If you were watching TV on the night of March 23, 2014, you remember where you were. You probably dropped your remote. Or screamed at the Twitter feed on your phone. The Good Wife season 5 didn't just move the needle; it shattered the compass. Most shows, by their fifth year, are running on fumes. They’re recycling old love triangles or introducing a long-lost cousin to keep things "fresh." But Robert and Michelle King decided to blow up the entire premise of their show instead. It was risky. It was loud. Honestly, it was a masterpiece of serialized storytelling that basically put every other network drama to shame.
The fifth season is centered on one seismic shift: "The Plan." Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) and Cary Agos (Matt Czuchry) decide to leave Lockhart/Gardner to start their own firm, Florrick/Agos. This isn't just a career move. It’s a betrayal. It’s a messy, emotional divorce played out in high-end Chicago office suites. If you haven't rewatched it lately, you've forgotten how much "Hitting the Fan" actually lived up to its title.
The Civil War of Lockhart/Gardner
Usually, in a legal procedural, the drama comes from the "case of the week." You get a quirky judge, a ticking clock, and a win in the final five minutes. The Good Wife season 5 used those cases as background noise for a total civil war.
The tension in the first few episodes is suffocating. Alicia is stealing clients while sitting three feet away from Will Gardner (Josh Charles). She’s whispering in hallways. She’s downloading files in the middle of the night. It felt like a heist movie. When Will finally finds out—thanks to a misplaced phone and some brilliant detective work by Kalinda—the explosion is legendary. Will sweeping the contents of Alicia’s desk onto the floor isn't just "good TV." It’s the moment the show transitioned from a smart procedural into a heavyweight tragedy.
The brilliance of this season lies in the gray areas. You want to root for Alicia because she’s the protagonist, right? She’s finally taking agency. She’s "climbing the mountain," as the show often alluded. But then you see Will’s face. You see the genuine hurt of a man who mentored her, loved her, and protected her. Suddenly, Alicia looks like the villain. This ambiguity is what makes The Good Wife season 5 so sticky. It refuses to give you a "good guy."
The Death That Changed Everything
We have to talk about Josh Charles. Specifically, we have to talk about his exit.
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In an era where every casting change is leaked months in advance on Reddit or Deadline, the death of Will Gardner was a genuine, honest-to-god shock. It remains one of the best-kept secrets in television history. When Will was shot in that courtroom by his client, Jeffrey Grant (played with haunting desperation by Hunter Parrish), the collective gasp of the audience was audible.
Why did it work? Because it wasn't a "sweeps week" stunt. It was a narrative necessity. Josh Charles wanted to leave the show. Most showrunners would have sent him to a different firm in London or had him move to D.C. for a political job. The Kings chose violence. They chose to leave a void in the middle of Alicia’s life that could never be filled.
The episode following the shooting, "The Last Call," is perhaps the most realistic depiction of grief ever aired on network television. There are no soaring violins. There’s just Alicia, trying to track down a final phone call she missed from Will. She’s looking for closure that doesn't exist. It’s brutal. It’s quiet. It’s perfect.
The Nuance of the Supporting Cast
While the Alicia/Will/Diane triangle (professionally and personally) took center stage, the periphery of The Good Wife season 5 was equally stacked.
- Eli Gold (Alan Cumming): His frantic energy as Peter’s Chief of Staff provided the necessary levity. Watching him navigate the "intern-gate" scandal or deal with Marybeth Peake was a masterclass in comedic timing.
- Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski): Season 5 forced Diane to grow teeth. She was being vetted for a Supreme Court seat while her firm was dissolving. Baranski played that balance of elegance and "I will destroy you" with terrifying precision.
- Cary Agos: Finally! Cary got his due. For four years, he was the guy Alicia beat for a job. In season 5, he became a peer. A rival. A partner. His chemistry with Alicia as they built their scrappy new firm out of a dusty loft was the underdog story we didn't know we needed.
Why This Season Ranks So High On Google and In Our Hearts
There is a technical reason why people still search for The Good Wife season 5 over a decade later. It represents the peak of the "prestige procedural." This was before everything migrated to 8-episode seasons on streaming services. This was 22 episodes of high-octane writing.
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It also tackled technology in a way that didn't feel cringey. Remember the NSA plotline? The show was ahead of its time, depicting the casual surveillance of American citizens while we were all still figuring out what a "cloud" was. The way the NSA analysts became fans of Alicia’s life—watching her through her webcam like it was a soap opera—was both hilarious and deeply unsettling. It added a layer of meta-commentary that very few shows could pull off without being pretentious.
The Evolution of Alicia Florrick
By the time the season 5 finale, "The Weird Year," rolls around, Alicia is a different person. She’s harder. She’s more cynical. She’s also incredibly powerful. When Eli Gold asks her the final question of the season—"Would you like to run for State's Attorney?"—the look on her face says it all. The "good wife" died with Will Gardner. The politician was born.
It’s rare to see a character arc that is this consistent and this punishing. Alicia didn't just "find herself." she lost parts of her soul to get what she wanted.
Actionable Takeaways for TV Fans and Writers
If you are a storyteller or just someone who loves a good binge-watch, here is what you can learn from The Good Wife season 5:
1. Don't Be Afraid to Break Your Status Quo
The show was successful in its original format. They could have stayed at Lockhart/Gardner for seven seasons and made millions. They chose to break the set and change the dynamics. If your story feels stagnant, blow it up.
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2. Silence is a Dialogue
The most powerful moments in season 5 aren't the courtroom speeches. They are the silent moments. Alicia sitting in her darkened apartment. Diane looking at an empty office. Don't over-explain the emotion; let the audience sit in it.
3. High Stakes Require High Costs
Will Gardner’s death mattered because it cost the audience something. It cost Alicia something. If you want your audience to care, you have to be willing to take away the things they love.
4. The Small Details Build the World
The show’s use of recurring judges (like the wonderful, idiosyncratic characters played by Ana Gasteyer or Jerry Stiller) made Chicago feel like a real place. World-building isn't just for sci-fi.
If you haven't seen it, or if it's been a few years, go back and watch episode 5, "Hitting the Fan." It is a 42-minute lesson in tension. You’ll see why people are still talking about this season. It wasn't just a legal drama; it was a study in human ambition and the high price of starting over.
To fully appreciate the scope, watch the episodes in blocks. The "betrayal" arc (episodes 1-10) is a different beast than the "grief" arc (episodes 16-22). Both are essential. Both are why this season remains the gold standard.
Check the streaming platforms—most have the full series available. Start with the season 4 finale to get the context, then buckle up for season 5. You won't regret it.