Political Animals - Episode 1 - Recap - Pilot

While I am sure that I would enjoy Political Animals has a full series, something tells me that I am going to love it even more as a mini (I mean limited) one. When you look at normal television programs, they have the luxury of taking their time to figure out exactly what kind of show they are. The creative process is freer, because they can invest energy into various ideas and plots to see which ones payoff. Often, this leads to a new series not knowing its identity or direction that they want to take their program in at the start. Here, however, Animals does not have this chance given its short run. The storytelling has to be tight and clearly thought out, because the show cannot afford trying to find its footing. Animals has to know what it wants to be from the beginning, and actively go in that direction. So instead of a lot of different ideas thrown into the mix as would be normal in a first episode, we are left with two very distinct themes that the show is revolving around.

First, is the idea that this show represents a loose dramatization of Hilary Clinton and her life since the 2008 Presidential Election. Have no doubts, this series is definitely looking towards Hilary Clinton for inspiration, and taking a what-if approach to how events could have played out for her after her primary loss. The similarities between these characters and real-life politicians are way too similar for this to be fluke. In fact they are so blatantly obvious, I will not waste your time by listing them here. Suffice to say, even blind person could see it.

I think that this is very smart on the show’s part. Everybody loves drama based on real life events, even if it is done as it is here in a very loose manner. This is especially true if those events surround contemporary figures like these do. It is in our nature as humans to love drama, and the higher and more powerful the people are that are involved, the more enjoyable it is for us. The series is definitely trading in on this want, and doing a superb job of it in my opinion.

The second theme is that everybody involved in politics, both the politicians and those people in their lives, have a façade they put up. If we were to take every major character introduced tonight, it would be easy to demonstrate the double lives that they lead. In fact, let’s just run through them all right not.

First is Elaine Hammond. For most of her political life, Elaine was viewed as cold, calculating and distant. Even after her husband cheated on her, she was still seen in a very unpopular light by many people. Since divorcing him, however, Elaine is adored. She now symbolizes a strong, independent woman, a figure that represents all Americans who have gone through tumultuous times, but came out them better for it. Her resolve and drive to continue to push forward no matter what is greatly admired, making her force to be reckoned with. Of course, Elaine’s secret is that she is not that woman completely. She still has her moments of uncertainty and weakness, to the point she even sleeps with her ex. Elaine is not allowed to show this side of herself though, or she risks losing everything she has gained through her new public image.

Other the other side of the spectrum you have Bud Hammond. Originally, Bud’s scoundrel ways were viewed in a lovable manner. He was a man who could really do no wrong, and was easily forgiven for his mistakes and transgressions. Bud was the affable buffoon, a puppy to be coddled and loved. After the divorce, however, the public saw Bud for who is truly is. Instead of loving him for his ridiculous actions, the American people turned on him. Now, he has fallen completely out of their good graces, and is desperate to do anything to return to them. Bud does not want to change his deplorable ways; he simply wants to not be judged harshly for them like he used to not be.

Animals also demonstrates how the family members of politicians also have to play the game. In Douglas Hammond and Anne Ogami, we have two people charged with being the perfect couple. Smart, attractive, put-together, successful, Doug and Anne represent the ideal, the people we are supposed to strive to be. Naturally behind the scenes, they are nothing of the sort. Douglas hates his father, is too self-sacrificing for his mother and brother, and can barely contain his anger when a situation does not work for him. He is a man who looks like he could break at any moment given the pressure and expectations hoisted upon him. In that same vein, Anne is also feeling the pressure accompanied by her position. Anne must be the ideal spouse, which results in her bulimia to keep her beautiful appearance and figure. She too, has to give into Elaine’s wishes, otherwise she risks rocking the boat. Both Doug and Anne have to remain perfect and in control, even if they are coming apart internally at the seams.

Thomas Hammond, on the other hand, is a man who has already buckled under the pressure. The weight of his reality, as the first gay child of a president, has taken his toll on him significantly. He has already fallen multiple times, and now he is supposedly recovering and rehabilitating himself. If anything, that means he has more to live up to now though. Americans love a comeback story, but there are only so many chances we are willing to give until we write somebody off. This is especially true when it appears that that person is in recovery and making their way back. When they fail after showing progress, it appears as if they were lying to us, which is something that cannot be forgiven so easily. And that is exactly what TJ is doing, he is lying about his recovery. The constant pressure to perform, to be better is the exact thing preventing him from achieving that. Still, Thomas has no choice but to live that double life, just like the rest of his family must constantly do as well.

The double life standard also extends past politicians and their families and out to those people whose lives revolve around them. Susan Berg is a woman who has made her career covering the political elite. She prides herself on her journalistic integrity, and puts forth a very professional public persona. Even though she dates and lives with her boss, she still attempts to keep it a strictly business relationship in the office. This front, however, hides the fact that she can be ruthless and underhanded when she feels the need to. As Elaine pointed out, since breaking the story of Bud’s affair, Susan has struggled professionally. When faced with the opportunity to help her career in a significant way, she did not hesitate to use TJ’s suicide attempt for leverage. Susan may want others to think of her has nothing but a consummate reporter, ethical in every way, but it does not change who she is out of the public eye. She too, leads the same double life she attempts to report on with people like the Hammonds.

Ultimately, it seems that Political Animals is using these people’s double lives as not so much a condemnation of politicians and the people in their lives, but of the American people themselves. As Elaine said at the top of the hour while commiserating her primary loss, the American public is looking for their dog and pony show from its politicians. We demand perfection, for people to deliver the persona we cast on upon them, and punish those who do not give it to us. The show makes this point even more clearly with the one main character not leading a double life, Ellen Burstyn. Ellen is caustic, brutally honesty, and something of a lush. She is indeed a real person, and acts so at all times. As Ellen said though, it is due to her very human nature that she is never allowed on the record. Ellen is too close to the family, to Elaine to be allowed to be out in the public eye. As much as we claim that we would love for the political elite in this country to be honest and open, we do not actually condone it. That is why the Ellen’s of the political world are hidden away, because we could not stand to actually see people’s true lives.

I am extremely excited for this series, and cannot wait to see how the show carries everything out and sticks the landing. As I said, given its short lifespan, I expect a lot of strong and tight storytelling, with very little in the way of fluff. Hopefully, if Animals does well, this will lead to more networks taking a chance on these types of programs.

Quick hits:

Sorry for not covering much of the actual plot, but I figure nobody ever really reads recaps for a rehashing of what happened for a show they just watched. Needless to say, it is not surprising to see the whole Iranian hostage situation has the same tenor to it that the rest of the show had. Namely, that everything has at least two faces, if not multiple levels to it. Clearly, the presidency is just another main character, with what happens behind the scenes being its true face versus what is told to the American people as its put-on one. Seriously though, was that a shocking revelation for anybody? If so, how was that world shattering thought for you?

This episode had easily some of the best lines I have heard all year. Everybody was great, but Ellen killed it and took it home with her. The woman is just pure gold. “I always though you were a lesbian,” “You must give one hell of a hummer lady,” and “If I had a rack like hers, I might still be getting laid” were all fantastic. Her best though, was one just attributed to her. “She is a bitch with a capital C” is getting worked into my insults. That one had me on the floor. Not to claim that the others on the cast were not as funny, because “There has to be a rule about discussing my mother while I’m inside you” and “Never call a bitch a bitch. Us bitches hate that” were also standouts. Truly, there were so many I could not keep track.

Loved the TJ hook-up scene with every fiber in my being. That was hot, the random trick was hot, Sebastian Stan is hot, everything was just hot. More please, every week. I will definitely take that kind of fluff.

Does anyone really care about Ava, outside of her boobs that is? No? Did not think so.

I loved watching Elaine give it to basically everyone tonight. The Russian minister, her ex-campaign runner, Bud, Susan, etc. The woman was just on fire, and Sigourney is really playing her perfectly. In fact, I really cannot name a weak link in any of the cast; everybody is really bringing there A game which is just nice to see.

So what is going to be the big twist? We know Elaine has her sights set a ways down the road to two elections from now, so something is going to have to happen to jeopardize that goal. The obvious answer involves Bud or TJ in some manner, but I feel like Doug is finally going to explode and things will then proceed to get very real. Cannot wait.

Hope y’all enjoyed tonight’s episode as much as I did. I am very excited about where this could go!