"POLITICAL ANIMALS" (2012): Episode Ranking
Below is my ranking of USA Network's 2012 six-episode limited series called "POLITICAL ANIMALS". Created by Greg Berlanti, the series starred Sigourney Weaver, Carla Gugino and Ciarán Hinds:
"POLITICAL ANIMALS" (2012): Episode Ranking
1. (1.05) "16 Hours" - Secretary of State Elaine Barrish instructs one of her twin sons, Douglas "Doug" Hammond, to keep an eye on journalist Susan Berg during a trip to San Diego regarding a sunken Chinese submarine, in order to keep her distracted from any news regarding the drug overdose of her other son, T.J. Unexpected sparks results. And Elaine's mother, Margaret Barrish, discovers that Doug's fiancee, Anne Ogami, is bulimic.
2. (1.02) "Pilot" - After a failed attempt to win the Democratic nomination for President, Elaine asks her husband, former President Donald "Bud" Hammond, for a divorce and becomes Secretary of State for election winner Paul Garcetti in this episode that introduces the series.
3. (1.04) "Lost Boys" - This episode featured flashbacks that revealed the origins of an earlier suicide attempt of T.J. Hammond, while he struggles to open a new nightclub. Meanwhile, Elaine and President Garcetti deal with a Chinese submarine that nearly sunk off the U.S. West Coast.
4. (1.06) "Resignation Day" - While the Garcetti Administration deal with the tragic crash of Air Force One and President Garcetti, Doug decides to elope with Anne; and both Elaine and Bud contemplate her running for president again in the near future.
5. (1.02) "Second Time Around" - Elaine convinces President Garcetti to appoint Bud as a negotiator to release three journalists held hostage in Iran. Susan serves as a member of the journalist corps, appointed to cover the story. And Doug leaks to Susan that Elaine will make another bid for president.
6. (1.03) "The Woman Problem" - To prevent Elaine from running for President again; President Garcetti asks her mentor, Justice Diane Nash, to retire from the Supreme Court, so that he can appoint Elaine to replace her. And Elaine's announcement of her decision to run for President draws negative reactions from Margaret, Doug and T.J.