Commander in Chief

Review: Commander in Chief (2005)

Score: 7/10

Commander in Chief was a timely and boldly conceived political drama that arrived with great promise, offering a compelling "what if" scenario years before its time. The series follows Mackenzie "Mac" Allen (Geena Davis), the Vice President who ascends to the Oval Office after the President's sudden death, navigating the treacherous waters of Washington D.C. as the nation's first female Commander-in-Chief. It earns points for its landmark premise and a star-making, award-winning central performance, but is ultimately weighed down by network-TV conventions and a failure to fully capitalise on its own potential.

What Works & The Premise's Power:

• Geena Davis's Commanding, Award-Winning Performance: Davis is the undisputed anchor and highlight of the series. She brought a grounded intelligence, steely grace, and believable vulnerability to President Allen, masterfully portraying the immense weight of the office and the unique scrutiny of her position. Her work was rightfully recognised with the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama in 2006, a testament to her ability to carry the show's ambitious premise.
• A Prescient & Engaging Premise: In 2005, the concept felt both revolutionary and aspirational. The show's core conflicts—the tension with a scheming Speaker of the House (a deliciously antagonistic Donald Sutherland), the balancing of family and unimaginable duty, and the constant negotiation of respect in a male-dominated arena—were inherently dramatic and resonate even more strongly today.
• Solid Political Intrigue (Initially): The first handful of episodes effectively set up a compelling dynamic between the idealistic, independent President and the old-guard political machinery determined to undermine her.

Why It Stumbles to a Mid-Tier Score:

• Formulaic Network Drift: After a strong start, the series increasingly fell into predictable, case-of-the-week patterns and melodramatic subplots (particularly involving the First Family) that diluted its sharp political edge. It often chose sentimental, tidy resolutions over the complex, gritty realism the premise demanded.
• Underwritten Adversaries & Politics: While Sutherland chews scenery effectively, the political opposition often felt cartoonishly evil rather than strategically formidable. The show shied away from deeply exploring substantive policy or the nuanced ideological battles that define real politics, opting for more personal, soap-operatic conflicts.
• A Premature End & Unrealised Potential: The series was canceled after one season (with a handful of unaired episodes), leaving its overarching storylines abruptly truncated. This leaves the viewer with the palpable feeling of watching a promising pilot for a much grittier, more serialised show that never got to be made.

Verdict:

Commander in Chief is a fascinating cultural artefact—a well-acted, important-for-its-time drama that paved the way for more sophisticated political shows. Geena Davis's Golden Globe-winning performance remains a powerful reason to watch, and the concept alone retains its appeal. However, its execution is ultimately hamstrung by a network television sensibility that softened its bite, resulting in a show that feels more like a noble, somewhat sanitised prototype than a fully realised masterpiece.

Watch if: You are interested in the evolution of political TV dramas, enjoy award-winning performances, or are fascinated by the "first female president" narrative. Skip if: You prefer gritty, realistic, policy-wonk political thrillers like The West Wing (Sorkin era) or House of Cards.