Did you really think TVLine would ignore the 10-year anniversary of that iconic split-screen bar scene? Certainly not!
On May 10, 2015, CBS’ The Good Wife concluded its sixth season with the episode titled “Wanna Partner?”. In this episode, Stern, Lockhart & Gardner’s investigator Kalinda Sharma, portrayed by Archie Panjabi, made a swift exit after providing state’s evidence against Lemond Bishop (played by Mike Colter), fearing for her safety.
The departure of Kalinda was anticipated, as Panjabi had announced her departure from the show the previous October. However, the uncertainty lingered over whether viewers would witness a resolution to the strained relationship between Kalinda and her former friend Alicia (played by Julianna Margulies), which soured after Alicia learned of Kalinda’s past affair with her husband, Peter (Chris Noth).
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Indeed, it had been around three years since Margulies and Panjabi had genuinely shared a screen together.
In a surprising twist, Kalinda reappeared to meet Alicia in a bar, where over shots of tequila, they addressed past grievances. Alicia confessed her feelings of resignation after losing the state’s attorney race, and missing the camaraderie with Kalinda. Kalinda, in a rare moment of vulnerability, admitted that their friendship was the best she had ever had and regretted ruining it. Soon after, she quietly left the scene.
However, the scene was famously filmed without Margulies and Panjabi actually being together. Why was that? Here are all the details that have surfaced from those involved about the notorious split-screen scene.
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TVLine Criticizes the Deceptive Filming (May 5, 2015)
Image Credit: YouTube screenshot Just five days after the finale, following observations about the inconsistent lighting and lack of physical interaction between Margulies and Panjabi in the scene, TVLine’s Michael Ausiello confirmed that body doubles were used and that the actresses filmed their parts separately. In his opinion piece, Ausiello expressed his disappointment, feeling misled as a fan and admirer of the actresses.
“It’s just one scene,” Ausiello argued. “Everyone has to work with people they might not like occasionally. But you endure it and complete the task. That’s what should have been done here.”
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CBS Executive Defends the Scene (Aug. 10, 2015)
Image Credit: YouTube screenshot When questioned about the unusual choice of filming and any potential behind-the-scenes conflicts, then-CBS Entertainment head Nina Tassler chose not to disclose details. She defended the series finale as satisfying for the characters and stood by the show’s creators, Robert and Michelle King, in their production choices.
“I focus on how a producer chooses to run their show,” Tassler added, seemingly unaware of the audience’s frustration regarding the filming trickery.
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The Kings Address the Controversy (Aug. 18, 2015)
Image Credit: Getty Images Following Tassler’s comments, Good Wife creators Robert and Michelle King spoke with TVLine. Robert King clarified that deceiving the audience was never their intention. Michelle King added that using cinematic techniques is commonplace in their production, such as using green screens for driving scenes.
Robert King expressed discomfort with the scene being tied to rumors, emphasizing their openness about the show’s production techniques, except when it pertained to gossip.
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Margulies Speaks Out (Oct. 5, 2015)
Image Credit: YouTube screenshot Several months later, Julianna Margulies addressed the rumors in a Vulture interview, dismissing them as gossip and expressing confusion over the persistent interest in the story.
She later suggested that logistical challenges related to Panjabi’s schedule with The Fall influenced the decision to film separately, a claim she made in the spirit of cooperation with the show’s director.
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Panjabi Refutes Scheduling Claims (Oct. 5, 2015… Later That Day)
Image Credit: YouTube screenshot On the same day, Panjabi responded to Margulies’ comments on Twitter, clarifying that The Fall was not in production at that time and that she was in New York, ready to film the scene.
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Panjabi Reflects on Her Departure (Aug. 2, 2016)
Image Credit: Getty Images While promoting her role in Blindspot nearly a year later, Panjabi was asked about the infamous scene. She expressed affection for her character Kalinda and chose to keep discussions about any behind-the-scenes drama confined to The Good Wife. She humorously noted that fans of Kalinda’s iconic boots would be pleased to see her in similar attire in her new role.
Do you remember where you were when the split-screen bar scene from The Good Wife aired in May 2015?
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Hi, I’m Samantha from the Decatur Metro team. I bring you behind-the-scenes insights on filming and TV updates.
