Amazon.com: Political Animals: Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot": Amazon Instant Video

Political Animals: The Complete First Season, Ep. 1 "Pilot"

In this new series, Sigourney Weaver stars as Elaine Barrish Hammond, a former first lady and current secretary of state, who lets ahungry journalist (Carla Gugino) follow her.

Directed by: Greg Berlanti
Runtime: 1 hour 13 minutes
Original air date: July 15, 2012
Network: Warner Bros.

Episode 1, "Pilot"

Synopsis: In this new series, Sigourney Weaver stars as Elaine Barrish Hammond, a former first lady and current secretary of state, who lets ahungry journalist (Carla Gugino) follow her.

Original air date: July 15, 2012

Runtime: 1 hour 13 minutes

Captions and Subtitles: English

ASIN: B008LWQ18Y

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,446 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Political Animals: The Complete First Season

Synopsis: Political Animals is a provocative and bold look at a fictional former First Family in turmoil. Sigourney Weaver stars as the divorced former First Lady and current Secretary of State trying to keep her family together while facing political crises and fending off the journalist (Carla Gugino) who built her career by tearing Elaine down.

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Carla Gugino

Supporting actors: James Wolk, Sebastian Stan, Brittany Ishibashi, Ellen Burstyn, Ciarán Hinds, Dylan Baker, Adrian Pasdar, Mädchen Amick, Roger Bart, Wes Chatham, Meghann Fahy, Ming Lo, David Monahan, Linda Powell, Michael Dostillio, Robert Heath, Stephen Hill, R.J. Kelly

Season year: 2012

Genre: Drama

Executive producer: Greg Berlanti

Network: Warner Bros.

ASIN: B008LRBEGS

Rights & Requirements

Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details

Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Political and Family Drama with a Touch of Conspiracy July 17, 2012

By Anastasia McPherson TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Political Animals follows the careers, private lives and fortunes of a former First Family transparantly based on the Clintons. Sigourney Weaver plays Elaine Barrish, the character based on Hillary Clinton and she does a wonderful job. Elaine Barrish was a former first lady who ran for the Presidential Nomination of the Democratic Party and lost to a younger, more media friendly male candidate. Elaine Barrish then campaigned for that President and was named Secretary of State, a role where she did a very good job and that increased her popularity, especially in light of the lackluster performance of the president.

Bud Hammond is the Bill Clinton character and Ciarin Hinds does a wonderful job combining both the lovable and the creepy in a man who loves his wife but is incapable of keeping his hands off other women. Political Animals is more of a family drama and soap opera than a political drama, desptie the inclusion of a plot point with hostages in Iran and the tacit permission of the POTUS for Iran to kill American hostages for political purposes, a plot that Elaine dashes rather expertly.

I enjoyed Political Animals for its soapy exuberance rather than its political acumen, but the conspiracy nut inside of me thinks that the purpose of Political Animals is to float the idea of Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, running for President again based on her performance and popularity as Secretary of State. Otherwise why make the characterizations of this political family caricatures?

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great political story with a shot of night time soap August 25, 2012

By J. Brock

I love this show. It got a little bit of a bad rap it seemed from some reviewers. It's not political enough, or if it was too political it would be more scrutinized. At its heart is the dysfunctional, political family the Hammonds. And an ambitious reporter who is trying to get the inside scoop, played by the captivating and incredible Carla Gugino. This woman is the real star here. Sigourney Weaver is amazing as Secretary of State Elaine Barrish, newly divorced from Bud Hammond, who just happens to be the former President. This show was billed as a limited series event with a six episode run. I'll admit, its started out a bid shaky, but found its footing. By episode 6, it was right where it needs to be.

The great thing about this show is it never takes itself too seriously. Its kind of winking at you the whole time. Very tongue in cheek. The whole cast is spectacular, including Ellen Burstyn, Sebastian Stan, and James Wolk. Everyone has secrets and demons. One minute its super serious, the next hilarious. Its fun, exciting, and alluring. I hope USA picks up this show for a second season. I found it to be the most entertaining series of the summer. USA is forever putting out incredible series. This one is a bit different. Its more F/X, HBO, or Showtime series TV. But not quite. Its a bold move for USA. Its nice to have something different besides lawyer and cop shows every once in awhile. Great series. I highly recommend it. Don't judge the series by the pilot. Like everything else, it needs time to grow into itself. Here's to hoping it makes it to season 2.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Color me surprised August 21, 2012

By FitnessFreak

I didn't intend on watching Political Animals because I just figured it for another run of the mill political show. The show focuses on Sigourney Weaver who is a poised political figure and the lives of her family. Being the ex of a former president brings an added complexity to the storyline. Susan Berg plays a reporter that initially didn't respect the lead character, but found a change of heart when faced in an adverse situation. Week after week the story has kept my interest.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars DVD ?

When this great show will came out on DVD ? I was bit disapointed with the pilot a but the rest of the show is amazing !!! I want to see it again with my family on dvd or bluray !

Published 1 month ago by D. Halphen

3.0 out of 5 stars New Political Show

To me, this show is a parable of the Clintons political careers with a boring storyline. I'll be surprised if it makes a second season. Sigourney Weaver is outstanding, as always. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Linda