The Good Wife began its first season on a high note, with the slap heard round the world. Since then, it's rarely disappointed. That goes double for season 2, which ends tonight with the much-anticipated "Will they or won't they?" finale.

To prepare you for the wrap-up, I've recapped a few 2010-2011 highlights. Of course, TGW's sophomore year has delivered so many fine scenes, flawed-yet-fascinating characters, and great performances that it's hard to choose just a handful. So after you read this, let me know if you agree or disagree -- then join me in enjoying the last hour of the season tonight.

The Best Cases

Few would class The Good Wife as a standard legal procedural. Yet TGW without Alicia (the effortlessly right Julianna Margulies) in the courtroom would lack the oomph necessary to show her growth as a lawyer -- and her evolution into a stronger woman. A couple of this year's outstanding legal briefs:

"Nine Hours": Hands down, case of the year. A death-row inmate has only hours to live -- and his fate rests in the hands of the Lockhart-Gardner team. Cool cameo: Barry Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project.

"Net Worth": With up-to-the-minute echoes of The Social Network, an Internet mogul tries to keep his life story from being turned into a lie-ridden Hollywood script. A great case understandably overshadowed by the Blake-meets-baseball-bat encounter between Kalinda and her nemesis.

Best Political Business

Since the departure of The West Wing, it's rare to find a show that touches on politics so routinely -- both real-world issues and the "silly season" aspects of campaigning. Politics is the slightly sleazy (and mostly fun) heart of TGW.

Best in show? Anything involving suave but unstoppable campaign manager Eli Gold, of course. Let us count the ways: Slowly managing to earn Alicia's trust (she still doesn't know about the missing voice mail). Manipulating Mama Jackie Florrick into becoming his ally. Becoming infatuated with a young woman he unwillingly "outs" as an illegal immigrant to save Peter's campaign. (Cool guest star: America Ferrera as Natalie Flores.) Thanks to Alan Cumming, Eli's many layers became one of the most compelling aspects of TGW's second season.

Best Monkey Business

Who says cable TV holds the monopoly on steamy moments? Not me, especially when you have the attractive cast of The Good Wife around. Make sure the kids are safely tucked away when these couples hit the screen:

Peter and Alicia: After the Florricks (literally) steam up the bathroom as Alicia dresses for work, I haven't been able to think of NPR's "Morning Edition" in quite the same way. Wowza.

Diane and Kurt: She may be buttoned up in the courtroom, but get liberal lawyer Diane near conservative ballistics expert Kurt and all bets (and other items) are off.

Alicia and Will: Besides one lingering kiss, the action between these two remains in their heads and their dreams. But you can still feel the chemistry, which will undoubtedly figure heavily in tonight's season-ender.

Blake and Kalinda: Despite being the furthest thing from a couple, these two burned up the screen in the hottest moment in network TV this year. Both disturbing and unforgettable.

Best Plot Twists and Turns

Lots of shows depend on their big scenes to maintain audience interest: Hair-pulling catfights, shoot-outs, car chases, characters sent to prison, Hell, or the morgue. But on TGW, many of the best scenes are gratifyingly low-key -- no hair-pulling allowed. Consider these moments, in no particular order:

Funniest Conspiracy: When they decide Derrick Bond must go, the trio of Will, Diane, and David Lee team up to give him the boot. How can you forget them huddling together against the cold outside their offices--as exiled smokers try to join their group?

Most Atypical Holiday Scene: At Eli's request, the Florricks host a post-Yom Kippur dinner (when was the last time you saw one of those on TV?) for prominent Jewish leaders in Chicago. Lesson learned: Don't let Jackie near the Manischewitz.

Biggest Post-Election Let-Down: After a season spent rehabilitating his reputation and campaigning to regain his old job, Peter Florrick finally brings home the votes. But as his victory becomes official, Alicia learns about Kalinda and Peter's betrayal.

Second-Most Jaw-Dropping Secret: When listening to government wire-tapping tapes, Alicia learns Will told a friend he'd tried to confess his feelings to Alicia in a voice mail but "she blew me off." She still hasn't gotten to the bottom of it.

Most Jaw-Dropping Secret: Kalinda is really a woman named Leila -- and she slept with Peter! This reveal played out over several episodes, each one adding a layer of mystery to the already mysterious P.I.

Best Confrontation: Tough to beat last week's face-offs between Kalinda and Alicia after the previously mentioned secret came to light. Though that same episode's Alicia/Jackie run-in stands as a classic as well.

But given how many top-notch courtroom interrogations, boardroom depositions, outstanding guest appearances, political fights, and personal altercations took place over the course of the season, I'm sure I've missed a few of your favorite moments. And the best part is: We haven't even seen the finale yet. Maybe by tomorrow morning, we'll have more unforgettable scenes to add to the list.

(Image courtesy of CBS)