Watch Political Animals

Political Animals is a political drama series that premiered on the USA Network in 2012. The show revolves around Elaine Barrish Hammond, a former First Lady and current Secretary of State, who is constantly struggling to balance her political work with her personal life.

The series stars Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish Hammond, the tough and determined Secretary of State. Carla Gugino plays Susan Berg, a journalist who has been covering Elaine's political life for quite some time. James Wolk plays Douglas Hammond, Elaine's son who also works as her chief of staff. Sebastian Stan plays T.J. Hammond, Elaine's openly gay son who is struggling with addiction issues. Ellen Burstyn plays Margaret Barrish, Elaine's mother who is also a former showgirl. And finally, Ciarán Hinds plays Bud Hammond, Elaine's ex-husband who is also a former President of the United States.

The show starts off with Elaine cementing her legacy as a Secretary of State and preparing for a presidential run. Meanwhile, her family is dealing with their own problems. Douglas struggles with his marriage, T.J. battles addiction, and Margaret deals with the aftermath of her own personal scandals. Throughout the series, the characters make choices that will impact their family and their country. They balance scandals, shifting alliances, and personal struggles. The show gives viewers an inside look at the complex workings of the political world while also exploring the inner tensions of a family living in the political spotlight.

The show's strong point is the acting. Weaver delivers a complex and layered portrayal of Hammond. Her character displays a strength and determination that is necessary for her political career, while also dealing with her own personal battles. The rest of the cast is equally strong. Gugino is convincing as a journalist eager to break a story, while Wolk and Stan offer compelling performances as Elaine’s sons.

The series is also notable for its writing. Creator and writer Greg Berlanti wrote the show to reflect the dynamics of powerful women in politics. He creates a world that is both insightful and entertaining. The show reflects on the challenges of women in powerful positions with grace and nuance. Berlanti depicts how the scrutiny that women receive in their roles is magnified at the highest level of public life.

Another strong point is the show's production quality. The show is impeccably shot and edited. The pacing enables the story to unfold slowly, but this has the added benefit of giving emphasis to particular events when they occur, allowing viewers to observe how they impact characters and shape their future actions.

Political Animals tackles a number of political issues throughout the series. It highlights themes of power, sexism, the media, and the LGBTQ+ community. The show uses its characters to explore these issues through a variety of perspectives. For instance, T.J.'s struggles with addiction, along with being a gay man dealing with both public scrutiny and his father’s disapproval, provide insight into issues many LGBTQ+ individuals face. This shows how the show serves as a platform for tackling important issues.

Overall, Political Animals is a powerful drama that explores the inner workings of American politics as well as the personal struggles of Elaine and her family. It is a well-written and well-acted show that balances politics with personal drama. It offers insight into the complexities of being a woman in politics and the harsh realities that women face. Although the show has only one season, it manages to cover a wide range of topics and issues, making for an entertaining and insightful watch.

Political Animals is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between July 15, 2012 and on USA