Mary-Louise Parker (pictured) has shown up as a recurring guest star on this show recently, playing a very blunt, self-assured and assuredly sexy political operative who is vetting Paul Giamatti’s assistant district attorney for a possible gubernatorial run. Parallel to this process, Giamatti’s estranged wife, played by Maggie Siff, has just invited him back into her life, and her bedroom – and she’s another power player on every level, a very modern spousal variant on Rumpole’s She Who Must Be Obeyed. Together, Parker and Siff provide two very charismatic and cunning variations on a similar theme – and there’s no way, given their characters’ power and proclivities, that Giamatti’s wannabe politician can hope to come out on top.