4. The Cast
None of the storylines could be executed as well if they didn't have an absolutely stellar cast portraying the characters and the show has it in spades. Julianna Marguiles is a powerhouse in the lead role, very rarely rising above levelled tones but still dominating her scenes with her subtle acting skills (she won an Emmy for season two episode 'In Sickness' in which a scene in the opening ten minutes, which in Marguiles says not a word, is amongst the most excellent in the series). The rest of the cast are equally solid - Josh Charles and Christine Baranski strike the perfect balance between dry, wry humour and drama while Matt Czruchy makes the arrogant, smug Cary likeable, no mean feat. Archie Panjabi may be the best in the cast, her nuanced take on the complex, scene-stealing Kalinda a treat every time she's on screen and Alan Cumming plays Peter's morally-challenged campaign manager Eli Gold with a gleam in his eye. Even Alicia's kids Zach and Grace work well with what they're given, ably played by Graham Phillips and Makenzie Vega respectively. The guest and recurring cast are equally great -
Lost alumn Titus Welliver is a menacing foil to Peter, Mary Beth Peil is the epitome of a protective mother gone wild and actors such as Dallas Roberts, Carrie Preston, Zach Grenier, Anika Noni Rose, Michael J Fox, Martha Plimpton and Michael Ealy give plenty of layers and life to the characters (which in themselves merit their own section)...