The Good Wife backdrop
Drama

The Best Episodes of The Good Wife

Every episode of The Good Wife ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Good Wife!

Binge this in 4d 15h•Peaking at 9.6/10

Alicia Florrick boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband's very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 5 - Hitting the Fan
    9.6/10(2184 votes)

    #1 - Hitting the Fan

    S5:E5

    A desperate battle to retain clients begins when Cary and Alicia's plan to leave the firm is exposed.

    Director:James Whitmore Jr.
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 15 - Dramatics, Your Honor
    9.4/10(1699 votes)

    #2 - Dramatics, Your Honor

    S5:E15

    Alicia asks Cary to be her lawyer when Nelson Dubeck asks her to participate in a deposition; Will faces off with a new prosecutor while defending Jeffrey Grant.

    Director:Brooke Kennedy
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 16 - The Last Call
    9.2/10(1205 votes)

    #3 - The Last Call

    S5:E16

    Alicia searches for answers as she tries to make sense of Will’s death in the aftermath of the courthouse shooting. Meanwhile, Diane delivers the somber news to the partners at Lockhart/Gardner who must decide how to move forward.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Good Wife Season 3 Episode 14 - Another Ham Sandwich
    8.9/10(963 votes)

    #4 - Another Ham Sandwich

    S3:E14

    With her investigation complete, Special Prosecutor Wendy Scott-Carr presents her evidence against Will to the grand jury in hopes of sending him to prison for bribery. Meanwhile, Eli and Stacie Hall square off once again.

    Director:Frederick E. O. Toye
    Writer:Leonard Dick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 10 - The Decision Tree
    8.9/10(1029 votes)

    #5 - The Decision Tree

    S5:E10

    Alicia is shocked to learn that a former client bequeathed her millions, but Lockhart/Gardner quickly contests the will on behalf of the deceased’s wife. Meanwhile, Diane asks Kalinda to look into Damian’s background. Also, Eli and Marilyn are concerned about Peter being seen with Alicia’s more disreputable clients at the Florrick/Agos holiday party.

    Director:Rosemary Rodriguez
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Good Wife Season 6 Episode 11 - Hail Mary
    8.9/10(844 votes)

    #6 - Hail Mary

    S6:E11

    Cary hires a prison consultant to prepare him for incarceration while the team at Florrick/Agos/Lockhart does everything in its power to help him. Meanwhile, Alicia practices for the State’s Attorney candidates’ debate.

    Director:Rosemary Rodriguez
    Writer:Erica Shelton Kodish

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Good Wife

    READ
  7. The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 9 - Nine Hours
    8.7/10(996 votes)

    #7 - Nine Hours

    S2:E9

    When Alicia gets a vague tip from a courthouse clerk in the appeal case of a death row inmate, the law firm races to secure a stay of execution. Meanwhile, Peter Florrick prepares for his first debate with Glenn Childs and Wendy Scott-Carr.

    Director:Julie Hébert
    Writer:Meredith Averill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Good Wife Season 4 Episode 14 - Red Team, Blue Team
    8.7/10(865 votes)

    #8 - Red Team, Blue Team

    S4:E14

    Office politics come to a head when Will and Diane ask Alicia and Cary to face off against them in a mock trial, only to get more than they bargained for. Eli tries to avoid losing his role in Peter’s campaign to Jordan, as he continues his fight with the Justice Department.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 22 - A Weird Year
    8.7/10(784 votes)

    #9 - A Weird Year

    S5:E22

    The futures of Florrick/Agos and Lockhart/Gardner are at stake when the firms consider merging, driving a wedge between Alicia and Cary. Meanwhile, Diane makes a big decision when Louis Canning challenges her role at her firm.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Good Wife Season 6 Episode 4 - Oppo Research
    8.7/10(812 votes)

    #10 - Oppo Research

    S6:E4

    Eli asks a respected campaign manager to help Alicia explore the option of running for state's attorney.

    Director:Matt Shakman
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 23 - Closing Arguments
    8.6/10(930 votes)

    #11 - Closing Arguments

    S2:E23

    Despite their tense relationship, Alicia and Kalinda rush to prove their client's innocence in a murder trial, while the timing might finally be right for Alicia and Will to pursue their relationship.

    Director:Robert King
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Good Wife Season 4 Episode 22 - What's in the Box?
    8.6/10(831 votes)

    #12 - What's in the Box?

    S4:E22

    When Zach thinks he has witnessed vote tampering, Will, Alicia and Diane race to a series of emergency court proceedings on the night of the gubernatorial election; an unexpected source offers to help Cary start his own firm.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 6 - The Next Day
    8.6/10(793 votes)

    #13 - The Next Day

    S5:E6

    Alicia and Cary represent a client who changed firms and Will and Diane delay turning over the case files; Marilyn tries to give advice to Alicia.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Leonard Dick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 18 - All Tapped Out
    8.6/10(729 votes)

    #14 - All Tapped Out

    S5:E18

    Florrick/Agos takes on the case of an NSA whistleblower, only to learn that the agency has been monitoring the firm as well as Alicia’s personal life. Meanwhile, Diane faces the difficult task of working alongside Louis Canning when he joins Lockhart/Gardner. Also, Alicia goes after the State’s Attorney when he attempts to make Finn a scapegoat in the Jeffrey Grant case.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writers:Julia Wolfe, Matthew Montoya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Good Wife Season 6 Episode 19 - Winning Ugly
    8.6/10(747 votes)

    #15 - Winning Ugly

    S6:E19

    When potential voter fraud is discovered in the State’s Attorney election, Eli and Alicia take steps to stop a recount by enlisting the help of a well-respected civil rights lawyer, Spencer Randolph. Also, Diane learns she unwittingly submitted false evidence in Cary’s case.

    Director:Rosemary Rodriguez
    Writer:Erica Shelton Kodish

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Good Wife Season 3 Episode 12 - Alienation of Affection
    8.5/10(809 votes)

    #16 - Alienation of Affection

    S3:E12

    Lockhart-Gardner faces trouble when a recently divorced couple claims they influenced their separation for their own personal gain.

    Director:Michael Zinberg
    Writer:Corinne Brinkerhoff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Good Wife Season 3 Episode 22 - The Dream Team
    8.5/10(794 votes)

    #17 - The Dream Team

    S3:E22

    Will and Diane scramble when Louis Canning and Patti Nyholm team up to bankrupt the firm. Also, Alicia faces conflicted feelings regarding her relationship with Peter, and Kalinda's past catches up to her.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Corinne Brinkerhoff, Meredith Averill

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Good Wife Season 4 Episode 18 - Death of a Client
    8.5/10(858 votes)

    #18 - Death of a Client

    S4:E18

    When an erratic and litigious client is murdered, Alicia is convinced to waive attorney/client privilege to help the police when she learns that the killer may also be targeting someone close to her. Also, Peter and Mike Kresteva vie for an influential endorsement and Diane receives a stunning offer.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 1 - Everything is Ending
    8.5/10(908 votes)

    #19 - Everything is Ending

    S5:E1

    Alicia must focus on the firm’s efforts to prevent the execution of a convicted murderer while she secretly plans her exit from the firm with Cary. Meanwhile, Eli helps Peter assemble his staff in the governor’s office.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Good Wife Season 5 Episode 4 - Outside the Bubble
    8.5/10(810 votes)

    #20 - Outside the Bubble

    S5:E4

    Alicia tries to obtain Lockhart/Gardner files as she prepares to exit the firm; faced with a sexual harassment lawsuit, the firm hires Elsbeth Tascioni.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Good Wife Season 6 Episode 1 - The Line
    8.5/10(879 votes)

    #21 - The Line

    S6:E1

    Despite pressure from Eli, Alicia is determined not to run for State's Attorney; Diane considers joining Florrick/Agos; a crisis threatens to tear the firm apart.

    Director:Robert King
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Good Wife Season 6 Episode 2 - Trust Issues
    8.5/10(765 votes)

    #22 - Trust Issues

    S6:E2

    As the firm deals with an internal legal crisis, Alicia tries to hold onto their biggest client; Diane plots her move.

    Director:Jim McKay
    Writer:Ted Humphrey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Good Wife Season 1 Episode 18 - Doubt
    8.4/10(1007 votes)

    #23 - Doubt

    S1:E18

    Alicia and Will defend a college student accused of killing her sorority sister while under the influence of a sleep aid. At the same time, they also deal with their growing sexual tension and Diane and Kurt McVeigh continue their flirtation.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writers:Robert King, Michelle King, Barry M. Schkolnick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 16 - Great Firewall
    8.4/10(820 votes)

    #24 - Great Firewall

    S2:E16

    The law firm of Lockhart, Gardner and Bond sues a social networking site on behalf of a Chinese dissident, who posted an anonymous blog about democracy in China, and was jailed and tortured by the Chinese government when the site failed to protect his anonymity and turned over his IP address. Meanwhile, Eli gets a tip that he hopes will drive Childs out of the race, and Will and Diane hope to wrestle the firm away from Derrick Bond once and for all.

    Director:Nelson McCormick
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The Good Wife Season 2 Episode 21 - In Sickness
    8.4/10(818 votes)

    #25 - In Sickness

    S2:E21

    Lockhart/Gardner defends a patient in a liver transplant case against rival attorney Patti Nyholm; however, the case takes a turn when Patti is fired from her law firm and asks Lockhart/Gardner to represent her. Meanwhile, Alicia deals with emotional fallout from Peter's one-night stand with Kalinda.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Hitting the Fan" is the best rated episode of "The Good Wife". It scored 9.6/10 based on 2184 votes. Directed by James Whitmore Jr. and written by Robert King, Michelle King, it aired on 10/27/2013. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dramatics, Your Honor".