Julianna Margulies & Archie Panjabi on ‘Good Wife': Alicia & Kalinda Reunite? | TVLine 

Reminded of the fact that Julianna Margulies and Archie Panjabi haven’t shared a scene together in more than two seasons, series cocreator Robert King told TVLine Saturday at PaleyFest that the decision to keep the two characters apart “is very much intentional to raise expectations,” adding that viewers should, “stay tuned.”

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But with Panjabi set to exit at season’s end, time is running out. For his part, King agreed that the former besties’ relationship — which was irreparably damaged when Alicia learned that Kalinda bedded hubby Peter — needs closure.

“Some of our favorite moments in the first two years were their drinking scenes together and the friendship that was there,” he shared. “[But] we always bumped up against the reality of what would really happen if one of your friends slept with your spouse.”

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That’s not the only loose end that could use some tying up before Panjabi punches out this spring. Kalinda’s star-crossed romance with co-worker Cary also remains unresolved. The latter’s portrayer, Matt Czuchry, confessed that even

doesn’t know how their love story will conclude.

“I just read Episode 20, and then we [still] have 21 and 22, so I don’t know yet,” he said. “Most importantly, I’m just hopeful that it’s a great sendoff for Archie.” (

According to Archie Panjabi, she wasn’t even invited to the PaleyFest for TGW last night. It’s obvious they don’t care about Archie/Kalinda anymore and saying that the Kalinda/Alicia separation is “intentional” is just them making excuses.

Went to look for a source because its so unbelievable that archie wouldn’t have been invited, but lo and behold she mentioned on twitter that she was ‘unaware’ of the event. Shameful.

Unless she deleted it, her twitter doesn’t say anything about not being included in the event. In fact, she hasn’t posted anything since January 25th.

Considering that Alicia and Kalinda WORK together it is ABSURD that they would NEVER have any scenes together. And considering that the Kings all but admitted 2 years ago that they wanted to reunite them as friends but that Juliana said NO? It’s OBVIOUS there is more going on here then what they claim

Oh, please. It’s obvious that there was a personal issue between the two ladies which escalated into this ongoing situation. It’s such a shame. This past season has been a disaster for TGW and Punjabi’s exit could very well be its death knell.

Everyone, fans and critics alike, are praising the last two season of TGW as the best seasons so far. So I have no idea where you get your idea of disaster.

I know of at least four people, including myself, that stopped watching the show because we all think it’s terrible now. So I wouldn’t say “everyone.”

You can never please everyone. But most people still love it.

Yeah I think people quit shows really easily, which of course it’s their choice, but I’ve invested almost six seasons into this show and 90% of it since the very beginning has been pretty amazing and that can’t be said about a lot of shows. Even a bad episode or storyline on TGW when compared to many other shows out there is still pretty amazing.

While this campaign storyline isn’t the show’s best and I think it should be wrapped up soon, I don’t find it that bad and there have been some pretty good episodes (I will always love “Oppo Research”). I remember how many people seemed to hate the Kalinda husband story arc and then they moved on from that storyline and we got that amazing fifth season.

Wow, you know of at least 4 people that stopped watching? That totally makes a dent in the 8-11 million viewers who tune in every single week. You’re never going to please everybody and some people haven’t liked the past 2 seasons. However, the overall consensus is that The Good Wife has been at it’s best in Seasons 5 and 6. It has always been a critical acclaimed show, but it has had more critical acclaim the past 2 years than ever before. You might not personally like it, but you can’t take that away from it.

I wasn’t using my four person example to show that tons people stopped watching. I was merely pointing out that I know of more than one person who was a fan and gave up on the show. The show’s critical acclaim is one of the few things that has saved it from getting canceled. It may have 10 millions viewers but it’s 18-49 viewership has always been low and that demo matters most.

Last season made me interested in the show again. I barely watched season 3 and season 4.

I couldn’t agree more. I’ve watched TGW since the beginning and loved it. But now, with the weird kalinda/Cary romance, Alicia running for an office that she doesn’t appear to want, the silliness of Alicia and Cary forming their own firm, only to move back in to the LG ofices (what was the point?) I don’t ever look forward to watching it like I used to. In fact since Downton Abbey has been back on (and gone) I recorded TGW every week and watched later. But I haven’t watched the last episode and feel no compunction to do so.

Do you realize that since the day Diane (supposedly/maybe) got married, we’ve never heard her SAY she was married, nor have we seen her husband again, so we don’t REALLY know whether they’re married or not? We almost never see Alicia’s kids or even Jackie. Eli nearly has a stroke every episode which drives me completely crazy. I love Kalinda’s part but I’m worn out from trying to figure out her sexuality – which they’re making us do; I wouldn’t normally. I have to admit that as much as I love Juliana Margules, I’ve been flummoxed at her recent nominations for best actress. She is SO wonderful, but this election story has turned her into someone I don’t recognize.

well said…my sentiments, precisely in every example! thanx. hope someone in a position to do something about it or otherwise ‘cares’ is monitoring this board today.

I don’t think they’re making us question Kalinda’s sexuality. I think she’s clearly established as a bisexual woman. They’re just showing her commitment issues. The fact that she is not someone to settle down. She doesn’t like being tied down and she essentially doesn’t DO relationships. And they’re also showing the other side of people she’s been with who want to be with her exclusively but she can’t commit. I don’t think the show has done an excellent job of dealing with Kalinda’s commitment issues, especially after her husband storyline ended, but as far as her sexuality goes, I think it’s pretty clear.

JM’s recent Best Actress nomination was based on last season not the current one. Also, I think she’s still amazing in the role regardless of the storyline.

With regards to the office, perhaps production costs? Maybe it’s cheaper if they have to film more at a location they’ve had for years and allocate costs to other locations while still using the Florrick Agos offices but to a lesser extent. I don’t know. But in the end LG offices are probably much better for the look of the law firm. Their older law firm offices while it was nice seeing them develop it, had so many problems and was very smll and moving was probably better for clients and bringing on more staff as a result of Diane and her people joining.

Season 5 was praised by everyone. Not sure that this season is as good as season 5 though or what the response has been, my mom for example is a huge fan of the show but a few of the story lines this season have been a little disappointing for her. I would completely agree with you that the other poster is way off base with their “disaster comment”.

It was talked about a lot because of the shock of Josh being killed. But I don’t think it was the best season; I think it was only slightly less confusing than THIS season.

Last season was critically acclaimed way before Josh left when the whole Florrick Agos firm was forming. The “Hitting the Fan” in particular was one of the most excellent episodes of television I have ever seen.

You are correct here. Critics are heaping praise on the last two seasons and especially the episodes after Will’s departure. Kalinda leaving will just open up even more new story arcs because this show is extremely deep in writing and acting talent. This is one of TVs greatest shows.

i haven’t watched on Sunday nights since Alicia’s candidacy for state’s attorney–nearly 6 months. when i watched it last Sunday, Alicia looked old and haggard–verrrry scarry! as much as i once liked the character and Juliana, i’m put off by her in the show and as an actor now. I READ she prefers only ‘one take’ of a scene, and Archie is a prefers ‘time to get it as authentic as possible” which may require more than one take. while i understand the importance of Julianna allegedly wanting to do as few takes as possible to keep her work day short, for family reasons, i feel she’s being unfair to wield her producer power in a way that affects other cast members, and ultimately, for me, the enjoyment of the show. I’ll miss Archie’s Kalinda immensely, and the relationship the two once shared, but more importantly the dimension, Archie as Kalinda delivered to the show. Kalinda’s character is why i began watching TGW at all. . so this might be my final season, too! I definitely won’t rush home, or otherwise alter my living schedule to tune in on Sunday nights! Just sayin’

exactly, they’re lying. Matt Czuchry has said there’s an issue there.

Kalinda has turned into one of my all time favorite television characters, so to see the way the Kings have done her over the past couple years I can’t blame Archie for leaving the show. They’ve done her so wrong. The Alicia/Kalinda interactions are what several of us thrived on. Two strong women in a powerful workforce can actually get along! Apparently not.

Sure the separation is intentional it’s intentional that Julianna Margulies doesn’t like anyone but her to be front and center. Thinking that’s also why Charles left and the last two seasons sucked because it’s too much all about her. Going to miss Archie Panjabi and can’t wait for her new show.

It’s my understanding that Josh and Julianna are good friends so while I can’t understand why anyone would want to be friends with her, I don’t think that was a big reason in him leaving.

You are one of the reasons why I don’t like The Good Wife fandom. So over dramatic and continue to spread lies because you’re butt hurt. Get over yourself. First off, Josh Charles left because he wanted to move onto other things. Not to mention, it’s commonly known that Julianna and Josh are very good friends. Second, the last 2 seasons sucked because it’s too much about her? Uh, what show have you been watching this whole time? The show has ALWAYS been all about her. The Good Wife IS Julianna Margulies/Alicia Florrick. The entire show is based around that character with a bunch of secondary characters to fill out HER story. You have no basis for any of your comments because none of them make any sort of sense.

When this show first began it was something I couldn’t wait to watch, not because of Alicia Florrick, but because of the entire cast, especially Kalinda! When Kalinda became more popular than Alicia the writers started scrambling to try and “FIX” it. The last two season sucked because the writers screwed up big time by creating this ridiculous story of Kalinda and Peter having sex. This campaign storyline is ridiculous and pathetic and a lot viewers left because of it. I don’t know the relationship between Josh and Julianna and I bet neither do you, but it really doesn’t matter why Josh left since he was a secondary character to Julianna?

I think Josh Charles was pretty clear about wanting to pursue new projects (this was the longest he had played one character) as well as being tired of the 22 episode time commitment. I remember him saying that if he does another show, he’d want it to be on cable because of the shorter episode orders.

Am i the only person who got over the Kalinda/Alicia lack of scenes thing? I actually loved Kalinda’s interactions with Diane and Eli more. When was last time Kalinda had a scene with Eli?

I didn’t and don’t have a problem with the Kalinda/Alicia friendship being over. That made sense to me. What doesn’t make sense is the two of them not even sharing work scenes or a scene when Will died. That’s when it became glaring.

“…the last two seasons sucked because it’s too much all about her.”

This comment makes no sense at all. Whether anyone likes it or not, Alicia will forever be the center of this show and it will always be about her and shell be the main priority. It is built around her character and she is connected to pretty much almost every character on this show in some way.

One of the worst decisions was to throw Kalinda to the side. She’s a great character with an interesting past and psychology that could’ve been wonderfully explored. Like other users have said, it’s very obvious that Julianna has been throwing Archie/Kalinda under the bus.

What a pathetic attempt. We all know the reason for the “separation”. Stop insulting our intelligence King. Its a shame you let egos (or more like one, initials JM) dictate your writing direction.

They started building expectations in the middle of season 3, it must be an heck of a pay off!

That’s just complete bull! The Good Wife is one of my favorite show and still is even this season. I’m all for realism and realistic charcacter portrayals and relationships, etc., but in the end this isn’t life. This is a TV SHOW! There is no reason not to have found a way to organically repair that relationship over the past four seasons especially with the fantastic ability and minds these writers have had over the seasons

At this point, we can’t do anything about past seasons but they need to give closure to that relationship or have her return as a guest star next season to wrap things up. They can’t end things like this.

Please spare us the spin… So unnecessary… TGW is one of the best shows on network TV so I’d keep watching regardless but, for whatever reason (involving Margulies or not), Kalinda has been under-utilised as a character since Season 3 with a small perk up in her deals with Bishop this season to save Cary. So just let Archie go in a dignified manner and get on with the show.

Saying it’s “intentional”? No duh. Pretty sure we all understand they weren’t accidentally separated for three seasons. It’s pretty obvious what happened. Julianna got jealous when Archie became the fan favourite and she threw her weight around to have her marginalized. I’m glad that someone with Archie’s considerable talent will soon be free to star on a vehicle that appreciates her and deserves her. I don’t blame her for not getting along with Julianna, who comes across like a trash human being.

Doesn’t matter to me. I quite watching when I couldn’t recognize Julianna Margulies anymore.

Speaking of unresolved issues, did we ever find out exactly what happened to Kalinda’s menacing former husband, who mysteriously disappeared a season or two ago and was never really mentioned again.

Ahahahahah! Oh, it was intentional! I see! Wow, two years and a half intended separation, just to raise expectations, it sure should be a very big pay-off – like Alicia and Kalinda making out in the elevator.

Seriously though, you do realize that The Good Wife fandom is composed of a fair number of highly educated women, right? You really think we’re going to buy that “intentional” spin. Please don’t insult our intelligence.

If my best friend slept with my husband I would never ever talk to them again either.

If we weren’t aware of the real life information behind the scenes, people would be willing to except that as simply what would happen. But because the producers have done every allusion to JM having a problem with Miss Panjabi in every way except flat out stating it due to avoiding a lawsuit (though I’m sure when the show does eventually end, then that info’s gonna come out very easily) we see everything through a very different lens.

That’s really weak. Perhaps they could get away with this excuse if they hadn’t orchestrated a brief mending of the fences between them in between S3-S4. Even if Alicia would never trust Kalinda in the same way, which I understand, it doesn’t justify that they’ve never been on a scene together in 2 seasons. Not even a group scene. It’s become rather obvious with Cary’s legal troubles this season and it’s starting to hurt the narrative of the show.

The writing for Kalinda this season continues to be an injustice. I agree with others that it’s obvious the two actresses don’t get along behind the scenes. Peter Florrick continues to prove himself to be a horrible person, and yet Alicia is okay working with his infidelities but not Kalinda, who did what she had to do? And all prior to even knowing Alicia?

With this annoying Bishop storyline, I would not be surprised if they just kill Kalinda off and nobody cares afterwards (except us fans). For what it’s worth, I love Julianna Margulies – she is an amazing actor. But that doesn’t mean I’m also not critical of her producing skills if she did in fact have something to do with the horrible storylines they continue to give Kalinda.

BS. I’m actually glad Archie’s leaving and will continue to follow her future projects. I like the Alicia character…. the actress not so much.

This matter shouldn’t have tarnished the best drama on TV, and yet it has. It’s sad.

The Kings backed themselves into a corner. If fans didn’t notice, I have no doubt they would have let Kalinda leave without Archie and Julianna sharing a scene. They should have thrown in a quick scene here and there, instead of letting it go on for 2 and a half seasons. Now the expectations are way way up there.

Really going to miss Kalinda. I’m interested to see how Archie’s new series at FOX will eventually look like.

JM does not interact with anyone! I always wondered why there were very few scenes with her and Peter, even when they were on good terms. It seems there has been a line drawn in the sand and JM is calling the shots. However,you can color me Team Kalinda! Bye-bye TGW!

The show has hit an all time low with the whole campaign episodes after a great start to last season. And yes, it is well known that Marguiles is a jealous person…she created a lot of drama on ER, causing Sherri Stringfeld to leave and she is super jealous of Panjabi and the critical praise she has gotten. She is likely the reason Archie is leaving.

I don’t care one way or another about Julianna Margulies, so this is not meant as a defense, but I understand Sherry Stringfield chose to leave the show as she literally was always working and wanted time for a personal life. I don’t think JM was a factor there.

Oh please. Intentional in that Julianna didn’t like how popular Archie’s character had become and didn’t want to share the spotlight. Instead of supporting a fellow actress she had her character marginalized. So what the story suffered. While the critics may be praising the last two seasons I don’t think they were that great and many people i know have stopped watching or just read the recaps. The friendship between the two women was one of the reasons I watched and Kalinda and Alicia did not even know each other when she slept with Peter. She didn’t deliberately or knowingly sleep with her best friend’s husband.

I also don’t believe it was intentional, but people are speculating. None of us knows what happened or why it happened. I personally know nothing, so I’m not comfortable placing blame.

Well, it’s good to know that keeping Alicia and Kalinda apart wasn’t from a series of weird coincidences, but getting them together at this point seems pretty cynical. Like it’s totally calculated – “Oh no! Just as Alicia finds her friendship again, it’s snatched away from her by cruel, cruel fate! Oh, woe, poor Alicia!!”

Here’s hoping all those amazing angels of Taraji P. Henson spend a little time on Archie’s new show! Kickbutt, Archie!!! Screw those jerks!

So they’re really going to have Kailnda die at the end of season 6 of the good wife?

Nice try. I do wonder why JM hates AP so much? Archie seems like such a sweetheart. I’ll watch the Kalinda episodes and then I’m done. This whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth.

I still can’t believe she’s leaving :( She’s one of the best things about TGW, especially her relationship with Cary. I just hope they don’t kill her off so there is hope for a finale reunion. A part of me really loathes Julianna Margulies for making a bad situation worse.

I also hope they don’t kill off Kalinda too

It’s been a long known “rumor” that Julianna is the person behind the not sharing scenes rule

Oh, puh-leeze…talk about spin. The issue is that they haven’t shared a scene together….but they’ve certainly shared “phone calls,” including the devastating Will’s-dead call. So, it’s a lot more than the characters aren’t buddies anymore…there is clearly an issue between the actresses. That b.s. wasn’t worthy of you, Ausiello…..

Saw a few days ago Archie’s Twitter reply to a fan that she was unaware of the paleyfest event & it would have been lovely to do it & now the tweet is gone.

The problem with the defense that this is intentional is that Kalinda and Alicia the characters seem to be just fine! Sure they are no longer drinking buddies, but they’re professionally okay. It’s not like Alicia has been avoiding dealing with Kalinda these past seasons. The affair was hardly ever referred to on the show. It’s just that the ACTRESSES doesn’t interact anymore for a couple of years that is impossible to explain.

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