So I've been sick for the last week and a bit, but more specifically I've had a few days off work the last few days and I've decided to catch up on a few shows that have interested me- one a recently premiered and already cancelled show Enlisted (which I shall review in another post) and the other a 2012 political miniseries.
Created and developed by the producer Greg Berlanti (Brothers & Sisters, Life As We Know It), Political Animals is essentially a fig leave for Belanti's fictional take on what then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton might have gone through during her time as the U.S's top diplomat.
Note the word fiction!
While it is easy to say that it was an imaginative idea to begin with, Berlanti does freshen the premise up having strong writing, performances by his cast as well as brilliantly what if propositions; such as the first gay child of a sitting president (pre-series). This plot has repercussions in the series; and from what I've seen so far, is a very moving story but yet also tragic as you can see this happening.
Apart from Berlantis' writing, the cast is the strong point. You have Sigourney Weaver as the lead Elaine Barrish; she gives a magnificent performance in any scene and you have no doubt that Weaver IS Barrish, and you also have no doubt why she still has a career. So far I will also single out Sebastian Stan as Elaine oldest son (by 3 minutes) and openly gay TJ. It is his performance and nuances to TJ that makes you blled for him; despite certain actions of the character.
I'll review more later- I have sort of started episode 4 (of 6), and had to turn it off because I was falling asleep. But from the tiny bit I saw of it; it looks like we shall be having a TJ episode.
Huzzah!
Political Animals is rated M and is out on DVD now at JB Hi Fi ($19.98)