Boss

I never thought I would ever see a show better than The Wire, but "Boss" is even more superbly written and executed. Every character is so adeptly and fundamentally flawed, from the superbly acted steely eyed mercurial and aging mayor (Grammar), who is consumed by evil incarnate like the degenerative neurological disease consuming his body, to the abandoned ingenue drug-addict daughter (Ware) so desperately seeking love and finding intimacy wherever she can; to the obsessively efficient political aid (Robertson) who is confronted with emotional attachment despite following a finely scripted and ruthless political ploy. The replete condemnation of our corrupt political system is consistently and unerringly resolute, and the suffering humanity created never seems stilted or supercilious. Truly a transplendent cinematic masterpiece!

Boss is the newest addition to the STARZ network's list of underrated and mind numbingly good shows (except Camelot. Camelot sucked). I've been watching this show since it began and damn, it's good!

It follows Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer, the new God of Television), the mayor of Chicago who gets diagnosed with a degenerative neurological disorder called DLB (Dementia with Lewy Bodies). The condition is quite similar to Parkinson's disease so you can imagine how difficult it must be. The series follows how he tries to run the city with an iron fist, at the same time juggling his political and personal life while concealing his condition from everyone (including his wife).

Without revealing too much of the story (watch this show, dudes! Seriously!!), Kane is portrayed as cold, brutal and ruthlessly calculating in his actions. Never before have I rooted for such a genuinely vicious character. It takes an exceptionally cold-blooded person to sell out his own family for political gain, and Kane does it multiple times. Everybody knows politics is a dirty business, but the way Kane operates, you hope against hope that the depiction is unrealistic.

Kelsey Grammer delivers an awe-inspiring, breathtaking and mind-blowingly awesome performance as Tom Kane. I grew up watching Frasier reruns in the evenings and I've always been a fan, but slap my ass and call me Judy (I got that from an old episode of Friends)! He's just that FREAKIN' GOOD! Grammer radiates this aura of malevolence, so much so that he almost intimidates you across the screen. His performance in itself is brilliant enough to carry the show on its shoulders, but as fate seems to have blessed this show with unlimited awesomeness, the supporting cast is exceptional as well.
Connie Nielsen as Meredith Kane, Tom's wife and Martin Donovan as Ezra Stone are two other characters who blow the socks off their respective roles. A special mention for Francis Guinan as Governor Mac Cullen. He's got the most humorous case of potty mouth I've ever seen!

The story is too engrossing to delve into here. Suffice to say you will not be disappointed. The character of Tom Kane is already in the league of other famous names like Walter White, Vic Mackey and Al Swearengen. And Grammer already has a trophy case containing all his Emmies and Golden Globes. I suspect it's time to get another one.

Tidbits

- Until episode 7 (Stasis), the storyline involving Kane's daughter Emma and Darius, the drug dealer was a complete waste of space, on paper and on screen.
- People should watch the first six episodes just to watch episode 7. A lot of bone crunching moments that literally make you gape like a fish.
- Zajac is my worst character on the show. Which makes episode 7 so sweet!
- In case you haven't noticed, I loved episode 7 the best.

The show has already given us seven good episodes in what will be a short season. With only the finale left, I wholeheartedly recommend you watch this show from the beginning. You won't regret it!

I was a bit skeptical after Grammar was unable to shake of Fraiser in the short-lived "Back to You" with Patricia Heaton, but Boss has really turned me around. The story revolves around long time mayor of Chicago Tom Kane (Grammar) who find out he is suffering from a debilitating and incurable disease that will slowly destroy his health and mind. Kane, who's position as mayor has consumed his life, can't resign so he keeps his disease a secret.

Boss is full of strong characters, from Kane's sharp and estranged wife Meredith to the journalist with a chip on his shoulder, each character is round and dynamic. The show is at its best when it shows us Kane's mind slowly unraveling: mumbling nonsense, losing time, hallucinations.

Love this show! Kelsey Grammer plays his part very well.

I've enjoyed every episode so far, and the political games and strategy are awesome. At first I was afraid that Kelsey Grammer wasn't able to play an other character than Frasier Crane, which he played very well. But Kelsey Grammer is made for playing the role of Tom Kane. I also love the actresses playing Meredith and the Mayor's daughter, little side stories but ultimately connected to the whole story. The character of the Mayor's aid ''Stone'' is also quite convincing. I would definitely believe that he works for a mayor or president, discussing various political situations and scenarios.

In other words, great show! Keep it going!