Ms. Close has been a very "committed" attorney, if that is the appropriate word, whereas "slightly mad" works for me as well. Damages is a fascinating take on the legal profession, though similar to watching Captain America to learn about the U.S. Military. That is not to say warped people do not exist in the real legal world, as the collapse of Wall Street and ensuing investigations demonstrated, but seldom can you get such a rich catalog of characters in your living room every night. I would take this over the other television law shows any day. Go here for a season five trailer.
And now we have a new committed Secretary of State coming to television, with Sigourney Weaver coming to the USA Networks tonight (July 15th) on Political Animals. Said to somewhat model Hillary Clinton, Weaver's character Elaine Barrish Hammond has plenty to keep her busy both on the home front and the Homeland Security front. Here is how she is described in the series promotions:
Smart, politically savvy, and devoted to both family and country, onetime first lady and unsuccessful presidential candidate Elaine Barrish Hammond has found new purpose and popularity since divorcing her philandering husband and taking on the job of Secretary of State. Now out from under the shadow of her husband, Elaine proves herself to be a gifted politician with a fierce desire to right the wrongs of the world, whether in international diplomatic chambers or in her own living room. But brilliant as she is, balancing her political aspirations with the demands of her personal life will prove a continued challenge for Elaine, and the higher she climbs, the more her principles, her skill, and her family will be put to the test.
I look forward to seeing Signourney Weaver on television taking on such a role. And while the USA Nework is calling this a "limited series event," maybe a strong start will lead to more. Who knows? Damages was dead before DirectTV came to the rescue. We shall see if Secretary Hammond can carry the day. Go here for an extended trailer.
Tim Goodman in The Hollywood Reporter has already given his view on the, which makes me somewhat uneasy (given my take on Dallas): "...what Animals is trying to do is take The West Wing and turn it into Dallas. And if you don’t like Dallas, that can be a real letdown."
Chuck Barney of the Contra Costa Times was a little nicer: "Fortunately, as the saga unfolds, it delves into fresher territory, and Political Animals becomes an intriguing, even occasionally humorous, family soap opera about the snake pit of national politics, the expectations of women in power and the corrosive effects of personal ambition."
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