Political Animals

:

Season 1
  • Network: USA
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 15, 2012
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 50
  3. Negative: 8 out of 50
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User Reviews

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  1. Foible
    Jul 30, 2012
    8
    What a wonderful cast. Greg Berlanti's new show is full of strong, flawed characters who initially engender strong dislike but tend to win us over anyway. Sigourney plays an intelligent, often misunderstood, woman whose fatal weakness (and maybe also strength, is her ex-husband and ex-President played by Ciaran Hinds). Just enjoyed the third episode. What a treat seeing theWhat a wonderful cast. Greg Berlanti's new show is full of strong, flawed characters who initially engender strong dislike but tend to win us over anyway. Sigourney plays an intelligent, often misunderstood, woman whose fatal weakness (and maybe also strength, is her ex-husband and ex-President played by Ciaran Hinds). Just enjoyed the third episode. What a treat seeing the mother-daughter banter between Ellen Burstyn and Sigourney. Vanessa Redgrave has such a strong presence as Sigourney's mentor. Political Animals is developing well and promises further meshing of human bravery, frailty and convictions!… Expand
  2. Mowgli1114
    Jul 17, 2012
    10
    Sigourney Weaver is BRILLIANT on Political Animals! Carla Gugino, Dan Futterman and Ellen Burstyn all deliver excellent performances as well. Siqourney is just so endlessly watchable and this character allows her to show a range of emotion rarely afforded to a woman. She delivers this INCREDIBLE speech toward the end of the first episode that literally made me applaud my television.Sigourney Weaver is BRILLIANT on Political Animals! Carla Gugino, Dan Futterman and Ellen Burstyn all deliver excellent performances as well. Siqourney is just so endlessly watchable and this character allows her to show a range of emotion rarely afforded to a woman. She delivers this INCREDIBLE speech toward the end of the first episode that literally made me applaud my television. Go Sigourney!… Expand
  3. jerseygirl5
    Jul 18, 2012
    10
    Signorney was outstanding-writing quick and witty-I loved every second and can't wait for the next episode-definitely on my do-not-miss (or do-DVR) list!
  4. TrevorCantu
    Jul 18, 2012
    9
    I rarely get into TV shows and I'm hooked on this one. Performances are the highlight. Nothing I've ever seen wrote on television and although I'm not much of a TV person, I do know a good show when I watch one.
  5. OhThatGuy
    Jul 16, 2012
    0
    This was completely awful. The writing is completely incompetent. They are probably trying to be "edgy" with the sex and vulgar language, but it just comes off as pathetic. It's just a lame soap opera with no depth, insight, or redeeming value. I watch a lot of shows on the USA network, so I thought this would have that same level of quality. It really doesn't. How this got any goodThis was completely awful. The writing is completely incompetent. They are probably trying to be "edgy" with the sex and vulgar language, but it just comes off as pathetic. It's just a lame soap opera with no depth, insight, or redeeming value. I watch a lot of shows on the USA network, so I thought this would have that same level of quality. It really doesn't. How this got any good reviews at all is a mystery to me.… Expand
  6. nautico
    Jul 16, 2012
    2
    This has got to be one of the worst mini-series efforts in the history of TV. The writing is absolutely abysmal, and the dialogue is laced with the most gratuitous profanity I've ever witnessed. The ex-prez character who's a transparent parody of Bill Clinton is especially offensive and ludicrous, a buffoon who can't utter a sentence not laden with obscenities. A disaster.
  7. jeremyp
    Jul 22, 2012
    7
    Great writing and snappy dialog keep this from being the usual prime time bilge. The Clinton's should get residuals! Nice to see a gay guy who is a lush and easy to dislike, I'm tired of stereotypes. This is like the "West Wing meets Smash" an intelligent soap.
  8. AndyBeaux
    Jul 17, 2012
    7
    Predictable at times, touching at other. But overall full of much to give to us [viewers] in the future.
    I think it's a good thing it's a short series, dragging it out would only make it trying.
  9. podaddy
    Jul 24, 2012
    1
    Horrendous. It was exhausting trying to make it thru one episode. Atrocious writing and bad acting. As much as I'd like to place the blame of Sigourney Weaver's wooden and day time soap worthy acting on the writing, great actors sometimes give noteworthy performances, even when they are handed god awful scripts. The Clintonian President is so off target and comes off as a crude andHorrendous. It was exhausting trying to make it thru one episode. Atrocious writing and bad acting. As much as I'd like to place the blame of Sigourney Weaver's wooden and day time soap worthy acting on the writing, great actors sometimes give noteworthy performances, even when they are handed god awful scripts. The Clintonian President is so off target and comes off as a crude and brainless buffoon. I saw Sigorney pitching this show to John Stewart on The Daily Show and was quite intrigued, and actually looked forward to watching it. Now, I look forward to never having to sit thru another episode of this drek ever again.… Expand
  10. nickclarivette
    May 27, 2013
    9
    I hope I don't come to regret this score, but I really liked the pilot. Sigourney Weaver is totally watchable in her role. And the story skirts witty, trashy and politically relevant in an interesting way. The not so subtle nod the the Clintons just makes for good TV. As if we're surprised.
  11. Blahsum
    Jul 17, 2012
    1
    At one point a character compares the Middle East to IKEA instructions, basically saying: "who knows?". But this was not a person from the street. Instead it was uttered by a staffer in the office of the Secretary of State. You'd have thought someone in that position would have something more insightful to say on the subject...

    Political Animals wears everything on its sleeve. The    At one point a character compares the Middle East to IKEA instructions, basically saying: "who knows?". But this was not a person from the street. Instead it was uttered by a staffer in the office of the Secretary of State. You'd have thought someone in that position would have something more insightful to say on the subject...

    Political Animals wears everything on its sleeve. The writing is shallow and really serves little else than to stimulate some shallow drama. It is riddled with cliches - drug addiction, marital affair, eating disorders and it couldn't help but go for the 'blog vs. newspaper' angle. It's a painfully shallow experience.    … Expand
  12. RealContext
    Jul 18, 2012
    0
    We are very near the end of civilization as we know it. To think this dreck was greenlighted and that Sigourney Weaver consented to appear in it is mind boggling. My wife and I found ourselves wishing an alien would suddenly pop out of her chest and change the direction of this assault on the intellect and three of the five senses. It was cartoonish, tawdry and lame.
  13. siftekhar
    Aug 8, 2012
    8
    This is actually a pretty nice show. Tries to portray the innards of political system, while keeping a 'political family' story going. Liked it, hope were more innovative shows like this.
  14. plantlady63
    Aug 13, 2012
    10
    What a fresh and in depth political series. The writing is first rate and lets you get to know each character almost personally. At first you want to hate Elaine ..but as the story unfolds ..you love her strength and her ..dare I say ethics? It clearly shows that there is a fine line between the right thing to do and protecting your family. The cast is wonderful and plays off of each otherWhat a fresh and in depth political series. The writing is first rate and lets you get to know each character almost personally. At first you want to hate Elaine ..but as the story unfolds ..you love her strength and her ..dare I say ethics? It clearly shows that there is a fine line between the right thing to do and protecting your family. The cast is wonderful and plays off of each other perfectly. I look forward to every episode! Please keep them coming!!… Expand
  15. kimzy
    Aug 13, 2012
    10
    i am so hooked on this show... its such a great story with amazing characters... and the actors chosen just woow they play their part with such greatness.... i just wish there's more cause a few episodes aren't enough...
  16. oz1967oz
    Aug 22, 2012
    10
    A powerhouse showcase for Weaver with the perfect ensemble cast. It's a slow build with the payoffs to make this worthy of a series 2. While the exploration of the family is strong its when Weaver is dealing with matters of state rather than the state of her family that the series shines.
  17. ann1234567
    Aug 21, 2012
    10
    I LOVE this show....I sure hope there is a season 2 that has a LOT more episodes. It has been one of those shows my husband and I have truly enjoyed...great writing and great acting....perfect in my book. I just want MORE!!!!! Thanks USA Network for a real winner!!!
  18. photo3444
    Aug 29, 2012
    8
    the acting and writing is top notch... however, they need to add more to the "extras" to make the show more believable. For example... they cast only one bodyguard to protect the Secretary ?

Awards & Rankings

67
#67 Best TV Season of 2012
46
#46 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
67
#67 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Aug 27, 2012
    100
    Fast-paced, darkly funny and scathingly sharp, Political Animals seamlessly blends family drama with real-world issues, including an early crisis in the Middle East.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Daniel Goldberg
    Aug 13, 2012
    63
    If you found the parallel universe in Lost perplexing, Political Animals's sheer optimism might leave you utterly baffled. Yet Weaver's grounding performance goes beyond maternal warmth and shrewdness, because Barrish doesn't just see the best in people; she demands it.
    Read full review
  3. Denver Post
    Reviewed by: Joanne Ostrow
    Jul 16, 2012
    60
    Think the Clintons meet "Dallas" in D.C. And that, for six episodes, may be enough.
    Read full review
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