TALENTED JULIANNA Margulies shines as Alicia Florrick, the wife of a philandering district attorney, in the intelligent courtroom drama series, ?The Good Wife.?

Like some real wives whose politician-husbands? adulterous affairs are exposed, Alicia is confronted with unwanted media attention and personal quandaries. Months after the sex scandal involving her spouse, she begins working for a prestigious Chicago law firm as a junior associate.

Alicia is recovering from the betrayal of her husband Peter Florrick (played admirably by ?Sex and the City?s? Chris Noth), who is jailed for corruption. Her life has irrevocably changed?she has to prove herself a worthy new recruit while addressing the needs of her teen children, and dealing with disruptions stemming from her husband?s case.

Created by Robert and Michelle King, ?The Good Wife? draws inspiration from headline-making scandals, and the resilience of women whose worlds are turned upside down by erring partners. Executive producers include filmmaker siblings Ridley and Tony Scott.

Margulies, previously known for her role in ?ER,? astonishes with her portrayal of a constantly challenged wife, mother and professional; she?s vulnerable but collected, and often connects with the clients she defends. Known to most of them as ?Mrs. Florrick,? Alicia?s tarnished celebrity status sometimes proves helpful during trials, and her bosses know it. Regardless, she?s an impressive lawyer who looks at angles unseen by most?thanks to her unique experiences?and is unafraid of contradicting judges when necessary.

As for the cases the firm handles, they?re not as compelling or as quirky and appealing as those in David E. Kelley?s ?The Practice? and ?Picket Fences,? but the simpler legal puzzles are executed competently and with finesse. Her colleagues help save the day?some strong female characters that complement the determined and outspoken Mrs. Florrick, who has proven herself a good wife and unrelenting survivor.

?The Good Wife? airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Diva Universal.

History Asia special

?Cory Aquino: The Housewife Who Led A Revolution,? the first international TV production on President Cory Aquino since her death in 2009, premieres on History Asia tonight at 10.

The documentary traces Cory?s transformation from shy housewife to the only challenger to the iron rule of Ferdinand Marcos.

Cory is dubbed by Time Magazine as ?Saint of People Power.? Bishop Soc Villegas says to meet her is to encounter the vaunted Cory magic. He says, ?When you shake hands with her, or when you see her, there is an invisible energy that hits your face and you know that it is something supernatural, that it is not ordinary, that this woman has something that the others don?t have. I don?t know what it is?I can compare that with that feeling seeing John Paul II, and when you see a woman like this...a soft spot in your heart is struck.?

The documentary was produced for History Asia by Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala and directed by Jeannette Ifurung. Director for reenactments was Mike Alcazaren, with writers Monster Jimenez and Ed Lingao, cinematographers Tim Jimenez and Lee Briones-Meily, musical director Nonong Buencamino, production managers Jing Racelis and Zonia Bandoy, production designer Butch Garcia and production assistants Irish Aquino, AR Relox and Egan Jimenez.

Kapuso month

To kick-off Kapuso month, GMA 7 brings the tandem of Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes to prime time via the romantic comedy, ?I Heart You Pare,? starting February 7 on GMA Telebabad.

On Dramarama sa Hapon, premiering are ?Nita Negrita? with Barbie Forteza and Joshua Dionisio; ?Sisid? with Jackie Rice, Ian Batherson, JC Tiuseco and Dominic Roco; and ?Magic Palayok? with Geoff Eigenmann, Carla Abellana, Nadine Samonte, Angeli Nicole Sanoy and Cherie Gil.

On February 9, GMA Films and Regal Entertainment?s ?My Valentine Girls,? starring Richard Gutierrez, Rhian Ramos, Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff, Eugene Domingo and Jillian Ward, hits cinemas.

On February 13, international singing sensation Charice Pempengco stars in the GMA special ?Charice: Home for Valentine?s.?

Rabbit year marathon

Cartoon Network presents its week-long special, ?Paws & Claws Chinese New Year Marathon? from January 31 to February 4 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring the best episodes from animated series ?The Garfield Show? and ?Looney Tunes.?

On February 5, Cartoon Network Popcorn features ?Bugs Bunny Road Runner Movie? at 11 a.m.

All-new episodes of the latest adventure series ?Generator Rex? air Sundays at 9 a.m.

On February 14, the kiddie channel takes a fun-filled view of romance and relationships, with characters Tom and Jerry, Ben Tennyson, Chowder and Courage, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A double episode of ?Prank Patrol? airs at 5 p.m. and ?Back to the Future? at 9 p.m.

For more information, log on to www.CartoonNetwork.com.ph