Review - The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 1 Taking Control

The Good Wife was last years breakout hit, defying all expectations and becoming a very unique show--on CBS no less. It didn't become a cry-fest where the wife hid in the background and cried, or a scorned wife who is abrasive towards anyone. It was about a now-single woman clawing her way back into professional life as a defense attorney. Meanwhile, her husband tries to regain his honor and position as State's Attorney. The combination, along with Julianna Margulies's acting, made for an utterly engrossing and compelling show, never failing to deliver something each week.

This week's pulled-from-the-headline case is basically the same as the Wikileaks videos a while back. This time, Alicia must defend the presumed killer of the video originator.

On the relationship side of things, Will leaves an impassioned voicemail to Alicia, a declaration of love, after leaving a previous voicemail telling her to drop the subject. Hearing the message and realizing the possible consequences, the ever cunning Eli Gold deletes the voicemail. Problem solved--for now. And Peter, who becomes turned on by his wife's feisty courtroom behavior, isn't afraid to express his opinion in physical affection, and Alicia sure likes it.

"Taking Control" also introduces the new partner from D.C., Derek Bond, who, by the end of the episode is rather chummy will Will. From the outside, Dianne looks in, realizing she can never be "one of the guys." Kalinda, played by this year's Emmy winner Archie Panjabi, tussles with the investigator Bond brings in, but she gets the job done in the end and exerts her mysterious power over everyone.

Given The Good Wife's mediocre ratings, which have continued to drop, the show may be in slight trouble this year. However, the critical acclaim should be a great help, especially since most critics and award shows write off CBS.

Score: 9.2/10