Netflix Summary:
Inside the White House’s staff residence and the lives workers share with the First Family.
FYA Summary:
During a contentious State Dinner with the Australian delegate, murder most foul is committed at the White House. Chief Usher A.B. Wynter (AKA the man who runs the entire domestic side of the White House) is found dead in the game room, and the suspects run the gamut from a drunken staff waiter to the President’s lay-about brother all the way to the randy Australian ambassador.
In order to find the culprit, Metropolitan Police bring in their secret weapon: freelance detective and amateur birder, Cordelia Cupp. She may piss off, well, almost everyone in her vicinity with her long, quiet stares and penchant for dipping out to the White House lawn to find a scope out a rare bird, but she’ll find your killer…eventually.
Familiar Faces:
There are so many familiar faces in this show it’s impossible to highlight them all. Everyone is having a blast, and you’ll be “oh, hey, that guy!”-ing multiple times per episode. Your big players are: Uzo Aduba as detective Cordelia Cupp, pitch perfect from her sweater vests to her long-but-I’ve-got-a-point Shondalogues** that reveal her to consistently be the smartest one in the room. Randall Park as FBI Agent Park playing every Randall Park character, who follows Detective Cupp around as the audience stand-in. Ken Marino playing his classic That Asshole, the President’s shady BFF. And Giancarlo Esposito as our proper-to-a-fault murder victim, Wynter, a role that, sadly, began with Andre Braugher until his untimely death last year.
(They had apparently shot multiple scenes with Andre, so when he died they had to pivot, and Giancarlo, a longtime friend of Braugher’s, graciously stepped in. I would have LOVED to see Andre in this role, but Giancarlo, as always, gave an excellent performance to do him proud. I saw a snippet of this Deadline interview with Susan Kelechi Watson and Ken Marino where Susan speaks so highly of Andre and Ken is just off to the side quietly breaking down, and, not gonna lie, it’s a real tearjerker. You can clearly see how much respect the cast had for each other and how much fun they were having, which made the show even more enjoyable to watch.)
**A portmanteau I have just coined from Shonda and monologue, because if you’ve watched any amount of Shondaland TV shows, you know exactly what kind of character speech I’m talking about.
Couch-Sharing Capability: High
A murder-mystery is always more fun to watch with others so you can speculate together. Clearly don’t watch with someone who is going to drive you crazy pointing out the inconsistencies or improbabilities, because this won’t be the MOST nuanced detective story you’ll watch.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Vodka In Fancy Glassware
All the First Gentleman’s mom wants is some DAMN VODKA and everyone is too busy being accused of murder to get it for her. If you want to rub it in her face, get your own vodka tonic while you craft your killer theory.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Delightful
It’s a Shonda-show; you know what you’re getting into, so I don’t wanna hear it if you didn’t like it. Because while it’s not a perfect murder mystery, Shonda knows how to craft a beautiful-looking, slyly amusing, talent-fest of a TV show. It’s eight episodes, so buckle in for side-stories and misdirection as you meander to the truth. My husband and I were sick on the couch all weekend and binging this provided the perfect distraction. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cordelia Cupp reprise her role in a new murder setting in the future…D.C. is ripe with possibilities. Murder in the Smithsonian Air and Space museum? A killer on the loose on Capitol Hill? Wherever she goes, I’ll meet her there with binoculars (for the bird-watching, of course).
Just finished this and absolutely enjoyed the hell out of it!!! Such a killer (hey-o) cast, and I thought the mystery / multiple suspect possibilities were super intriguing. I can totally picture Andre in the role of A.B.; it’s so sad but also a beautiful story with regards to Giancarlo stepping in (and nailing it).
I was just talking it up to a friend earlier today; it’s definitely been a hit with everyone I’ve spoken to that has watched it!