Doctor, am I normal? My symptoms are acute. I can’t resist watching a new series if it offers a political angle. I’m not always satisfied, but I’m never satisfied. Here is my list of what I think is worth its weight in pop corn.
The classics
To science po students and those who want to know how power really works.
Yes Minister and its sequel Yes Prime Minister, politics 101 In this series of remarkably written and hilarious 30-minute episodes, a Reform minister (later Prime Minister) and his status quo defender deputy minister compete in trickery to outwit each other. Everything is there: the power of appointment as a tool for guiding a decision, the use of deadlines, the management (and retention) of information, relations with the media. The 39-episode series, which aired from 1980 to 1988, was accused of being too close to Thatcher (who loved it) and of denigrating the work of civil servants. Maybe. But nothing is more instructive. On iTunes.
The West Wingenriched policy The American series with hour-long episodes, broadcast from 1999 to 2006, is the fruit of the hyperactive brain of Aaron Sorkin. The pace is frantic, the dialogues tumble and overlap; the viewer must stay focused. The series thus illustrates the intensity of the activity surrounding the president, who often only appears at the high point, to impose his authority and decide on the spot. Those who don’t want to go through the seven (unequal) seasons can see the first, exceptional, and the last, which follows candidates on the road to the presidency. On iTunes.
The Newsroom, political journalism, expert levelThis series examines the power plays in a big TV newsroom. Even if it is stuck to the events of the time (2012-2014), its relevance remains entirely on the ethical, financial and political issues of current journalism. Another Aaron Sorkin product. On Crave and HBO.
For fun
Bossevil in power The charismatic, manipulative and corrupt mayor of Chicago learns, at the first scene, that he is dying. A Shakespearian power struggle ensues (loosely adapted from King Lear). Kelsey Grammer’s acting is breathtaking. The second season is almost as good. This dates from 2011-2012. On Prime Video and Starz, among others
House of CardsThe classic I’m old enough to have seen and loved the original British series, which aired from 1990 to 1995 (and is still available on iTunes). Beau Willimon offers an American adaptation performed wonderfully by Kevin Spacey (since accused of sexual assault), who plays the ambitious politician, and Robin Wright, his formidable companion. The first two seasons are excellent; the others, no. On Netflix.
Scandal, sex, powers and conspiracies The sulphurous relationship between a gifted adviser (Kerry Washington) and the American president is the pivot of a series of increasingly preposterous developments. The first two seasons are remarkable. The character of the cheated first lady is tasty. On Netflix
Veeppraise of impotence Julia Louis-Dreyfus (of Seinfeld) portrays the role of a vice-president and exploits all the facets of the vacuity of this position, of its absolute subjection to the goodwill of the president (whom we never see) and his staff. Several of these 30-minute episodes aired from 2012 to 2019 are little gems. Louis-Dreyfus is the queen of misunderstanding and pretense. On Crave and HBO.
Homeland In the radius of espionage and terrorism, you have to see at least the first season of Homeland, where an American veteran is suspected (wrongly?) of having become an agent of jihad. Claire Danes bursts the screen. The ending is to cry. On Netflix.
Our BoysThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict can’t be tackled better than with this 2019 series produced by a trio of authors from both communities. Young Jews are accused of kidnapping and killing a Palestinian in revenge for the kidnapping and murder of three Israelis. All the complexity and the humanity of the actors and the victims of the conflict are staged. On HBO.
House of PapelI believe that the worldwide popularity of this Spanish series is due to its adequacy with a palpable fed up with the powerful. The bank robbers/Robin Hoods mock power, use the media brilliantly and, in the final season, give an incredible lesson in monetary policy. On Netflix.
skids Also in tune with the times, disposable employees and precariousness, this 2020 French series adapted from a novel by Pierre Lemaitre offers both suspense and a scathing commentary on the competition between executives and employees. On Netflix.
TheWire, advanced sociology A cutting X-ray of American society: traffickers, police, politicians, journalists, trade unionists and the education system in turn suffer a total stripping through a dramatic arc that spans five seasons (2002-2008) . We haven’t done anything better since. In English, subtitles are required: the slang is to be cut with a knife. On iTunes.
In Quebec
If the trend continues This series of five episodes broadcast in 2001 on TVA presented the improbable political success of a deputy camped by Michel Côté, a real village idiot who became Prime Minister. It’s remarkably well done and, strangely, almost believable. In my opinion, a final episode is missing, where the hero takes revenge on those who manipulated him! (A good reason to repost.) The series exists on DVD, but I can’t find it anywhere online. Notice to Quebecor!
[email protected]/blog: jflisee.org