Commander in Chief
Is America Ready? I am!
On Saturday Nov 26
What do you think about Rod's choice to NOT become the new MLB commissioner? You could really get the sense that he wanted the job, and that he LOVES the job. But then again, he has obligations to his wife. But at the time he made the decision he didn't have an official spot in her cabinet (until she invented a spot). I personally think he would have been happier working for the MLB than for his wife. This brings up the interesting issue of sexism. Throughout the history of the presidency women have been expected to stand next to their husbands (or rather a step or two behind them) no matter what. Now that we have a female president, what does the "First Gentleman" do? Our social norms say he doesn't stand behind anyone, but yet this conflicts with the tradition of the office. As I have mentioned before, I love this little dynamic in the show and think it really adds drama. The show is really going after gender stereotypes and I like that. Anyone agree?
Should she have lied?
On Saturday Nov 26
I think Mack botched her attempt at honesty with the public. She should have either lied or been truthful from the beginning (politically speaking that is...not morally). She was in no-man's land when she told the public that the President asked her to step down. It made her seem dishonest, and of course the press had a field day with this. I personally would have lied (lol). I mean it was a mysoginist request in the first place, and Mack is more than qualified for the job. Telling the public didn't help her at all. It only gave her opposition more support. Just my 2 cents.
Smart move
On Saturday Nov 26
What do you think about Mack putting her husband into the game? One could obviously see the tension that was being created because he was being marginalized in her administration. It was a smart move on Mack's part for this reason as well as due to the fact that Rod is good at this. He is going to be the new "Strategic Planning" cabinet member.
Also, how do we feel about Taylor's HIV announcement? Obviously it was a bold and astute move (IMO) to come out before the press got it. The way in which Mack handled the news was pitch perfect. She skillfully leveraged this seeming crisis to promote her political agenda. Her talk about what she is doing to fight AIDS was inspired. This issue really showed us Mackenzie's compassion for friends and her fellow man. This was a great little piece of writing.
"First Scandal"
On Oct 5
First Scandal is a great one. A book is released and it divulges some confidential information that makes Mack look bad. Something tells me Templeton had a little bit to do with this book. The release of this confidential information makes Mack question her cabinet and inner circle...she knows there must be a leak, but has no idea where. I like this, it adds to the internal drama. Keaton, Mack's VP nominee runs into some trouble in his confirmation hearings when some dark secrets from his past come up. Again, Templeton is behind this. Don't you just love how wicked this guy is? Horace is getting poor grades and Rebecca and her new BF get intimate.
First...Do No Harm
On Oct 8
This episode was solid again. The political development was what I liked. Templeton puts the heat on Mack as she and her Attorney General publicly disagree about how to handle a terrorist. Mack finds a replacement National Security Advisor and is hoping this announcement will help put their policy train on track, but that shifty Templeton makes that difficult. Meanwhile Amy gets upset because she can't trick or treat and Horace gets mad because some late night shows are ripping on "the First Gentleman".
Is it me, or does anyone else think we should cut the kids' story archs back? I mean they shouldn't really be part of the story at all. Their current roles are so small that they do nothing to advance the show, and I highly doubt they are attracting younger viewers. So lets just drop them already ABC!
Ratings Rock
On Oct 14
The show has been snagging around 15million viewers. This is to be expected considering the show is soo darn good! ABC is going to pick up the show for a full season this week I would imagine. This means you get 20 episodes this season gauranteed, and most likely at least 13 next. So if you are a fan (you ar here aren't you), you should be happy.
Show Reviews
On Oct 21
I got an email yesternight from a fan wanting me to post show reviews on this site. Well I don't wanna get sued, so I'll just give a few links I found right quick. Chicago Tribune Review - Pitt Post Gazette
The reviews on the whole seem pretty darn good. Of course there are always some bad ones, but i'd say for the most part they are solid.
Role Reversals
On Oct 28
I love it that this show has a "First Gentleman". And that his duties involve hosting foreign dignitaries. This is so great to see. Having a First Gentleman do all the traditional First Lady roles is fun to watch. It isn't mean to be funny i'm sure, but regardless, it is. In this episode called "First Dance", Mack hosts a summit for the Russian President. But that snake Templeton is orchestrating a series of cabinet resignations that will cripple Mack. In this episode, Templeton says he is going to run against the president in the next election. We finally have his intentions. Overall a solid episode with some good character arch developments. I like the Templeton character and where the writers are taking this. I'd say 8/10.
Mack's first Crisis
On November 2, 2005
"First Strike" is a good episode. Probably one of the best so far. A bunch of U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents are murdered in South America and Mackenzie must make some tough choices. I loved how strong and resolved they made her look in this episode. I had a really good feel to it. This episode also has my fav. theme: subterfuge. Nathan Templeton is a young and eager congressmen who gives up damaging info to harm the nomination of the VP. The twins also head back to public school in this episode (yeah right). This brings the media down upon the school. Horace of course loves it, but Rebecca doesn't. Overall a solid episode with some good suspense. I'd give it a 9.2/10.
Mackenzie Watch
On November 5, 2005
The ABC blog for the show is pretty dang neat. Read it. I actually like this site idea better than the boring old style that ABC normally does. If they could keep the blog updated more that would be good.
Download Commander in Chief Episodes
Rod's choice
Should she have lied?
Smart move
"First Scandal"
First...Do No Harm
Ratings Rock
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Role Reversals
Mack's first Crisis
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