Alternative Character Interpretation: Viewers are divided on Lauren, whether she is a devious Gold Digger out to steal control of her husband's law firm, or whether she is genuninely trying to keep the firm afloat after the loss of their beloved founder. There is evidence for both, as she is a highly-competent attorney in her own right and seemed to genuinely care for Teddy - and yet is also quite capable of ruthless, outside-the-box tactics to get her way. Becomes much less ambiguous in the second season, where she's pretty clearly established as the latter.
The Woobie: Lauren and Kate each occasionally end up in this role. Kate loses a home, husband, job, and father in the space of a year. Lauren loses her husband, gets little respect, gets blackmailed, etc.
