‘BrainDead’ May Be An Accurate Representation Of U.S. Politics


Fans of The Good Wife will see some familiar faces in the new outing by that show’s producers Robert and Michelle King. But although BrainDead, debuting Monday, has a heavy dose of national politics, it adds a supernatural element with whom Alicia Florrick never had to fence — invading ants.

In the satire, reluctant D.C. staffer Laurel Healy arrives in Washington to work for her senator brother, Luke Healy, at their father’s urging. Once on Capitol Hill she uncovers an odd reality: bugs have arrived on a meteor and taken over the brains of politicians.

The New York Times called it reminiscent of the 1956 classic movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, when aliens work to replace leaders with emotionless figures. That movie was a commentary on Cold War-era Group Think; BrainDead appears to focus on entrenched ideology. The bugs make politicos more firmly attached to their place on the political spectrum.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead of 'Brain Dead'
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is the star of the new series ‘BrianDead.’ The actress attended the Tony Awards in New York City on June 12, 2016. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

The Times and the Washington Post wrote mostly positive reviews of the show based on advanced screenings. While its premise is apparently entertaining and watchable, and the Kings bring a stellar credential following The Good Wife, the satire does not cut very deep. The Post nonetheless enjoyed its relevance to the current campaign.

'Brain Dead' star Zach Grenier
‘Good Wife’ star appears in the new series by Robert and Michelle King, ‘BrainDead.’ (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

“The space bugs mostly cause their victims to become more politically entrenched: Democrats dig in on liberal stands; Republicans won’t budge on right-wing positions.

“Ridiculous, yes, but also engaging — and maybe some relief for viewers who are preoccupied with politics but could still use a break from cable news. ‘BrainDead’ is no ‘Good Wife,’ but it does have the Kings’ sense of wit and momentum. It also, to some degree, displays their knack for timely social commentary. Bugs in the brain are as good as any explanation for the political nightmare we’re living.”

'Brain Dead' star Danny Pino
Danny Pino stars as a senator in the new CBS series ‘BrainDead.’ (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Like The Good Wife, which was often closely tied to hot political issues, BrainDead makes subtle reference to the 2016 presidential campaign. Both presumptive major party nominees — Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — are spotted on television screens in the background.

Entertainment Weekly gave the pilot episode a “B,” praising former Monk star Tony Shalhoub as a Republican who disposes of his brain after an overnight bug attack. The magazine said Shalhoub can “make anything funny.” Overall, the review was also positive, although it criticized the show for its lack of deep satire, calling it “as thin as Donald Trump’s skin.”

“I love the idea of the Kings stretching themselves – or just spelling themselves – with an experiment in a different genre. Even if it’s a bust, it’s good for them. And if it’s not a bust, it’s really good for genre TV, which could always use a blast of inspired creativity.”

Although Zach Grenier and Megan Hilty — who played David Lee and Kurt McVeigh’s fellow ballistics expert Holly Westphal on The Good Wife — are already on the BrainDead cast roster, Robert King told the Hollywood Reporter that the idea of a full-fledged character crossover had occurred to them, especially since Winstead’s staffer and her senator brother would at some point need legal advice.

“Luke and Laurel need a lawyer, and we were wondering if it should be a lawyer from our show. I mean, an actor that we love working with, but whether that lawyer retains her name or his name.”

The Kings are already at work on a new Good Wife spinoff starring Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart in the leading role. The producing team is also developing a new pilot for Amazon called Vatican City.

BrainDead debuts Monday, June 13, at 10 pm.

[Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images]

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