What I liked
Clever writing, strong performances, and a good use of historical media to keep the show grounded in reality between scenes. Particularly enjoyed the depiction of George W Bush as a man underestimated by his family and peers, struggling to prove himself – a depiction more nuanced than I’m used to seeing for the former president.
What I didn't like
If anything could have been improved, I suppose I would have liked to have seen a bit more built out around the epilogue – I feel like the show is about how Lee Atwater changed politics, but the epilogue feels factual/historical rather than thematic. I’d love to see the tone of the politics shifting take more focus in the epilogue, rather than so much attention on who became president next and who became president after that.
My overall impression
Fantastically written, beautifully staged and performed- a dark West Wing, into the mind of a man for whom winning is all that matters. Smart, tense and relevant.
