Generation J.D.

Ok, I’m lying.  It is.  But it’s a review of a “legal” show, so we’re allowed to do that here, aren’t we?

I really only get to watch about 2-3 shows a week (plus football, of course).  So, I’m picky.  Every fall, while I’m waiting for Lost to return, I try and find that elusive replacement for L.A. Law. I like Law and Order as much as the next person, but c’mon, it’s getting a bit tired.

This season, the replacement is no longer elusive.  In my humble opinion (and I mean that in all seriousness, because I’ve never actually written a review before), The Good Wife is the best legal drama to come along in quite some time.  Julianna Marguiles is incredibly believable as Alicia Florrick, the wife of Peter Florrick (played by Chris Noth, aka Mr. Big), who goes back to work at a boutique litigation firm after her husband, an Illinois state’s attorney, is sent to jail after being accused of misusing public money.  All the personal drama is definitely there (and it’s compelling), and so is the law-firm politics.   Chris Noth is perfectly cast in the show as the formerly slimy lawyer (and husband) trying to turn things around (but always having been and remaining a good, loving father — although, husband, not so much).

But it’s the courtroom drama that makes this show.  The other stuff is pretty much gravy.  I’ve said before that I’ve known for some time that I didn’t have a future in litigation, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love a good legal story.  And this has one in every episode (at least so far!).  They’re written just as you’d want them — detailed where needed (but not too much that it gets confusing) and with enough “oh yeah, I remember that from Civil Procedure” that it makes you feel like your law school education was worthwhile.

So, next time you set your DVR (what do you mean, you don’t have a DVR?), set it to record The Good Wife, on CBS, Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

Powered by Bookmarkify™