The Good Wife isn't afraid to go headfirst into the "shitstorm."
When CBS' critical darling ended its last season, Alicia (Julianna Margulies) was planning her exit from Lockhart/Gardner with fellow associate Cary (Matt Czuchry). Reporters present Monday afternoon at the Television Critics Association press tour session were presented with a first look at Alicia being confronted by the firm's partners about fourth-year associates possibly defecting, not knowing that Alicia was a part of that.
PHOTOS: Behind the Judge's Bench at 'The Good Wife' Set
The decision to depict the calm before the storm was intentional on the part of executive producers Robert and Michelle King. "We really want to get the audience whet with this difficulty of betraying your firm," Robert King told reporters.
In fact, they spoke to those in the industry to provide context to the situation portrayed on the show, which hits its landmark (Robert King hints that it will be a "blowout") 100th episode this season. "We've been interviewing a lot of partners in agencies — and not just law firms — about what it's like when they leave and take clients and it's a shitstorm. What we want is the quiet before the shitstorm."
"I think [Alicia]'s leaving the law firm because she knows if she stays there, in her peripheral vision[there] will always be Will (Josh Charles) and she can't move forward with her commitment to saying yes to being first lady of Illinois," Julianna Margulies said, "as long as her and Will are working together. I think in her heart of hearts, she thinks that's the smart move."
Margulies admitted that her "heart sank" when she read the season four finale script, believing that the person who would appear at her door would be her sometimes lover Will and was pleasantly surprised when it was Cary. "It was always going to be going for the professional and intentionally going for the misdirect," Michelle King said of the pivotal season-ending scene.
The Good Wife is known for utilizing real-life headlines and scandals in the political spheres in its episodes and arcs. With the Anthony Weiner "sexting" scandal resurfacing amid his bid for New York City mayor and the Edward Snowden/NSA situation (Robert King called it "fascinating" and said it provides a framework for the season), Margulies and the Kings admitted that they are the gifts "that keep on giving."
One of the questions that will be explored in regards to Weiner will be whether sexual dalliance increases with power, Robert King alluded, hinting that one of the big themes will be asking whether that is in fact the case — especially with Alicia's husband, Peter (Chris Noth) the newly crowned governor of Illinois. "Does he find himself tempted?" Robert King asked, saying that new addition Melissa George plays an integral part in that question.
Being in a position of power again for Alicia will be an intriguing journey for Alicia and glimpses of how she handled her high stature "started seeping in a little bit" last year. "It is incredibly provocative to be in a powerful situation," Margulies said. "She's very aware she's choosing a slippery slope. She isn't quite aware of this eruption that's about to happen because of the war she's causing at Lockhart/Gardner."
Though The Good Wife has gathered a bevy of key guest players, the Kings affirmed that season five will be more centered on the core characters. "It's more about our team, not about the guest stars coming," Robert King said, saying that the theme will be a civil war. He later added: "We get to a civil war fairly quickly at the law firm."
Carrie Preston, Gary Cole and America Ferrera will all return in the new season, with George, Juliet Rylance, Ben Rapaport and Jeffrey Tambor joining.
The Good Wife returns Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. on CBS.
E-mail: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
Twitter: @insidethetube
