Alicia Florrick is reinventing herself again as “The Good Wife” enters its seventh season. But thankfully no one is better than Alicia at clawing her way to the top and forging a new path for herself.
After being disgraced in her run for State’s Attorney, Alicia’s law career is struggling. She has left what is now Lockhart Agos and can’t seem to procure any cases. In the finale of season six, Louis Canning came to her door and asked if she wanted a partner. But she clearly told him no because as season seven begins, she is showing up at bond court, fighting for an assembly line of arrestees to make bail. The work is different than she’s used to – fast and furious with no time to really talk to a client – and the learning curve is steep. It’s basically grunt work that doesn’t pay well (at least for an attorney). But Alicia is ready to work. Unfortunately, though, the other attorneys and the judge don’t take too kindly to her. They know who she is and have preconceptions about her. For example, the judge thinks she’s a “Marie Antoinette.” (That line reminded me how great the Kings’ writing is, as if I needed a reminder.)
In the midst of all this, Alicia does get a case of her own – and it just so happens that she’s fighting against Diane Lockhart and David Lee. Seeing them on opposite sides is always fun. They’re formidable foes.
Despite Alicia’s career troubles, this episode proves she knows who she is and what she wants (and doesn’t want). And, as usual, she is willing to fight for it. Louis Canning isn’t about to give up on his offer, though. So he tries to woo her once again, eliciting some great lines from Alicia (that you see in the season seven promo). She tells him, “For the first time in my life, I don’t have to answer to anyone.” And later she tells him he’s the devil. I have always loved the interaction between these two. Canning is used to getting what he wants. But Alicia is just as stubborn. Michael J. Fox and Julianna Margulies are dynamite together.
We are also introduced to a new character this week: bond attorney Lucca Quinn, played by new series regular Cush Jumbo (“Torchwood”). Though she starts off frustrated with Alicia, Lucca is willing to give her a chance. I liked the direction of the character and am excited to see more. I was also happy to see a new woman added to the cast. Since Archie Panjabi’s departure as Kalinda (sniff, sniff, cry, cry), we needed some female infusion. But it’s a little bit of a sore spot when you see Lucca sitting next to Alicia at a bar – it’s too obvious of a comparison to Alicia and Kalinda. Nonetheless, the hint is there – these two may just become great friends. So far I’m enjoying Lucca’s character. She’s different than the rest of the attorneys surrounding Alicia.
That is especially true now that Finn Polmar is gone. And he is indeed gone. There was no sighting or mention of him in the premiere. But thankfully we do see Cary Agos. He may be off the hook with Lemond Bishop, but he doesn’t look too happy at Lockhart Agos. We see him longingly watching the young associates who seem to be having fun while the partners get nothing done.
One character I unexpectedly enjoyed in this episode was Grace. She is a big help to her mother, who doesn’t realize how much she needs her. It appears Grace is becoming a little Mommy Mini-Me, an excellent attorney-in-training. It made me excited to see where her character is headed.
With so much to look forward to this season, you won’t want to miss the seventh season premiere of “The Good Wife.” It airs October 4 at 9/8c on CBS.
What would you like to see happen this season on "The Good Wife?" What are you looking forward to in the season premiere? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
