Fans of The Good Fight should be aware that the sixth and final season feels different. After a stunning fifth season that included Hal Wekner’s copy-house court and COVID hallucinations, the Paramount+ original is back with a more sombre, grounded tone. The sequences lack an Epstein-scale narrative, imaginary political leaders, and even Jonathan Coulton’s much-loved interpretation from Schoolhouse Rock. Since the final episode of The Good Fight examines our contemporary, more dismal cultural atmosphere, much of this has deprived the show of its original, surrealist signature.
Season Six’s muting is partially caused by Diane (Christine Baranski), who this time assumes a more supporting role. The bold lawyer returns from vacation to a new office on a floor of coworkers after battling her white-feminist views during season five, which culminated in her deciding to resign as her partner. Diane feels stuck in a déjà vu cycle due to the reversal of progress in both her job and Our World after Roe v. Wade. She then seeks the help of Dr Lyle Bettencourt (John Slattery) and PT108, a prescription-only psychedelic. The prolonged time with High Diane—with a nod to last season, when she grabbed the lead with micro-dosing and cannabis gummies—is the strong point of this subplot, despite the obvious connection between Baransky and Slattery.
In the meanwhile, Liz (Audra McDonald) and Richard Lane (André Brugger), the new partner, the battle for control of the company. From the time he steps out of the elevator, Lane operates via pretentiousness and prayer. He commands the roomiest office on the partner’s level, collects staff members, and transfers artwork while Liz is on the court. The power struggle between the two partners, which was prevalent in both The Good Fight and its predecessor, The Good Wife, is still present in this fight. And although it initially seems repetitive, fortunately, any sense of a rut disappears after Liz (and the audience) begin to watch through the brush show as Ri’Card dons armour.
The Good Fight: Season 6 Casting
The attorneys are at battle with one another. With recurrent demonstrations that get more ominous (flash bombs, tear gas) and obvious episode by episode, the sixth season includes two of the series’ most meta (and maybe most ambitious) arcs.
Different responses are made by the Reddick/Boseman/Lockhart/Ri’Card (it scarcely matters which name is on the marquee at this time) attorneys to this pervasive tension. Carmen continues to travel, coming into contact with additional customers who are criminals and getting involved in a threat she can manage. In a nod to the Melania Trump tale from season three, Liz tries to establish a rapport with a renowned conservative on an unrelated, non-political topic. Marissa and Jay, who have different perspectives on the violence, gradually turn their attention from the courtroom battles to the streets. The Good Fight has always had a subliminal sense of impending dread, but now death hangs over the characters’ heads.
Even before fan favourites like Eli Gould (Alan Cumming) and Elsbeth Taccioni (Carrie Preston) made an appearance, this last season was a love letter to both The Good Wife and The Good Fight. In addition to Bruegger, tributes like this might often seem like an assignment for devoted fans of the series last season. However, these, in particular, the multi-episode father-daughter narrative of Allie and Marissa, keep the programme fresh. A lot of significant characters, including Alicia Florrick, receive their time, ideally in the second half of the season, whether it be through an appearance or a reference. (To write this review, we watched five episodes.)
The Good Fight is coming to a close in a way that respects six seasons of terrific television while also acknowledging how hard it can be to fight the Good Fight nonstop. It captures the national attitude, which is mostly one of annoyance and sadness right now, as it usually does. The joy still shines through, allowing us to occasionally giggle at the ridiculousness, thus it is content to be depressing. This last season, which occurred before that, is definitely worth watching because of the realisation of the beauty hidden behind the nonsense.
