I gave this show a try because many of my friends said how good it was. They were not wrong! Surprisingly, this is the first show I’ve ever watched with Keri Russell in it. She’s a very compelling actress, and while she’s beautiful, I love that this show isn’t afraid to show her imperfections as well.
I binged the entire run so far in less than two weeks, and while comparisons are being made to The West Wing, there is a key difference. West Wing was all about the decency and honor of the main characters. This show seems to embody “The End justifies the Means.” Usually the End is something that is humanitarian or towards keeping peace, but not always.
I was struck by the frantic pace of much of the first two seasons–it seems to occur in about a week of real time. In S2 we get a skip of, I think, five months.
Most shows that hook me have a good ensemble cast and this show is no exception. Until the Penns showed up the only actress I recognized from something else I’d watched was the actress who plays Eidra (CIA chief). She had a good part in Agatha All Along.
In S3 one of the main supporting characters has a crisis of conscience, and it felt very much a parallel commentary on the 47th presidency and the abuse of the civil service. Possibly I am reading my own experience in there, but it’s definitely a reference point. I will be curious to see if that develops any more in S4.
Since much of the show is set in the UK, there are some amazing exterior and interior shots and sets. Every other scene seems to be some kind of formal dinner or cocktail reception in someplace older than the U.S. Great eye candy for all of the machinations going on.
I’m glad I watched this and now I’m waiting with the rest of you for season four.
