'Madam Secretary' Review: A Solid Start for Tea Leoni's Political Drama
Every TV fan knows that Fall is the most overwhelming season of the year. Why? One very simple reason: Too many shows and too little time. So we at ETonline are reviewing each and every one of the new fall TV shows to bring you our reviews on the good, the bad, the adorable and the just plain horrible.
Show:Madam Secretary
When It Airs: Sundays at 8 p.m. on CBS
The Biggest Stars: Téa Leoni, Keith Carradine, Tim Daly, Zeljko Ivanek.
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Here's What You Need to Know:
Leoni plays the highly relatable Elizabeth McCord, a college professor, wife, and mother, who also happens to be a former CIA agent. (Kuddos to Leoni for never making us think, 'There is no way she was in the CIA.' It is surprisingly easy to believe that Elizabeth was an agent once upon a time.) When the Secretary of State's plane goes down, Elizabeth is drafted by her old friend, President Conrad (Carradine), to uproot her family and fill the sudden vacancy.
Now Elizabeth must navigate the tricky social politics of the White House, with the life-threatening problems facing our nation, while still being a good mother to her two children. Unlike some other new dramas that are about a woman balancing a demanding career with her hectic home life, (Ahem… We're looking at you, Mysteries of Laura,) Madam Secretary succeeds in making the main character incredibly likable and charming.
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If You Like… The captivating political drama of The West Wing, the adrenaline-pumping story lines of Homeland, and the strong female empowerment tone of The Good Wife, then you'll really enjoy Madam Secretary.
Our Review in GIF Form:
Bottom Line:
Madam Secretary is an enjoyable fish-out-water drama with a high-stakes twist. Leoni's infusion of sincerity and compassion into the character is incredibly believable, and the first episode is 43-minutes of solid, watch-worthy television.
Are you going to tune in to Madam Secretary? Sound off with your favorite fall picks in the comments below!
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