The Good Wife - Season 4 [DVD]

I'm late reviewing this season and there are so many excellent reviews already pointing out the merits of this show so mine will be brief.Previously I've written that the excellence of the writing and dialogue is foremost to the success of the series--- still so.The combination of the actors to their screen characters works to make everything believable and hugely entertaining. That's also still so.And now I notice that there are more and more well respected actors (mainly from the tv stable) who make guest appearances as larger than life characters in the series adding to the quality of the drama.Of course Michael J Fox is now a regular, Eddie Izzard guests as a crusty Brit Barrister, Matthew Perry plays a lying gubernatorial candidate who has the tables turned on him by Alan Cummings's character who dishes out an even bigger lie against him (perhaps a lesson in life, things can bite back on you) , and Alan Cummings has become a star in his own right.Kyle MacLachlan of 'Twin Peaks' blusters, John Noble ('Fringe') is majestic as a worshiper of the eponymous Alicia, F Murray Abraham ('Homeland') is suitably contrite as an opposing lawyer, Dylan Baker continues his character replicating Hannibal Lector and is both extremely slimy and sinister.My only criticism is that on occasion an episode can have too many plot threads that don't seem necessary ----- each episode is only 40 minutes long (22 in all) and it can be confusing for us { we are NOT bright young things :-) ! } as some of these threads seem to be 'fillers' which, to be honest, seem to be inserted in by the writers just to annoy Bob deliberately. Yeah, Mr & Mrs King, I mean you, the award winning creators of the show!Well, we watch 2/3 episodes in an evening and it can get a bit heady for us!Overall a wonderfully entertaining series that continues to be top class.

Some episodes seem to be a bit strange and dreamy.

The law firm of Lockhard/Gardner is heavily in debt and may well go under. Trustee Clarke Hayden(Nathan Lane) moves in to enforce rigid economies - sixty million dollars to be raised in just a few months. Surely mission impossible. What hope now? Will there be a mass exodus? Where do Alicia's loyalties lie?22 episodes, all skilfully crafted with several themes skilfully interwoven. Head of an excellent cast, Julianna Margulies continues to shine as she tries to juggle her commitments as lawyer, wife (her once errant husband now campaigning for Governor), and mother. (Teens Grace and Zach remain remarkably well adjusted in the circumstances - likeable too, unlike their ghastly grans.)Guest stars enhance. Michael J. Fox is back, as devious Louis Canning. Also in no way to be trusted are characters played by Kyle MacLachlan and Matthew Perry. Hilariously returning is Maura Tierney as lawyer Elsbeth, on the surface scatty but capable of exocets that annihilate opposition. A surprise is Marc Warren as investigator Kalinda's husband Nick - he creepy and increasingly dangerous.The court cases remain highlights, no holds barred when fighting controversial cases.Bonuses include deleted scenes, features on directing, costuming and sex content (the show, not being on cable, limited on how far it can go).As usual it uplifts to see so much that is so good, storylines ever stronger with no sign of flagging. Undercurrents abound as circumstances and loyalties change, there surely enough scope for many more seasons.Salute a truly great series, well deserving the acclaim.

Wonderful. One of the best series ever. The ensemble cast is terrific; the script extraordinary....(you really have to concentrate so as not to miss anything in the dialogue - pacy, funny, clever, witty and intelligent); and the individual actors are believable and convincing. You don't have to suspend disbelief...these are like real people with strengths and flaws, who make mistakes but whose fates you care about. A particular favourite is Archie Panjabi who can convey volumes just from the look in her eyes...and the chemistry between Will Gardner and Diane Lockheart is subtle but palpable...conveying all of those possibilities where people admire and like one another but age or circumstance or other commitments prevent anything other than friendship....but may make those relationships the more rewarding as a consequence. Not sure that that this subtext is even in the script or something the actors have brought to the roles - but it goes to underline the multi-layeredness of the programme that reflects real life.

I am very impressed with the making of the series "The Good Wife" it is always interesting and entertaining the one thing I am MOST DISAPPOINTED WITH is the fact that it is no longer one of membership benefits and I'd VERY EXPENSIVE if one wants to carry on watching as the seasons progress I consider that to be daylight or rather "evening time robbery"

A fine show over 4 series with some notable highs and a few lows (some awful over acting at times). This series was let down by the obnoxious story line with Khalinda and her husband - just cringeworthy.The personal story lines are never quite 100% right and stretch credulity in this show, though. Julianne Margulies isn't the sharpest actor and maybe her 'Producer' credit and status makes directors reluctant to rein in her worse tendencies.The contrast between network and cable shows is always amusing - with swear words bleeped out in TGW in ludicrously creative ways. This isn't The Wire, West Wing (though, actors from these pop up in TGW), Boardwalk, Justified or Breaking Bad (to name a few) but leaves most network shows in the dust.And still binged on it - and looking forward to series 5.