Ep 2. Double Jeopardy

The Good Wife is a legal drama television series that premiered on CBS in 2009. The show follows the life of Alicia Florrick (played by Julianna Margulies), a former lawyer who returns to the profession after her husband, a politician, is involved in a scandal. The show has received critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and exploration of social and political issues.

In season 2 episode 2 of The Good Wife, titled Double Jeopardy, the main story revolves around Alicia's defense of a woman accused of murdering her husband. The woman, Donna Seabrook (played by Lili Taylor), had previously been acquitted of the same crime due to mistakes made by the prosecution. However, new evidence has emerged that leads the prosecution to believe they can secure a guilty verdict this time around.

Alicia takes on the case despite her reservations about defending someone who may be guilty. She becomes especially invested in the case when she learns that Donna's teenage daughter, Sarah, is being targeted by the prosecution as a witness against her mother. Alicia's own experiences with her children and the sacrifices she has made for them make her sympathetic to Sarah's situation.

As Alicia investigates the case, she begins to uncover a series of secrets that could change the outcome of the trial. She discovers that Donna was a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and that her previous acquittal was due to a lack of evidence rather than her innocence. Alicia also finds evidence that the prosecution may be relying on a coerced confession in order to secure a conviction.

Meanwhile, Alicia's personal life becomes more complicated as she tries to juggle her job and her family. Her mother-in-law, Jackie (played by Mary Beth Peil), moves in with her temporarily and tries to interfere in her relationship with her children. Alicia's teenage daughter, Grace (played by Makenzie Vega), also becomes involved in a political scandal when she creates a controversial video for her school project.

The episode ends with the resolution of the trial, but not before several surprising twists and turns. Alicia makes a bold move in court that ultimately leads to the outcome she was hoping for, but not without consequences for her client and her own personal life. The episode sets up several ongoing storylines for the rest of the season, including the repercussions of the trial and the impact it has on Alicia's relationships with her colleagues, her family, and herself.

Overall, Double Jeopardy is a compelling episode that showcases the show's strengths in both its legal and personal storylines. The performances, particularly by Margulies and Taylor, are excellent, and the writing is sophisticated and nuanced. The episode raises important issues related to domestic violence and the criminal justice system, while also exploring the complex dynamics of family and identity. Fans of the show will find much to enjoy in this episode, which sets up several intriguing plotlines for the rest of the season.