 Crash Will and Alicia have 72 hours to prove that a train company is responsible for a freight train crash; Alicia and Jackie clash over taking the children to visit their father. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 3, 2009 Conjugal Alicia agrees to a conjugal visit with Peter to get information from him because her client was convicted during his regime as state's attorney. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 2009 Unorthodox While representing the daughter of one of the firm's partners, Alicia becomes attracted to her co-counsel and his unorthodox approach to defending their client. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 2009 Unprepared As Alicia gets ready to defend a scientist accused of arson, Peter's appeals process begins and she is asked to testsify. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 24, 2009 Threesome Alicia becomes entangled in office politics when she is asked to represent a partner in the firm on a DUI charge; Alicia wonders if Peter could be guilty of corruption. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 15, 2009 Lifeguard When a judge overturns a plea deal arranged by Alicia, she looks into his motivation; Diane is made an offer that she cannot refuse. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 5, 2010 Infamy Alicia discovers more information about Peter's fall from grace; Will gets cozy with his opposing counsel during a wrongful death suit against a TV commentator. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 12, 2010 Painkiller When a high school quarterback dies after overdosing on painkillers, Alicia represents the doctor who prescribed the medication; Alicia deals with bad news at home and gives Peter information that makes his blood boil. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 2, 2010 Bad Peter's appeal trial begins; Alicia defends a wealthy client whose innocence she doubts; a felon Diana successfully prosecuted is about to be released from prison. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 9, 2010 Hi As Alicia defends a husband accused of murder, her family prepares for the outcome of Peter's appeal and his potential homecoming. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 2, 2010 Bang Peter works on a comeback strategy with his political team while adjusting to life at home; Diane and Alicia try to get a woman to testify against her husband. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 9, 2010 Fleas Peter strategizes on how to handle his retrial and the next steps in his public rehabilitation; Alicia and Will defend an attorney arrested for murder. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 16, 2010 Heart Will and Alicia battle a health insurance company that refuses to pay for urgent in-utero surgery; Alicia decides to give Peter a proper welcome home. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 6, 2010 Doubt Tension builds between Will and Alicia while they defend a student accused of killing her sorority sister; Kurt and Diane continue to flirt. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 27, 2010 Boom Alicia debates whether or not to use personal information to her advantage when she takes on her former boss in the courtroom; Peter uses religion to work on his appeal. Details Episode 20 Aired May 4, 2010 Mock After he chases Alicia out of the apartment, Peter's electronic monitor sounds; Grace and Zach scramble to come up with a way to keep their father from being arrested. Details Episode 21 Aired May 11, 2010 Unplugged The firm takes the case of a woman whose husband is in a coma; Alicia makes a move to ensure that the firm chooses her over Cary. Details Episode 22 Aired May 18, 2010 Hybristophilia Eli works on getting Peter's charges dropped; Alicia defends a client accused of killing his wife; Cary looks for a way to get back at Alicia. Details Episode 23 Aired May 25, 2010 Running Alicia must decide if she will stand by Peter during his new political campaign or pursue a relationship with Will. Details
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Season Info

Director
Rod Holcomb, James Whitmore Jr., Daniel Minahan, Omar Madha, Charles McDougall
Executive Producer
Tony Scott, Ridley Scott, Robert King, Michelle King, Dee Johnson, David W. Zucker
Screenwriter
Robert King, Ted Humphrey, Todd Ellis Kessler, Corinne Brinkerhoff, Karen Hall, Frank Pierson, Dee Johnson, Michelle King, Barry M. Schkolnick
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-PG (L|D)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 22, 2009