The Good Wife: The Sixth Season

The Good Wife is a rare legal drama on American TV: intelligent, mature, witty, both cynical and optimistic, and well aware of the difference between law and justice. In this season, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) runs for Attorney General of Chicago, enduring a brutal contest of political gamesmanship and personal attacks. Meanwhile, she and her partners defend Cary (Matt Czuchry), who has been targeted by the state's attorney, while also fighting with their former firm and struggling to maintain their identity in the midst of growing pains, new associates, and legal battles. The series acknowledges the dirty politics of Chicago in both parties and the reality that lawyers represent guilty parties as often as innocent ones, and it explores the toll that the election takes on Alicia's family as she attempts to strike a balance between playing the kind of political hardball it takes to both win and hold office, and remaining true to her beliefs in justice and fair play. As with previous seasons, The Good Wife manages to be serious and playful at the same time, using humor to keep things entertaining without undercutting the gravity of the issues, including her separation from Peter (Chris Noth) and the future of their personal relationship outside of politics. Notable guest stars this season include David Hyde Pierce, Oliver Platt, Linda Lavin, Ed Asner, Taye Diggs, Kyle MacLachlan, Gary Cole, and Michael J. Fox. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2014-15 sixth season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)