TV viewers mourn a death in the 'Good Wife' family

Most Mondays, social media users are reacting to the latest casualty on AMC's "The Walking Dead."

Well, two can play the killing game.

CBS' "The Good Wife" created one of the most buzzed-about turns of the seasons Sunday night with the courtroom murder of attorney Will Gardner, who in many ways was the moral center of the series. The reason: Actor Josh Charles wanted to leave the show, which is in its fifth season, to take on other projects.

The show's creators could have had him hang a shingle in the middle of Montana rather than go out in a blaze of gunfire, a decision the husband-and-wife team defend in a letter you can read on page E4.

Whatever the justification, reaction was swift on Twitter. Here are some of the best lines from cast members and superfans:

I am so relieved that the big @TheGoodWife_CBS secret is out. It's been the hardest thing not to not blab about it. Bravo, @MrJoshCharles.

Alan Cumming, co-star of "Wife"

Joshua Malina, "Scandal" castmate

So this plot twist is up there with Beyonce's album in terms of how did they keep that secret!

Greg Berlanti, creator of "Everwood"

My loss is catastrophic. My grief is immeasurable. Please respect my privacy at this time.

Kevin Williamson, creator of "Dawson's Creek"

Eric Stangel, executive producer for "The Late Show With David Letterman"

Last week, it was The Walking Dead that broke my heart. Last night, it was #TheGoodWife. It's getting very hard to sleep on Sundays. Sob.

Debra Birnbaum, former editor of TV Guide

Strange to call it a pleasure, but it is: rewatching THAT episode of #TheGoodWife and admiring the dramatic construction from ahhh to NO!!

Lisa Schwarzbaum, former critic for Entertainment Weekly

Josh Charles

Neal Justin • 612-673-7431