The Good Wife: The Fourth Season

The fourth season of this smart and refreshingly mature series starring Julianna Margulies as attorney Alicia Florrick—wife of a Chicago politician who was tarnished by a sex scandal and criminal investigation—opens with her law firm on the verge of bankruptcy. In fact, the first few episodes are rather melodramatic, but the show steadies as the season continues, with storylines that focus on Alicia being offered an equity partner position, and the gubernatorial campaign of husband Peter (Chris Noth)—developments that force decisions about their relationship. The combination of dynamic cases and strong characters—especially Archie Panjabi as investigator Kalinda and Matt Czuchry as fellow associate Cary—has made The Good Wife a magnet for actors in memorable recurring roles, including Nathan Lane, Matthew Perry, and Michael J. Fox, to name a few. The legal eagles here don't just represent innocent victims—sometimes they help the guilty go scot-free—and the office politics aren't exactly pretty. But even though it's not always realistic, this intelligent courtroom drama knows that the concept of law can be as much connected to power and business (if not more so) than justice. By the end of this season, viewers are reminded of why Alicia remains the show's true north and moral center, and why we continue to watch her try to remain the good wife, mother, lawyer, and friend amidst real-world compromises. Compiling all 22 episodes from 2012–13, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)