Fans of The Good Wife are easily recognized for having their fingernails bitten down to the quick. This legal drama is as much of an adrenaline rush as any series about organized crime, detectives, or battles for the Iron Throne. Whether it's the cases of the week or the gripping political machinations, The Good Wife offers up minute-to-minute high stakes thrills.
And that's just in the workplace. You might think that a show called The Good Wife would have simple, cut-and-dry relationships. Oh, how wrong you'd be. The characters' romantic lives are an intricate spider's web, as juicy as they are tumultuous. There are our steamy favorites, but also the couplings we wish would go the way of a fly in said spider's web. So pour yourself a glass of red, Alicia-style, and enjoy The Good Wife: 5 Best (And 5 Worst) Relationships.
Worst - Will & Tammy
These two make jury duty look exciting. It's not that Will and Tammy are catastrophic together. They're just forgettable. Seriously, as cool as Tammy the sports writer is, does anybody remember her? Her only real function was to serve as another roadblock for Alicia and Will's inevitable hookup.
There's some Ross and Rachel-esque drama about whether Will and Tammy were on a break when she went to London, but Tammy's the only person onscreen or off who seems to care. Which is a total about-face, considering that at the beginning of the relationship, she says she'll stay only as long as it's fun. Tammy, by our calculations, that means you should have left a long time ago...
Best - Alicia & Johnny
How Alicia, who has one of the most complicated love lives ever, manages to keep her hair so on point is an absolute mystery. Anybody else in her shoes would have ripped theirs out long ago. How does she not have a permanent headache all the time? When Johnny Elfman becomes Alicia's campaign manager, two things are clear. First, they have a palpable chemistry.
Second, despite said chemistry, Alicia and Johnny aren't what you'd call endgame. But who cares? If anybody deserves to have a night of fun, it's everybody's favorite good wife. Johnny is smart, cares about Alicia, and best of all, comes with no drama. Even though Alicia's certainly had steamier elevator encounters, she and Johnny had the perfect fling. Short and sweet.
Worst - Zach & Becca
The Florrick kids are plenty likable, but their storylines tend to be the dullest. Becca, however, definitely created some conflict. A double agent of sorts, Becca gets close to Zach in order to leak gossip about the Florricks over social media.
For a teenager, she has the ruthlessness of a seasoned sociopath as demonstrated when she threatens to spread tawdry allegations against Eli Gold. But as much as Becca fancies herself a pot-stirring vixen, she's about as dangerous as a bad cold—she'll ruin your day...or episode...but she's hardly life-threatening. Alicia makes a point of saying she never liked Becca. Sing it, good wife.
Best - Jackie & Howard
They may be tertiary characters, but in the show's final season, fans were rooting for this odd couple. Jackie is Peter's sophisticated, WASPy mother who has a penchant for designer blazers and passive aggressive comments. Then there's Howard, an office loudmouth who can't make it through a work day without taking off his pants and having a nap. Yet when he manages to stay awake, Howard shows a charming, boyish side towards Jackie that he doesn't with anyone else. Around him, Jackie is able to loosen her collar. They may be the show's oldest characters, but together Jackie and Howard are more adorable than two teenagers experiencing their first love.
Worst - Kalinda & Peter
The only good thing about this ill-advised "couple" is the audience never had to watch them be romantic together. Their one-time tryst happened before the series began. Honestly, other than power, money, and good looks, can anyone explain the appeal of Peter Florrick? He cheated on his wife with a prostitute named Amber Madison. Could the man be any more cliché? For her part, Kalinda takes a no strings attached approach to her bedroom life.
She craves a simplicity to her encounters and shouldn't be judged for that, but she had to know that hooking up with a married public figure could lead to messiness. The whole Kalinda-Peter hookup is cringe-worthy, especially considering that it's responsible for the irreparable damage of one of TV's greatest female friendships.
Best - Cary & Kalinda
Kalinda tries her best to push Cary away, but there's no fighting a connection as hot as theirs. After they start sleeping together, Kalinda shields her heart by openly having sexual relationships with other people. But when she's with Cary, there's a sweet vulnerability that can't be hidden beneath one of her stylish leather jackets. What's so gut-wrenching is that it's clear from the get-go these two aren't destined for a happy ending. But even after they've ended their relationship, Kalinda shows her love for Cary by committing a felony in order to have his bogus drug charges dropped. This leads to a downward spiral, ending with Kalinda's departure from Chicago and the show...but never Cary's heart.
Worst - Alicia & Peter
This good wife should have left her bad husband in the pilot episode. While we envy Alicia's gorgeous apartment and tailor-made pantsuits, she can keep her public figure life—especially if it means staying with someone as sleazy as Peter, just to keep up appearances. The man betrays anyone who shows him the slightest bit of love or loyalty, whether that's Alicia or long-time supporter, Eli. After the hell Peter puts Alicia through, he also has the audacity to vocalize his disapproval of her relationship with Will, and also pitch a fit about Jason Crouse. There are fewer TV lines more satisfying than Alicia finally uttering those beautiful words, "I want a divorce."
Best - Diane & Kurt
Who would have thought that a Republican gun ballistics expert would have captured the heart of a left-leaning feminist lawyer? Diane and Kurt show the beauty of being able to put your differences aside in the name of love, an important lesson in divided times. They may have conflicting views, but each respects the other's passion and strength.
They're unconventional and it works. Diane is the one to propose. They live apart for their first few years of marriage. Diane and Kurt's relationship carries over to the spinoff show The Good Fight, and even though there's strife and infidelity, what the couple has going for them is undeniable love.
Worst - Kalinda & Nick
Kalinda has always been a fan favorite, so any chance for her to get more screen time should be welcomed, right? Yes...unless it means a ludicrous, twisted version of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Nick is Kalinda's ex-husband who tracks her down upon release from prison. They pick up their explosive relationship right where they left off and it's supposed to be...sexy?
There's nothing wrong with consensual romantic power dynamics, but Nick is just plain abusive. He wants to control Kalinda, and the fact that she responds by kicking him in the groin or throwing a knife at him doesn't make it okay. Even if she (probably) kills him, we'll still never forgive Nick for mistreating Kalinda. Or for ruining soft serve ice cream forever.
Best - Alicia & Will
Viewers all but had to watch The Good Wife with the fan on, because Alicia and Will were all kinds of smoking hot together. But they also prove that all the chemistry in the world doesn't mean squat if the timing is bad. Their "will they or won't they?" plot tortured viewers for two whole seasons until they finally get together right before giving us the best elevator scene in TV history. Alas, these two doomed lovers were just never meant to be. But even apart, it's obvious they still carry a burning-hot torch for each other. Who could forget Will's volatile reaction upon learning Alicia was leaving the firm? Or when she found out he died? They may have had bad timing but when they were together, it was oh-so good.