When a family is considered damaged everything that’s touched them is marked the same, the repercussions being life-altering, and with such an explosive start – t the rest of the series certainly follows suit. The characters in The Good Fight aren’t here to lie down and roll over, and their bite is definitely worse than their bark. But so too are those they oppose, their position of power and mistreatment of such making their battles harder to win.
Its satirical voice is as poignant and funny as the political cartoons of old, with some hitting their mark harder than others, and when mixed with thriller court cases that are relevant to today’s movements and civil rights, it packs a hefty punch. A spin-off from the successful series The Good Wife, The Good Fight, like its namesake puts its battle-walls up straight away, and though it still has what made its predecessor so good – interesting dialogues, scandals, and more – it sets itself apart with its off-the wall narrative, while tying in fans of the original series with familiar characters such as Diane and Lucca.
Opening the series it primarily focuses on three different women at three different points in their career, each one struggling to climb up the rungs of work, for some are labelled and defined by what people see and hear. There’s the new lawyer, Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie), who’s trying to find her feet while the ground keeps shifting below her, being pulled between family, loyalty and the law. Next is the experienced lawyer Lucca Quinn (Cush Jumbo), a personal favourite, who struggles to balance a home/work life, while fighting with integrity to get the respect and credit she deserves. She’s honest and genuine, which is missing from nearly everyone else, though I do like Diane’s wickedness. Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) is a lioness of a lawyer, who after suffering a fall from the top is trying to rebuild her life and self. Her issues of trust, both professionally and personally, being intermingled with moments that are equivalent to political boxing, including the underhanded aspects.
As the series progresses, it expands outwards from its focus on these three leading ladies to other exceptional characters, such as Liz Riddick (Audra McDonald), exploring her politics, hopes and home fears. And when these are done, they’re done well, as seen in Liz’s relationship with her son, the upset of her father, to the friendship/colleague pairing with Diane.
However, this intimacy into a character’s life isn’t continued as much for the men as it is for the women, which feels like a disservice to them, especially when having a wealth of male leads such as Adrian Boseman (Delroy Lindo) – a named partner and an impressive figure in the courtroom. And yet his mindset and emotions are hardly explored, with his personal life being, at best, passing romances. Thankfully though, in the case of Julius Cain (Michael Boatman) he does have a larger role in seasons three and four, which I couldn’t be happier about. His whiny, loveable, and – which won’t fit with what I just said – he’s a republican. He’s not what you think, and this is what makes him so great, just as it does for another favourite, Elsbeth (Carrie Preston), although understandably she’s hardly in it, for her character dominates the screen far too easily with her quirky and apparent “incompetence”.
It’s fair to say the personal lives of the characters in The Good Fight are just as interesting as any courthouse drama. As are the workings of its law firm, as the partners try to keep their business alive, even as modern developments and politics keep pushing and chipping away at their ability to do so.
It’s also worth mentioning that Michael Sheen makes an appearance in season three as a drug-riddled, hyperactive story teller of lies. His beyond over-the-top, but in such a way that an over-the-top Trump exists in the world. Crazy makes crazy as the series shows.
But there is however a level of preaching in The Good Fight, especially in later seasons as it takes on a more politically vocal direction, and though there’s still the fight for both the retaining and gaining of power in the legal profession, it shifts more towards social commentary. It can be highly effective, but it can also lose sight of its message in being overplayed. Although this doesn’t stop The Good Fight from being so fitting in today’s climate – in particular that neither side of the political pond is clean. There are dirty tactics galore, bias, corruption, bargaining, blackmail, and a background you’d rather have hidden.
The show’s also oddly exhilarating in what you learn about the US law system and our growing place within technology – yes it seems the advancement of fake news is going to run the world. I for one didn’t know about its ability to target only a specific group of people. You might see such information as boring – but that’s probably to do with my delivery – but these titbits of facts are carried with more than enough panache in the show. The series moving from asterisk explanations to stylised cartoons that are strikingly similar to those featured in children’s shows such as Sesame Street, and are so addictive that they stay with you. But these segues are not for children, with powerful messages of corruption and deceit, and no matter how catchy the tune – the NDA one still playing in the back of my mind – it’s not supposed to be good. Drawing out a lack of common sense already screamed at us.
However, The Good Fight isn’t without its flaws; it presumes you know certain characters because they were on The Good Wife, and plot holes keep happening; switching of Maia’s lawyers; Julius leaving and returning; someone’s name suddenly being added to the firm without so much as a mention; NDAs and pay-outs jumping up and down; breakups that may or may not have happened. It relies and presumes the audience will keep pace, or as is often the case, you just surmise as to what happened. But the show is at its strongest when its storylines directly follow on from one another, keeping you involved throughout.
Throughout its seasons The Good Fight focuses on prominent issues such as fake news, harassment, racism, electoral conduct and more, both through the individuals that make the law-firm and their battles. Following them as they try to navigate the socio-political commentary of today both in the legal political system, and in their own personal lives. Revealing how the two are often interchangeably linked, and thereby exposing the current problems at the heart of America and the western world. What makes The Good Fight special from other shows that try do the same, is that they tell it in an engaging manner, and go beyond parroting headlines to reveal a more complex subsurface that’s filled with disturbing elements, and a surprising amount of dark humour.
A political-comedy-drama much like Diane’s off-kilter, infectious, but crazy-laugh. The Good Fight is binge-watchable in every sense, tackling many issues in the socio-political climate of today; prejudice, police brutality, sexism, racism, classism, discrimination against LGBT+ and political lines – which certainly relies on you having a basic knowledge of American politics, and if you do, it’s an indulgent genius that I wouldn’t mind a daily scoop of.
Creators: Michelle King & Robert King
Other notable works:
- Evil 2019 –
- The Good Wife 2009-2016
Creator: Phil Alden Robinson
Other notable works:
- Band of Brothers 2001
- Sneakers 1992
- Field of Dreams 1989
