Political Animals: The Complete Series

Fans of Joe Klein's notorious Primary Colors (book and movie) will appreciate this Golden Globe-nominated USA Network miniseries depicting the personal and professional travails of the ultimate Washington power couple, who bear a strong resemblance to the Clintons. Elaine Barrish Hammond (Sigourney Weaver) is the Secretary of State in a Democratic administration—and the recent ex-wife of former Chief Executive Bud Hammond (Ciarán Hinds), a hugely popular good ol' boy with a penchant for philandering. Divorcing him (although they still meet in secret for family discussions and clandestine sex) actually sent Elaine's popularity soaring, and she deliberates over whether to run for the Oval Office herself, against a background of crises with the Iranians and the Chinese. The couple's adult twin sons—Doug (James Wolk), who also serves as his mom's chief of staff, and T.J. (Sebastian Stan) a gay, suicidal addict—mingle fatefully with ambitious reporter Susan Berg (Carla Gugino), who's looking for a big Hammond scoop. Torrid affairs and cynical power games make this a compellingly watchable series (with media stars Andrea Mitchell and Craig Ferguson appearing as themselves), even if the overall effect is essentially soap opera with Secret Service undertones. Compiling all six episodes from 2012, along with extras including deleted scenes, this is recommended. (C. Cassady)