A politician involved in a sex scandal? Say it ain't so.
When Alicia Florrick (Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies) finds herself standing next to her husband Peter (Chris Noth, Sex And The City) reading a mea culpa speech for his indiscretion with a prostitute and political corruption, she is literally The Good Wife, no matter how humiliated and betrayed she felt.
With her husband in prison, the stay-at-home mom of Zach (Graham Phillips) and Grace (Makenzie Vega) reaches out to an old friend to help her resume her law career to provide for her family.
Throughout seven seasons, Alicia's relationship with Peter is on-again-off-again, with some interesting lovers in between. But she's not the only one we watched couple up. Some more appealing than others.
Loved: Alicia Florrick And Will Gardner
Oh, who doesn't love a good "old lovers reunite" story? Will (Josh Charles) and Alicia went to Georgetown Law together. She was the one who got away, so no wonder he jumped at the chance to give her a junior associate job; it helped her get back on her feet after Peter's scandal and he got to see the love of his life every day.
In seasons 1 through 5, fans watch them interact similar to Rachel and Ross' relationship, always hoping for the best. In season 5 though, our dreams were dashed when Will is gunned down in court by a defendant.
Hated: Alicia Florrick And Peter Florrick
The character of "Peter" is an even sleazier "Mr. Big." Apparently sex worker Amber Madison with whom his affair kicked off the scandal was not the first time he cheated. Peter even slept with Lockhart/Gardner investigator Kalinda Sharma (Archie Panjabi) when she worked at the States Attorneys Office. But like Jake Gyllenhal in Brokeback Mountain, Alicia just couldn't quit him.
In fact, in the season finale, it is Alicia who once again stands by Peter, when he is once again at a press conference once again resigning from his position due to yet another political scandal. She should have stood up for herself.
Loved: Alicia Florrick And Jason Crouse
Hot does not describe these two. The lawyer-turned-investigator (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who's hired when Alicia and Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo) start their own firm is handsome, charming, and sexy with a little smart, funny and sensitive thrown in for good measure.
Post-sexy time, they watch bad TV, she feeds him Doritos, he reads to her in bed, he wears her pink robe, they shower together; this man has tapped into her inner wild woman. Then she blew it for, yes, Peter.
Hated: Jackie Florrick And Howard Lyman
Okay, hated might not be totally accurate. Let's say "hard to love". Although there is something sweet and inspirational about this "never too late to find romance again" couple, it's difficult to sigh and say, "Ahhh," because this pairing happened between two of the most unlikeable characters on the show.
She was the stereotype of the interfering mother-in-law who thought her son walked on water despite behavior to the contrary. He was the most obnoxious, misogynistic lawyer at Lockhart/Gardner who irritated co-workers and viewers alike.
Loved: Diane Lockhart And Kurt McVeigh
When opposites attract they really attract. When the name partner at Lockhart/Gardner, liberal, Hillary Clinton supporter, and feminist met the firearms expert and conservative Republican aka "the Marlboro Man," sparks flew all the way to the altar.
Alas, he cheated and in the season finale, Alicia threw him under the bus to get Peter a deal. This resulted in a very hurt Diane (Christine Baranski) giving Alicia a slap heard round the world. Fans of the politically opposed couple got a reprieve when Diane got her own spin-off, The Good Fight, and forgave Kurt (Gary Cole).
Hated: Cary Agos And Kalinda Sharma
They may look like opposites, him with the pale white skin and platinum blond hair, her dark and exotic. But these two are cut from the same "anything to win for self-preservation" clothe. Separately, each can be fun to watch. Together, not so much.
For the first 4 seasons they had a very surface, flirtatious back-and-forth, but in season 5 BOOM. But as Lao Tzu said: The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Things fell apart when Cary (Matt Czuchry, The Resident) realized Kalinda wanted to still see other people. What a shock.
Loved: Kalinda Sharma and Lana Delaney
No, it's not true love, but a sizzling couple to watch just the same--and ahead of their time for network television. When the sultry Federal Agent with the FBI and the emotionally guarded, bisexual, mysterious, in-house investigator for Lockhart/Gardner are in a scene together, the steam radiates from the screen.
Lana's a smart cookie and possesses a swagger all her own, so she knows what she's getting into with Kalinda, who's not the relationship type, sexualizes herself and sleeps with people to get information when working a case.
Hated: Zach Florrick And Becca
When he was 14, Alicia's son fell for the charms of a 16-year-old strawberry blond seductress who manipulates 411 out of the naive teen and leaks all over social media using the handle "Upriser7" seemingly because it's just fun to mess with people.
Zach breaks up with her (for good reason) but she continues to pursue him, even volunteering for his dad's campaign. For some inexplicable reason--perhaps just young and dumb--he befriends her again but the relationship eventually just goes away. Much to the relief of his mother. Live and learn.
Loved: Alicia Florrick And Johnny Elfman/Finn Polmar
Sure it was only a one night stand, but it made us say "You go girl." Johnny (Steven Pasquale) was hired as Alicia's campaign manager. They share a kiss after Cary's case is dismissed then a more passionate one a few episodes later. Although we never witness it, it's revealed they hooked up.
We didn't even get that with handsome Finn (Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode) but they were just so sweet and caring together. We were left with a nice "what might have been" fantasy.
Hated: Will Gardner And Tammy Linnata
She was just too cool for school, wasn't she? Reminding Will as well as us every five minutes how sexy she was, plus carefree and independent, with a savvy chaser. (Yawn). "You better not fall in love with me," she says, all the while hoping he will. The sports news journalist's bravado covers her insecurity about believing Will still prefers her sister who he used to date and knowing he really still loves Alicia--word.
At the end of season 2, Tammy is offered a promotion requiring a move to London. Instead of begging her to stay, he wishes her well. We said good riddance.