The Good Wife: The Fifth Season

An example of the rare network drama that has improved over time, The Good Wife delivers both a clever and engaging legal show with interesting twists and offbeat characters, and an adult drama featuring real stakes and consequences for every choice made—personal and professional. The complications in this season arrive immediately as Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), an associate at the high-powered Chicago law firm Lockhart & Gardner, plots to start a new enterprise with fellow associate Cary (Matt Czuchry)—engaging in a secretive scheme that turns into a war with former colleagues Will (Josh Charles) and Diane (Christine Baranski). The split not only forces Kalinda (Archie Panjabi) to take sides, but also creates tension with the office of Governor Peter Florrick (Chris Noth), who is still Alicia's husband—if only in name (and in public). The ensemble expands this season with Jason O'Mara playing mob-connected lawyer Damian Boyle, while Nathan Lane, Carrie Preston, and Michael J. Fox all return in recurring roles. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2013–14 fifth season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, a gag reel, and a music video. A smart, engaging adult drama with some of TV's best roles for women, this is highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)