"The Good Wife" is an American legal and political drama television series that aired on CBS from September 22, 2009, to May 8, 2016. The show focuses on Alicia Florrick, the wife of the Cook County State's Attorney, who returns to her career in law after her husband's public sex and political corruption scandal. Created by Robert and Michelle King, the series starred Julianna Margulies in the lead role and earned widespread critical acclaim throughout its run.
ABOUT THE GOOD WIFE
Across its seven seasons and 156 episodes, "The Good Wife" explores the personal and professional life of Alicia Florrick as she navigates her return to practicing law after years as a stay-at-home mother. Following her husband Peter's imprisonment due to a political corruption and sex scandal, Alicia joins the law firm Stern, Lockhart & Gardner as a junior associate, where she reconnects with her former Georgetown Law classmate Will Gardner.
The series examines themes of political corruption, the influence of technology and social media on society and law, the nature of public scandals, and the complex moral and ethical dilemmas faced by legal professionals. It received widespread critical acclaim for its sophisticated writing, nuanced performances, and its insightful examination of contemporary social and political issues.
By the time it concluded in 2016, "The Good Wife" had won numerous awards, including five Emmy Awards, and was praised by critics as one of the best network television dramas of its era. Its distinctive production approach, delivering full 22-23 episode seasons while maintaining high quality standards, set it apart from other acclaimed dramas of the time that typically produced shorter seasons.
EUAN MORTON'S APPEARANCE IN "VERDICT" (S07E21)
Euan Morton appeared in the penultimate episode of "The Good Wife," titled "Verdict," which aired on May 1, 2016. In this episode, he played the character of Irv Bircher. The episode is particularly significant as it sets up the series finale and brings several of the show's long-running storylines toward their conclusion.
"Verdict" focuses on Peter Florrick's trial, where Alicia works desperately to keep her husband from returning to jail. As the legal drama unfolds, tensions rise and Alicia finds herself at a professional and personal crossroads. Meanwhile, at the law firm, Diane Lockhart and Lucca Quinn move aggressively to expand their practice but face serious opposition from David Lee.
KEY QUOTE FROM THE EPISODE
"I don't care what you believe; I care what you can prove."
This episode serves as an essential bridge to the series finale, as it sets up the conclusion of Peter's legal troubles and positions Alicia for the difficult choices she will face in the final episode. The storylines that had been developing throughout the seventh season come to a head, providing emotional weight and dramatic tension as the acclaimed series approaches its end.
EPISODE SYNOPSIS
As Peter's trial begins, the prosecution presents a strong case against him, putting him in significant legal jeopardy. Alicia and his legal team work frantically to prevent him from returning to prison. Every decision carries weight, both legally and personally, as years of history and complex relationships influence the proceedings.
At the law firm, Diane and Lucca's plans for expansion are threatened when David Lee unexpectedly opposes their vision for the future of the practice. This professional conflict occurs against the backdrop of the more personal drama unfolding with Peter's trial, illustrating how the personal and professional constantly intersect in the world of "The Good Wife."
The episode explores themes that have been central to the series: loyalty, ambition, redemption, and the cost of political and personal choices. As the penultimate episode, "Verdict" represents the beginning of the end for the acclaimed series, setting up emotional and professional resolutions for the characters that viewers had followed for seven seasons.
