Last summer (2012), the USA Network put out a mini-series titled Political Animals. The entire time it was originally running, I wanted to watch it, but never got around to it. It was only 6 episodes, after all.
I was wrong not to watch it. I ended up marathoning it; not because I wanted to, but because it was addicting. Sigourney Weaver was the main character, a former first lady who starts out running for President and ending up Secretary of State (sound familiar?). She divorces her husband, has two adult sons (one is gay and the other engaged), and while in office as Secretary of State decides again to run for President.
All of the things that are coming to me to talk about are spoilers, therefore I'm holding back. But. What I can say, is that as a drama, it not only surprises you and keep you on the edge of your seat, but it appeals to your emotions. The quality level was the same as Breaking Bad (which I just finished and if I may be so eloquent : ohmygod) or a netflix original (even though I have a lot of problems with Orange is the New Black, I cannot say it isn't a quality program). And the finale was everything I wanted. As with Breaking Bad (I'm going to be talking about this show a lot for the next few days), the finale found a way to tie up so many of the loose ends and give closure and you can see how this truly is the end and tries to help you do your best to find peace. That's a bit of a ramble, isn't it?
On friday morning, first period, my history teacher started talking about how politics are like reality television, if you understand the jargon. I already knew this to an extent, but after seeing this show, I understand it even further. In my last Breaking Bad comparison, the shows also both have strong female leads. And I think that was one of the things that appealed to me.
While I wasn't around or paying attention to the reactions to Political Animals when they were happening, with Breaking Bad, there were a lot of people who really hated Skyler, the wife and mother. That's actually a surprising form of misogyny which a lot of people refused to acknowledge for a long time and some still do.
Now, I loved Skyler. No one I know liked Skyler. But, when I'd ask their reasoning, they couldn't give valid reasons. A lot of it was that she was a strong woman who stood up to her husband and for some reason that made people dislike her. People have actually begun calling it the 'Skyler White Syndrome'. I just want to leave on that note. Misogyny is still widely prevalent in pop culture, which, I mean, we all know. But. It's interesting to see it in a show of such high quality and critical acclaim. Also, watch Political Animals. I guarantee you won't regret it. It's only less than six hours of your life.
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